Tree Works in the Dandenong Ranges
Sherbrooke Tree Service works all over the state for specialist tree removals and other projects, but, our home ground is the Dandenong Ranges and the surrounding foothills.
We do all kinds of tree works; from big to small, light pruning to removal and chipping. We are a ‘one stop shop’ for councils, shires, department of sustainability and environment, parks victoria and large commercial contracts.
Working in trees takes on many forms, especially in the Dandenong Ranges. There are a few terms that are helpful to know when getting quotes.
Tree Falling
If you’re told that your tree is going to be felled, you need to know how it is going to fit and what damage may occur. Tree Felling uses cutting techniques to put the tree on the ground in one piece. Mount Dandenong is very steep in some areas, if the tree is incorrectly felled it can travel a long way before it is stopped. Whilst Tree Felling is a great technique, the possibility of damage is greatly increased when used by an inexperienced person – especially around homes and properties.
Always check with the contractor where he intends to fell the tree, what damage will occur and whether he has insurance. Have it written on the quote. If something goes wrong, this is the only document you have in regards to the work plan.
Tree Climbing
The height and variety of tree types in the Dandenong Ranges allows for a huge range of tree climbing techniques to be employed depending on the task at hand. Regardless of technique, if the tree has to be climbed, a range of skills of equipment are used that increases the cost of the job. Generally tree climbing does not include the use of ladders due to the dangerous nature of material falling and bumping the ladder out from under the operator. Tree climbers equipment should be in good working order, and be competent in their craft. If you suspect they are not, it would be worth checking their insurance.
Tree Removal
This can be a tricky term. Workers in the tree industry often think of tree removal as cutting the tree down onto the ground. This could include felling it, or climbing and lopping it down in sections. However much confusion is created over what it means exactly. Are you removing the tree from my property? Probably not. On Mount Dandenong the size of the trees means there is a significant difference in price between ‘putting a tree on the ground’ and ‘putting a tree on the ground, cutting it up, and taking it away’.
If you are getting quotes, whether it is Olinda, Mt Dandenong, Sassafras, Kalorama, Emerald, Menzies Creek, Ferntree Gully, Monbulk or anywhere! Make sure the quote has it clearly described what is going to happen to the tree.
- Is it going to be cut down?
- Where will the branches and wood be left?
- Will the wood be cut up? What size?
- Will the branches be cut up?
- Will anything be taken offsite?
- Will it be chipped?
This is important when comparing contractors – the prices can be extremely variable depending on the skill and experience of the operator – especially when one person will fall the tree and leave it in a big heap, the other is quoting to dodge the garden and chip it at the end!
Always ask and make sure the contractor is quoting on the same job.
Tree Pruning
Mt Dandenong and the surrounding towns have a huge range of trees, from garden shrubs through to some of the largest trees in the world. Like many parts of the world where there are large trees, we have planned many modern towns and homes amongst this forest setting.There is a constant battle to maintain safety in homes, whilst keeping the trees we’ve chosen to live amongst in good health. This is where tree pruning comes in. Tree pruning generally removes dead wood from the tree, allowing the energy the tree gains from photosynthesis to be put into healthy growth.
If that healthy growth pushes the tree towards light, then pruning can be used to maintain good form. Often when house sites are cleared, a large gap is left amongst the trees, the trees then grow towards the light. Often this is why many large trees seem to be leaning over houses.
When getting trees pruned it is important to weigh up the trees current health, its exposure to wind, rain, surface run off and soil, defects, infestations and outcomes.
What outcome are you trying to achieve by having the tree pruned? Is it safety? Tree health? Maybe both? When getting quotes the contractor should be able to convert your outcomes into a recommendation which can be then quoted on. Often understanding a trees health is a time expensive consultation – depending on the detail you desire many arborists will charge for this information. Sometimes after the tree is fully understand, the risk may not be acceptable and removal may be the best option.