Going out on a limb in your garden
SPRING is a great time to do a free health check on the trees in your garden.
One of Canberra’s leading arborists Steve Griffiths recommends having your trees inspected regularly for warning signs of disease or damage. “It’s not always obvious to the untrained eye when trees are under stress but there are some telltale signs a tree may be structurally unsound,” Mr Griffiths said.
“Keeping your trees looking their best not only enhances their appearance but it also improves the value of your property.”
Tree damage can be expensive and according to Mr Griffiths, it is nearly always preventable.“Proper pruning makes a huge difference to gardens,” he said.
“It provides light and shade, can frame a view, screen neighbours, reduce bushfire impacts and improve the lifespan of a tree or shrub.”
TreeWorks recommends having your trees regularly inspected by a certified arborist for:
- dead limbs
- cracks, cavities and splits
- rotten wood along the trunk
- cankers, or where you see the bark has sunk
- pests and insect infestation
- leaves falling off at the wrong time of the year
- trees that are unbalanced
- fungal growth around the base of a tree.
“Tree work is high risk and should always be performed by a certified professional arborist like TreeWorks,” Mr Griffiths said.
‘‘Be sure to ask to sight your tree surgeon’s insurance policy and check they are qualified.”
TreeWorks is a leading tree services business operating in the ACT and surrounding region. It provides services to residential, rural and commercial properties including Government House, the National Capital Authority’s Arboretum, insurance companies and schools.
For more information, phone 1300 135 835 or visit www.treeworks.net.au
Extract from Canberra Times 29 September 2013