Pruning causes some stress to the tree so it’s best to remove only the branches deemed necessary. Over pruning will result in unsightliness, more ongoing maintenance, shortened tree life and a weakened tree defence leaving it open to pests and diseases.

Generally speaking, taking more than 1/3 of the tree’s canopy is considered over pruning.

Topping is when the trees upper portion is removed back to an unsuitable or no growth point. This is an outdated practice and will result in an unsightly appearance, more ongoing maintenance, decay and weak branch unions causing hazards.

Qualified Arborists will normally advise against over pruning or topping.

Creepers, vines or ground cover can smoother trees if left alone. Their purpose in life is the same as the trees - to reach the sunlight, photosynthesise then reproduce. The trouble is they cheat and use the tree’s structure as a host.

Ivy is a classic example of a ground creeping/climber that will smoother your tree if given the opportunity. If you have ivy or other vines encroaching on your trees it might pay to cut them back to give your tree the advantage.

Vines in the tree can also make any pruning or removal work much more time consuming as well as making hazards harder to spot.

Movements on top of the soil such as vehicles or constant foot traffic or even heavy rain on exposed soil near the tree can have a negative effect on the trees health.

The soil conditions play a role in this. Basically some soils tend to compact down, not leaving any air space for the small roots and microorganisms to survive. Often the result is dieback in the tree. This is a common problem with urban street and park trees worldwide.

Mulch around the tree can help spread the load, and build a healthier soil. Alternative paved parking can help keep vehicles from parking on the tree’s root zone.

Excavation works within the tree’s dripline (the area directly below the tree’s crown) will always damage roots. Tree roots normally grow outwards from the base within the first 600mm of soil, then get smaller in diameter as they get further out beyond the dripline.

It’s equally important not to raise the soil level around trees as this can suffocate the roots and rot the collar of the trunk. The tree’s roots are very important and if a portion of them is damaged it can lead to dieback in the crown or tree stability issues.

It’s important to consult with an Arborist if excavation is needed near trees. There are other options available that have fewer negative effects on trees such as hydro excavation and directional drilling.