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Everything You Need to Know about Gold Coast Tree Removal Laws

Queensland tree removal laws differ from council to council. Namely, every local council has its own tree removal regulations which people need to follow. So, in order to help you understand the tree removal regulations of the Gold Coast City Council, we – TPS Tree Lopping – have come up with this simple guide which will help you remove trees legally and safely.

However, this guide is a general one and there are often some exceptions and differences depending on the property size and zoning overlays. Hence, before starting the tree removal process, make sure you consult a professional and qualified arborist. A TPS Tree Lopping arborist will give you a detailed and correct assessment and explain which steps exactly you need to take.

Now, let’s begin and dig deeper into the Gold Coast tree removal laws:

When Can You Remove a Tree without Getting an Approval?

Sounds strange, but yes, you sometimes need to ask the local council for approval to cut down your tree, especially if it is a protected tree. On the other hand, you can legally remove a tree from your private property if:

  • the tree is within a 3-meter radius from your house or other building structure
  • the tree is within a 1.5-meter radius from your fence, including your pool fence
  • the tree hasn’t grown 4 meters in height or 40cm in circumference
  • the tree is on the pest species tree list which includes Cocos Palm, Cadagi Tree, Coral Tree, Umbrella Tree, and Slash Pine Tree

So, if you want to take down any tree that fits any of the above-mentioned descriptions, feel free to do so without asking for consent from the council. But again, make sure an experienced arborist inspects your tree before you begin.

How to Get Approval from the Gold Coast City Council?

In the second case, if your tree doesn’t meet the descriptions mentioned above or it is located on body corporate common property, you need to ask the Gold Coast City Council for approval before you begin with the tree removal process.

But, don’t think of council approvals as obstacles because you can easily get the approval if you notify the council in the right way. And, what’s even more convenient, your arborist can lodge the application to the Council on your behalf and get the approval without any complications.

Tree Removal on Body Corporate Land

Last but not least, we’ve already mentioned that you need to ask the council for approval if the tree is located on body corporate common property. This is needed because all trees on such land are protected and because by doing so the council will ensure vegetation levels are maintained from the original approved landscaping plan.

Luckily, the TPS Tree Lopping tree service company is here to help and advice you on what you should or shouldn’t do when thinking about tree removal. Don’t hesitate and call us today to ensure a legal and safe tree removal!

5 of the Worst Trees to Plant near Your House

 

TPS (Trees, Palms, and Stumps) Tree Lopping is here to help you plan your landscaping and give you advice on which trees you shouldn’t plant near your house.

So, if you wished for some of the following trees, you’d better think twice and consult the best tree service company in the Brisbane, Redlands, Logan, and Gold Coast area – TPS Tree Lopping. Its professional and well-experienced arborists will definitely help you make the right choice.

Now, let’s see which are, the top 5 worst trees to plant near your house:

  1. Fig Tree

In general, figs grow well in the Gold Coast climate and are actually quite a common choice among people. However, even though they are such beautiful trees, figs aren’t the best tree choice since they do require a lot of space to grow. Namely, the roots of a fig tree are so invasive and span across large areas which means that you should plant figs within a minimum of a 25-meter radius of your house or any structures, pathways, underground plumbing, and fences.

  1. Tipuana Tree

Tipuana trees grow extremely large – up to 20 meters in height and 30 meters in width. Yes, they will provide your yard with excellent shade but do you really have the space? Similar to figs, tipuana tree roots are also really extensive, which is only one reason why you should avoid planting it. Second, tipuana tree produces helicopter-style seed pods which spread through the air quite easily. This means that you shouldn’t be surprised if you notice another tipuana growing on your lot.

  1. Cocos Palm

Also known as Queen Palms, cocos palms are also common on the Gold Coast. You can distinguish them from other palm types thanks to the tall smooth grey trunk and small berry seeds. But, why are cocos palms on the list of the worst trees to plant? The truth is, they are actually on the pest species list by the Gold Coast City Council, meaning that cocos palms are very fast-growing and spread seeds on their own. So, you’d better consult a professional arborist if you don’t want to ask for palm tree removal later.

  1. Bamboo

Yes, bamboos are not technically trees, yet people think of them as such and wish to have them in their yards. But, did you know that bamboos are actually one of the fastest growing plants in the entire world? Sounds amazing, right? On the Gold Coast, depending on the bamboo type, it can grow up to 12 meters and more. In other words, bamboos provide great privacy but they also make remarkable debris and need constant maintenance. If you leave your bamboo without professional arborist’s service, it can easily transform your yard into a dense forest.

  1. Poinciana Tree

And last but not least, and similar to the first two on the list, you should avoid planting poincianas because their root system is quite invasive and large. But, that’s not all! Even though they are extremely lovely when in bloom, their wide and low growing canopy requires ‘the right space’ to grow. If planted near any structures, constant directional pruning is needed, which can affect the symmetry of the canopy. So, you’d better avoid them, too!

For any other professional advice, get in touch with TPS Tree Lopping and let them help you transform your yard into a lovely-looking, paradise-like place to relax in.

 

Need Help with Your Yard? Here’s what TPS can do for You

Want to transform your yard into a lovely welcoming place where you and your guests can relax? If yes, you should definitely hire one of the best and most professional tree service companies – TPS (Trees Palms and Stump Services) Lopping – which offers its expert tree services in the Brisbane, Redlands, Logan, and Gold Coast areas.

The experienced arborists from TPS Tree Lopping will make your jungle-like yard look like a garden paradise. So, let’s have a look at what exactly they can do to help you:

Tree/ Palm Removal and Lopping

Unfortunately, some trees have to be cut down due to many different reasons. For example, it may be damaged, unhealthy, diseased, or it may have overgrown or been improperly planted in terms of location so that it puts your home and family in danger.

Luckily, TPS Tree Lopping is here to help you and ensure a safe and hassle-free tree removal to a stump. The arborist will come to your house and use his expertise, competence, and special tools to economically, efficiently, and professionally take your tree down.

Tree/ Palm Trimming and Pruning

Tree pruning and trimming are key to having safe, nice-looking and healthy trees and don’t really seem like difficult tasks to perform. But, in fact, they require professional knowledge and equipment thanks to which the arborist can easily and safely reach higher up in the tree and cut unwanted limbs.

Also, well-trimmed trees are a huge asset in any landscape and add value to your property. So, let an arborist from the TPS Lopping company take care of your trees and improve both their health and appearance.

Stump Grinding and Removal

In addition to tree/ palm removal, TPS Lopping also offers professional stump grinding and removal services. Even though you’ve taken down an unwanted tree the stump ruins your property and landscape. Plus, stumps aren’t only eyes sores but are also potential hazards.

Therefore, let a TPS Lopping arborist do the work either by grinding it down below the soil or by removing it altogether in only an hour or two. All you need to do is choose the method you prefer and they will complete the work with minimum disruption to you and your neighbours.

Emergency Tree Services

Queensland is definitely a beautiful but stormy state. And, as we all know, storms can damage trees and cause issues to property owners. This means that you will sometimes need emergency tree services.

Luckily for you, TPS Expert & Emergency Trees Palms and Stump Services operates 24/7 throughout its service areas and will make sure you get the needed help as soon as possible. Having said that, leave the work to professionals who are experienced, skilled, and equipped to handle such work quickly, efficiently, and economically.

To sum up, regardless of the job you need done to your yard, it’s always better to let professionals do what they know best. So, contact the TPS Tree Lopping company and make your yard a fresh and exciting new place.

 

 

Why Hire A Professional Arborist?

Beautiful landscaping and a well-designed garden are one of the best ways to add value and beauty to any house or property. But, garden trees need to be maintained properly in order to be healthy. Otherwise, they can grow extremely big and wild if not treated well. And, what’s even more important, such untreated trees can be quite dangerous to houses, properties, and people.

Therefore, professional help is a must when taking care of trees. And, if you want to get the best possible tree services, you should hire a professional and experienced arborist, preferably one from the best tree service company in the Queensland area – TPS Lopping.

What is an Arborist and Why Hire a Professional One?

Namely, an arborist is a trained and experienced tree expert who knows everything needed about keeping garden trees and plants healthy and maintaining them properly. They offer a variety of services that you cannot really do by yourself because of two simple reasons. First, you aren’t trained for the job. Second, you don’t have the equipment needed to handle some tasks.

So, let’s have a look at the list of professional tree services an arborist can offer:

  1. Tree Felling and Removal

Several factors affect the way a tree should be removed including the type, its condition, and where exactly it is planted on the property. Furthermore, an experienced arborist will also consider other factors like the tree’s height, width, and the surrounding area. All of these factors are important so that no damage is done to the property and the environment during the tree felling process.

  1. Tree Lopping and Pruning

Tree removal isn’t always the best solution in the case of an unruly grown tree. Namely, in most cases, you can reduce the risk of damage and still make the garden tree look nice and appealing by tree lopping and pruning. An arborist knows which parts to prune or lop and which parts should be left in order to keep the tree in a perfect condition.

  1. Palm Cleaning and Removal

Brisbane and the Gold Coast are full of attractive palm trees. However, the tricky part is that they can pose some problems over time. For that reason, palm trees need to be cleaned and maintained regularly so they keep their amazing looks and their health. Luckily, an arborist is also a palm tree expert who knows how to clean them properly and which method to use. Remember, incorrect cleaning methods can kill palm trees.

  1. Stump Grinding

We previously discussed tree felling and removal, but this process doesn’t include stump grinding so it means that the stump will be left in the ground. And, tree removal is actually a straightforward task when compared to stump removal. Digging a stump really requires serious time, energy, and equipment. So, hiring a professional arborist is the best option because they have the stump grinding machinery needed to dig out a stump easily.

Final Thoughts

You should definitely ditch your DIY skills when it comes to tree care. Instead, you should seek help from a professional arborist. By doing so, you’ll make sure that your garden trees get the best care possible. And, apart from the four main tree services, an arborist also offers a 24-hour emergency tree services, and professional consulting and advice.

When is the Best Time to Prune Trees?

Pruning is one of the most common tree maintenance procedures. For those of you who are not familiar with the term, tree pruning is a process of removing parts of the tree, such as brunches, in order to keep the tree healthy. A healthy and well nurtured tree produces high quality flowers, fruits and growth in general.

Tree pruning, cutting or trimming is an ongoing process throughout the life of any tree. After planting your favorite tree, early pruning is essential. Proper and regular pruning will save you lots of money and give you a healthier, safer, easy to maintain and beautiful looking tree. You should remember that what you do to your tree in its first couple of years will affect latter on its strength, shape and life span.

All tree pruning must be done with an understanding of its biology. Improper pruning may result in a long lasting damage and shorten the tree’s life.

When is the best time to prune?

This depends on variety of factors. For example, light pruning and removal of dead wood can be done anytime.

Winter Pruning

Tree pruning during the winter period is the most common practice. When pruning in winter, it usually results in a vigorous burst of growth in the spring. If that is the desired effect, then you should definitely prune in winter.

You should wait for the coldest period of winter to pass. Some particular species, such as walnuts, birches and maple may bleed when the sap begins to flow. But this is not harmful at all and will completely cease as soon as the tree leafs out.

Summer Pruning

If you want to slow the growth of unwanted branches, or just want to slow the development of the tree, then the pruning should be done right after its seasonal growth. By doing tree pruning during the summer period, you’ll reduce the total leaf surface, thereby reducing the amount of flowers and food manufactured.

Pruning for corrective purposes is another important reason why to prune in the summer. You can see the defective limbs more easily or limbs which hang too far down, under the weight of the tree leaves.

Pruning Flowering Trees

If your pruning purpose is to enhance flowering, you should have the following couple of things in mind:

  • If you’re pruning trees which bloom in the spring, then you should prune as soon as their flowers fade.
  • Shrubs and trees which bloom in mid to late summer should be pruned early in the spring or in the winter.

When not to Prune?

Fall is the season when pruning should not be done at all. Healing of wounds is slower on fall cuts, so this is not a good period for tree pruning.

Now that you know all that you need to know about tree pruning, it is time to contact us at TPS Tree Looping Company, and get all the needed help and information from our team of professionals.

 

Can You Prune Your Fruit Trees in Winter?

Pruning fruit trees in winter keep trees such as Apple trees and Pear trees healthy and productive. If you are having second thoughts about whether or not you can prune fruit trees in the winter season, you must read this post till the end. Without pruning trees, they become less productive and unkempt. Therefore, pruning them twice a year, once in summer and once again in winter, is good for their health.

Advantages of Pruning Fruit Trees in Winter

Here are some of the advantages of pruning fruit trees in winter:

  • During the winter season, fruit trees are dormant and shed their leaves which make it easy for a professional arborist to identify and cut dead branches and other unwanted parts of fruit trees.
  • If you opt for tree pruning in winter, you are giving enough time to trees for recovering during the incoming spring season.
  • Winter pruning of fruit trees is good to prevent the spreading of diseases such as Oak Wilt, Cedar Hawthorn, etc. that are more active during the summer and spring season.

Now that you know the advantages of pruning fruit trees in winter, you must know about some important tips that you should know for your tree and stump removal program.

Tips for Pruning Fruit Trees in Winter

  • Use quality equipment and tools for performing pruning on fruit trees otherwise, you will do more damage than good. If you do not have the required tools, you can seek help from Brisbane Tree Services who offer professional pruning services.
  • Refrain from pruning in bad weather as it can be dangerous. If you still want to prune, you can seek help from a professional tree cutting service.
  • Do not use an A-frame ladder for reaching the parts of a tree that are otherwise inaccessible. Losing balance on the ladder can lead to serious injuries.
  • Do not cut the top end of the tree during tree felling and pruning as it can affect the growth of trees and the productivity could also be affected by it.
  • Remember to remove the crossing branches as these branches can cause damage to the tree during heavy wind or during the time when the tree is laden with fruit.
  • When you are trying to re-balance the tree by pruning it, make sure that you make fewer and larger cuts instead of smaller cuts to restore the shape.

When Is the Best Time To Prune Fruit Trees In Winter?

If you are planning to prune Apple and pear trees, the best time is between November and March. During this time, trees are in a state of dormancy. Winter pruning is the best means to experience strong and healthy growth in the spring season.

Conclusion:

We hope that with the information provided here about pruning fruit trees in winter, you will be able to increase the productivity of your trees. You can leave behind the small branches and trunks after completing pruning. These branches will act as a home for insects and worms which can be a good source of food for birds.

Tasks That a Tree Service Company Can Do For You

Having a beautiful garden of our own and relaxing there with a warm cup of coffee is everyone’s dream. However, there are many issues that come along while planning to have a perfect garden of our own. No worries, a tree service company can help you maintain a healthy garden. Whether it be tree cutting, plantation, trimming of the ancestral backyard trees, or even simply watering the garden, hiring a professional tree removal Brisbane for it can ease your work load and make the overall experience garden maintenance much easier. Some of the services which you can avail from a tree service provider are:

Trimming or Cutting:

When trees grow bigger, they are needed to be trimmed. These trees grow like crazy and look weird if not trimmed properly. Not only for this reason but also for maintaining trees health, tree pruning is a mandatory step. Trimming is essential for safety also. Those big branches can come in your way and you will end up hurting yourself.

A tree service company will provide you with both these services – pruning and trimming of trees. They examine the growth of the trees and then do the needful. They bring all the modern trimming and pruning tools like hand shears, lopping shears, hedge trimmers and many more. In normal cases, trimming of trees is done twice in a year if pruning is taken care of.

Reviving Trees:

Keep your orchard healthy all the time by often calling a tree cutting service provider. They will look for any bugs that may occur in trees or its roots getting weak or damaged. It is easy to control the pitiful condition in the early stage than to freak out when the problems become worse and spread to the whole garden. The whole plantation may get affected by a single sapling and can become contagious.

Conclusion:

Before a weak tree gets damaged, call a professional who can identify the diseases or any virus killing the trees and making them sick. They know how to revive trees and maintain their health by using organic sprays and aerating the root zone heavily.

Everything You Need to Know about Stump Removal

You may need to remove a tree from your property for a number of different reasons. For example, you may need a tree removal because the tree is dead, diseased, damaged, decaying, or hazardous. Or, you may simply want to remove a tree due to better aesthetics. Whatever the reason, removing a tree is easily doable. However, stump removal is a bit more tricky and complicated.

Tree roots grow far deeper into the ground which makes the stump removal process challenging. That’s the reason why stump and tree removal should be done by a professional, skilled, and experienced tree service provider. So, if you’re located somewhere near Capalaba and need a tree to be removed, contact the TPS Tree Lopping company which offers expert tree service.

Why is Stump Removal Needed?

In general, people think that tree removal is enough. Unfortunately, that’s not true. In fact, removing the stump is just as important and removing a tree. Why? Here are the main reasons:

  • Stumps decay and attract beetles, termites, ants, and other wood-boring pests.
  • Tree fungi may appear and spread which will infect the healthy trees around the stump.
  • Stumps can contribute to new sprouts and cause new tree growth.
  • They simply aren’t appealing to the eye and take up yard space.

Why Hire a Professional Stump Removal Expert?

Regardless of the type of tree work you need to do from pruning and trimming to tree and stump removal, it is always a better idea to seek professional help, unless you are a certified arborist.

Namely, such work, especially stump and tree removal, can be quite dangerous and accidents can easily happen if one doesn’t know how to do it appropriately. A non-professional trying to remove a tree or a stump is very likely to damage the property and harm himself/ herself.

For that reason, hiring a professional tree service company is essential. TPS Tree Lopping has highly trained staff that will ensure superb work and result. They will do the work quickly and without any complications thanks to the experience and equipment they have, regardless of how big the tree or stump is.

Stump Removal Methods

There are several methods for removing stumps from which the professional might choose depending on the state and type of the stump. Still, the most commonly used is stump grinding which is the most efficient and effective. Stump grinding also ensures that pests don’t have a ready habitat in which to nest and doesn’t leave a hole in the ground.

The tree company you hire will use a professional stump grinder and remove the entire stump from the ground. This high-tech machine must be operated by a trained professional, which is yet another reason why you shouldn’t do it yourself.

The stump grinder machine runs on petrol and has two main parts, hydraulically controlled arm and a cutting wheel with extremely sharp steel teeth at the end of the arm. The wheel spins at a remarkably high speed which enables cutting through and grinding the tree stump into tiny particles.

The second is the backhoe method which means that the company will simply use a backhoe, a mechanical excavator, machine to dig the stump out of the ground which will leave a huge and deep hole. This just isn’t aesthetically nice and will affect your entire landscaping. So, obviously, the best choice is stump grinding.

 

Why Removing a Tree Stump is Important?

When seriously considering tree removal, it should give you a sure shot call for tree stump removal. If you have decided to chop off a tree due to safety hazards, then there is absolutely no point in leaving the tree stumps. Tree stumps can pose some dangers and can prove to be detrimental for your garden and yards. Tree stump removal should be considered if you wish to count on safety, space and aesthetics.

So here are a few certain advantages and reasons for removing tree stumps.

1. Home to Many Species:

Beautiful trees are always a treat to have in your backyards or garden. But, it can be a retreat to a few other species too, if you do not consider removing tree stumps. The trees can attract birds, ladybugs, and a lot more other species to come and share your relaxing space. Tree stumps can also be the home for termites, carpenter ants, fungi, etc, which will not be a pleasant sight at all. So before these species make the trees their home, make sure to remove it before it’s all but too late.

2. Stumps Take up Space:

Tree stumps can consume a considerable amount of space in your yard. Moreover, they do not even stand as pretty pieces to add on to the aesthetics of your garden. They are not appealing in any case. So, tree stump removal should be considered if you are keen about the landscape and space availability in your yard. They are just like obstacles which can hinder you from moving about freely in your gardens.

3. They are Hazardous:

Tree stumps can be hazardous; they can pose a risk for your kids, neighbours and guests in terms of tripping. If someone accidentally happens to trip on the tree stumps, then it can cause injuries. It can also cost you a huge sum if you happen to bump on it while mowing your lawns. Thus, it can drain some considerable amount of money on the medical bills and equipment repairs.

4. Stumps can Spread Diseases:

Yes, if you overlook tree stump removal, then these tree stumps can get infected by fungus. Not only this, but they may also spread the same to the nearby trees and plants. You would probably not like to see other trees getting damaged and dying an unnatural death, right? So consider removing these tree stumps before it kills your other plants.

5. Regrowth and Damage:

This might be surprising to learn, but tree removal does not stop the tree stumps from growing further. There is always space for regrowth in terms of roots. This can be a total spoiler for the other plants in your garden as a major amount of nutrients, and other essential minerals can be consumed by the roots and cause the other plants to suffer. Even these thirsty roots can absorb a lot of water and reduce the supply for the other trees. So be quick with your decisions and opt for removing tree stumps before they become a reason for the damage.

Final Thoughts:

Removing tree stumps is a step ahead to ensure the safety and protection of your assets. It also lets you have a gala time out in your yards free of these unsightly tree stumps. If all these reasons were strong enough to make you think how to remove a tree stump in your backyard, then consider hiring the professional’s for a hassle-free and affordable tree stump removal.

Tree Lopping Vs Tree Pruning – Understand the Differences

People always tend to confuse the terms ‘tree lopping’ and ‘tree pruning’. Though both the terms are associated with tree trimming, they have a thin line of difference between them. Tree lopping is basically the trimming of branches of trees in order to reduce the tree size. On the other hand, pruning is associated with tree health. It can help in providing immunity to the trees against certain diseases and can ensure a long and healthy life. So here are a few differences between them:


Tools and Equipment:

The tools and equipment used for pruning and lopping are different. Both these methods include cutting and trimming of trees, but the difference lies in the types of tools used for doing the same. Tree pruning is done making use of lopping and hand sheers which have the ability of cutting thick stems, whereas gas-powered clippers, manual sheers, and electric sheers are used for performing a tree lopping task.


The Difference in Timetable:

Tree pruning and Brisbane tree lopping also differ on the basis of season and species. In most of the cases, annual pruning is required for trees and shrubs, whereas tree lopping can be done twice a year to maintain the aesthetics of the backyards. If you want to boost the capacity of flowering plants and wish to see flowers blooming in your garden, then you should go for pruning the shrubs after every blooming cycle. Whereas tree lopping can be considered when the trees reach a certain height beyond which it shouldn’t go.

Tree lopping and pruning can elevate the aesthetics of your backyard and can also show comparable results on the plant’s health. Thus it is essential that they are taken care of by the professionals to amplify the landscape. So now since you have understood the difference between tree lopping and tree pruning, always opt for Brisbane tree lopping services to get the professionals working for the augmentation of your tree health.