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Tree Services
Highly Skilled and Qualified Arborists
Pruning of Trees
As your arborist, I can help determine the type of pruning necessary to maintain or improve the health, appearance, and safety of your trees.
These techniques can include:
- Eliminating branches that rub on each other
- Removing limbs that interfere with wires, building facades, gutters, roofs, chimneys, or windows, or that obstruct streets or footpaths
- Removing dead or weak limbs that pose a hazard or may lead to decay
- Removing diseased or insect-infested limbs
- Creating better structure to lessen wind resistance and reduce the potential for storm damage
- Training young trees to grow structurally strong and look aesthetically the best they can
- Removing limbs damaged by adverse weather conditions
- Removing branches, or thinning, to increase light penetration
- Improving the shape or silhouette of the tree
Why We Need to Prune
Pruning is a horticultural practice involving the selective removal of parts of a tree, such as branches and roots.
Pruning at regular intervals will promote good tree health and enhance the appearance of your property.
Reasons for Pruning are:
- Appearance
- Health
- Structure
- Safety
Note: You need to remember certain types of pruning on certain types of trees will dramatically increase flowers, fruit, and general growth, while other types of pruning can do the exact opposite, this needs to be discussed with your arborist.
Appearance
If you take pride in the appearance of your yard and property, the most obvious reason for pruning a tree is to reshape it so that it is more attractive. Every year trees grow, producing longer or additional branches. We have the knowledge, skills and tools to properly cut back and remove branches to improve the appearance of the trees in your property.
Structure
More importantly than appearance of a tree is its structure. We can analyse a tree and determine what should be removed to keep a tree strong and stable. Structurally unsound trees not only cause damage to themselves, but can cause thousands of dollars damage to buildings, cars, other trees and plants and sometimes cause injury to people. Having a tree professionally pruned or thinned by an arborist minimizes the risk of damage.
Health
One of the most important reasons to have Arborforce Tree Service maintain your trees for you is that we are knowledgeable about the signs of an ailing tree. Our training allows us to recognize when an area of a tree is infested with insects or is dying and rotting, posing a potential health hazard to you and your property. We can prune away broken or diseased branches and thin branches to maintain a healthy structure avoiding damage or destruction of the tree. And, if the insect damage or rot should be too extensive, we can advise you to remove the tree to prevent damage or injury to people, pets or property. At no means are you obligated to use us, if we advise you that your tree needs to be removed. It is always good practice to get multiple quotes, if time allows.
Safety
Most home or property owners do not have the tools, ladders or lifts to effectively and safely prune or thin their own trees and put themselves at risk in trying to maintain their own trees. We have the equipment to do the job safely and effectively.
Topping is perhaps the most harmful arborcultural practice known. Despite more than thirty-five years of articles and seminars explaining its harmful effects, topping remains a common practice throughout QLD. Please be aware that topping can greatly shorten the life of your trees. The large wounds made from topping allow disease and decay organisms an easy route by which to attack your tree.
Topping generally makes your trees ugly and that can reduce your property value.
Over time, more often, it is cheaper to prune and shape your trees than to top them!
Topping unfortunately is still commonly carried out, there are tree companies willing to cut anything for money or tree owners that don’t have any idea or have received bad advice from others. The practice of topping is a risk to the tree, property, and the public. If the tree was to fail, in some way, after incorrect pruning was carried out then legal issues can arise and fall back onto both the tree company and the tree owner.
If your trees have been topped in the past then please contact us for advice on what can be done to rectify your trees. We are here to help you and your trees.
Remember to remove the risk of legal issues that could relate to a failure of a tree because of incorrect pruning techniques then, you need to always get work done by qualified professionals that follow the current Australian Standards for Pruning of amenity trees.
Reasons why trees get topped are usually because of things like, bad plant choices, new buildings, or renovations, lack of space or light, lack of pro-active maintenance, neglect, trying to turn a tree into a hedge, or just too busy to understand the damage caused to a tree once topped. Carelessness in this area could lead to an insurance claim refusal if the tree failed due to incorrect pruning. Remember the “TOPPING” practice is not to be confused with proper pruning.
Note: Tree topping – is the act of removing or cutting back of large branches in mature trees, leaving large, open wounds which fall subject to disease and decay.
The Difference Between Topping and Pollarding
The difference between topping and pollarding (as in proper pollarding) is that the branches cut are never more than one-to-two years old. In topping, much older and larger branches are cut. Only a few varieties of trees tolerate pollarding as a management method.
Formative Pruning (Tree Forming)
Tree forming is where we carry out selective pruning to a juvenile tree to achieve a perfect balance and create a personally designed tree to suit your yard and you.
Tree forming is best done early to take control of your tree at stages of development. This helps to shape the tree as it grows into maturity.
Formative pruning affects the spacing, orientation, shape and size of branches as the tree matures.
Carrying out early Formative pruning means you don’t need to prune heavily in future.
It is therefore preferable to make any necessary formative structural pruning cuts to young plants, when possible, rather than removing large, poorly placed branches from mature plants.
Limb Removal
Sometimes, it is necessary to remove certain branches of a tree’s crown without fully reducing, thinning or lifting the crown.
Reasons for limb removal are:
- Crossing branches,
- Diseased, decayed,
- Damaged, dead,
- Non-productive,
- Structurally unsound wood.
- Or, even if a large branch or number of branches have travelled over a boundary or restricted area. (This process generally involves removing as little live growth as possible to ensure the health and stability of the tree.)
View Clearing
As you know, all great landscape views are framed by trees. When the landscape is perfect everything seems to be drawn to scale but the problem is trees keep growing so this means there is a need for view clearing.
When we carry out view clearing, we take into account both the tree and the customer’s needs. However if the tree was to suffer, we would work with the customer to come up with alternative solutions. The tree always comes first.
Our aim is to create fresh unobstructed views while keeping the trees growing in a healthy and aesthetically attractive manner.
Crown Cleaning
Crown cleaning involves the removal of dead, dying and dangerous wood for health and safety reasons.
As a tree grows it is natural for some branches to die back.
This can be caused by branches that do not produce enough carbohydrates from photosynthesis, trees general health, and age.
Dead-wooding – removing the dead wood to prevent damage below and to the tree as a source of infection for pathogens.
Remember, for safety reasons, it is the tree owner’s responsibility to have your tree regularly inspected and cleared of any deadwood.
Crown Lifting
This is where we remove selected branches and limbs from the lower part of the tree’s crown. This raises the crowns overall height.
Crown lifting is generally carried out for the following reasons:
- To allow people, and or vehicles to pass safely underneath, (Sometimes to comply with council regulations over footpaths and roads clearance requirements).
- To open up lower space in trees to create a large open area which increases draft (and can mean less mozzies waiting for you).
- To allow work access under the tree.
- To increase light levels under the tree for the growth of other plants or allow more light into surrounding structures.
- For aesthetic reasons – to remove an eye level screen.
Crown Reductions
This is where we reduce the size of the tree’s overall canopy, to make the crown smaller without spoiling the shape. This is achieved by pruning the branches evenly throughout the crown.
Please note that this is a drastic pruning method, only appropriate with some species, It is not work which can be regularly repeated without harming the health of the tree. This type of work is the most difficult kind of pruning to do properly and must be carried out by cutting back to a side bud or branch to achieve a natural appearance without leaving stumps (which can die back and cause infection).
This is a great time to take the opportunity to remove crossing branches, deadwood, diseased, damaged, non-productive, and any structurally unsound wood.
We can reduce a crown to best suit the tree and/or property, or carryout detailed specifications such as clearances needed of other structures around the tree or certain percentages of overall tree dimensions. Crown reductions are generally carried out for:
- Preventative tree damage to buildings or power lines.
- Enhancing aesthetic value of the tree.
- Help to correct balance issues.
- Preventing later damage to the tree.
- Correcting trees after storm damage and reduce weight of unsafe branches.
- Keeping the tree under control.
Crown Thinning
Crown Thinning involves the selective removal of inner branches evenly throughout the tree’s crown.
This is an effective method of allowing light to travel through the crown and allows air to circulate more effectively throughout the canopy without altering the tree’s natural shape.
Thinning often produces short lived results, particularly in the case of young vigorous species which may produce masses of dense re-growth in subsequent years. This work may be carried out to:
- Improves health of remaining branches.
- Protect the main branches from damage.
- Reduce weight of the crown.
- Allow more light to pass through the crown.
- Reduce wind resistance and increase stability.
- Reduce water demand after root damage has occurred.
- Take the opportunity to remove crossing branches, deadwood, diseased, damaged, non-productive, and any structurally unsound wood.
- Maintain and generally improve on the aesthetic value of the tree.
Pollarding
Pollarding over the years has found its way into the practice of arboriculture. This can sometimes be incorrectly referred to as ‘lopping or topping’. Pollarding is a poorly understood arboricultural technique that has long been confused with topping in the Queensland community.
Reasons for Pollarding
Preventing trees and shrubs from outgrowing their allotted space, reducing the excessive shade caused by a tree in certain areas and it may be necessary on street trees to prevent service wires, poles, and streetlights being obstructed.
Pollarding does not work well on all species of trees, in fact, only a select few have the ability to thrive from it.
Although “topping” a tree can be a “death blow” to the tree’s health, pollarding a tree can be successfully done to a select few, most commonly our fruit trees.
The process involves the removal of all branches, and most limbs, resulting in the remainder of only the trunk and occasionally a framework of the major limbs allowing new branches to sprout from the cuts.
This process somehow became popular many years ago as a way to control our larger trees.
There are very few circumstances we recommend this practice, and if we do, then it is usually on ornamental trees, fruit trees, and dead habitat trees. Once a tree has been pollarded then this process ideally needs to be done every one to two years for the rest of the trees life.
If a large tree has been pollarded in the past, then the re-growth will need to be kept under control as structural issues can arise. Not properly maintained pollarded trees will become potentially hazardous in two ways:
- Large pollarding cuts may allow decay fungi to enter the tree which will in time impact on the trees structural integrity, which can cause further complications.
- Trees with weaker wood prone to producing multiple shoots often have weakly-attached branches that can break off both with and without the help of wind and fall. These branches over time do become heavy when pollarding maintenance lapses so if tree has been pollarded in the past then it needs to be done again and again for the rest of the trees life.
- Most times we pollard are when under direction of councils and other governing bodies to protect habitat areas. i.e. Making a dead or dying tree as safe as possible because it is a living environment for wildlife.
General Tree Removal
Although we try to save trees as much as possible, sometimes it becomes necessary to remove a tree (especially when decay and root death render a tree hazardous). We hope it can be replanted with a new one if it needs removal.
Tree Removals are performed with safety being our highest priority, while minimizing invasiveness in your landscape. Every tree varies in size and location and Tony with his staff can easily access the most practical method to safely remove any sized tree in any location. We are fully trained and equipped to handle any tree removal in Brisbane, in an efficient manner. The trunk will be cut as close to the ground as possible, or maybe you would prefer to have it ground out so that you can re-plant or renovate the area at a later date.
Tree Removal Is Recommended When:
- A tree is dead or dying
- A tree is considered hazardous and cannot be salvaged
- A tree is an obstruction that cannot be corrected by pruning
- A tree is crowding other trees and causing harm
- A tree needs to be replaced with a more suitable variety
- A tree is to be removed to allow for new construction
Check Before You Cut Down Trees
Please remember, we have many trees that have some form of tree protection on them. If your tree is protected then there is a good reason for it. Protections placed on trees or property by authorities are not just slapped on, large amounts of research is needed before the protection gets put into place. However, it has been observed many times that all the information does not always get to the tree or property owner. So unfortunately, at times, the owners either don’t understand the protection or worse don’t even know there is a protection in place. There are many different types of protections and they can carry different restrictions as to what can be done to a tree. We can help you here, we can sit down and explain it all to you in simple layman terms.
Some services on trees do not require a formal application to the Local council. It is advisable however, to check with the Local Authority in order to avoid misunderstanding.
It is the tree owners responsibility to ensure they know if their trees are protected in some way.
We can conduct the enquiry on your behalf to ensure total compliance with the Tree Protection Order.
We work alongside various councils to uphold the rules and constraints of the trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order and trees in conservation areas.
Types of Tree Removal
Tree Felling
Felling allows the arborist to fell the whole tree from the ground.
Sectional Felling
Sectional felling means that the tree is felled in sections. These are usually rigged down to prevent damage to your property. If the tree has become unsafe to climb and cannot be felled, a work platform (cherry picker) or crane may be required to make sure the whole operation is safe. Additionally, we will remove the felled tree and leave the ground in a clean and safe manner. In some cases, we can leave the logs and chipping’s if requested and where practical.
Dangerous Trees
It is usually fairly obvious if a tree is dead or dying. A dangerous tree is much harder to ascertain as to what is the safest method to remedy, if at all possible or total removal may be the only option.
Logs for Milling
We can refer millers in your area for your logs, they can work either onsite or off-site.
No Tree Removal Is the Same
Trees of all different shapes, sizes and ages can fall victim to disease and decay. Unfortunately again the symptoms can go unnoticed for far too long, causing devastating effects to the trees surroundings. If trees do go untreated, it can be your garden, your home, your car, or even yourself who can suffer the consequences of a dangerous tree.
It is important to make sure that you regularly have your trees inspected and maintained by a qualified tree surgeon. This can ensure a long and prosperous life for your trees and could save a tree from being totally removed (when it does not need to be). It could also save you from high mental stress and financial loss.
Do not underestimate the brutal force of a decaying or dead tree. Treat your trees with respect, and care for them; so that they can help care for you, your family and the environment.
Firewood Splitting
Onsite wood splitting of your trees or logs, this can be at an hourly rate or quote by job.
Stump Grinding
In order to remove stumps from your property there are two common options: grinding the stump, or digging the stump out with a machine like an excavator. We carry out both methods.
Stump Grinding is the preferred method for stump removal in most situations as it limits the extent of site disturbance, impact, and cost.
We can efficiently grind your stumps whether you have one stump on a steep incline in the back yard or an entire site riddled with stumps.
Stump grinding is advantageous for home-owners because it removes hazards and beautifies the landscape. In the past, it wasn’t uncommon to see stumps in yards in our neighbourhood. Now because of the convenience and affordability of stump grinding, more people are choosing to have stumps removed. By removing stumps, you can change the whole look of your yard quickly! This service can be included in the quote for trees that are removed or can be an additional service for any unwanted stumps that you may already have.
Reasons for stump grinding are:
- Building
- Laying a fence or wall
- Replanting the area
- Or, simply, its unsightly
Our various Stump Grinders offer different grinding solutions from shallow grinding, below the ground so soil and grass can be put down, medium grinding below the ground for the like of new drive ways, garden edging, paving etc, and to total grinding out of the stump (Because of things like planting; of new trees or for new foundations for a structure).
Our Stump Grinders are of various widths which allows us access through most pool and garden gates, passage ways, (even doorways).
If the stump is infected we advise that the surrounding soil and chipping’s from grinding are to be removed and replaced with clean soil.
Alternatively, once the tree has been removed and you feel grinding is not an option then you can always add a root rotting agent to the stump which will help speed up the process of the stump rotting down over time. (Please note however a dead stump in the ground can be very tempting for termites).
We can even, if requested replace the area with new soil, level and lay grass to completely remove any evidence the tree existed.
Potential Hazards
Stump Grinding and Owner’s Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the property owner/manager to ascertain the location of all underground services. Hence, we accept no liability for any damage caused to these services during the grinding process.
You may need to check the position of:
- All underground service cables
- Water lines
- Gas lines
- Drainage and sewer pipes
- Watering systems
We will make every effort to take as much care as possible; however, it is our duty to inform you that this matter is ultimately your responsibility.
When finished, a mound of finely ground stump chips, approximately two to three times the size of the stump remains. This material is left on your site for your use or disposal. If you request it, we can remove these grindings for an additional fee.
Our largest grinder can leave some markings in the landscape from the line to the stump during travel across the terrain, especially in wet conditions; care will always be taken to make these as minor as possible. In situations, where turf damage is a significant concern, we can cover the path with plywood and mats, if requested, prior to the date on which the stump grinding is scheduled.
Owners Responsibilities
Due to the many potential hazards associated with stump grinding operations, mainly due to the fact we are working blindly under the surface sometimes with limited knowledge from the client, we therefore require the client to provide us with written confirmation of all the locations of buried utilities prior to commencement of this work. If the client has accepted us to carry out the grinding and a time and date has been approved to carry this out and we do not receive the confirmation of locations of all utilities then the client accepted all risks under the ground.
Remember, if it is underground then it is deemed hidden, we are not responsible for hidden obstructions.
Pre-Construction Advice
When planning large-scale landscape construction (or home additions) in which land levels are changed around existing vegetation, or large equipment will be driven in proximity to trees, it is best to get us to mark out tree protection zones. When it comes to trees and construction, preventative tree work is cheaper than ongoing rejuvenation or tree removal.
Tree Advice and Reports
Tree/Shrub Problem Diagnosis
It is usually fairly obvious if a tree is dead or dying. A dangerous tree is much harder to ascertain. When you visually inspect your tree we look out for fungal fruiting bodies, unnatural leans, swellings, cracks, cavities, weak forks, loose bark, damaged roots or crown dieback. These are possible indicators that all may not be well with the tree.
During the course of you walking around your gardens it is always a good idea that if anything arouses your suspicions as to a tree’s health and condition your first step is to write it down and take photos. Your arborist should only be a phone call away, and if you seek further advice then you should always call on a competent certified arborist to come for a further inspection.
Remember the sooner the tree is inspected, then the better the chances of a remedy.
Reports
Trees need to be regularly inspected as part of a long term management plan. A Tree Survey can be carried out either as a ground or aerial visual inspection, which looks at the tree’s current condition and any remedial recommendations suggested.
We carry out both Ground and Aerial Assessment
Ground Assessments (Common)
Ground Tree Inspections:-This method gathers information by visually assessing your tree’s health and condition or identify any possible hazards seen from the ground.
Aerial Assessments (Specialised)
Aerial Tree Inspections This method gathers more information on findings not seen from just standing on the ground but by climbing the tree.
Certain structural defects in trees are easily seen from the ground, whereas others are better diagnosed when climbing the tree. There is always the possibility however of hidden areas hiding such things as defects and decay under the bark and in the stump underground.
Remember in real terms there is no such thing as a safe tree but good maintenance by professionals ensures a safer tree.
When a customer asks if a tree is safe all we can do is evaluate and assess the tree in concern.
The goal here is to assess the tree and to ascertain the possible amount of risk the tree possesses.
Tree owners have a responsibility to ensure their trees are healthy and assessed for risks especially when they have the capacity to cause damage to third parties.
In regards to a growing tree there is always a risk of tree or limb failure. The cause of a failure can be blamed on one of two things;
Act of God
An event or occurrence due to natural causes which occurs independently of human intervention and either could not be foreseen, or if foreseen, could not be reasonably guarded against. (e.g. storm, flood, earthquake, cyclone).
Negligence
Failure to take reasonable care to avoid foreseeable harm to other people or their property.
Negligence is the loser in litigation! Don’t be a loser!
Costing a Report
Depth of detail that you may require can vary greatly from tree to tree and property to property, and the very reason for the report in the first place. So please contact us, we can sort out an estimate on doing an Arborist Report.
Treating Trees
Insect and Disease Control
Certain insect or disease problems can be controlled to below a certain threshold by cultural controls that the customer can implement. If chemical controls are deemed necessary, we can offer a full pest control program using time-tested insecticides and fungicides.
Fertilising
Trees growing in a residential setting are often found lacking essential nutrients because of competition with grass and other shrubs. In addition to this, the decomposing leaves that would normally put nutrients back into the soil are raked up. Our general fertilization program is a program designed to compensate for this situation. In tailoring a fertilization program to a customer’s property, we take into account the specific needs of the tree, any signs of deficiency, and the surrounding environment.
Types of Fertilisation
- Granulated - To enhance tree and shrub health
- Soil injection- To enhance tree and shrub health, we inject fertiliser 4”-8” below the soil surface into the root zone, where there is little competition from turf for nutrient uptake. We use our slow release custom blend fertiliser, which includes mychorrizal fungi, biostimulants, and nutrients.
Tree Injection
In emergency situations, where time is of the essence, we also carry out stem injection which is quicker but we do need to drill holes in the tree to apply.
Mycorrhizas are beneficial fungi that live in a symbiotic relationship with a tree or plant. They attach themselves to the root of the plant and spread out into the soil where they transport water and nutrients to the plant. They in turn live off the plant’s sugars. This mutually-beneficial relationship helps trees through times of drought and stress, and can even decrease the chance for root-related diseases.
Watering
We can check moisture levels in your gardens and advise on watering amounts needed. This is important during times of drought. We can even carry out watering if you are away.
Mulching
Mulching is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your trees and shrubs. Placing mulch around your tree improves soil quality, provides nutrients, reduces competition from turf, and reduces the likelihood of damage from Whiper snipers or lawn mowers. Mulch also adds insulation in both Winter and Summer plus it retains moisture. Helps to sustain a comfortable soil temperature which is very important considering the harsh conditions we have experienced over the years.
Tree Cabling & Tree Bracing
Cabling and bracing are the two most common forms of structural support for fragile trees.
Certain trees may lose their structural integrity due to a number of reasons. Cabling and bracing may help support a tree and can prevent the need for removal.
Where old or valuable trees are in danger of collapsing then bracing can be a worthwhile alternative to heavy pruning or removal. We can inspect the trees and advise on the most appropriate system of bracing or propping.
We install cables and bracing that meets or exceeds industry standards.
Wood Chipping Service
Chipping branches for easy compost regenerating.
These services can be charged at an hourly and/or daily rate depending on the job. The chipper hire comes with a minimum of two experienced operators.
We chip from 0 inch to 10 inch wide timber. Anything chipped on your site is yours to keep, if you want it back, just ask.
Please note: The properties in some mulch may have an adverse effect on your garden. Please ask us about the suitability of your mulch.
Good reasons you may not want to keep your tree mulch:
- If your tree died prematurely
- If your tree Showed signs of diseases
- If your tree suffered from pests
- If your tree was of a weed species
Fresh mulch is good mulch, and seasoned mulch is better.
The chip created from your trees will be available for you to keep for use as mulch, providing you let us know prior to setting the truck up and that we can either have a clear area to spray the mulch straight from the chipper or tip them from the truck into a pile. What you don’t want, we take it away to a place where they will be used as mulch or recycled into compost.
Your wood can be cut into logs for you to keep for burning. If you don’t have a use for it then we’ll take them somewhere where they are needed, either for burning or recycling. All material generated from our work is recycled and put to good use. Nothing goes to landfill!