Guidelines for tree maintenance (Updated 22nd March 2005)

Before we start a note of caution! - do employ an expert, especially for major work. It is not only better for the health of the tree, but also for its appearance. Remember – It is both skilled and dangerous work.

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How can I make my tall tree safer?

Does tree topping create other hazards?

Is topping the least expensive way to reduce a tree?

What other costs are associated with topping trees?

Why do we prune trees?

After pruning, should the cuts be treated with anything?

When is the best time to prune?

What is a "proper pruning cut?"

How much should be pruned?

Can I prune my tree myself?

Are there other hazards to doing my own pruning?

What are my trees worth?

What are the main threats to trees?

Is there any treatment for trees damaged by construction?

Can I plant a tree where the other tree was removed?

What should I consider when choosing a new tree?

How can I gain more light through my tree?

What is the difference between potgrown and potted?

Can I have a fire near a tree?

How often should I water a new tree?



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How can I make my tall tree safer?
A certified Arborist, or tree surgeon, would remove some of the dense limbs all the way up your tree's height. This takes the "sail" out of the tree's mass, and improves air movement. With less resistance to the wind comes a much safer tree.
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Does tree topping create other hazards?
Yes, it does. Few trees are able to combat the multiple severe wounds caused by topping. Stubs left from topping usually decay and the shoots produced below the cuts are weakly attached to the tree. As they grow quickly very large, they are likely to break, particularly in windy weather.
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Is topping / lopping the least expensive way to reduce a tree?
The true cost of this practice is not just the initial fee paid. Within a few years, if it survives, the injured tree will need to be trimmed again, or its new branches will fall victim to storm damage and the resulting cleanup. Of course, if it dies, it will have to be removed. One more reason to avoid this high maintenance pruning practice.
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What other costs are associated with topping trees?
Another cost frequently ignored is the effect on property value. Healthy, well-maintained trees can add 10% to 20% to the value of a property. Trees disfigured by topping are considered a pending expense, which can reduce the value of the property. Further, because topping is an unacceptable pruning practice, any damage caused by branch failure in a topped tree may lead to a finding of owner negligence in a court of law.
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Why do we prune trees?
Common reasons for pruning include removing dead branches, removing crowded or rubbing limbs, and eliminating hazards. Done properly, with an understanding of tree biology, pruning can maintain good tree health and structure. It can also enhance the beauty and economic value of our landscapes.
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After pruning, should the cuts be treated with anything?
Current research shows that it is not beneficial to treat pruning wounds with any materials. Proper pruning cuts made by our arborists will seal naturally and treatments on the wounds may actually slow this process. If certain species of oaks or elms are being pruned during the growing season, it may be necessary to treat the larger wounds to help minimize the risk of disease infection.
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When is the best time to prune?
Most routine pruning to remove weak, diseased or dead limbs can be done any time during the year. Some trees, such as maples and birches, tend to "bleed" if pruned early in the spring. While this may be unsightly, it does not hurt the tree.
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What is a "proper pruning cut?"
Pruning cuts should be made just outside the branch collar. The collar contains trunk or parent branch tissue and should not be damaged or removed.
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How much should be pruned?
This depends on tree size, species, age and pruning objectives. Over-thinning reduces sugar production and can create tip-heavy limbs prone to failure. A tree can recover from several small pruning wounds better than one large wound. Young trees can tolerate pruning better than old ones. Mature trees should require little pruning. The older and larger the tree, the less energy it has in reserve to close wounds and fight decay and insect attacks. A widely-accepted rule of thumb is, never remove more than one-fourth of the tree's leaf-bearing crown.
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Can I prune my tree myself?
Yes, if you have the proper equipment and knowledge. Provided they are healthy, trees are innately capable of closing the wounds caused by correctly done pruning. The proper place to remove a branch is just beyond the branch collar at the branch's point of attachment. Cuts farther out on the limb, between lateral branches, leave stubs with open wounds that the tree may not be able to close.
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Are there other hazards to doing my own pruning?
Yes, there are. Large, open pruning wounds expose the sapwood and heartwood to attack by insects and decay-causing organisms. Some insects are actually attracted to stressed trees by chemical signals. Lack of sufficient energy reserves will leave the tree unable to chemically "defend" the wounds against these attacks.
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What are my trees worth?
Almost everyone knows that trees and other living plants are valuable. However, many people don't realise trees have a financial value that can icrease the value of your propery. If your trees or shrubs are damaged or destroyed, you may be able to recapture your loss with an insurance claim. Do remember that trees which have been disfigured by poor work or storm damage can sometimes be brought back into good shape and health by an expert.
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What are the main threats to trees?
Habitat destruction and commercial logging are the main threats to tree species around the world.
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Is there any treatment for trees damaged by construction?
Yes . Construction processes can be devastating to surrounding trees if they are not protected. They can be saved if the damage is dealt with promptly. Unfortunately, help is often sought too late.
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Can I plant a tree where the other tree was removed?
It may not be possible to plant another tree in the same location because total stump removal to great depths is often not possible.
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What should I consider when choosing a new tree?
Do choose the species carefully and consider the space available for it to grow in. What appears to be a small tree now may fill your garden eventually and overhang the house. Some trees have denser foliage than others, leading to light obstruction. In some situations, tree roots may cause damage to drains or building foundations and branches may interfere with overhead cables.
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How can I gain more light through my tree?
Don't have trees pollarded or severely lopped to obtain more light. The cut stumps will regrow with a dense wall of shoots, resulting in even less light and a spoilt appearance (such work would not normally be approved if the tree is protected). Thinning of foliage, or selective removal of branches or limbs may be more effective in alleviating the problem, and far better for the health, safety and appearance of the tree.
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What is the difference between potgrown and potted?
Our potgrown trees are transferred as a seedling into a 10 litre pot, the pot is then placed in the ground where it remains until it is harvested. It's then removed from the ground still in its original pot and delivered with the pot wrapped in a protective cover. A potted tree is a naturally grown tree that is dug up with the majority of its roots intact and is then compacted into a 10 litre pot with a protective covering, then delivered.
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Can I have a fire near a tree?
Don't light a bonfire under the canopy of or near a tree; the heat can seriously affect both leaves and trunk, even if damage is not immediately apparent. The life expectancy of the tree may be drastically reduced.
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How often should I water a new tree?
Do water newly planted trees thoroughly and often. Keep weeds and grass away from the base, particularly for the first few summers.
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