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Oak tree pruning tree work by our Auckland arborists. Pro Climb Tree Care was contracted by Tree Care Auckland. This job required pruning works on a veteran oak tree located in central Auckland.
The oak tree in question was a very old tree and had developed several structural and physiological defects. This oak tree had shed limbs in the past and concerns were raised over its tree safety.
The Pro Climb Tree Care team wanted to highlight this veteran oak tree pruning case study with the local community. As there were several elements of the job that would be interesting from a shared job experience perspective.
The Initial Oak Tree Inspection
Initial tree inspection of the oak tree revealed a number of faults both in the crown and on the trunk. The oak tree had substantial amounts of large diameter deadwood and the outer canopy was showing signs of decline.
Many of the main scaffold limbs had wounds where they had lost branches. It was reported the tree had a history of limb failure. The oak tree trunk had an open wound which was starting to cause decay.
This veteran oak tree is located in the garden of an Auckland heritage building.
The oak tree offers significant landscape value to the homestead and surrounding area. The fact that the oak tree borders a reserve also causes it to have high habitat value.
The oak tree is located close to the rear border of the garden. Investigation revealed the use of the area beneath the tree on the garden side was infrequent. However, people did use that area beneath the oak tree.
Beneath the oak tree on the other side of the boundary is a council reserve. Consisting of dense woody undergrowth indicating that people would not venture under the tree on that side.
Oak tree pruning allowed the tree to be retained
Given the habitat value of the oak tree and the frequent use of the land beneath it, it was decided that pruning the oak tree was urgent. To enable the tree to be retained with a high degree of safety.
Ensuring its landscape and habitat values stay intact. It was decided to reduce the existing canopy of the tree in stages. Over a number of years, allowing an inner secondary canopy to develop. Ensuring continued leaf cover (for photosynthesis) throughout the process.
We carried out the oak tree pruning in stages, to reduce any stress on the tree. Allowing the oak tree leaf area and root area to balance each other. The oak tree pruning was able to lessen the sail area that the tree presents to the wind. To remove weight from over extended limbs, lowering the chance of oak tree branch failure in the future.
Modern Tree Climbing was used in this Oak Tree Pruning Project
Prior to the oak tree pruning work taking place a safe method of work was decided. The tree hazards were identified and solutions were found to reduce the risk of those hazards. Due to the lack of vehicular access to the tree, the canopy would need to be accessed via climbing rather than an elevated work platform.
Modern single line tree climbing techniques were used with the climbers installing several redirects to ensure their safety and prevent large swings. The faults in the oak tree were noted and the climbers inspected any suspect areas to make sure they were happy before proceeding past them.
Light rigging was used to lower some of the branches to protect the garden beneath. Some of the deadwood that was removed from the canopy was left at the base of the tree so as not to denature the site.
Oak Tree Pruning Reduction Result
The oak tree pruning reduction was carried out successfully. Despite a significant volume of the canopy being removed, the oak tree retained its atheistic value.
The climbers were careful not to remove or damage any of the inner growth of the canopy. It will be this growth that helps to establish the new canopy.
The next stage is to wait and see how the oak tree responds. It is hoped that the tree will produce epicormic growth (growth from dormant buds). Once there is a good covering of new growth on the inner canopy the tree can be reduced again.
This process will be continued until much of the weight of the old canopy has been removed. It is hoped that through this process the tree will be retained with all its characteristics, benefiting the local area and its inhabitants for many years to come. See all the photos of this oak tree pruning work on our Facebook page.
Pro Climb Tree Care is regularly contracted for oak tree pruning.
As professional Auckland arborists, we often share the outcomes of our experience with our work peers and the local community. To read other Auckland tree work case studies, click here.
About Pro Climb Tree Care Arborists
Pro Climb is a Horticultural Abseiling and Tree Climbing Services company. Located on Church Road in Onehunga, Auckland. Our clients range from private tree owner to small business, utility corporations, councils and Universities.
Pro Climb was founded in 2009 as a sole trading venture. Providing arborist services to the tree care industry in Auckland and all New Zealand.
