Tree trimming and pruning
Pruning is most of what Above All does. Deadwood out, branches cleared from roofs, gutters and wires, and heavy limbs reduced so the tree carries less weight in a storm, every cut at the branch collar to the Australian pruning standard, AS 4373. Never lopping.
Good trimming is mostly about what you leave
A tree needs its leaves to feed itself. Take too much and it replaces them in a hurry, with a thicket of weak shoots. So a good trim is usually lighter than people expect: the dead wood goes, crossing and rubbing branches go, anything over the roof comes back to a sensible side branch, and the long heavy limbs are shortened to a sound side branch that can take over.
What a trim costs
Size of the tree, how much is coming off, access and what is underneath. Quoted free, on site and fixed, usually within 24 to 48 hours of your call.
Six reasons to trim, one standard
Deadwood
Dead branches are the ones that fall first in wind. Taking them out is the single most useful thing you can do for a big tree over a house.
Clearance
Off the roof, gutters, driveway, solar panels, the neighbour's side, and away from the service wire to your house.
Weight reduction
Shortening long heavy limbs that sway over something you care about, back to a sound side branch.
Light and views
Thinning the crown lets light and views through without topping the tree.
Formative pruning
Young trees shaped early save a lot of expensive work later.
Storm damage
Torn and hanging limbs cut back cleanly so the tree can heal, before the next front comes through.
Questions people ask us
What's the difference between trimming, pruning and lopping?
Trimming and pruning are the same thing done properly: each branch removed back to its point of origin or to a suitable side branch, so the tree can close the wound. Lopping cuts branches off between their joins, leaving stubs that sprout weak shoots that break later. Lopping is not accepted practice under AS 4373, and we don't do it.
How much can I trim without a council permit?
It depends on your council. Several allow deadwood removal and pruning of a small percentage of the canopy each year without approval, and some allow clearance from a building. Anything more needs a permit. We check your council when we quote; every council's rules are on our main website.
Can you trim branches near power lines?
Near the service wire from the street to your house, yes: our arborists hold Electrical Close Approach licences. Anything near the street's network lines is for the network operator and its contractors.
When is the best time to trim a tree?
Most Sydney natives can be pruned any time of year. Late winter and early spring suit deciduous trees, and we avoid heavy pruning just before summer heat. If a branch is dangerous, the right time is now.
Tree getting too big for its spot?
Tell us what's bothering you: branches on the roof, leaves in the gutters, a limb over the neighbour's yard. We'll say what can come off within the standard and your council's rules.