Benefits of Pruning Your Plants Regularly

Plants need regular aftercare to thrive. Pruning your plants is one of the best maintenance steps for all kinds of plants. All kinds of plants need necessities to survive. However, going beyond and giving maintenance procedures from time to time brings more advantage than you can think of. The benefits of pruning outweigh the time-to-time effort you need to put in. Prune your plants to bring in the good results you want to see in its growth.

Better sunlight reach and air circulation

As plants grow bigger, they sometimes grow denser too. Leaves may start to cover the inside and prevent the required sunlight for everything else inside. As such, pruning serves as the trim that thins out some parts of the shrub to allow for more sunlight to reach. Pruning also allows better air circulation as leaves, branches, or any form of blockage is taken away from the shrub. Pruned plants grow better when all parts receive the proper amount of its necessities to grow.

Eliminates present disease

Diseases are also very prominent among plants. What’s worse is that some diseases spread very quickly to other parts of the shrub and even the surrounding plants nearby. Stop the spread of disease by pruning your plants from time to time. Pruning cuts out parts that can make the plant sick and contagious. Prune your plants to control any disease outbreak that can ruin your lawn.

More fruit production

Pruning promotes fruiting among trees. In fruiting plants, less is more. As branches, twigs and stems lessen from pruning steps, there is less competition among remaining parts which stimulates fruiting. Better rooting system transports the proper amount of nutrients necessary for the plant to thrive. This allows the plant to have more healthy resources available to support fruit production during the fruiting season.

Lengthens lifespan

Pruning prevents the spread of the disease that can potentially kill the plant. When you cut all the unhealthy parts out, the life span of the plant is longer. With having less disease and more resources available within the plant, the health of the plant gets better. Give your plants a pruning during its ideal season to strengthen it and keep it alive and healthy longer.

Fresher look and better view

Pruning also serves as a grooming and tidying procedure for most plants. It’s like giving your plants regular haircuts that allow for a fresher and healthier grow over time. This keeps the plant neat by keeping the natural shape and figure all the time. Make your plants appear better and more beautiful by giving it a prune. This can add to the visual quality of the surrounding area in your lawn.

Growth correction

If there is a portion of the plant that doesn’t grow well i.e. growth direction, irregular growth spurts, etc. pruning is necessary. The growth of the plant influences the shape and size that it will take in the future. Proper light penetration is only beneficial to the overall growth of the plant if it allows the plant to grow correctly. This happens when the light penetrates all parts equally.

Conclusion

Pruning may seem like a hassle especially if you don’t have the time and the effort to do it. However, it brings more advantage to the plant as it grows older. Pruning improves overall plant health and brings it to the best growing condition. Pruning also keeps your lawns healthy especially in the colder seasons. Professionals are always around to help you achieve your ideal plant. Trees Down Under can do it for you.

Book Trees Down Under!

Your time is essential, and the same applies to plants as well. The younger you start to prune your plants within its most beneficial time for pruning, the better it grows in the future. Trees Down Under can be your helping hand in achieving this goal for all plants. Keep your plants well-maintained and healthy by booking us for pruning services. We are available 24/7. 

Call us today at 0475 463 597 or send your enquiries via email. You can also book online using our easy online booking form.

How to Prune Your Shrubs The Easy Way

If you’ve been doing garden landscapes and plant care a lot, then you probably have an idea of what pruning is. If not, then it is something new to learn. Pruning is another step in garden or landscape maintenance. Pruning is quite similar to trimming. When you prune, you’re essentially cutting away dead parts of the shrub or removing any overgrowth. Pruning is key in making sure that the shrub grows in a healthy manner and in the fashion that you want.

For anybody’s first time to prune, things are new. As such, pruning might be more difficult than expected. To make things easier, there are tons of tips and easy additions you can do to make sure that pruning turns more productive and fun than expected. Experts and professionals like Trees Down Under are around to give you a hand in making sure that pruning becomes a beneficial and sensible step in maintaining your garden. Apply these easy ways to make pruning enjoyable!

Prune shrubs timely

There is a right time to prune shrubs. Each species of shrub has its own time of the year for a more efficient pruning. Each shrub has its own season for productive growth that influences how the shrub grows. Know your shrub well and time your pruning session to maximise the shrub, especially if it is the flowering kind. When you prune the shrub during an unideal time, you might end up losing the shrub’s bloom or fruit of the year. So when is it ideal to prune shrubs?

• For flowering shrubs that bloom in the early spring, prune them right after blooming
• For flowering shrubs that bloom in the summer, prune them in the early spring
• For non-flowering shrubs, prune after the event of new growth in the shrubs.

Angle the snip properly

Assess first your shrub and make sure that you set apart the growth that doesn’t suit your shrub. For more air and sunlight coverage within the shrub, prune the branch right above the new growth of the branch. Angle the snip properly. You wouldn’t want the cut to be too flat, too high or too angular. This will influence the following growth of the branch. Use a 45-degree angle cut with the lowest part the farthest from the new growth. The cleaner the cut, the faster your shrub heals.

Use the proper tools for pruning shrubs

Using the proper tools also makes pruning easier. Prepare your tools beforehand. Look at the equipment and assess the sharpness or bluntness of the blade. If your shrubs are higher than expected, invest in good pruning equipment that can reach higher heights.

• Pruning shears can prune branches of up to ¾ inches in thickness.
• Loppers can handle thicker branches and twigs of up to 2.5 inches in thickness.
• Pruning saws have different capacities. Some can handle 1.5 inches while other pruning saws can cut as much as 5 inches thickness.
• Pole pruners can reach higher places. Some can reach up to 8 feet high and can cut as much as 1.25 in diameter. Pole pruners need regular maintenance with oil. Check the blades for rust too.

Conclusion

Easy pruning comes with the proper preparation before pruning the shrubs. To make pruning more manageable, know your shrub first. Check your tools for sharper blades for smaller cutters and well-lubricated mechanisms for the pole pruners. When you snip during the ideal season, angle properly with around 45 degrees in its cut. Contact arborists to make sure that your shrubs are growing well.

Talk to Trees Down Under!

It doesn’t matter if you’re new to taking care of shrubs or you’re experienced in shrub care. Trees Down Under is always available to offer help and service for any kind shrub. As a team with more than thirty years of experience, we are here to give you a pruning hand. We offer our garden solutions along with our pruning services for you. Don’t hesitate to contact us! We are available 24/7!

Call us today at 0475 463 597 or send your enquiries via email. You can also book online using our easy online booking form.

Quick and Easy Manual Hedge Trimming Techniques

Hedge trimming is one of the maintenance steps crucial in keeping your hedges in a good shape. Trimming cuts out the overgrowth and the excess parts of any hedges, keeping it less dense. As your hedge grows over time, the ample amount of sunlight hardly reaches the inside of a hedge. The same issue is present as moisture and other needs of the shrub lessen with the hedge’s slow growth. Any hedge must get a trim once in a while.

Hedge trimming requires effort and additional expense for you as you start your journey on becoming a green thumb. So, the question is, what are some things you can do to keep things at a budget but still maintain the lush and healthy look of your hedge? You can opt to do things on your own. The only thing you need is the proper techniques coupled with your effort in doing things the old-fashioned way – manually.

Scheduling hedge trims

Hedges have two growing phases every year. Schedule hedge trims after these growing phases so as not to quickly grow over newly shaped hedges during the growing scene. In general, you can schedule hedge trims somewhere along the summer and spring season. This is especially applicable to flowering hedges and shrubs that grow over rapid during the summer. For other hedges that don’t have specific growing periods, you can cut them anytime. Avoid bird nesting seasons when you trim your hedge.  

Preparing the tools needed

Prepare the proper tools when you decide to have your hedge trims. Make sure that the blades of your shears are sharp enough for the overgrowth of the hedge. Sharp blades can give a more definite cut on your hedge which can help with healthy growth for the succeeding seasons. This also prevents unhealthy cuts that can affect the welfare of your hedge. 

Setting layout and boundaries

Set up boundaries so that your hedge trimming session has a guide to keep the hedge growth in line. Use a string and set up a stand from end to end on the lower part of the ground. Use another length of string and tie it higher than the first string. This can create layers that will set as your boundary the higher the hedge goes. 

Techniques on hedge trimming

There are specific trimming techniques that can make manual hedge trimmings more efficient and effective. These are some of the techniques you can choose from. Make sure that what you apply is proper and applicable to the type of hedge you have. This way, your hedge grows better and lusher in the following seasons before the next trim. 

Pinching – a method that keeps hedges on more stimulated bushiness. To apply pinching to a hedge, remove the terminal buds of the hedge. While it initially removes these buds, the delay in the flowering means a more beautiful growing and flowering in the long run. Don’t pinch more mature plants or woody shrubs. 

Shearing – a technique that involves trimming of the hedge is more focused on the outer parts. This is more crucial if you want to follow a shape for your hedges. Shear off outer parts of the hedge to your desired shape. Make sure to shear off far away from the buds of the shrub. 

Thinning – helps in keeping the hedge less dense. remove selected stems or branches. Cutting these branches and stems should be from the origin from within the hedge. If there’s a particularly annoying branch sticking out, apply thinning technique to have the undesired growth from the hedge. 

Heading – to grow denser foliage in the future, cut the buds that are above or a little bit over than the leaves. 

Wear safety equipment

Wear proper safety equipment to make sure that you have protection when you trim your hedge. Your safety and protection are still more important than hedge trimming any season of the year. When you trim, always have the following:

• Protective goggles to protect your eyes from splinters from cutting
• Protective gloves to prevent small cuts from spikes or thorns
• Overalls to protect your clothes from damage 

Conclusion

Doing things your own can be simple and easy by following some techniques and tips from experts like Trees Down Under. Make sure that you prepare well before starting your hedge trim. If things don’t go according to your plan or desire, you might end up spending more to recuperate from some hedge trimming mistakes. 

Talk to Trees Down Under!

Trees Down Under is your partner in keeping your hedge in shape. Make sure to talk to professional arborists who can give you the advice that your hedge will benefit from. If you don’t have time to do things manually, you can always work with you. We have been around for more than three decades giving the most efficient and professional hedge trimming services for your lawn. Don’t hesitate to contact us!

Contact us at 0475 463 597 or send us your enquiries via email. You can also request for a quote by clicking here.

How much Does a Hedge Trimming Cost

Landscape maintenance is optimal to ensure the safety and health of your garden. If you have a hedge in your backyard, or you’re using one as the private boundary of your property, you will need to invest in proper hedge care to guarantee that your hedge serves its purpose. However, like all other steps and procedures, these maintenance routines will cost you from time to time. There are many things to consider when doing a hedge trim and it doesn’t just stop with a specific rate for the service or the local arborist that will do the job.

No one price can dictate the cost of having a hedge trim. It’s best to contact and consult with your local arborist from Trees Down Under. Ensure that you already have an idea of the type of hedge trim you plan to have. Whereas there is no specific rate for a hedge trim, there are things to consider that greatly affects a hedge trim. Knowing the specifics of your hedge can give you a rough picture of how much to set aside for your hedge.

Factors for consideration

There are deciding factors affect the cost of a hedge trim. There are considerations that you might not have thought of which affects the price of the job. Know and familiarise these aspects to set a realistic expectation on how much these maintenance procedures cost.

Type of hedge

The type of hedge is one of the biggest factors that affect the cost. There are two types of hedges for landscapes. Formal hedges need more regular maintenance to keep its more uniformed appearance and boundary. This type of hedge needs more frequent trims for shape and height maintenance. On the other hand, informal hedges can do with less frequent trims but still serve as a hedge in your backyard.

Hedge size 

The size of the hedge affects the amount of work that the arborist needs to do to tidy up the hedge. The bigger and higher the hedge, the more work needed to maintain it. No matter what type of hedge there is, a higher or wider hedge needs more time for a trim. This increases the bill of your hedge trim expense.

Location 

Each landscape is unique precisely because of its location. Some areas will have different things than others. Obstructions and challenges can be present in your backyard. This will take more work in maintaining the hedge. For example, if your hedge is on a slope and farther away from the equipment, more effort is required to trim the hedge. The debris and waste that comes afterwards also take a lot of work to load in the truck of the service provider. This reality will affect the cost of the hedge trim.

Time

Time also changes the rates of your hedge trim expense. Think first: when was the last time my hedge had a trim? For hedges that don’t have a recent trim or regular maintenance, the shrubs will be denser and will have more overgrowth than usual. This usually means more time and work to trim the hedges. The longer time between two trims can mean an increase in the cost.

Conclusion

The best way to get an estimate of your hedge trim cost is to get a quotation. Point out as many specifications of your hedge and your area so that a more accurate price range for the service. You can send enquiries to Trees Down Under for a better expectation of your trimming costs. This will save you a lot of worries from shedding out more money than you thought of. All you need to do is ask.

Talk to Trees Down Under!

Trees Down Under offers hedge trimming services for your hedges. It doesn’t matter if it’s a formal hedge or a hedge that you just want to tidy up a bit, we are here to work with you in keeping your landscape better. We have been around for more than three decades, giving out exceptional service to all kinds of hedges. Do you want to have a fresher garden boundary hedge that can add to the visuals of your property? Don’t hesitate to contact us! Call us at 0475 463 597 or send in your enquiries via email.

When is the Best Time to Do Hedge Trimming

Starting your garden and landscape in the backyard is a good start for your green thumb journey at home. Taking care of plants and shrubs can serve as your outlet and hobby for a different day to day routine. However, starting this activity doesn’t just stop at planting your chosen flora and watering it in proper times. You need to do some maintenance procedures to make sure that the landscape is well-groomed and pleasing to look at.

There are many tree removalists and arborists around Sydney that can help in garden maintenance. You can trust Trees Down Under to take care of your hedge maintenance for you. Trimming is one of the maintenance measures you need to do from time to time, especially if you have plans to keep a hedge in your backyard. It is one of the things that your hedge needs to optimise its health and aesthetic purpose. Invest in the health of your hedges to make them look the best!

What is a hedge trimming?

A hedge is a line of heavy shrubs that can serve as a fence or boundary. Hedges, more than any other plants in a garden, require trimming to maintain its health and boundary. Trimming hedges involves cutting out overgrown branches that are sticking out of the hedge boundary. Cutting out overgrown parts of the hedge is also essential in making sure that there enough light and moisture is present. Make sure that your hedge is getting all its needs to thrive.

Seasonal trimming

Every hedge has a “right season” for trimming. This right season is heavily influenced by the hedge that you have. Not all hedges are the same. Formal hedges get as much as two trims, while informal hedges can get by with one trim every year. To make sure that it’s the right time to get a trim, consult with your local arborist from Trees Down Under to schedule your hedge trims. If you want a jumpstart in trimming your hedges, the general rule of thumb for most hedges is giving a trim within spring to summer seasons.

Evergreen Hedges

Evergreen hedges are good options if you opt for a more private boundary. Many species of evergreen hedges grow tall to give areas a more private space. For the informal type of evergreen hedge, do light hedge trimming during the summer for regular maintenance every year. This controls the rapid growth that most evergreen hedges exhibit in the summer season. For more formal evergreen hedges, you can opt to trim more frequently to preserve the shape and boundary. Some of the evergreen hedges you can choose from are:

• English box hedge
• Coastal Rosemary hedge
• Escallonia hedge
• Leyland Cypress hedge

Deciduous Hedges

Most non-flowering deciduous hedges are best as informal hedges. As such, it is more forgiving than evergreen hedges in terms of trimming and maintenance. For informal hedges, do hedge trimmings of deciduous hedges in the spring season to keep the natural shape of the hedge. For deciduous hedges that are formal hedges, do hedge trimmings in the summer season. These are deciduous hedges you can choose from for your garden:

• Red Barberry hedge
• Beech hedge
• Hazel hedge
• Privet hedge

Conclusion

There are many hedges available to complete your garden. These hedges can serve as your private borders inside too. To maintain a healthy lawn and to give a tidy appearance, hedge trimming is necessary. Have two regular hedge trimmings to maintain your hedge at home. This ensures that your hedge is still growing well. Make your hedge more visually appealing. Consult with our hedge experts to make sure that your hedge is having its trim in an optimal time.

Talk to Trees Down Under!

Trees Down Under has a team of reliable hedge trimmers for your hedge trimming needs. We have been around giving exceptional hedge trims in residential settings for more than two decades around Sydney. We can work with you to make the hedges in your home landscapes get the maintenance it needs. We also offer all sorts of tree services for commercial and industrial locations. Don’t hesitate to call us anytime!

Contact us at 0475 463 597 or send in your enquiries via email. You can also request a quote online by clicking here.

Avoid Planting These Australian Plants in Your Garden

Most garden owners want a visually appealing garden with the right set of plants, according to their preference. More often than not, they choose plants depending on how pretty and perfect they are for the overall aesthetic of their outdoor space. 

We are here to tell you that you should also consider your family’s and the community’s safety in choosing plants for your place. Some of them can be poisonous, while others can affect the environment. So for guidance, you need to avoid planting these Australian plants in your garden:  

Angel’s Trumpets

Contrary to its name, Angel’s trumpet can bring harm to humans if ingested. It is highly toxic, particularly their leaves and seed.  Despite its pleasant appearance and aroma, it can cause diarrhoea, confusion, migraine, paralysis, or death. 

Even though its colourful flowers are enough to enhance your garden, it is best to avoid planting it for your family’s safety.

Oleander

Oleander is a typical garden plant in Australia. Most people don’t know that it is also highly toxic. Contact with the plant can cause mild skin irritation. If ingested, it can be fatal. Fortunately, its leaves are bitter, so curious little children would unlikely eat the whole. Nevertheless, it is better to avoid planting oleander for a worry-free environment.

Moreover, burning this plant poses a risk to human health. Its poisonous content can mix with the smoke and fumes that people should avoid inhaling. 

Deadly Nightshade

Deadly nightshade, or also known as devil’s berries, is a very poisonous plant that is still a common garden plant in residential areas. Its berries contain tropane alkaloids that can cause hallucinations, mental confusion, emotional disruption, and changes in behaviour. 

Eating a single leaf or about 20 berries can be fatal to adults, and the same dosage has a more severe effect on children.    

Fountain Grass   

Fountain grass is in demand for landscaping, but it has detrimental environmental effects. It produces a lot of seeds that can spread fast and cover most of the area of your garden. 

As it can steal nutrients from other plants and propagate quickly out of a property’s lawn, the authorities in South Australia proclaimed fountain grass as a declared plant. Meaning people are not allowed to sell and trade it anymore. 

Wandering Jew

Considering Australian dog ownership has been rapidly rising, it is best not to plant wandering jew inside your property. This plant can cause allergic skin reactions in dogs and other animals when they come into contact with its foliage.

Moreover, it is also considered an environmental weed that competes with trees and plants for nutrients. Furthermore, it has been a severe problem for Australia’s rainforests as it also propagates fast once planted. Although it is not banned, Australians must avoid planting wandering jew to minimise the risk of spreading it out. 

Leighton’s Green

Leighton’s green is a hedge plant that can last all year long without dropping their leaves. Garden owners opt for this tree as it can provide them with privacy while serving its purpose as an ornamental plant.

However, its fast-growing characteristic can put your garden at a disadvantage. If not maintained and pruned regularly, it can become massive and uncontrolled, with tree removal as the only solution. 

Conclusion

Aside from a beautiful and functional garden, you need to consider the safety of your family and the community. Plants can be poisonous, destroy the environmental balance, or pose a risk that can cause accidents. 

By avoiding the Australian plants presented in this article, you can prevent the mentioned probable dangers. And if you ever need help in choosing the right plant and landscaping technique for your garden, you can always trust Trees Down Under!

We are the number one garden service provider here in Sydney. Our team is knowledgeable about what type of plants are safe for your garden. Furthermore, we can do different plant treatments such as pruning, mulching, and trimming to help you avoid the hassle of these tiresome procedures. 

No job is too big or small for us. We offer efficient and top-grade services tailored according to your needs. Immediately after your call, we will dispatch our trained and first-rate staff with the right tools and equipment. Excellent craftsmanship and affordable services — that’s our guarantee!

We are available 24/7. Call us today at 0475 463 597 or send us a message through our email. 

Evergreens for Hedging

Aside from aesthetic, hedge plants are the perfect solution when you want to mark your property’s boundary for some privacy. In choosing the right type of plants as hedges, you need to consider evergreens since they can withstand season changes. 

Unlike deciduous plants, the leaves of evergreens do not drop their leaves during autumn, and they can withstand the cold temperature of winter. Thus, evergreens are the perfect hedges that can cover your outdoor space all year long. 

So, if you want to start investing in hedge plants for a visually appealing garden and privacy, you can consider these popular evergreens:

Boxwood 

Boxwood is one of the most used hedge plants since it responds well to pruning and trimming. Its small and evergreen leaves are ideal for topiary, which is the art of shaping trees and shrubs into figure-like structures.  

Height/Spread: 0.3 m to 6 m tall / 0.6 m to 2.5 m wide

Exposure to sunlight: Full or partial shade

Soil Requirements: Well-drained soil

Spruce

Spruce is an evergreen tree with leaves like needles. This dense, compact, and narrow-leaved tree requires consistent shearing, but it is useful as a windbreak or property screen. 

Height/Spread: 12 m to 18 m tall / 3 m to 6 m wide

Exposure to sunlight: Full 

Soil Requirements: Loam, moist, and well-drained soil

Yew

Yew is a dense evergreen that can respond well to pruning. Its uniformity can form a great wall, which is perfect for enclosed gardens. With its red berries, it can add colour harmony to your landscape design. 

Height/Spread: Up to 2 m tall / Up to 5 m wide

Exposure to sunlight: Full, partial, or shaded depending on the variety 

Soil Requirements: Neutral pH, and well-drained soil

Colour Varieties: Non-flowering, dark-green needle leaves with red berries

Arborvitae

Known for its pyramid-like shape, Arborvitae can add a different form on your overall garden style. This type of hedge tree doesn’t require much maintenance. It doesn’t need tree pruning, and it is pest-resistant. 

If it is your goal to make it as a windbreaker, you can space the trees 1.5 m to 1.8 m apart. But for a more gradual hedge, you need a 3 m to 3.8 m spacing. 

Height/Spread: Up to 18 m tall / Up to 6 m wide

Exposure to sunlight: Full or partial 

Soil Requirements: Any kind of soil, but best on moist and well-drained loam soil

Firethorn

Firethorn is a popular evergreen for hedging, especially for Christmas. It blooms white flowers in spring and orange-red berries from summer to winter. Its unruly appearance might turn you off, but once you see its balance in your garden, it can look elegant for the overall landscape. 

Moreover, it is a fast grower and drought-tolerant. You can space each firethorn 1 m to 1.3 m apart.   

Height/Spread: 2.4 m to 3.7 m tall / 1 m to 1.5 m wide

Exposure to sunlight: Full or partial 

Soil Requirements: Moist and well-drained soil

Colour Varieties: Small white flowers resulting in orangey fruits

Privet

One of the classic evergreens for hedging is privet. Its dense foliage responds well to pruning, which can be done after flowering. This fast-grower plant can adapt and grow to any condition, which makes it ideal for first-time gardeners. 

Height/Spread: Up to 4.5 m tall / 1.5 m to 1.8 m wide

Exposure to sunlight: Full, partial, or shaded 

Soil Requirements: Any type of soil

Colour Varieties: White flowers, black berries

Holly

Holly is a popular evergreen that you can use as a hedge. Known for its red berries, the female set of fruit requires male to cross-pollinate. Sometimes, it needs peat or garden sulphur. As a medium grower, you need to space it 0.6 m to 1.2 m apart.  

Height/Spread: 1.8 m to 3 m tall / 1.5 m to 2.5 m wide

Exposure to sunlight: Full or partial

Soil Requirements: Slightly acidic, well-drained, and fertile soil

Colour Varieties: Greenish-white flowers and red berries

Conclusion

Evergreens are the perfect choice for hedging since they can withstand season changes without dropping their leaves all year long. You can choose the right plants depending on their variety, flower/fruit colour, height, spread, and maintenance. 

Maintenance of evergreen plants can be quite challenging. You need to research a lot to avoid improper plant care. So, when in doubt, you can always ask for assistance from Trees Down Under.

Our team of professional and top-grade arborists have trained for several years to attend to your plant and tree needs, including evergreens. We have developed a systematic and efficient methodology to service each Sydneysiders with quality and affordable tree services.

No job is too big or small for us! We can provide service to residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Equipped with the right tools, we will be at your doorsteps immediately after your call. We guarantee a 100% customer satisfaction rating with high-end outputs. 

Trust your evergreens with us! Call us now at 0475 463 597 or send us a message via email. 

Top 10 Hedging Tips and Tricks

As a homeowner, you probably feel proud whenever your lawn is well-balanced, and your plants are blooming splendidly. Soon enough, they would attract butterflies, bees, and birds, which can make your outdoor space ideal for relaxation and meditation purposes. You can feel nature and be at peace with just a few steps from your house. 

However, plants’ maintenance can be quite a hassle, especially in dealing with hedging plants. A hedge or a hedgerow is a group of plants, shrubs, and trees that are placed in an orderly manner to bring privacy into one’s property and offer garden style at the same time. Hedge methods such as trimming, cutting, and pruning require proper planning and a delicate touch. 

Taking care of hedges is a difficult task. Luckily, Trees Down Under is here to present to you the top 10 hedging tips and tricks for you to consider. 

1. Plan Ahead

If you plan to have a hedgerow in your property, you need to plan carefully. Aside from providing privacy, the overall vibe of your outdoor space needs to consider the following:

• Type of Hedge Plants
• Garden Style 
• Corresponding Mature Sizes of Chosen Hedge Plants 
• Soil Type 
• Plant Spacing
• Climate Conditions

With a landscape expert like Trees Down Under, you can plan on how you can turn your ideas into reality. 

2. Prune Young Hedge Before Reaching Its Maximum Size

Pruning is the process of removing dead or dying parts of a plant to prevent animal and pest infestation and promote its natural shape and healthy growth. A good hedge is dense all over, not just on the top. The best way to achieve this is by light trimming the plants (probably 2 cm each time).  

3. Choose the Right Fertiliser

Depending on the type of hedge plant, soil, and environmental condition, choosing the right fertiliser is essential to give your plants the proper nutrients to prevent various diseases. 

In general, you need more fertiliser after plants have undergone cutting and trimming.  Most hedges require fertiliser that is rich in nitrogen for twice a year (spring and late summer). But note that you need to avoid over fertilising since it would result in fast but weak growth that is prone to pest infestations. 

4. Trim to Keep Them Dense and Compact     

As mentioned earlier, a good hedge is dense and compact. Regular trimming promotes healthy growth and keeps the shape of the hedge plants. Follow these steps to trim them the right way:

• Use a clean and sharp set of pruners to cut the foliage and stems accurately.
• Trim the hedge plant to your desired shape, but in moderation.
• For a straighter looking hedge, mount a string line at each end at the desired height to give you a line to guide.
• If your hedge has larger leaves, use a pair of secateurs to cut wayward stems first then the smaller ones.
• Avoid trimming at the hottest or coldest time of the year. Environment temperature can affect the growth of your hedge plants. 

5. Manage Pest and Diseases

It is essential to manage your hedge plants from pests and diseases. Unlike regular plants, once your hedge plants get infected, the entire hedge will most likely get affected. Always remember that overwatering, over fertilising, and under managing hedge plants can invite pests and diseases that are hard to handle. 

6. Consider Evergreens

Evergreens are plants that can withstand season changes. It is more convenient to invest them as hedges to maintain your garden’s colour and foliage throughout the year. Furthermore, if it is your objective to set privacy for your property, then evergreens are the best plants to do that job.

7. Space Right

The trick when it comes to spacing hedge plants depends on plant species and hedge type. According to Iowa State University, plants in a sheared and formal hedge require 0.3 to 0.8 m spacing. Meanwhile, informal and natural shrubs need to be spaced further apart. 

Furthermore, medium hedge trees that are 1.5 to 2.5 m tall need a 0.6 m to 1.2 m spacing, while larger ones from 2.5 to 4 m tall require 1.2 to 1.8 m apart. 

8. Shape Hedges Well

In shaping your hedge, consider finishing it with a slight wedge-shape, which has slightly narrower top foliage than the bottom. In this way, all the branches have access to sunlight that will result in healthier growth with foliage up to the ground level. 

9. Equip Yourself with the Appropriate Tools

Hedging is not an easy task. It would require effort and the right tools to keep your hedges pruned, trimmed, and maintained the best way. Equip yourself with pruners, shears, trimmers, loopers, and scissors to preserve the beauty of your garden.  

10. Hire an Expert 

The last but not the least tip for you to consider is to hire an expert landscaper if you need to. Growing hedges can become quite tiresome and hassle. With professional advice, you can turn your vision into a reality without sacrificing the quality of your garden. 

Moreover, you might also need an arborist for different hedge plant treatments such as pruning, mulching, trimming, and cutting. In this way, you can ensure that your outdoor space is in good hands. 

Conclusion

Hedging requires time and effort. It can be quite tiring, but once you see and enjoy your outdoor space, it would all become worth the hard work. If there are instances when you don’t know what to do, you can always rely on the top 10 hedging tips and tricks presented in this article. And when you need expert advice, you can depend on Trees Down Under!

Our team of professional arborists can do all kinds of hedging services. From trivial tasks such as tree pruning and mulching up to extensive ones such as landscaping and tree removal, we can do them fast and efficient. 

We have the right tools and equipment, no matter how small or big the job is. Don’t worry about the price since we give the most affordable rates here in Sydney. We have serviced thousands of clients who can guarantee our first-rate services. 

Do you need tips and tricks for your hedge plants? Don’t hesitate to call us at 0475 463 597 or send us your enquiries via email. 

Hedge Trees Explained

Anyone has a dream house in mind. Along with a great and functional interior and exterior design of a home, people would want to have a lawn for gardening and relaxation purposes. Today, more and more homeowners are investing in landscape design to beautify their yard using plants, shrubs, and trees. 

If you want to provide aesthetic and privacy in your property at the same time, Trees Down Under is here to explain how hedge trees are the perfect solution for that.  

What are Hedge Trees?

A hedge or hedgerow is a line of spaced plants, shrubs, and trees that form a barrier or mark a boundary of property between neighbouring areas. Since Medieval times, it is a common practice to design the lawn in this way for aesthetic and privacy purposes. You can probably picture it from monastic and palace gardens shown in movies. 

Why Use Hegde Trees?

People use hedge trees as windbreaks that slow down the wind for the benefit of soil, crops, plants, and people. Furthermore, when clipped and maintained, they are simple forms of topiary. It is the practice of shaping twigs and shrubs to develop clearly defined shapes like a sculpture.

Also, as trees are large in sizes, they are the perfect protection for your property from unwanted guests who want to trespass your area.  

Importance of Hedge Trees

Hedge trees have historical significance for the wildlife and landscape. Hedge trees can help prevent environmental disasters such as flooding, soil erosion, and pollution.  

As a property owner, you can maximise hedge trees to protect you and the community from environmental hazards. In this way, you can enjoy your garden and benefit from it at the same time.  

Common Types of Hedge Trees

Spruce Trees

Known for its pyramidal shape, small spruce trees, which can grow up to 20 metres tall (small species), are ideal for hedges. They can form a solid hedge with less effort, and they are easy to take care of. However, make sure to use moist soil and fertilise them regularly so they can last for a long time. 

American Arborvitae

Another common type of hedge trees suitable for your lawn is American Arborvitae. This kind of tree can retain its green colour throughout the year. With its unique shape of a wide bottom and tapered top, it will add a visually appealing aesthetic in your lawn.   

Furthermore, it can grow 1.5 metres wide at the bottom, but it is easy to maintain and trim. You can space them tighter for security or farther for a visual break.  

Evergreen 

Evergreen trees can keep their leaves all year long, which is the perfect kind to serve as a windbreaker in your property any time of the year. May it be summer or winter, they can withstand temperature changes, which also means to give your home privacy. 

Even though they can last all year long, you still need to take care of them to ensure their well-being. 

Juniper

Juniper, which is an example of evergreen, is an excellent choice if you want a quick-growing tree for your property. You can place juniper trees so close to each other that will undoubtedly provide borders within your area. While they can grow from 4 to 6 metres, it is essential to have a regular pruning so that you can easily maintain your hedge. 

Conclusion

As a property owner, you might want to have a visually appealing lawn that has a function aside from purely aesthetic. With hedge trees planted, they can serve as a mark or boundary for your outdoor space. Furthermore, they can actually save your place from environmental hazards such as flooding, soil erosion, and pollution. 

Here at Trees Down Under, we are your trusted partner when it comes to different tree methods such as tree removal and mulching. Our team of expert arborists have the right tools and equipment to do the job excellently and efficiently.

For more than 30 years now, we have serviced thousands of clients in Sydney who keep coming back for our services. We have developed a top-rate methodology that is suitable for your tree needs. Expect our friendly staff to be at your doorsteps as quickly as possible after your call.

Maintain your hedge trees with us! Call us now at 0475 463 597 or send us a message via email. 

Best Hedging Plants to Use for Your Property’s Privacy

Creative outdoor landscape design has been on the trend these days. But, did you know that you can actually use your plants to provide your property with some privacy? Hedging plants are the perfect solution to give your lawn a visually appealing blueprint while keeping your family safe from unwanted guests. 

Hedging plants can form a row with planned spacing to mark the boundary of your property. Most homeowners are using this technique to make a natural vibe in their places. For most of them, there’s nothing more fulfilling than to enjoy their yard with a beautiful environment. Moreover, a hedge can bring fresh air and prevent floods and soil erosion from happening. 

However, choosing the right hedging plants for your outdoor area can be quite challenging. They come in different types (plants, shrubs, or trees), shapes, and sizes. Choosing the appropriate combination that is suitable for your style and taste is vital because it is you who will enjoy your outdoor space, in the end. Additionally, you also need to consider their maximum height, maintenance and spacing. 

Fret not since Trees Down Under is here to provide you with some tips on what are the best hedging plants for your property’s privacy.

Flowering Plants

Flowering plants are perfect when you want to enhance the beauty of your lawn. There’s nothing more refreshing than to see blooming coloured flowers, especially in summer. Here are some stunning flowers that you can mark your property with:

Murraya

Murraya, or also known as orange jessamine, is a popular flowering plant for hedging. Its white and fragrant flowers are perfect in creating a balance in a green environment. It can grow from 1.5 to 4 metres tall with the right amount of sunlight and care. You don’t have anything to worry about its maintenance since it can resist most pests and diseases.

Cascade Lilly Pilly

If you want a bright pink or crimson flowering plant, then Cascade Lilly Pilly is the right one for you. It can reach up to 3 metres tall in full sun to part shade. Its crimson berries attract birds, or you can make jams and jellies out of them. 

Bluebeard

Bluebeard can grow with purple, blue, or white flowers. It is a perfect addition to the harmony and colour vibe in your outdoor space. Tolerant to dry and humid conditions, this fast-growing flowering plant can still enhance your garden even in winter. 

Shrubs

Shrubs are perennial plants that have woody branches above the ground, unlike herbaceous plants. Their multiple stems and heights make them different from trees. They can grow from 6 to 10 metres tall, which is perfect as hedging plants for your property’s privacy. Here are some of the popular shrubs for your backyard:

Boxwood

Also known as Buxus, Boxwood is the most popular hedging plant for gardeners. Characterised by its small leaves and lush evergreen foliage, it can create a tight and formal hedging style.  

Furthermore, it is relatively pest and disease resistant, so you don’t have anything to worry about its maintenance. Also, it is the right choice if you want to make a topiary like what you see in the garden of a royal palace. 

Viburnums

Viburnums can quickly grow in moist and well-drained soil under sunny or partly shaded areas. Some species are drought-tolerant. But, during hotter seasons, they will require additional water to survive. 

Trees

There’s nothing more perfect than trees if you want a high fence for security purposes. With the right planning and spacing, you can use trees to prevent unwanted guests from trespassing and build a natural vibe in your yard at the same time. You can choose these following hedging trees: 

Bamboo

If you think about it, you can probably see bamboo trees in the forest. However, you can also use them as hedging plants. It is the perfect kind if you opt for a natural vibe in your yard. It grows quick, thick, and bushy, assuring good privacy.  Moreover, it has a relaxing nature sound whenever the wind blows. 

Arborvitae

Arborvitae, being an evergreen, can withstand different climate conditions. It can also last for several hundreds of years, which makes it a perfect kind of tree as a hedge in your property. Its unique shape of a wider bottom and tapered top can grow from 3 to 18 metres, depending on its variety. You need to consider proper spacing, especially at the bottom part, for aesthetics and security of your place. 

Spruce Tree

A spruce tree has a pyramidal shape, which can enhance the overall design of your outdoor. It can grow from 20 to 60 metres tall, but you can choose the smaller ones since it is just for your lawn. Make sure to use moist soil and fertilise it regularly for proper growth. 

Conclusion

If you want a visually appealing garden and a safe home, you can use hedging plants to protect your property’s privacy. Make sure to choose the best kind of plants, shrubs or trees depending on the overall concept of your lawn. Also, take care of them properly with the right soil, fertiliser, and maintenance. 

If you need any help with your garden, you can always ask for Trees Down Under. Our team of professional arborists are the leading tree experts in Sydney for different tree methods such as mulching and even green waste removal. 

With our top-rate methodologies, your hedging plants are undoubtedly in good hands. At the soonest time possible, our staff will be ringing at your door with the right tools and equipment. 

We are available 24 hours a day, 7 times a week! Contact us at 0475 463 597 or send us a message through our email.