What Makes a Garden Visually Appealing?

Gardening is a passion that can be overwhelming in many ways. There are hundreds of flowers to mix and match that can stand the Sydney climate, as well as several popular garden landscape ideas to choose from. Vegetable gardens are also becoming popular as more people want to forage their food right outside their doorstep.

If you look at the bigger picture, you’ll realise that flowers aren’t the only ones that make a garden visually appealing. Gardens also follow the philosophy of “form follows function”, and that’s why there are several factors that contribute to your garden’s aesthetics.

Along those lines, here are different elements that make your garden visually appealing:

Structures

A garden’s visual appeal can be improved by adding dimensions and depth. This is a vital element if you want to grow plants vertically. Old structures and wood frames can be used as an ornament to grow vines and cucumbers. These structures are essential in your garden’s function as a potential food supply, wildlife habitat, and a learning or leisure environment.

Also, you can establish your garden’s theme by adding objects and landscape colours that complement your chosen theme. Repurposing discarded or broken items is a practical way to improve your garden’s aesthetics and help the environment at the same time.

In addition, you can also add landscape structures such as sandpits, wildlife ponds, and swings to give your children an enjoyable playing and learning environment. Keeping in mind, of course, that some of these suggestions can increase your overall workload. Construction, making a pond vacuum, regular maintenance, etc.

Besides structure and other landscape, another important element to consider is the very heart of a garden ‒ its plants.

Flowers And Plant Choice

A backyard can’t become a garden without plants and flowers. Flowers in full bloom will improve your garden’s beauty and attract pollinators. Flowering herbs are also good choices since you can use their leaves as spices.

Aside from that, choosing the right plants and planting them during ideal seasons ensure that you get the most out of your garden ‒ both in aesthetics and food supply. Plants and flowers should also complement the structures and landscape. So think about how your flowers will blend with the background and surrounding plants, or how it will help highlight particular parts of your garden.

Also, avoid planting too much to the point where you don’t have enough space to move. That puts us to the next vital factor.

Pathways

The pathways garden beds and plots will be visible when the flowers and plants are in full bloom, that’s why you don’t want this space to be an eyesore. Moreover, a sunrise stroll in your garden can be inconvenient if you are stepping on muddy terrain.

The main paths through your garden should be around one metre wide, so you can move around comfortably. Additionally, you can make it mud-proof by using different materials. If you have broken tiles lying around after a home renovation, you can use them on top of concrete as well.

Furthermore, you can also use other materials for your pathways, depending on what complements your landscape. You can use gravel to match your driveway. There are also beautiful pathways made of brick, stone, straw, mulch, and even grass, in rural areas.

But of course, after a few minutes of walking and standing, you’d want to have something in your garden to sit on. That makes this final element just as essential.

Seating

Every garden owner should have a spot to sit and enjoy the beauty of their hard work and to reflect on nature. Seatings and tabletops are also used to fill in areas that get more shade than the rest of the garden. Additionally, you can add small plants and succulents to make your benches and tables more inviting.

Also, seatings and furniture made from stone, wood, or metal fit the overall aesthetics better than chairs made of plastic. Not only does plastic look artificial, but natural and organic materials are also environmental-friendly.

With careful planning and understanding all these factors, you can turn your small roadside garden into a head-turner.

Conclusion

There are a lot of other factors to consider, but the ones we mentioned are vital in making your garden visually appealing. You can use them in different themes and styles depending on your taste and popular design trends. Always remember that form will always follow function.

For all your Sydney tree removal needs, Trees Down Under has the tools and the knowledge to unravel the full beauty of your green space. You can put your trust to us in to make your dream garden a reality.

Call us now on 0475 463 597, and we’ll respond with a free estimate. We are the perfect solution for all your garden and landscaping needs.

Tips in Plant Selection and Design for Your Garden

The vast number of lovely plants to choose for tropical gardens can be overwhelming for Sydney’s gardeners. With such a broad range of selection, you can transform a small patch of soil different floral masterpieces. However, when you have a specific design in mind, you can significantly narrow-down plant selection and landscape choices.

Whether you want a tropical, native, or a drought-tolerant garden, it is vital to consider the flowers, foliage colour, and the brilliant effects of mass planting. With the help of these factors, you can choose plants that will guarantee an aesthetically pleasing garden all year-round.

In that regard, here are tips you can use in plant selection and design for your garden.

Types of Trees

Your garden is a haven of thriving and growing organisms, and trees are no exemptions. Besides, if you plant a tree in the wrong spot, it can cause severe and expensive problems along the road.

Furthermore, many trees are slow growers, so you’ll have to wait for years to achieve ideal results. Because it takes patience to grow one, you don’t want to get disappointing results after the waiting game is over.

Additionally, trees are classified in many ways. Some garden-ideal examples include:

• Evergreen trees
• Fast-growing trees
• Flowering trees
• Fall-foliage trees
• Dwarf trees

As a tip, be sure to understand what to expect before growing one. Other plants that need long-term considerations are garden shrubs.

Garden Shrubs

Many gardeners love the look of a flourishing shrub adjacent to their home. But just like trees, you should be careful in selecting the right plant. Certain shrubs are practical for foundation plantings because they grow compact, thereby minimising maintenance.

Similar to trees, we can classify garden shrubs into different categories such as:

• Fall-foliage shrubs
• Flowering shrubs
• Evergreen shrubs

Moreover, you can organise shrubs based on how you use them. The most common shrub for all gardens is roses. Pleasing for the eyes and nose alike, roses can complement almost any garden design and are suited for sub-tropical climates, just like other native shrubs.

Plant Selection for Vines

You can incorporate life to your trellis and fence by introducing native vines. Even more so than with garden shrubs, vines are versatile and vigorous. 

Additionally, many native plants have low maintenance levels, but many of them are invasive vines. Some vines actively creep that they can disrupt other plants’ growth and become a garden nightmare. Others such as the Lilac Vine (Happy Wanderer) only needs little watering but should also be pruned when encroaching upon a pathway or other plants.

Types of Ground Covers

Ground covers are essential in every garden design. Not only are they soft to walk on, but these foliage plants also keep the ground cool and are useful in conserving moisture. When properly established, ground covers will help prevent weeds from sprouting, making them a viable alternative to mulching. 

Speaking of foliage, even though ground covers do not boast stunning floral displays, they have attractive foliage that paints a uniform colour on your garden. Some popular examples are Thyme and Mondo grass, which are excellent for all sorts of landscape.

Also, while you’re at it, why not throw in a few annuals with your ground covers?

Types of Annuals

Planting annuals in your garden marks the start of a season-long show of dazzling flowers and foliage. Annuals thrive through the growing seasons, unfolding its spectacular colours until the arrival of frost.

Besides that, people usually grow annuals for:

• Plant beddings
• Seasonal garden decors (such as Christmas day)
• Providing floral displays on-demand

On the other hand, some annuals thrive in cooler seasons such as Forget-me-not while others prefer a bit of summer sizzle, like the Red Salvia. But if you have long-term goals for your garden, consider growing perennials.

Kinds of Perennials

Perennials are the core of many low-maintenance garden landscapes because unlike annuals, you don’t have to replenish them every year. But while they are easy-care, they aren’t maintenance-free.

Besides, you can keep your perennial patch robust and healthy by dividing the plants. It also results in a melody of colours when perennials are in full bloom.

Similar to others, perennials can be categorised as follows:

• Tall perennials
• Short perennials
• Long-blooming perennials

Run your creativity wild and experiment with the plant combinations and garden landscape. If you are asking for more, here are follow-up tips that might help you:

Other Tips for Plant Selection and Design

Depending on your garden location, other considerations in plant selection and design cut across external factors such as pests, environment, and neighbourhood activity. 

Furthermore, soil quality and seaside communities also affect plant growth. When it comes to planting selection and design, the possibilities are endless. So if you think these external factors are in between you and your dream garden, you should seek help from reliable gardening partners.

For all your garden needs, Trees Down Under is the right partner in achieving the beauty of your green space to its full extent. You can trust us in making your dream garden a reality.

Call us now on 0475 463 597, and we’ll immediately respond with a free quote. We are the perfect solution to all your budget-friendly garden and landscaping needs.

Top 5 Native Australian Plants that Should be in Your Garden

Modern and revolutionary garden designs use a wide range of plants that accompany a spectrum of colours and forms. While it sounds easy, gardeners need to consider the Australian climate to ensure the growth of their plants. 

On the other hand, you can take your head off the guesswork by going straight for locally endemic plants. By introducing a few native plants, you can ensure that your garden will stay aesthetically pleasing all year-round.

Moreover, growing Australian native plants are becoming more popular as you can integrate them into all garden designs. To transform your backyard into an Australian oasis, here are the top five Australian plants that should be in your garden.

1. Spotted Emu Bush (Eremophila maculata)

The ideal plant for the Sydney sunlight, the Spotted Emu Bush is an alluring and resilient plant for your dry land. Its fuchsia-shaped flowers bloom during late winter to spring and can fill your garden with orange and yellow hues while in buds, to a deep pink tint in full bloom.

Moreover, if you think you lack the green thumb, don’t fret ‒ because this shrub can withstand extreme conditions and only needs occasional watering. Just put it somewhere with full sun, and it will do its thing. Also, Spotted Emu Bushes are found all across Australia except for Darwin and the east shores of Queensland. 

And if you want something that’s genuinely symbolic for NSW, try growing Waratahs.

2. Waratah (Telopea speciosissima)

Possibly the most-loved native flower, Waratahs are large shrubs that boast large and brightly-coloured flowers. These plants grow well across the New South Wales, but even though they are natives, Waratahs can put your patience to the test. However, the results are always more than worth it.

Waratahs struggle to grow in moist clay soils and most likely thrive in sandy soils. In planting them, find a sheltered spot safe from strong winds, as it causes petal burns during flowering. Besides, a bright garden stands out during the holidays, and you can make it better by growing plants that bring in the Christmas spirit.

3. NSW Christmas Bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum)

The NSW Christmas Bush is yet another indigenous plant that decorates itself. It flourishes along the east coast of Australia and is ideal for bringing in the season to your garden. On the other hand, make sure to provide enough space as this yuletide bush can grow up to four metres tall. Aside from that, plant it in a sunny spot on well-drained soil.

Similar to bougainvillea and poinsettia, the NSW Christmas bush doesn’t have the brightest flowers. But its vibrancy comes from stunning scarlet red sepals that decorate the tree right before Christmas. Furthermore, its stems and flowers are typically knitted together into fence decors and door wreaths for the yuletide season.

Another plant that brings a happy vibe, not only to your walls but also to fences and trellis is the Happy Wanderer.

4. Happy Wanderer (Hardenbergia violacea)

Give your fences a majestic touch by decorating it with the native Happy Wanderer. This native vine produces lilac flowers that can also come in white, pink, and mauve hues. With only little watering, a bit of shade, and well-drained soil, this plant will happily wander up the walls and trellises effortlessly.

Additionally, it suits most cities in Australia and is known to bloom during winter and spring. It is also an evergreen plant, making it an ideal plant to adorn your garden with a lush and colourful tone all year-round.

5. Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos flavidus)

A native flower that grows in southwest Australia, Kangaroo Paws are best grown in garden beds and pots, as they do not become too large. On the other hand, its deep-red and yellow flower blooms above the foliage from late winter through summer. 

Moreover, its long flower acts as a flag to attract pollinators and perfectly highlights your green bushes with bright flush tints. Kangaroo Paws also flourish in Sydney’s temperate climate, making it one of the best plants your garden should have.

With the right landscape design and native plant choice, you can enjoy gardening without compromising its future elegance.

Conclusion

Native Australian plants are uniquely suited to grow in temperate soils. You can use the ones we mentioned in different styles and designs depending on how they can perform best. Nevertheless, these plants are vital in the identity of an Aussie garden and are the core of many floral backyards in Sydney.

For all your garden needs, Trees Down Under is the right partner in unfolding the full beauty of your green space. You can trust us in making your dream garden a reality.

Call us now on 0475 463 597, and we’ll give you a free quote. We are the perfect solution to all your budget-friendly garden makeover needs.

5 Budget-Friendly Garden Makeover Tips

After a stressful week, people always look forward to spending a lazy weekend and enjoying the pleasant view of their gardens. Besides, research shows that performing a garden makeover can boost your mood and reduce stress. And on top of that, you’ll be having beautiful and flourishing greenery without hurting your wallet.

Moreover, you don’t need to have a green thumb to add value to your garden. It’s not as hard as it seems, all it takes is a little bit of effort. Also, if you’re on a tight budget, then you’re in the right place. We’ll be sharing five of the best budget-friendly garden makeover tips.

Benefits of a Home Garden

Home gardens come in all shapes for different households and landscapes. Some people use vertical and containerised gardening, while others make use of large garden plots. Regardless of shape and layout, they give us many benefits and a sense of fulfilment.

Access to Fresh Produce

Having a vegetable garden gives you direct access to fresh produce. Now, you don’t have to drive down to the grocery for something of inferior quality. Besides, you also save money.

Eco-Friendly

Your garden can help the environment in many ways, and among those is improving air quality. And don’t forget, having a garden allows you to recycle organic resources. So you can use your kitchen and food waste as excellent fertilisers for your plants.

Enjoyable

Moving pots and planting a garden requires effort but after all, it’s fun to do. Also, it’s an excellent way to reconnect with your family on the weekend and enjoy a productive bonding activity. Furthermore, it is a fun way to teach children about nature and how to take care of it.

Here are a few things you can try to beautify your garden:

1. Control Weeds

Weeds are disgusting. Not only do they gobble up soil nutrients, but they are also carriers for plant diseases. That, among other reasons, is why you’d want to eliminate them.

You can do this the easy way by mulching. This keeps the soil moist and also prevents the sunlight from reaching the growing weeds. Applying a thin layer of grass clippings, shredded leaves, or bark mulch will stunt weed growth significantly.

On the other hand, you can just pull them out. But make sure you get the root as well since weeds are stubborn and would regrow quickly.

2. Plant Flowers and Herbs

Your garden doesn’t need to be all-green. That’s why if you want it to express its beauty in all colours, you could add some flowers. These plants will break up the green areas and also add contrast and diversity. Moreover, a colourful garden will make your home much more welcoming.

Furthermore, you don’t have to settle for flowering plants, as you can choose to plant herbs such as basil, chive, thyme, or rosemary. These herbs produce flowers that are pleasing to watch and leaves to add savour and flavour to our food.

Another thing is that herbs and flowers attract beneficial insects. Aside from pollinating your plants, they will also ward off and clean up any pests in your garden. Think about a win-win situation.

3. Aerate Your Soil

A plant’s health will manifest on its physical beauty. Flourishing leaves and blooming flowers are what you want for your plants and for this, you’ll need to aerate the soil.

The air carries carbon dioxide as well as other gases that are essential for plant growth. What you want to do is make small holes on the soil to allow air, water, and nutrients to circulate. This will then make the soil fertile and minimise toxin levels in your plants. 

In aerating your soil, you can use a garden fork and a garden tiller, especially for small plots and pots. For broader coverage, a pickaxe or a shovel can give better results.

4. Consider Container Gardening

Not all households have ample backyards, or spacious path walks for gardening. For properties with little to no green spaces, you can consider container gardening. All you need is a patch of soil, a container, and the plant you’d like to grow.

For example, you can put similar plants with matching containers on both sides of your walkway or stairs to add colour to your front porch. You can also bring some pots inside and grow succulents by the windows or a particular corner of your home. Just make sure to select the best soil for indoor plants.

5. Purge the Pests

Nobody wants to find pests hogging over their garden. Snails, slugs, and caterpillars are voracious eaters and will feed on a variety of living plants.

However, you can get rid of them without using harmful and expensive chemicals. For instance, setting out traps and making barricades will prevent their entry. Also, you can introduce natural predators such as birds by putting up a birdbath. Not only will they improve the look of your garden, but the birds will also feed on the pests that are destroying your plants.

Conclusion

Giving your garden the facelift it deserves doesn’t have to cost much. If you think it deserves professional treatment but doesn’t have the time and skill to do it, Trees Down Under got your back.

Your garden can promote and improve the best aspects of its natural surroundings. Trees Down Under also believe in the importance of having a garden that compliments your lifestyle.

Call us now on 0475 463 597, and we’ll respond with a quote for free. We are the perfect solution to all your budget-friendly garden and landscaping needs.

7 Most Popular Garden Makeover Trends in 2020

The new year is bringing in new design ideas and style trends for our gardens. When spring comes, garden lovers and the green-thumbs will eagerly rush outside and start their garden makeovers.

To start with, you need to have an idea about the latest and greatest gardening trends to spruce up your garden. But if you are clueless about what to improve with your yard, here are seven of the most popular garden makeover trends in 2020.

1. Patterned Gardens

Patterns and textures are things of the past, but these trends are paving their way back into our gardens in 2020. This theme can be implemented by creating faceted planting spots and creating smooth transitions between the hard landscape and soft planting areas in the garden. 

Moreover, gravel planting is just as effective in blurring the lines between the two. Also, you can choose from a wide range of outdoor ceramic tiles you can use as garden rugs. These are also useful design features in creating patterns and experimenting between contrast and textural changes.

2. Less is More

Gardening gurus believe that minimalism is beginning to look pretty tired in 2020. However, the concept “less is more” still holds a spot in this year’s gardening trends.

The philosophy of less is more helps you focus on making laid-back designs and styles, but with close attention to detail and wildlife benefits. Look forward to planting different types of grasses and pallettes of perennials. These combinations make the lightest design touches that give your modern gardens a rural taste. It is also essential that your design complements with the wild landscape.

3. Curvilinear Forms

Aside from the rising trend of patterns, garden designs are also turning away from the linear and contemporary garden to wilder and curvilinear landscapes. Curvilinear forms are more natural in garden environments and bring back the flow of natural ways in an urban setting.

You can achieve a fluid and curvilinear design by experimenting with sculptural wall claddings such as wood, metal, and stone in natural and organic patterns. Wall claddings are also gaining momentum in 2020, so they are perfect for making the most out of vertical surfaces in your garden.

4. Romantic Vegetable Plots

With the recent global health crisis, more and more people have decided to grow their food for cooking. Besides, romantic and productive gardens are having a revival in 2020, where gardeners combine fruits and vegetables with cut flowers to provide a romantic taste to their green spaces.

So long as you emphasise the underlying design of your garden, you can overlay multiple layers. Trees for the canopy, shrubs on the middle, and perennials to cover the ground are perfect for creating beauty and romance.

5. Repurpose and Recycle

There is a good chance that you have old items lying around that can be repurposed for your garden. This year gives a spotlight on recycling existing materials instead of dumping them on landfills. 

Moreover, repurposing junk materials such as heating coil as a water feature creates adaptive landscapes for a changing world. We need to divert as much waste from landfills as possible, and this among the ways you can help.

6. Outdoor Play

Nowadays, people want to encourage their children to spend more time outdoors than indulging in video games and TV. That’s why more and more households are integrating outdoor play in their gardens. 

Moreover, a well-landscaped garden can also become an active learning space for children. One way of doing this is by incorporating blackboards, climbing frames, sandpits, swings, and even a miniature wildlife pond. Not only will you have a perfect venue for family and social gatherings, but also an effective alternative to technology and screens.

7. Planting for Wildlife

More and more people are becoming interested in landscaping their gardens to make it suitable for wildlife. To bring out the best in your garden, a sustainable and wildlife-friendly space needs to be its forefront, no matter the size and location of your garden.

Additionally, people are taking their gardens more seriously, to help curb climate change and declining biodiversity in small ways. After all, gardens play an important role in maintaining biodiversity and wildlife in the urban setting.

The best way to do this is by planting more “wild” plants that are beneficial for bees, birds, and pollinators. Single roses, seed heads, wildflowers, and grasses are all valuable because they don’t lose the charm and impact of your gardens.

Conclusion

Taking a moment to enjoy your garden is a great way to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and escape the city’s hustle and bustle. By keeping up with the latest gardening trends, you also have something to look forward and accomplish with your family.

For all your garden makeover needs, Trees Down Under has the professional team equipped with proper tools to highlight the best aspects of your garden. You can trust us to make your dream garden a reality by letting us transform your landscape.

Let us work together and turn your garden into a living paradise outside your doorstep. Call us at 0475 463 597, and we’ll be on our way.

Difference Between Pollarding and Coppicing

Mostly, people assume that if you’re cutting down a tree, it will die. Pollarding and coppicing were traditional pruning methods used for hundreds of years for fuel and other wood production purposes. These type of pruning methods can keep trees healthy for decades and consistently regenerate new shoots for years. In addition, these pruning practices encourage the rapid growth of trees in the spring and to make sure a continuous supply of wood materials from the same tree.

Over time, these pruning practices continue to develop into the coppicing and pollarding we are practising. Presently, this technique serves a different purpose. Pollarding and coppicing are two types of pruning for trees, shrubs and other ornamental plants to keep your garden or landscape polished. It is also done to avoid having trees obstruct utility lines in an urban environment.

What are Coppicing and Pollarding?

Although coppicing and pollarding has similar methods, their processes obtain a different and useful purpose.

Coppicing

If you fancy for a homegrown supply of plants that can produce or regenerate from the cut base or stool with plenty of shoots, then coppicing is the answer to your need.

Coppicing is the process of cutting down the shrubs and trees up to the ground level and allowing the stumps or shoots to regenerate from the base for years. Harvested thin shoots will produce larger and brighter stems or foliage while keeping a desirable height of a plant. Pruning should start during late winter or early spring when plants are dormant. 

Once your trees or shrubs are coppiced, you have to maintain it annually or every three years. This is to prevent your trees from maturing and lengthen their lifespan as well.

Pollarding

Pollarding is a similar technique, but the cuttings are higher up the trunk. Pollarding is cutting down young trees and shrubs from the main stem or its trunk. Pruning should start when late winter begins or early spring while plants are not actively growing. Pollarding controls the height of the plants or keeps its crown in check. 

This method is ideally used in an urban setting to avoid trees from damaging utility lines or prevent tall trees from obstructing phone lines and other electrical wires planted along the streets. This is also made to maintain a desirable height for plants, reduces shade and define the shape of a plant. 

How to maintain pollarding and coppicing in your garden?

Coppicing and pollarding have ornamental purposes in the garden, to encourage the growth of bright stems or to produce large sizes of leaves in some trees or shrubs. Remember, you have to do this technique during late winter or early spring to achieve a desirable result.

Pollarding and coppicing your shrubs and trees will not only help in maintaining your plants in good shape but it also gives you an abundant supply of harvested woods that are useful in different wood production or used as garden stakes.

Trees Down Under can provide you with the right quality care for your tree and achieve a desirable and polished look in your garden. We have a wide variety of tree services from tree removal, tree pruning, stump grinding to garden makeovers.

If you want to give your tree, shrubs or garden a makeover it deserves, contact us at 0475 463 597 and we will provide you with the most affordable tree and garden services.

Best Time to Do Pollard Tree Pruning

For some, tree pruning is a form of art. Proper pruning is essential in developing a tree to create a strong structure and desirable form. However, pollarding is a difficult tree pruning technique that requires cutting off most of the tree’s branches. 

Pollarding is usually done to a large growing tree or deciduous tree that sprouts readily after pruning. Naturally, the response of a tree after pollarding is to generate sprouts at the site of the cut. 

Pruning trees at a young age is advisable. If your plant has received the appropriate pruning measures while it is still young, it will require less corrective pruning as they mature. In order to achieve the desired outcome, you have to follow specific methods or techniques.

Look for certified arborists or tree experts who can accommodate your tree pruning needs.

When should I prune my tree?

An important aspect of pruning is knowing when to prune your plants. Proper timing helps to ensure attractive, healthy and productive plants. When pruning your trees, it is best to perform pollarding when the tree is in its dormant season. Particularly, during the late winter season until early spring.

• Summer – December to the end of February
• Autumn – March to the end of May
• Winter – June to the end of August
• Spring – September to the end of November

Australia’s geographical size has something to do with the country’s wide amount of climate variations.

• Southeast and West sides have a comfortable climate and do not elevate to incredible extremes
• Northern parts have two well-defined, climate-based seasons: 

1. wet – roughly November to April
2. dry – April to November

How to apply for pruning permit?

Under the state government’s policy, if you want to prune or remove a tree on private property, there are certain guidelines and rules to follow. Depending on the tree species or condition of the tree and the type of pruning it requires, it must follow the development control plan tree management controls’ guidelines.

These are the following steps on how to process your application for pruning or tree removal:

1. Lodge a prune or remove a tree application including a $75 application fee
2. In identifying the situation or the tree’s condition, Lodge a development application including a $110 application fee and $535 notification fee.

Moreover, if your tree falls in these categories, a development consent will no longer be required. The following exemptions are:

• The tree is dead or dying
• An imminent risk to human life
• The substantial property 

In considering the status of the trees, you should provide the following information:

• Visual or images of the tree’s condition
• A statement that verifies the current or future condition of the tree
• The level of risk the trees present
• Provide a report from a level 3 arborist before or immediately after the event works

How many days will the application process take?

They will evaluate your application within 28 days. If you have not been notified after the assessment period, it’s likely that they refuse your application for pruning or tree removal.

How to appeal?

Under the state government’s policy, you will be given the right to appeal within 3 months if they refuse your application.

Penalties for pruning or removing trees without permission

Depending on the seriousness of your offence, violators will be given or issued with the following penalty:

• Infringement notice
• Prosecuted for unauthorised tree removal
• Unauthorised pruning in either 

A maximum amount of $500,000 of penalty for individuals, while $52 million for companies for violating these laws.

Hire a licensed and qualified arborist

Trees require attention and maintenance during their lives. To avoid unnecessary mistakes, look for professionals who know their craft and will give you appropriate actions. You can always count on Trees Down Under to do the job.

Trees Down Under offers a wide variety of tree pruning services you can choose. From thinning foliage to improving the look of your garden by shaping or hedging your shrubs. If you want to give your garden a makeover it deserves, contact us at 0475 463 597 and we will provide you with the most affordable tree services.

What Does a Sydney Tree Service Package Include?

Trees provide natural shade and beauty. It emits clean and breathable air and even provides shelter for local wildlife. A well-maintained and aesthetically-pleasing trees can enhance the value of your property. 

When trees are left unattended, it can grow into a problem especially if it’s planted in a residential property. Furthermore, when trees are not maintained properly, it becomes prone to pest infestations and other plant diseases.

Why Tree Services Are Necessary? 

Trees, just like any living things are susceptible to health problems and diseases that can plague your garden. Some trees in our landscape suffer from lack of nutrients. Unlike trees that belong in the forest, it enjoys an abundant nutrient-rich soil from decomposing leaves. 

In addition, one of the most common things you will do to keep your tidy is to remove fallen leaves, twigs, barks, etc. While it keeps the yard in order, it prevents beneficial nutrients from being recycled or decomposed into the soil. 

Your trees can suffer from these common problems: 

• Suffer from lack of mineral-recycling nutrients
• Heavy foot traffic causes compacted soil that can restrict root growth
• Distressed trees are susceptible and prone to opportunistic pests
• Animals and other lawn equipment can damage your trees
• Improper pruning of your trees

Trees Down Under will help you in assessing the potential hazards of your trees and provide you with appropriate and recommended tree services remedy. We can assure you that we will provide you with the best solution to your residential garden and property landscape needs.

Trees Down Under Tree Services Package

Trees Down Under offer a wide range of excellent tree services for residential to commercial clients. We take pride in delivering safe, practical and effective results across broad range garden jobs and tree services challenges. 

We offer the safest, efficient and cost-effective solutions to your tree removal challenges. You can choose from a range of our tree services:

• Tree and Deadwood Removal
• Tree Pruning
• Tree Crown Thinning
• Tree Pollarding
• Stump Grinding
• Arboricultural Services
• Plant Health Care
• Garden and Landscaping Services
• Lawn and ground maintenance

How to maintain your trees healthy?

Trees that are planted and given the proper care can become a lifelong addition to your property. Basically, feeding and watering your plants are basic and common remedies that you can do at home. However, if you are not doing it properly, your trees will likely suffer. At Trees Down Under we will help you figure out the appropriate solution to improve the health of your trees and garden soil. 

If you notice that your tree is in distress, serious issues or damages, do not hesitate to give us a call and we will provide you with the best solution to resolve your garden and tree problems. Our professional arborist will be there in no time.

Make sure that your trees don’t suffer from pests and other damaging diseases. If you want to give your trees the proper care they deserve, contact us at 0475 463 597 and we will provide you with the most cost-effective and efficient tree services.

Stepping Stone Pathway Designs that Stand the Test of Time

Pathways create varied reasons in defining different areas of a yard or a garden. Basically, it will help your guests lead to outdoor entertaining spaces. Besides, it keeps people from walking on your flower beds and it can even provide access for easy harvesting from your vegetable garden.

Stepping stones provide a flow of both your landscape layout and the traffic all throughout your yard. Although it is the most informal kind of pathway, it looks aesthetically natural when it has curves and irregular shapes.

What are the uses of stepping-stones?

• Stepping stones absorb the pounding of foot traffic, saving your yard or garden  from compaction problems
• Stepping stones reduces the amount of dirt tracked into the house
• Keeping particles or other mulch debris track into the house during wet weather

How to define the stepping stone’s durability?

In defining the material’s durability, it is best described in its ability to stay in service within its surrounding environment and absence of damages or maintenance requirement. Natural stones produce stepping stone material with desired properties, such as: 

• Anti-skid
• Sturdiness 
• Durability

Natural stepping-stones’ are the most sought after material in various industries with its physical and chemical properties. They are also known for its classic look that will definitely make your garden stand out.

Advantages of Stepping Stones in your Garden or Patio

• Requires less material to construct a natural stepping stone path in the patio or garden
• Does not require edge-to-edge levelling during installation
• You can design however you want it creatively from regular to irregular shapes
• Wide variety of stone types available
• Can use variations in shapes and sizes of the stone e.g granite, limestone, sandstone
• Natural stepping-stones are safe for garden pathway since they’re mostly anti-skid
• Natural stepping-stones are durable

Stepping Stone Designs

Stepping stones come in different shapes and size. They are the easiest and fastest way to build a pathway in your lawn or garden. Even though most of the stepping-stones are heavy, it requires little digging and there’s no need for complex tools to install them. Undoubtedly, the natural stone material is a perfect selection as stepping-stones in your lawn or garden.

Round or circle shape stepping-stones 

If you want to save more area for covering in your lawn or garden, round or circle stepping stone with central distance is perfect for your lawn. 

Bluestone Stepping Stone

With its traditional and timeless appearance, your garden path will definitely stand out with a plethora of pattern and colours you can choose from.

Pavers Stepping Stone

If you opt for an inexpensive and classic stepping stone, pavers will create a statement and accentuate your lawn pavement. 

Limestone Stepping stone

Limestone has a great variety of colours, shapes and sizes that will make your pavement look from rustic to luxurious design. It is also dense and durable that will stand the test of time.

Concrete Stepping Stone

The most flexible in terms of texture and shape, concrete stepping stone offers a broader array of colours that will match to your architectural taste. It is readily available all throughout the neighbourhood’s hardware store.

Avoid materials that are porous, instead, opt for hard-wearing materials such as granite, bluestone, travertine, etc.

How to maintain my garden stepping stone?

Building a stepping stone as a pathway into your garden or house gives a number of benefits apart from adding accent, it increases the value of your property. In order to magnify the experience, creating your own stepping stone is rewarding and a great activity at the same time. 

Trees Down Under will provide you with the best residential, commercial and industrial lawn and garden services. If you want to give your landscape the proper care they deserve, contact us at 0475 463 597 and we will provide you with the most cost-effective and efficient garden services.

5 Common Garden Emergencies You Shouldn’t Ignore

Gardening is not just about digging a hole, place the plant, cover it with the dirt, water and watch it grow. There are plenty of problems that you will encounter and can plague your garden. Fortunately, there are certain solutions to your garden problems. 

Garden issues do not discriminate, so it is best to get a basic understanding of these common garden problems and learn how to deal with them accordingly.

1. A tree planted too close to the yard wall

One of the most common garden problems we encounter is choosing an inappropriate area to plant the trees. Which results in a damaged boundary or backyard walls, lifting of pavement and even tree roots interfere with the house foundations. 

If you notice that the tree is starting to show signs of interfering in your boundary walls or pavement, have it removed or transplant while it is still young. Plant your trees accordingly by following these simple measures.

• Small trees’ recommended distance is at least 1.5 meters from the boundary wall
• Larger trees’ distance from the boundary wall is at least 4 to 7 meters

2. Digging, turning and raking of fallen leaves

Another costly and damaging gardening practices are exposing your soil’s healthy microorganism through digging and turning. This practice is known as cultivating which dates back many years and it’s still etched in the minds to many homeowners presently.

Most of us are familiar with the concept of forking and digging that we don’t realize is that it does more harm to the soil than good. Exposing the microorganisms to the air and heat slowly degrades the soils’ quality. It will not only compromise or harm your plants, but it can also harden the soil and later lead to drainage problems.

Instead of cultivating, protect your soil by adding the following garden materials to provide food for your plants.

• Layers of compost and mulch
• Plant groundcovers
• Leave the fallen leaves in the bed instead of raking

3. Inefficient irrigation trenches system

Although some irrigation problems have simple fixes, you will need to identify the problems first before taking the necessary action. These are the common irrigation problems you will encounter and plan on how to resolve it accordingly.

• Clogged sprinklers caused by tiny debris
• Obstructed sprinklers are difficult to track
• Poor quality layout  

A well designed and installed landscape irrigation system can provide a number of great benefits to your garden: 

• An irrigation system will help you water your plants every day
• You don’t have to worry about g remembering to water your landscape 
• Keep you from needing the garden hose and do the physical labour
• Effective and efficient than watering it on your own

With a number of great benefits, there are certain obstacles also that can cause your irrigation to deliver its purpose. Poor quality of installation irrigation system and trenches cause numerous problems in your garden.

4. Garden pest and diseases

Garden pests and diseases can’t be taken lightly as it can lead to serious damage to your garden. Although pest and plant disease are two different things that need attention accordingly. 

In order to prevent pests and plant diseases, it is important to give your plants proper growing conditions such as:

• Plenty of air circulation to avoid fungal spores attaching from the leaves
• Don’t water the leaves, instead, start watering at the base of your plant
• Place fresh mulch during your plants’ growing season to avoid spores from attaching to the leaves
• Take out the leaves from the base to avoid spreading of the disease

There are several ways and interventions to keep your plants healthy and safe. However, by manually removing the main culprit or the infected leaves and worms is more rewarding than placing pesticides in your flower beds.

5. Poor soil preparation and compost

Soil provides access to nutrients, water and air. It also helps in stabilising the plants’ roots. However, proper soil preparation is often neglected since it is time-consuming and requires intensive labour. 

Soil is vital in preparing your garden. It will not only allow plants to grow and recycle nutrients, it even provides shelter to a multitude of organisms. If you want a flourishing garden and avoid costly expenses, follow these simple steps in preparing for your next garden project.

• Remove rocks, rubbles and any foreign objects in your soil
• Layer a generous amount of compost
• Add some organic fertiliser once you’re ready to plant
• Avoid digging or forking your soil
• Simply spread the compost on top of your soil

How to keep my garden safe and healthy?

You are not alone when it comes to your garden emergencies. If you start to notice signs that your garden needs attention, resolve it right away to avoid piling up of costly and expensive resolutions later on.

Trees Down Under offer the best defence to all your garden needs. Discuss with our expert arborists how to eliminate and fix the problems. We provide solutions from lawn and garden problems to commercial landscape.

Contact us today at 0475 463 597 and we will take care of all your garden emergencies in no time. We have a 24-hour emergency tree service. Call us now!