Tree Maintenance Q&A
Spring and Winter Tree Maintenance Activities - What's happening in your part of the woods?
Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) is responsible for the management of street and parkland trees in Canberra. We are about to commence tree maintenance activities including tree replanting and removal across the region. This is a proactive initiative designed to maintain our urban environment for everyone to enjoy, now and in the future.
Answers to questions you may have about the tree maintenance activities are listed below.
- When are these tree maintenance activities due to begin?
- Are any trees being removed?
- How will I know which trees are being removed?
- Will all trees have a notice on them?
- Why was a tree removed when it didn't have a notice on it?
- What if a tree has another mark, such as a spray-painted cross or large dot?
- Can I find out what these other marks mean?
- When will the notices be placed on the trees?
- Will all the trees be replanted?
- Will the whole tree be removed in the one day?
- Why is the wood still outside my house, and how long will it be there?
- Can I keep the wood from the tree?
- Will I need to ask for the tree to be replanted?
- Do I have a choice about what type of tree is replanted outside my house?
- Can I plant my own tree?
- Who do I contact to ask about a tree assessment?
When are these tree maintenance activities due to begin?
These tree maintenance activities are scheduled to commence in mid-July and the bulk of the work will be completed by the end of November this year. Some tree replanting may a little longer and will be completed in autumn –winter 2012 if young tree stock isn't available or seasonal conditions become unfavorable for tree planting.
Are any trees being removed?
Unfortunately, a number of trees will be removed. Trees will only be removed if TAMS, and its team of qualified arborists, has established they are either dead, in their final stages of decline, potentially hazardous or obstruct and cause significant damage to infrastructure that can't be improved through pruning.
How will I know which trees are being removed?
Trees scheduled for removal by TAMS can be easily identified in the following ways:
- a notice will be attached to the tree outlining the reasons for removal. It will also include details of replanting or information relating to why it is unable to be replanted; and/or
- a discrete dot of paint will be visible at the base of the tree, in either pink or white paint.
Will all trees have a notice on them?
The majority of trees scheduled for removal will have a notice on them, or notification signs will be placed nearby. Trees that are dead will generally be marked with a dot of paint at the base only.
Why was a tree removed when it didn't have a notice on it?
Some trees may require removal under 'urgent circumstances'. This can happen when a tree has a severe defect, or has been damaged in a storm and is in a high-use area i.e. on a major roadway, near a playground or shopping centre. Where the circumstances are urgent, there may not have been time for a notice to be placed on the tree.
Sometimes, trees are removed by groups other than TAMS, including Emergency Services. In this case, the removal is generally part of urgent works.
What if a tree has another mark, such as a spray-painted cross or large dot?
All trees to be removed by TAMS (unless under 'urgent circumstances'), will have a notice or a discrete dot of paint at the base. Any other marks you may see on a tree have not been applied by TAMS.
Can I find out what these other marks mean?
There are occasions when surveyors and other agencies carrying out tree assessments mark trees. For example, so they know a particular tree has been counted in an audit.
Just remember, if the tree has a mark which isn't a notice or a dot of paint at the base, it's not part of these tree maintenance activities.
When will the notice be placed on a tree?
A notice will be placed on an identified tree at least two weeks prior to its removal.
Will all the trees be replanted?
In most cases, trees being removed through this program will be replanted by autumn 2012, especially in streets and parks.
However, in some circumstances, other factors may contribute to a tree not being replanted such as sufficient space for the successful establishment of a new tree. Alternatively, replanting a tree may block the line of sight, or even interfere with key infrastructure or services when mature.
When site is suitable for replanting, TAMS aims to plant as soon as possible following removal of a tree. Sometimes the replanting may take a little longer if the seasonal conditions become unfavourable or tree stock isn't available. In this case, planting will generally be scheduled for the following season.
Will the whole tree be removed in the one day?
Depending on the size of the tree, the removal process generally takes place in three phases – the upper canopy is removed first, followed by the barrel (trunk), and finally the stump. However, it may take up to a month after the barrel has been cut for the stump to be fully removed
Why is the wood still outside my house, and how long will it be there?
In most circumstances, the wood from a tree will be taken away within seven working days of its removal. Some instances, such as wet weather, equipment breakdowns or storm events, may impact on the removalists' workload. In these cases, the knock-on effect may mean the timing of the 'clean up' will be slightly longer – up to two weeks.
Can I keep the wood from the tree?
Typically, when trees require removal they contain rot and hollows that have been caused by insect attack or disease. This will have compromised some parts of the tree, and in turn, resulted in structural weakness.
To reduce the spread of the pests or diseases, generally, you are not permitted to keep the wood. If, however, you have a specific reason for wanting to retain the wood, please contact Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
Do I have to ask TAMS to replant my tree?
No. When a decision to remove a tree is made, an assessment that determines if a new tree can be planted at that location is made at the same time.
Residents adjoining a site where a tree requires removal are provided with a Tree Works Notice in their letterbox. This notice provides specific information about the removal and the approximate timing for the replacement planting. That means there should be no need to contact TAMS to ask for a tree to be replanted.
Do I have a choice about what type of tree is replanted outside my house?
The answer is no and yes, as outlined below:
- No when
the majority of the trees in a particular street are in good condition and have performed well over time, TAMS will replace the tree being removed with a tree of the same species so the streetscape is maintained in its current character. - Yes when
the trees haven't performed well and many have died, been removed or there are a number of different types of trees in the street and no defined streetscape character, TAMS will seek your preference for the new tree species. You and other residents will be asked to respond by completing a feedback form.
Can I plant my own tree?
While TAMS greatly appreciates offers to help maintain trees, tree planting by residents isn't encouraged. At the time of planting, TAMS records information about the tree which helps inform future maintenance activities such as watering and pruning schedules. This information underpins future decisions about the types of trees that do well, dates of planting, and other maintenance information.
Who do I contact to ask about a tree assessment?
TAMS is committed to preserving the beauty and amenity trees bring to Canberra and tree removal is the last management option. All trees scheduled for removal have been assessed by qualified arborists. The tree removals and replantings will be undertaken by qualified contractors, using specialised equipment, who haven't been involved in the tree assessment process.
For further information about these assessments, contact Canberra Connect on 13 22 81 and your enquiry will be directed to the Urban Treescapes division at TAMS.
The above are examples show a paint dot on a tree, a removal notice on a tree and both a notice and paint dot together on a tree
