Your trees and your garden are very important to you and while you love your landscape there may be some animals that would also love to stay on them. One kind of animal that could create havoc not just on your garden but also on your home are possums.

Possums are mostly cute but you definitely do not want them scuttling across your power lines in the middle of the night. The worst part about having possums nesting on your tree is that you do not want to battle against them as the brushtail and ringtail possums are both protected species.

Possums are protected species and it is a bad idea to have a battle against them. If you interfere or harass or worst kill them, you may get a hefty fine of $7,773. However, it is not illegal to control them as long as you have the permit to do so.

So what can you do if possums have access to your tree? Contacting an arborist can be a great help since they can provide you with ways to stop these animals from getting inside your property. Two common ways to deter possums are placing possum guards and crown pruning.

Possum guards. Possum guards are made of a clear sheeting that is placed around the girth of a trunk. possums will not be able to climb the tree as it has a slippery frictionless surface.

​Crown pruning. Your tree lopping Woodend specialist may recommend crown pruning especially for fruit trees or vines that have close contact to homes or buildings as possums are attracted to fruits. Your arborist may recommend some changes to avoid possums close access to your house.

Do you want to make some changes around your property which will involve removing or pruning the trees in your property? If you are, then you may need to get a permit first before you can make those changes.

Here are some reasons why you may need a council permit:

• If your property has a unique landscape overlay, a heritage overlay, or an existing planning permit
• The trees and vegetation on a property could be protected if you live in a flat, shoed occupancy or unit if the property is over a certain size. Removal of trees and vegetation on such location may result in a fine.
• The trees in your property could be subject to approval if it is a native vegetation which is mostly protected in your state or territory. Many of these native trees are monitored so if you wrongfully cut this, you may also receive a hefty fine.

You may not need a council permit if:

• The tree presents danger within the vicinity.
• The branches or limbs (which the only parts to be removed) is posing an immediate risk to the property.
• A neighbouring vegetation is posing a risk to your property. Talk to the property owner and discuss ways to resolve the problem.

If you are not sure whether you will need a council permit or not, contact a professional in tree removal Yamanto as they can help you determine if you will be needing a council permit or not. They can also help you attain such a permit if you really need one.

Now that we are in the middle of winter, you may already be thinking about an early landscaping maintenance this spring. But, do you know that it is better to give your trees that extra care in late winter as most trees are dormant during the cold season. This is the best time to clean and prune them so talk with your arborist and discuss tree lopping Kholo before spring comes.

Here are ways you can give your trees the proper care they deserve this winter:

Tree pruning. Pruning a tree in spring summer or fall may not be the best idea for them as they tend to have more sap flowing from their wounds. There is also a great chance for the sap to attract more insects which could produce fungal spores to the cuts. This can damage your tree significantly and may even lead to its death. Pruning in the spring is also a waste of resources as the tree tried its hard to grow and develop and you will just take it away from them.

Trimming in late winter will minimize the sap flow while conserving its resources. This leaves the tree with more nutrients as the arborist take away the dead branches. Come spring, the tree will be stronger and even greener.

If you do not have any experience with trimming a tree, do not attempt at doing it especially during winter as it will not be safe for you. Better contact an arborist as they have the right tools and safety gears to prune the trees better.

Normally trees provide us with a lot of good things which include shade, beauty and of course fruitage. They also help the environment and improves our landscape. However, there are some instances that you may need to consider hiring an expert in tree removal Moores Pocket.

Here are some reasons you might consider to remove a tree:

Sudden lean. It is easy to recognise when the tree’s normal growth pattern has been altered after seeing that it suddenly leaned to one side. This is an indication that the tree became hazardous and should be removed.

Disease. When the tree has a disease and it becomes very obvious and noticeable, this should also be removed. Symptoms of a diseased tree include spotted leaves, wilted foliage, fungi, unusual growths, and the like. Inspect your tree for any sign of disease since these serious ailments can be passed on to your other trees which could be dangerous in the end. It is important to call an arborist if your tree has signs of disease so that they can properly remove it before the disease spreads to healthy trees.

Storm damage. When a storm heavily damaged a tree, it can severely impact the health of the tree. Branches can break easily, and a once healthy tree can lean to one side. When a bad weather happens again, the tree can cause property damage which would give you more headaches in the end. Ask your arborist if a tree can be helped after a storm. If not, you can consider having the tree removed before accidents happen.

​Trees are constantly dealing with different changes in the environment and they have to deal with these changes or it would affect their overall health, structural integrity and even their appearance. With the help of a certified arborist and tree pruning services, the trees on your property can also receive the best care.

While some tree owners think that the steps to better care for their trees are just easy, but improper pruning can also result in decay, infestation, disease and worst death. DIY pruning can also be dangerous for you as the task will require dangerous equipment not to mention the difficulties of climbing and cutting down branches.

The job of an arborist

Windsail reduction. Trees can be hazardous at times, especially after a storm. Winds can also create property damage although wind can easily blow through during their dormant months in winter, during the spring and summer months, the canopy of the tree may act like a sail during wind storms.  To protect the tree and your property, a certified arborist will selectively remove branches reduce a windsail. This will help the tree not to bend during heavy windstorms.

Crown raising. This will involve cutting, pruning and removal of the lower branches of the tree to encourage more growth in the upper branches. Arborists are more cautious when it comes to crown raising mature trees since pruning larger lower branches could affect the tree growth and leave behind an open wound that could also lead to decay and infestation.

With a little willpower and strength, removing a tree is a task that can be done by anyone. However, tree removal Ironbark is best handled by professionals because they know how to get the job done right. 

We take a look at the common tree removal mistakes people do.

Leaving the tree stumps. Leaving the bottom part of the tree after the trunk has been cut down leaves potential problems. Stumps can easily attract termites and other insects. Termites in stumps can move into your home and cause inconvenience and structural damage to the property.

Not wearing safety gear. Basic safety gears such as hard hats, goggles and gloves should be used when removing a tree. A hard hat will protect your head in case a branch falls in the wrong direction. In the removing process, debris falls from the tree or spit out when using a chainsaw so wear goggles to protect your eyes. Gloves will protect your hands from the rough surfaces of the tree.

Unaware of the surrounding. The lack of awareness of your surrounding could be life-threatening. Always look around the area to avoid tripping from roots, cords, rocks and other things that may be on the ground. It is also important to be aware of the direction you are cutting especially when using a chainsaw. Make sure that the chain is locked when not in use or walking around to avoid accident.

Cutting the wrong trees. Deceased and dying trees, or unhealthy trees should be removed in a proper way. It is important to consider the condition and location of the tree you are considering to remove. Also, consider the effect of tree removal into your landscaping.

No escape options. It is important to plan an escape when cutting down a tree. There are times when a tree doesn't fall in the direction you expect it to fall and it is important to be alert and aware of the situation to avoid danger. Plan escape options and be ready to use it.

Tree removal services can help remove unwanted trees and keep the health and beauty of a landscape. It is also important to remember that there are times that things can go wrong in the removal process. If you are thinking of removing a tree on your own, consider the common mistakes and risks before you go ahead with it. You may want to consider hiring a well-equipped and experienced professional to do the job for you.

There are advantages to tree pruning that is why arborists recommend to do it. If done at the right time, this will promote good health and can even result in having more fruitage. However, one procedure most experts in arborists services Tivoli won’t do is tree topping. Below is a list of why trees should never be topped.

Creates weak new limbs. Topping happens when the largest branches of a mature tree are drastically trimmed. When a tree is trimmed, this will create weakly attached limbs because they do not have a large branch to sprout from. Naturally, new limbs should have sprouted from a larger branch, but since the tree is topped, the natural process of adding layers of wood that overlap branches over time is cut.

Fast growth of upper canopy. Once a tree is topped, the plant may react to a trauma by creating lots of long new sprouts to rapidly regain its size.

Disfigures the tree. Those who do tree topping automatically creates a once beautiful tree into a disfigured one. Even if it was able to regrow, it will never have the same beauty and grace it once had.

Tree death. Some tree species won’t survive this procedure as this will impair their ability to capture light and turn them into food, which will lead to its early demise.

So before you decide to top your tree, better consult an arborist first so they can discuss with you the dangers of topping and go to a better alternative, which is tree pruning.

When is really the right time to remove a tree from your property? Remember that your local arborist will still assess whether the tree can be saved or if it really needs to be removed. If your reasons for tree removal is because the tree does not look good in your property or you just don’t want it there, the specialist may not go along with you.
 
Here are some clear reasons why you should consider tree removal Woodend.

Internal decay. If a tree has been suffering internal decay, it is probably going to be difficult to save it. Visual signs of decay could indicate that the tree is also dead. Some signs of fungal organisms like seeing mushrooms at the base of the tree or conks that appear on the branches and trunks could indicate that the tree is already afflicted with fungal infections.

The tree suddenly leaned. A little bit of leaning is normal for most trees and it happens because the tree roots are promoting stability as it continues to grow. But if the tree suddenly leans, this could indicate that the root system has become unstable. You will need to consult with a tree specialist to see what help they can do for your tree.

Maybe a fire hazard. Some trees are flammable because of their sap and if you live in an area where wildfires happen, better consider if the tree is really safe or not.

​Once a tree care specialist comes to your property, he or she will do a proper assessment of your trees and what best practices can be applied to them.

To better take care of your trees, consider getting them a brace or a cable to add structural support to it. Professionals in tree lopping Blackstone mostly recommend bracing and cabling to help trees from possible damage or failure especially in the event of unfavourable weather.
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Bracing and cabling a tree involves placing flexible steel and cable between trunks or even the branches. Tree pruning will also be done before the installation of a brace is done to minimize the likelihood of the cable breaking off during a storm.
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Advantages of bracing and cabling

Reduce the movement of healthy branches and trunks. The healthy branches and trunks will be safe from possible damage during a storm, while they provide additional support to possible weak spots which are most vulnerable during high winds and heavy rains.
With the tree getting enough support, it will be much less susceptible to damage since the branches will not be moving as freely as they should be during high winds, this will also lessen the chances of having fractures, thus they will not break easily.

Provides support to multiple tree links and trunks. The simple use of cabling and bracing can provide branches and trunks whether it is a cluster or not with enough support to survive the bad weather.

Reduces the risk of property damage. In times of storms, bracing and cabling will help ease your mind since the risks of property damage and possible injuries are less.
Ask your arborist if the tree in your property needs cabling as certain tree species are more susceptible to tree damage from high winds than others.

​Do you know that this is the right to do some landscape maintenance while the weather is still chilly and wintry? Since most trees are dormant during the winter and remain so until early spring, this is the right time to do some proper cleanup, pruning and applying fertilizer to the soil.

Tree pruning. Tree pruning done during the spring summer or fall could make your tree vulnerable from losing more sap that could result from attracting insects, which in the end could result to an infection due to fungal spores they got from the cut.

Pruning in winter will minimize sap flow while being able to remove unhealthy branches. The tree will be left with more nutrients and water for the remaining branches so that they can also grow and become stronger.

A challenging part when pruning in winter is the winter cold itself. It is challenging enough to climb a ladder and start cutting branches, combined this with the chilly breeze and snow, well you get the point! If you are uncertain and uncomfortable with pruning the tree in winter, you are best to just hire a professional in tree lopping Churchill to come to your property and have the trees trim for you.

Proper cleanup. It is necessary to do a proper cleanup of the leaves before the temperatures rise up because the fungi left on the fallen leaves may infect the tree once spring comes. Rake the fallen leaves into a pile and burn or bury them to kill any active fungi.

Fertilize it. During the late winter, you can start fertilizing the trees so that they will more time to seep the nutrients into the soil before spring begins. However, you do not have to fertilize your trees every late winter. Mature trees should only fertilize every three to four years while slowly growing trees can be fertilized every year.