Brisbane Tree Pruning and Trimming
Your trees will be professionally pruned by a qualified tree climbing aborist. All work will be conducted in accordance with AS 4373-2007 (Australian Standard - Pruning of Amenity Trees)
General pruning
Crown maintenance is pruning according to the growth habit of the tree. It may include deadwooding, crown thinning, selective pruning and/or formative pruning as discussed below. It does not reduce the area of the crown and retains the structure and size of the tree.
Deadwooding
Deadwooding is the removal of dead branches. The minimum diameter and location of branches to be removed shall be specified.
Crown thinning
Crow thinning reduces canopy density through the removal of secondary
branches whilst retaining the main structural branches of the tree. The percentage of the
crown to be removed shall be specified. It may also be necessary to specify the maximum
diameter and location of any branches to be removed.
Selective pruning
Selective pruning may be used to remove identified branches that are causing a specific problem. These branches shall be specified at the time of assessment.
Formative pruning of young trees
The aims of formative pruning are:-
- To enhance form and improve structure, or to directionally shape the young tree.
- To reduce the development of structural weaknesses.
- As a precursor to more specialized pruning such as pollarding.
- To accommodate site constraints and reduce encroachment on utilities or buildings as the tree grows.
Reduction pruning
For reduction pruning the ends of branches are removed to internal lateral branches or stems. The extent of crown or limb reduction shall be specified at the time of assessment. The lateral branch to which the final cut is made should be at least one third of the diameter of the branch being reduced at the point of the final cut. It is not topping, lopping or "hatracking".
Crown lifting
Crown lifting is the removal of the lowest branches, generally above footpaths and roads to provide a specified clearance.
Remedial or restorative pruning
The purpose of this pruning is to prolong the useful life expectancy of damaged trees and to reduce their hazard potential. This type of pruning shall only be carried out on trees which have lost their natural form and structure through storm damage, mechanical damage, vandalism, lopping, dieback or disease. This method is usually only used when all other avenues have failed and replacing the tree is difficult. This type of pruning removes damaged, diseased or lopped branches back to undamaged or healthy tissue. The final cut may not necessarily be at the branch collar. The aim is to induce the production of epicormic shoots from which a new crown is intended to be established. To achieve this, regrowth should be managed by reduction pruning or crown thinning.
SPECIAL NOTES:-
- This type of pruning should be done in several stages in an attempt to induce stable and successful regrowth.
- Consideration should be given to removing dangerous trees.
- Remedial pruning may create hazards from weak branch attachment. Trees should be carefully monitored.
