Understanding the differences in tree services among tree companies.

What is Tree Lopping?

Tree Lopping involves cutting a branch or major limb from the tree with no consideration for its future growth. It is not the same as tree pruning which is performed by qualified arborists to encourage strong and healthy growth.

Open wounds left by lopping can make trees susceptible to disease, bacteria and pest infestations. This can lead to limb and even whole tree failure.

Land Clearing

Land clearing is a necessary step to get a lot or property ready for construction, farming, or home and garden use. This process involves removing large rocks, trees or stumps, vegetation, and debris from the lot. It is also used to prevent soil erosion.

When done correctly by a trained tree service company, land clearing promotes the growth of other plants and trees in the area. Lots or fields crowded with vegetation can hinder the chance for plants to grow, while land clearing offers them more access to water, sunlight, and nutrients.

Typically, land clearing is conducted by using heavy machinery such as bulldozers or excavators. This can be costly, but it is efficient and allows for faster work. The machine can handle large amounts of debris and be more precise than manual labor.

Tree Felling

Tree lopping is the removal of damaged or rotten sections of a tree to encourage growth and longevity. It also includes trimming or shaping a tree into a desired shape or size.

Tree Lopping often involves open pruning wounds which leaves the tree susceptible to infestation by diseases, bacteria and pests. This is different from proper professional pruning which leaves the tree equipped to close the wounds to fight against disease and pest invasion.

When felling trees, it is important to choose a clear and safe escape route in case the tree starts to fall unpredictably during the process. It is also essential that everyone working on the felling team is positioned at a safe distance from each other to reduce the chance of a tree butt kicking back during the felling process and causing further injuries.

Stump Removal

Leaving tree stumps on your property can be unsightly, encourage pests and cause harm to the surrounding trees. They also make it difficult to use your garden space and can be a tripping hazard for children and adults.

Stumps can be removed manually, by burning or chemically rotting them. However, these methods are labour-intensive and time consuming.

Pruning involves cutting away a percentage of small tree branches partly to promote or train the trees’ form and health. It’s different from lopping, which involves removing large side branches and portions of the crown.

Stump grinding reduces the remains of the stump to a mulch-like material that can be used as ground cover or planted and sowed with grass seed. This method of stump removal is quicker and much less labour-intensive than manual or chemical rotting methods.

Tree Trimming

Tree lopping is the process of cutting off damaged or rotten sections of a tree. This is done to encourage the growth of new sections and promote longevity.

However, if the cuts are too heavy-handed, it can be detrimental to the health of the tree. For example, when more than 50% of a trees canopy is removed, it starves it of its energy reserves. It also exposes the remaining areas to scorching sun which can scald the bark.

Similarly, open wounds left by pruning can leave a tree vulnerable to pest invasion and decay. Trees are naturally equipped to close these wounds but haphazard pruning can make this difficult. It is best to consult an arborist before attempting any trimming work. This will prevent injuries to you and passersby.

Pruning

Tree pruning should be done in a way that’s consistent with the natural form of the tree. Pruning should eliminate any branches or limbs that cross, interfere with buildings, obstruct traffic or are too close to power lines.

Unlike tree lopping, pruning should not cause undue stress on a tree. Undue stress causes trees to go into shock and this can cause them to sprout weak limbs which could break or fall off.

Unhealthy and unstable trees can be dangerous to people and property. They can easily break under the weight of a branch or fall and cause injuries and damage to your home, cars, or other nearby property. A professional arborist can prune your trees in a way that will encourage healthy and sustained growth in accordance with Australian arboriculture standards.