Pruning and Removing

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Pruning, Removing and Stump Grinding

The benefits of pruning

Pruning can help or injure your tree. Good pruning is one of the most important things you can do for your trees health and stability. Quality pruning that removes dead, diseased, or damaged branches is generally good for the health of your tree. Removal of large amounts of green foliage is generally undesirable.

A correctly pruned tree can be a valuable asset to your home. Incorrect pruning or branch removal can be a serious injury that can lead to tree failure or death. It is better to do nothing at all than to have your tree incorrectly pruned.

Good pruning usually limits the removal of only small amounts of foliage. There is only one correct spot at which to cut a branch. Branches should always be removed to a branch collar at the trunk or at a suitable sized branch. Information on correct pruning can be found in AS 4373-2007 Pruning of amenity trees.

A pruning cut that is too close to the trunk can result in significant cavities. Cuts that are too far from the trunk often require corrective pruning at a latter event. Experience has shown us that arborists with higher qualifications (AQF level 5) and with 10 years or more experience generally make better cuts.

Pruning is an investment in the long term health and risk management of your tree. Just like most restoration work such as panelbeating, the best tree pruning work should be barely visible.

Note: Many councils require a permit for pruning work. (See council consent below). In some instances, you can still be fined for pruning without consent even if the pruning work is of a high and professional standard. Some councils require an arborist report to consider an application.

Tree Removal

This involves the complete removal of your tree to within 15cm (6 inches) above ground level (where possible) and the removal of debris.

Tree removal is a hazardous occupation and should be undertaken only by trained personnel or under the direct supervision of trained personnel, all of whom are covered with by workers compensation, and public liability insurance.

Almost all household insurance policies exclude damage caused by tree work becuase of teh amount of damage that can be caused by home owners and 'fly by nighters' undertaking tree pruning or removal without the appropriate training and experience.

Council consent.

Most councils require you to have a permit prior to the removing and sometimes even the pruning of any tree. These councils will often specify the limits of any work that is permitted, but you are not obligated to prune to the limits or even to remove a tree that you have a permit to remove. One of our consuting arborists can best advise you on what work is appropriate.

As a general rule, you need council's consent to remove a tree (sometimes even a dead tree). Whilst there are exemptions, these exemptions vary from council to council. Therefore, it is important you check your council's tree preservation order before removing any tree.

If council consent is required, you will need to fill in the relevant application forms. If the council approves, they will issue you with a permit of letter of consent. This document must be on site when the work is being performed. To receive written consent from the council. Your council does have the right to refuse any application, and you have the right to appeal any refusal.

Hefty fines in excess of $1 million may apply if you breach a tree preservation order. It is important that you check with your council and ensure that you have any appropriate permit prior to commencing any work.

Note: Some councils require an arborist report to consider an application.

If you have council consent call contact us and we will arange for a free quote.

Stump Grinding

This involves grinding the visible stump to below ground level. The hole created by grinding will be back filled with stump grindings. The normal practice in the industry is to leave any excess grindings on site and normally mounded over the hole. Where a tree is being removed because of a root rot, the grindings should be removed to a land fill tip and all.