Gardening 101: What is a Native Garden?

Using natural elements in your residential landscape will not only contribute beauty and vibrance to your home, but it also promotes balance while nurturing a healthy and thriving ecosystem.

A native garden is made up entirely of homegrown or local plants and other wildflowers that can easily adapt in all kinds of seasons. It creates a balance between wildlife and nature. A natural landscape fuses everything in nature from trees, shrubs, wildflowers to native grasses. It nurtures a native habitat which improves biodiversity and promotes ecosystem services.

A native garden is commonly mistaken as expensive, difficult to create and maintain. Contrary to what others might have believed, once a native garden thrives, it can take care of itself. 

What are the benefits of native gardens? 

A natural garden consists of various benefits to human health, wildlife and the ecosystem. 

• A natural garden can provide a habitat for local wildlife. The native plants provide a biodiverse habitat beneficial for insects and enhance local ecosystem services. 

• It generates fresh air, stability and sustainable health properties to its surrounding.

• A native garden can produce its own shade and mulch, prolonging its moisture retention in the soil. 

• A native garden is also beneficial to human’s well-being. Aside from its therapeutic landscape, some native plants have been used to treat diseases and other illnesses.

• A sustainably designed natural garden benefits from drip irrigation which creates an inexpensive, efficient and better watering method.

How to start your own native garden?

In creating your very own native garden, start in a small area and gradually increase its size as time and resources become available. In planning for your natural garden, always consider the existing habitat and other elements for a successful native garden project.

Consider the climate

The plan is to establish a thriving habitat dependent on its own survival. First, consider which part of your property generates moisture and much cooler area. Which part is hotter and more exposed to the heat of the sun. 

Check your soil

The quality of your soil is the foundation of a healthy garden. There are three types of soil, from sandy, clay and loam. Among the three, the most common soil type for a thriving native garden is clay. Clay can retain plenty of moisture and rich in nutrients.

Draw a layout

It is always easier to work with the environmental features and elements of your garden rather than going against its nature. In making your plan, always consider things such as the weather, the area where water runoff flows, soil type, existing trees and plants.

It doesn’t take a special skill or talent to design a native garden. Creating your own natural garden is easy as long as it is carefully planned.

Watering 

Although native plants do not require fertiliser as they can thrive mostly in poor soil. Keep in mind, you’re still on the critical period of planting and your plants are still on the verge to fend for itself. Water your plants early in the morning and at well-spaced intervals. This is to train them to thrive and establish on its own and be dependent on its natural habitat for survival. 

How to cultivate my native garden?

Long before we arrived and share their living spaces, native plants have already lived and adapted. Natural plants have taught us about sustainability and healthy living. Growing native plants promote a harmonious cohabitation, creates a balanced and healthy ecosystem.

All types of landscapes need several years to establish. You need the patience to propagate your native garden and reap the rewards of your effort. In order to further enhance and develop the success of your native gardening project, check out our affordable residential services.

Trees Down Under aim to boost your success towards creating and cultivating your own natural flora sanctuary in your home. Call us today at 0475 463 597. Discuss with us your native gardening plans and we will provide a free quote of residential garden services suitable to your resources.

Tips for Landscaping on a Budget

Landscaping is a great way to enhance the aesthetic value of your home and even improve your outdoor space. Transforming your yard is more than just enhancing the appeal of your entire property. When it comes to landscaping requires careful planning and research.

Since you’re on limited resources, being cautious about all the little things you want to install on your property will keep you from purchasing unnecessary items. Landscaping doesn’t usually come in cheap. 

In considering your tight resources, you don’t have to purchase the most expensive plants or any materials for your landscaping. There are inexpensive and beautiful native plants and pieces that can modify your yard into a spectacular view. First, you have to figure out and carefully plan what you want, set your budget and prioritise.

Elements in Landscaping

Figuring out what you want to do in your yard is the first step to avoiding spending unnecessary instalments on your lawn. To get a better understanding of where and how to start with your landscaping project, there are two main elements of landscaping that you have to consider:

Hardscaping

Hardscaping involves all the non-plant design and the hard stuff in your yard. It consists of retaining walls, paved walkways, fences, patios, etc. Hardscape is essential for your lawn’s overall appearance.

Softscape

Softscape accentuates a well-designed hardscape through its shapes, colours, textures and sizes. It is the soft and growing stuff in your lawn—from perennial flowers, trees, succulents, etc.

How to landscape on a budget?

If you want to improve your garden, but your resources are tight? Landscaping on a budget is not as hard as you think and doesn’t mean you have to settle on a shabby-looking yard. Using your imagination and creativity, you will be able to create an inexpensive, beautiful landscape.

Plan and draw a layout

First, create a well-thought plan and design. Figure out what you want to do with your lawn or garden and the style you want to make. If you’re out of ideas, look for inspiration or walk around the neighbourhood. Getting a completed design for your project will help not only with your desired outcome but the cost of the renovation as well. 

With your layout, you can find and analyse which areas you should include, where you should start or do it by section considering the resources at hand.

Landscape elements

Don’t limit yourself from buying your landscape elements at the local garden nurseries or hardware stores. There are several options and inspirations you can find all over the internet. But, if you are resourceful and creative, garage sales, junkyards and other thrift shops are also excellent choices. 

Some landscaping supplies are expensive, such as sculptures, pots or plants. One way to cut the costs or even get them for free is to ask your friends for plant cuttings. Construction sites are good places to look for bricks or pieces of concrete. 

Landscaping doesn’t come cheap, and searching for other resources is one way of keeping your budget at bay.

Reconsider landscape area

Each landscape style will require certain purchases and maintenance costs after the renovation. Consider reducing the areas covered with grass. Instead, create more flowerbeds, filling them with native plants and flowers. Aside from the exceptional aesthetic value, a diverse garden is healthier than monoculture lawns and it significantly saves you money purchasing unnecessary weed killers.

How to maintain my landscape?

Landscaping is more than just increasing the aesthetic appeal of your home. It is also an inviting outdoor space for your family and friends but it doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to impress. It’s fine to splurge occasionally on certain pieces for added value. 

Indeed, landscaping your lawn is rewarding but always know your limit. Little things can pile up swiftly, turning your mini-project into a massive hit in your wallet.

Trees Down Under offers year-round residential garden services. A polished and well-manicured landscape is our specialty. Getting a well-maintained lawn doesn’t mean you have to break the bank.

Check out our all-inclusive range of tree services in Sydney. Call us today at 0475 463 597.

Tips to Enhance the Flowering of Your Plants

Some plants are delicate and sensitive to changes. Some even wilt and die in a short period of time under harsh conditions. If you want a good outcome of growing and propagating your garden, you need to do more than just watering and weeding. You have to consider all phases of gardening if you want to enhance the flowering of your plants.

Plants spend all their energy towards the reproductive phase of the flowering stage of a plant. When you want to create lush and blooming flower beds in your garden, create a sustainable environment for your plant during the growing season. 

Consider doing other things to help your plant grow like cutting wilted flowers. Provide it with good quality soil and fertiliser. Well, that’s the basic things you must do. However, let’s get into the details to ensure that your favourite plants will be optimally healthy.

How can I improve flowering in plants?

Flowering exerts a lot of energy from your plant. If you want to encourage your plants to flower, make use of the following guide to maintain an abundant garden all throughout the growing season and improve the value of your property and vibrance to your entire home.

Use rich soil

Your garden soil loses its nutrients and fertility with time. In order to sustain its growth, replace your soil. Add light and manure-rich soil or compost provide plenty of nutrients to your plants. You can opt for an organic soil that promotes bacterial activity which enhances soil fertility. Supplement compost or manure gradually for your next planting activity.

Deadheading or remove spent flowers

Wilted and spent flowers should be removed from time to time to promote better flowering. Removing wilted flowers prevents the plant from seeding, wasting energy and sap. Spent flowers also attract pests and insects. Cutting wilted flower diverts your plants’ energy so other flowers can receive more nutrients. 

Fertilise your plants

Feed your plant regularly with fertiliser during its growing season. If you start to notice the signs of low soil fertility, replace it with a water-soluble fertiliser. Some fertilisers can scorch your plants. To avoid this from happening, look for fertilisers who are drought-resistant and rich in nutrients.

Sunlight is essential

As we all know, sunlight has always been the source of the plants’ energy. It is a prerequisite for many plants that come to flower. Determine the right amount of light your plants’ need. If your plant can’t survive long hours under the heat of the sun, place a barrier to control or block the light. Shade-loving plants tend to reduce their flowering when they are too exposed under the sun. 

Take care of the roots

Your plant absorbs nutrients and water through the roots. If you want abundant blooms and healthy plant, nurse the roots of your plant. Be careful around your plant when you dig the soil. Cutting or damaging your roots is likely damaging your plant and it will take a while to recover or it may die. You want to avoid the latter.

Mulch your plants

Mulching helps your soil retain moisture better. It is recommended in places with water scarcity. Aside from its moisture retention benefits, it controls weeds and regulates the soil’s temperature. And in order not to spoil the beauty of your plants, the recommended mulches are leaves, wood chips, grass and polythene papers

Moderate watering

Depending on the season, you need to know when to water your plants. During the summer season, plants lose a lot of water so you need to water your flowers at least once a day. Other seasons are wet and cool, you can moderately water them twice in a week.

To better enhance the flowering stage of your plants, know what type of species of flowers you have and how much water does it need. Do not exceed more than its water requirement or less than it needs since it can cause fungal disease to your plants. Employ moderate watering and the safe watering method by watering directly to the soil.

How to maintain your garden?

Trees Down Under will provide you with the best and highly-qualified gardeners and arborists to preserve the aesthetics of your residential landscape. Our goal is to provide you with the best garden services to enhance the flowering of your plants and maintain a manicured appearance to your entire property.

We offer affordable residential garden services suitable for your resources. Call us today at 0475 463 597 and discuss with us on how to improve and sustain a blooming garden.

Methods Used in Tree Pruning

Knowing the best solution to ensure a tree’s long life and health is vital for every tree owner. Trees Down Under, the leading arborists at Sydney’s Northern Suburbs, utilises different methods in tree pruning, tailored for every tree type and season. 

Here are the most common methods used in tree pruning to help you determine the best option for your trees. Each process has a customised approach that will greatly impact your tree’s health and lush over time.

Cleaning

Cleaning is one of the methods that all tree owners must learn. This straightforward pruning practice cuts/remove dead, diseased, and aesthetically unpleasant limbs or foliage to give the tree a polished look.

Most importantly, pruning unwanted branches will significantly stop the spread of diseases and infection in trees. This is particularly easy for small and minor branches. For larger limbs, however, only prune them when infection and transmission are the lowest since open wounds act as access points to fungi and bacteria.

Thinning

Commonly done on dense trees, canopy thinning removes overgrown branches to enhance air circulation and sunlight. A lush garden needs an ample amount of natural light to help thin foliage and flowers to grow.

Furthermore, thinning should only eliminate around 20%-30% of foliage on the tree and should only cut branches that are about five centimetres in diameter. If done correctly, this should open up the foliage and eliminate excess weight from limbs ‒ giving the tree a more natural shape.

Reduction

For many reasons, you want to reduce your tree’s height or width. This can also be done by pruning them using a method called reduction.

The reduction focuses on the careful cutting of stems that may need to be removed for several reasons. This is different from topping, which arborists do not recommend. When you top trees, you remove the major branches or trunks. This causes large wounds that take time to heal, leaving them open to decay. 

Trees Down Under utilises reduction method to shorten and remove branches that are inching towards households, roofings, and utility lines. These branches pose serious risks to people and property and should be removed properly.

Reduction needs in-depth knowledge about a tree’s growth behaviour and which branches need to be pruned. Arborists from Trees Down Under can keep your tree’s natural form while making necessary cuts to keep it healthy and manageable.

Raising

Raising is a type of reduction prune that removes the lower branches of a tree to elevate its crown. This is mostly utilised to give higher clearance for pedestrians, vehicles, establishments, and viewing points or vistas.

This particular method is commonly applied to accommodate more urban environments. Particularly when tree limbs cause an obstruction in public areas like parks and sidewalks, where people and small structures are present. 

Raising a canopy should be done regularly for younger trees to avoid leaving wounds or marks as it fully grows. Preferably, raising your tree to give clearance must be around 3 to 4 ½ metres.

Structural Pruning

Trees that grow in an urban environment grows differently than its natural setting. This is because the cityscape allows for more light to a tree than the forest. This makes structural pruning effective since trees highlight your lush garden and they level up the aesthetics of every landscape.

Structural pruning is mostly overlooked by many arborists and tree owners. Aside from cleaning dead and weak branches, you should maintain proper structural growth for your tree while it is young. This will help improve its health and strength, so it could withstand strong gusts of wind and become effective in storm damage prevention.

Structural pruning involves several steps including:

• Identifying the major limbs and branches
• Determining branches that compete with the main limbs
• Trimming or removing the branches

Conclusion

Trees have specific behaviours and needs, and it is the job of any tree owner and tree-care professionals to prune them appropriately. If you are doubtful of your skills or just don’t have the time to prune your trees, Trees Down Under always got your back.

Our expert arborists can prune all types of trees in many ways, promoting light and wind filtration to enhance the lush of your landscape. We also thin out foliage to increase visibility, shape hedges or shrubs to your desire and avoid overgrowth, which will potentially damage your property or someone else’s.

Call us at 0475 463 597, or email us at info@treesdownunder.com.au, for a free quote. Let us help you elevate your garden, anywhere you are within Sydney’s Northern Suburbs.

Steps in Tree Pruning

Tree pruning plays a significant role in keeping trees healthy and aesthetically pleasing. Moreover, having the right tools and proper techniques is an integral part of proper tree pruning. In fact, poor pruning can actually harm your tree and leave it vulnerable to many diseases and rotting.

If you want to prune your trees and thin foliage yourself, learning the proper methods will give you a headstart. Here are the steps in tree pruning, as utilised by expert arborists from Trees Down Under.

Choose the Best Time

Firstly, you should determine why you want to prune your trees. Will you use the tree for shade? Do you want it to yield more fruit? Knowing the purpose of pruning will give you a good idea of choosing the best time.

Additionally, you must be careful in picking the time to prune. This is because your purpose in pruning will be affected significantly by the season. A tree’s growth and wound closure can be optimised if pruning is done right before the spring growth spurt during the late winter seasons. 

Removing dead and diseased limbs can be done at any time of the year, favourably during summer, considering that only small portions are pruned. However, larger branches equal larger wounds, so make sure that they have healed before the harsh winter environment arrives.

Analyse the Tree

Take a closer look at your tree’s branches. The limbs might give you an idea about its growth pattern so you can prune it to your desired shape. You must imagine how the tree should look like after you pruned it to avoid unnecessary trims and prunes.

Furthermore, you should identify the major branches as well as the partially damaged ones.

• Major branches ‒ These are the branches that make up the skeleton or framework of the tree. Since these limbs grow to form the main structure of the tree, you must not remove them while pruning.
• Damaged/Diseased branches ‒ These are branches that show signs of damage, weakness, and decay. Weak branches can fall off anytime, exposing you to many severe hazards. These should be removed as soon as you find them.

Select the Pruning Areas

Now that you have identified which branches to prune and which should not, it’s time to select the areas to start pruning. 

Most arborists prune thick sections first to enhance sunlight and uniform air circulation across the tree. The same is achieved if you cut the branches that cross over. Moreover, cutting large limbs requires proper pruning methods to make sure the cuts are clean, and healing is optimised.

Branches that are too close to each other will hinder sunlight and airflow and cause fungal growth. So you should prune the branches that are inching towards the centre of the tree. These limbs particularly create clutter, and removing them will improve the tree’s health.

Prune Obstructing Branches

Hazards and potential risks are other reasons why trees should be pruned. That’s why you need to eliminate branches and foliage that are obstructing vision and driveways. 

Low-lying and hanging branches could block out pedestrian pathways. At the same time, higher limbs can disrupt telephone and utility lines and threaten your house. This makes it very necessary to prune out annoying and stubborn branches and use proper pruning tools to avoid permanent damage to your trees and your property.

Things to Remember When Pruning

Typically, as you go through pruning, you tend to lose the natural shape of the tree. You should be careful and only prune the tree to keep its form. If you wish to provide it with a round shape or other distinct shapes, you might need to prune the branches and foliage at certain angles. 

Furthermore, you should minimise the pruning process as much as you can. Every small cut will make a huge difference to the growth of your tree. Large wounds will act as access points for fungal infestations and insect infections. So make sure to do it when there is no spread of tree infections and diseases.

Finally, for any tree type and season, you must not remove more than 30 per cent of foliage. If a pruned limb is large enough to carry around 30 per cent of living tissues, then you are done for that season.

Conclusion

Following the proper steps in tree pruning will not only preserve your tree’s health but will also escalate your landscape’s elegance. Pruning should be done once every favourable season as it is a maintenance and safety check that’s vital for foliages within residential and commercial areas.

Trees Down Under have the tools and knowledge about tree pruning and will give you that much wanted peace of mind. So you can get back to your day without worrying about your trees. We know that nothing is more important than making sure that your trees are growing up healthy and abundant. 

Our team of expert arborists has been serving households and commercial spaces across Sydney’s Northern Suburbs. Let us level up your landscape and make it stand out, lush and lovely.

Call us at 0475 463 597, or email us at info@treesdownunder.com.au, for a free quote. Let us give you the best solution for your garden.

The Importance of Tree Pruning

In the eyes of a regular tree-owner, pruning is no different from trimming. But for an expert arborist, proper pruning is the cornerstone in tree maintenance. Tree pruning has a direct impact on a tree’s health and structure. 

Every cut made on a tree has the potential to either promote growth and health or damage and shorten a tree’s lifespan. Here are some importance of tree pruning and why you should do it properly.

Tree Pruning for Aesthetics

Trees make up the highlights and the crown of residential and commercial landscapes. A lush garden topped with a healthy canopy allows for more enjoyable barbecues and outdoor family bondings. It also gives your property a rejuvenating shade against the blazing Sydney Summer.

In terms of aesthetics, pruning is primarily applied to shape trees or foliage and level up the landscape. Additionally, proper pruning will improve the tree’s form and beauty by strengthening the limb and canopy structure, giving the landscape more natural light.

Most importantly, a healthy tree is a beautiful tree, as it is naturally lush and aesthetically pleasing. However, shaping the tree in complicated forms that require excessive pruning will permanently damage the branches and instead shorten your tree’s life.

Tree Pruning for Structure

Younger trees need proper pruning too. This helps the trees develop a robust structure and grow in desirable forms. A tree that gets appropriate routine pruning while it is young will need less excessive trimming as it matures.

Another technique in structural pruning is called Vista Pruning. This involves a careful structural pruning to reveal desired views from different vantage points, from a window or porch. Vista pruning allows landscapes to maintain a natural look and create visual access to lakes, distant landscapes, or other landmarks.

Furthermore, pruning is vital for tree crops. When these trees develop an overgrowth, particularly on their canopy, the foliage blocks sunlight and air from reaching the middle and ground sections. The lack of airflow and sunlight will impede the proper growth, that’s why freeing up the canopy from excess branches will promote better structure.

Tree Pruning for Safety

Unlike their wild counterparts, trees situated in residential areas have less freedom. Weak or dead branches can fall off at any time, which is fine in forest areas, but they can cause a serious safety hazard to people in urban areas.

Moreover, trees near households or sidewalks should be assessed for safety. Pruning the trees along pedestrian paths will prevent the branches from falling on a heavy storm and harm pedestrians. That’s why pruning should be done as it decreases the chances of accidents. 

Branches that are inching towards utility lines should also be pruned by professional arborists. Trying to prune without proper tools and knowledge can lead to tree failure and expensive damage costs.

Aside from preventing safety hazards, pruning also improves sanitation and encourages a safer environment. Hedges and bushes that do not regularly undergo pruning can attract snakes, scorpions, spiders, etc., making your landscape a dangerous situation for kids to play around.

Tree Pruning for Health

More than aesthetics and safety, a proper prune will promote fruit yield in fruit-bearing trees. Additionally, pruning also helps to make sure that fruits are equally distributed on the tree.

Furthermore, pruning also ensures the longevity of a tree. Naturally, trees that are properly pruned regularly tend to last longer than those that do not. One reason is that pruning eliminates infested and dead branches, preventing further infection and spreading of plant diseases. 

Conclusion

More than keeping your landscape lush and pristine, tree pruning offers an improvement for a tree’s structure and its overall health. It is also a maintenance and safety check that’s significantly important for foliages within residential and commercial areas.

Trees Down Under is equipped with the right tools and experience in pruning your trees. We know that nothing is more important than making sure that your trees are growing up healthy and abundant. 

Our team of expert arborists will happily level up your landscape and make it stand out, anywhere in Sydney’s Northern Suburbs. 

Call us at 0475 463 597, or email us at info@treesdownunder.com.au, for a free quote. Let us give you the best solution for your garden.

Introduction to Tree Pruning

The trees that paint our backyard and streets in lush hues do not have the same freedom as their wild counterparts. While we want to keep their pristine appearance, we also want to feel safe around them. Thus, one of the widely developed and practised methods in tree maintenance by expert arborists and tree enthusiasts is tree pruning.

You may have heard the term, and you might have an idea that it involves trimming your trees. However, this introduction will give you a few ideas about how pruning makes a difference, why we should do it, and how it’s done. 

Tree Pruning

Tree pruning is a horticultural practise where you selectively remove branches and foliage from a tree to improve the tree’s structure and promote healthy foliage growth. Other reasons to prune trees range from aesthetic purposes to fire and electrical safety reasons.

• Aesthetics ‒ Pruning a tree will help maintain its overall shape and appearance. However, you should avoid imposing complicated shapes or sizes on a small tree. Excessive pruning just to achieve the desired look can permanently harm the tree.
• Safety ‒ Dead or weak branches and limbs can fall off at any time and pose a serious safety hazard. Overgrowth of a tree’s branches and foliage can also obstruct your vision while driving and should be pruned. Finally, branches reaching utility lines should be removed by professional arborists.
• Health ‒ An infected tree can be treated by eliminating the diseased limbs. Crossing and rubbing branches should also be pruned, so they don’t fall on their weight.

Benefits of Tree Pruning

While every tree species grow in unique ways, most of them require regular pruning to grow in a healthy and ideal manner. Moreover, pruning also gives different benefits to various trees.

• Tree pruning is used to shape trees
• Pruning fruit trees will increase yield
• Ornamental trees are pruned to promote even growth and attractive appearance

Furthermore, proper tree pruning is an investment that will reward your trees with a longer life and improve your garden’s overall look and safety. Here are other benefits you can also get from tree pruning:

• Reduced risks associated with dead, broken, and damaged branches
• More sunlight promotes the growth of surface vegetation and thin foliage
• Trains branch growth away from your roof or power lines
• Give your tree a polished and neat look
• Strengthen the tree foundation for long-term health

Pruning Techniques

Pruning draws a line from trimming, as it is not simply cutting away branches. Specific types of pruning differ between plants. Using the right technique will allow your tree to mature in a healthy, safe, and attractive condition.

• Cleaning ‒ the cutting/removal of dead, diseased, and weak limbs to give the tree a polished look
• Thinning ‒ selectively removes branches from the tree to free up overgrowth in the canopy so more light can pass through. Proper thinning also opens the foliage, eliminating excess weight from it, and giving it a more natural shape.
• Reduction ‒ cutting limbs to reduce a tree’s height or width. This method is used to shorten branches that are inching towards roofings and utility lines. 
• Raising ‒ A type of reduction cut that removes lower branches of a tree to give clearance for pedestrians, vehicles, establishments, and vistas.

When To Prune?

Routine pruning can actually be accomplished at any time of the year. Still, the results can be optimised at the right timing. The growth and wound closure of a tree can be maximised if pruning is done before the spring growth flush. It is the period where foliage growth in most trees is fastest.

Moreover, tree diseases such as oak wilt can infect trees through fresh pruning wounds. That’s why it is not recommended to prune a tree during active disease transmission periods.

Conclusion

On top of ensuring safety and the health of trees, overall tree maintenance is a standard task for people who wish to grow one. Tree pruning is a form of maintenance check tailored for trees in residential, commercial, and industrial landscapes. Its full array of benefits makes pruning a wanted investment for tree owners.

The Trees Down Under team is equipped with the tools, expertise, and experience in pruning your trees. There is nothing more important than making sure that your trees are growing up healthy and abundant. Our expert arborists can prune your trees in many ways to make it stand out and elevate your garden’s beauty.

Call us at 0475 463 597, or email us at info@treesdownunder.com.au, and we will contact you immediately with a free quote. Let us offer you the perfect answer to your garden.