Tree Removal and Pruning

Local Tree Care are both well qualified and experienced to handle all aspects associated with the safe removal of a tree. The tree industry is fraught with danger and a considerable amount of training and education relating to OH&S procedures has been undertaken by us to ensure that the provision of service is safe for both the staff and contractors of Local Tree Care and also for the property owner and general public in close proximity to the services being provided.

Due consideration is given at all times to:

• The risks associated with the provision of service,

• The subsequent requirements relating to OH&S,

• the location of the tree,

• the location of utility services,

• surrounding buildings,

• the understory landscape,

• access to the tree determining whether a tree can be dismantled safely with an elevated work platform or whether a climber is required

• The erection of safe working zones to restrict access to the work site,

• Whether traffic control is required,

• The scope of machinery and equipment required to provide the services.

These are just an example of some of the factors that must be considered prior to the commencement of any service.

Landscape trees require a higher level of care to:

• ensure their safety for both the property owner and the general public,

• maintain their long term retention with good growth practices and to

• retain their aesthetic appeal.

Common pruning practices encompass the:

• removal of dead branches,

• removal of any cross over branches (where two or more branches intersect and rub against each other resulting in the development of wounds within the tree),

• crown reduction works to reduce the size and weight of branches and also to encourage the flow of air and light within the canopy,

• eliminate any identifiable hazards or potential hazards.

• the transmission of pests and diseases, for instance when pruning a tree climbers MUST NOT use spurs as this can result in the transmission of disease and the spurs can inflict wounds into the tree resulting in pests, diseases and pathogens having an entry point to the vascular system of the tree,

• the long term impact on the health of the tree in respect to the stored energy reserves from a trees canopy (larger trees usually have lower stores of reserved energy increasing the risks to the long term health of the tree as it attempts to compartmentalise a large wound. Also encompassing short term stress related health issues,

• the ability for the tree to compartmentalise a wound (the larger the wound the more difficult it is for the tree to seal the wound) smaller cuts will reduce the damage sustained by a tree than larger cuts, therefore formative pruning practices from an early age will, in the long term, aid in the long term retention of a tree, reduce the damage sustained and importantly reduce the financial costs related to the maintenance of the tree together with ensuring that the tree has developed a strong structure with a sturdy, well-spaced framework of branches that will in the long term will require less selective pruning.

Therefore when considering Local Tree Care to provide pruning maintenance services to your tree/s keep in mind that:

• Proper technique is essential – consider how important the tree/s are to your property and then consider that poor pruning practices will have an adversely negative impact on the overall growth of the tree/s, may reduce the potential life of the tree/s and the damage sustained may not be easily corrected and could last the life of the tree.

• ‘Lopping’ practices often result in new growth that is weak and dangerous impacting the structural integrity of the tree, epicormic regrowth grows at 3-5 times faster than standard branch growth and is prone to branch failure as it is weakly attached. Long term the financial costs associated with the retention and maintenance of the tree are significantly increased.