Caring for our Trees
“Come home to the forest, where time goes slow, where thoughts find rest and calm comes to nest”….
Living in the forested Dandenong Ranges, residents find solace from the busy world beyond our forest’s boundary. Keeping our trees healthy and safe is an important role locals play. As caretakers of some extraordinary species, knowing what to look out for and who to call is all part of that role. I asked John McKenna, Managing Director of Tree Range Arborist about his work, the trees he manages and what residents should watch out for to keep their trees healthy and safe.
Can you tell us about the types/varieties of trees you are frequently called out for in the Yarra Ranges?
We usually get people contacting us worried about the large tree species out here in the hills, which are typically Mt Ash, Mt Grey Gums, Messmates, Radiata Pines and there can be some pretty big Cypresses too. These all have species specific issues that tend to cause problems. Smaller trees that clients have issues with include declining Black Wattles and Blackwoods that are falling apart, or weed species such as Sycamore or Cedar Wattles. These smaller ones are almost always removal requests unless someone wants their Blackwood looking pretty with some nice deadwooding and canopy work.
We get plenty of calls for big beautiful oak and elm trees to prune, and Liquidambars tend to need a fair bit of maintenance also.
What should people be looking for on and around their trees if they are concerned about their tree health?
This is a big question that requires some detail to respond best, and if someone is concerned, they're certainly best seeking out an expert/professional who can identify trees, pests and diseases, and structural issues amongst a tree.
However there's a couple of indicators or tricks a homeowner can utilise, such as:
Comparing the canopy/form of your tree to others of the same species in the immediate environment as you should be able to notice if your tree has more dieback/deadwood and less vigour compared to the neighbouring trees. Excessive epicmoric stress growth, deadwood and dieback (from the tips) are particularly easy to spot for a homeowner.
Any obvious cracks or defects in the trunk or main limbs. These can include large hollows also, with a heavy volume of canopy and timber above and beyond that point.
Awkward form in general. The entire shape of the tree and limbs use the hormone 'auxin' to directionally chase the light often above our houses whereas in an alternative forested environment they're upright and strong.
These trees and limbs can grow awkwardly and put a lot of stress on the unions in which they are attached to the trunk or the rootplate (if the whole tree is on an awkward lean for instance)
A lot of trees came down last year, not just the June 9 2021 storm but in several strong wind events last year. What does that mean for those that remained standing?
Great Question - as we can expect, there will definitely be a continuous 'knock on effect' for the trees in the area, many trees will still be 'heaved' or 'hung up' and awaiting to be dealt with before they come down on their own.
But there's also less obvious implications of the severe storms, such as smaller surrounding trees that have lost the larger/heavier neighbouring trees are now more exposed to the elements. These trees now lack that wind protection and will suffer stress from strong winds that they have not been exposed to (and that their root systems will struggle to accommodate). Many of the stronger and larger trees came down during those storms as they had been holding more water weight- whereas some of the dead and weaker (lighter) trees actually survived, surprisingly.
Trees are amazing; when they stand and resist the strong winds they respond with secondary thickening in the roots, trunk and limbs to be able to withstand the next storms- but if they've lost neighbouring trees due to extreme weather events, they're unlikely to be physiologically prepared for similar or potentially even weaker storm events.
In my opinion - if you live in a heavily treed environment in the hills that suffered from the storms, you should always monitor your trees for any changes, or consult a professional.
“The knowledge of an industry and a profession being a daredevil appealed to me straight away”.
So I’m curious, why did you become an arborist? I know I loved climbing trees as a kid, but never considered it as a profession….
For me, I've always been a thrill seeker, an adventurer and a daredevil- I can see the same traits in my own young children already! But I grew up in the concrete playground of Liverpool, UK and I didn't even know the industry existed. I always loved climbing trees as a kid too and always chased outdoor adventure, camping in forests (sometimes alone!) and the odd hike. But in my teenage years I wanted to be an Artist and a Musician (studying Fine Art, Music Tech and Philosophy in College). It was only once I finished my college education and bumped into an Arborist in a pub that I decided to do a Degree in Arboriculture!! The knowledge of such an industry and a profession being a daredevil appealed to me straight away. After graduating and working in the UK for years I sought this work out in a warmer climate with better working conditions that were scarcely available in NW England. And so, I've been here 11 years working flat out! ...........That's the short version of my story anyway!
Is there anything else you think we should know about either yourself, our area and/or our trees?
Without sounding too 'self proclaiming', I'd like to express my values in treating people fairly. Ever since I was a youngster I've always believed people should be treated equally and fairly and that people should carry themselves with honesty and integrity. I try to live up to this every day with the way I treat our staff and clients, I have been known to help my staff and clients during a time of need (offered up my home and vehicles to staff in difficult times, have donated company funds and done voluntary work across the community to those in need also).
Other than that, I love looking after a healthy body and mind - I'm a massive enthusiast for Muay thai as a previous professional competitor in the scene, we've got a few boxers and fitness junkies in our company and I love good music :)
Thanks for your time reading this.
If you would like to find out more about Tree Range Arborist or to get them out to check on your trees, here are their details:
Web: https://www.treerangearborists.com.au/
Email: office@treerangearborists.com.au
Ph: 1800 870 468
