How an Arborist Helps Keep Your Trees in Good Shape

Trees are essential to our environment. They perform an important environmental function by improving the air and soil quality, providing a habitat for insects, birds and wildlife, and offering shade and shelter from heat and other adverse weather conditions. Having healthy trees on your property is attractive as they can increase your aesthetics and raise your property value.

However, healthy trees need proper maintenance, which in turn requires specialised knowledge and expertise. This is where qualified arborists – sometimes known as tree surgeons – can come into play.

In this article, we will explore how an arborist in Melbourne can make a big difference when it comes to tree care and maintenance on your property.

What is an Arborist?

The title ‘arborist’ is used to mean someone with the qualifications and knowledge to assess the health and safety of a tree, as well as provide recommendations and actions to maintain and treat a tree.

A qualified consulting arborist focuses on studying, cultivating and managing the health of woody plants such as trees, shrubs, and more. They can comprehensively assess trees, diagnose their condition and recommend various types of treatment, remedial pruning or removal if necessary. They can also plan and prepare job sites where the trees are under assessment to ensure safety.

Meanwhile, a practical arborist is usually experienced in the physical aspects of individual tree care, such as tree removal, pruning, and more. They should have the equipment and knowhow to handle these tasks safely and efficiently, especially when dealing with hazardous trees that are in danger of damaging people and property.

How Arborists Can Help

Expertise

It is often difficult to tell what is adversely impacting a tree or whether an unhealthy tree can be saved – and, if not, how it should be removed. An arborist can perform an investigation, after which they can provide an accurate assessment and tailored recommendations to help you manage your trees more effectively.

Arborists at Melbourne Treeworks have received extensive training and are experienced in the assessment and management of trees and tree care. They can identify the species of a tree and are highly experienced in factors such as but not limited to:

• Correct planting method
• Growth habits and tree health
• Ideal growth conditions
• Vulnerabilities to pests and diseases
• Suitable pruning methods
• Structural integrity of tree canopies

Additionally, an arborist’s work is not just reactive. Beyond crisis intervention, arborists can also advise on optimal pruning techniques, disease prevention, and strategies for preserving trees and their root systems during construction jobs.

Equipment and Technique

Arborists have access to specialised equipment and tools designed for tree health services, such as tree climbing equipment, pruning saws, and soil testing kits. Using the right equipment ensures that the work is done efficiently and effectively, minimising damage to the tree and surrounding property.

Arborists are also trained in the latest techniques for tree care, including promoting healthy growth, diagnosing diseases, and implementing pest control measures. They are able to factor in species, age, location, and environmental conditions when tailoring tree health services to the specific needs of each tree.

Safety

Tree work should always be left to the professionals. Trimming large branches can be dangerous, and damaged or diseased trees can be fall risks that could injure people or damage property.

Arborists are trained in safe work methods for tree maintenance and/or removal. They can undertake the proper precautions on the job site and have the necessary equipment and experience to perform tree work safely.

Additionally, their expertise in trees allows them not only to diagnose a tree’s condition, but also to know, and apply, the best treatment for the issue, whether that is pruning, using an insecticide or fertiliser, or removing the tree. A comprehensive tree evaluation by a qualified arborist can minimise the risk of branch or tree failure, as well as the chance of damage or disease spreading to other plants on your property.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

Tree work often involves navigating complex legal and regulatory requirements. In Australia, local councils usually have specific regulations such as requiring a permit for tree removal, while pruning may not require a permit unless an environmental overlay applies. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines and legal issues.

It can be confusing to navigate these rules. However, arborists are familiar with these regulations and can be the ones to ensure that all tree work is conducted in compliance with local laws.

For example, an arborist in Melbourne should know that you may not need a permit to remove a tree within the City of Monash unless they are in a Vegetation Protection Overlay zone, whereas tree pruning and/or removal in the City of Knox or Whitehorse typically will require a planning permit.

Environmental Responsibility

An arborist’s work is important not just for the general health of the trees on your property, but for your surrounding ecosystem as well. Based on the local climate and soil conditions, arborists can recommend the most well-suited tree species for that setting, which increases the chances of the trees thriving and reduces the need for excessive watering and/or chemical treatments.

For example, in locations where water conservation is critical, arborists can recommend drought-resistant tree species and efficient irrigation systems. This not only ensures the health of the trees but also contributes to broader environmental conservation efforts. It also prevents the planting of trees or shrubs that are either unsuited or invasive to the environment, thus protecting the local flora.

Invest in Your Trees’ Health and Safety with Melbourne Treeworks

If you have trees on your property or are planning to incorporate them into your landscape, it is always a good idea to consult an arborist regardless of whether you are at the planting or maintenance stage. Arborists can help you ensure that your trees flourish by recommending the right strategies for care, as well as providing targeted remedies if any issues arise.

With over 30 years of arboriculture experience, Melbourne Treeworks is your go-to expert for all tree care needs. Our team of highly trained professionals offers comprehensive and tailored tree services, including tree health assessments, pruning, removal, and advice for commercial, residential, and municipal clients across the city. Contact us for reliable, expert tree services that enhance your property and preserve the environment.