Australian Standards of Pruning 2006 draft

Ekka · 27th January 2007, 12:18 AM

Now, not a lot has changed so this document as is pretty much stands as we type.

Some changes are spiking palms, lopping/topping to rejuvenate damaged and senile trees.

From my experience this will be open to corruption, yeah I'll cut that 80' gum down to a 30' totem pole coz it says right here (bla bla bla) and we'll just say it was dying love.

The spiking palms will be a beauty, I'd like to see who they're gonna bust first for that one. lol Just stinking weeds IMHO but I'd like to see the pricing if contractors are gonna adhere to AS4373 and OHS on not spiking (should atleast double if not more!)

Anton · 27th January 2007, 04:34 AM

Hi again,

We dont have anything like that for trees in Britain.

I think it would be a good idea to introduce something like this as the trees I have seen around here are cut badly.

Regards
Anton

Ekka · 27th January 2007, 06:38 AM

There are British Standards ... you should know that TROLL!

You're outta here.

justoon · 4th February 2007, 12:43 PM

Ekka do you know when the draft will become the standard? because the shut off date for comments closed july in 06.What is the time frame for this type of thing.

Sean Freeman · 4th February 2007, 02:57 PM

There was a committe meeting to resolve public comments re the draft on 3/11/06 so I would not expect any sudden developments for at least 3-6 months.

SF

justoon · 4th February 2007, 04:02 PM

thanks boa, It will be very interesting to see what councils do especially up your way boa when it comes to maintaining their coconut palms and enforcing the no spikes rule.

Sean Freeman · 4th February 2007, 05:33 PM

I honestly don't believe it will be policed. There is no structure to manage it and no funding to set one up. You may get the occaisional incident when a particularly loved palm is spiked and the owner goes after the person(s) responsible and tries to use the standard in small claims but unless they have the $ to support the action the result will be negligable.

It will not change a great deal where I am to tell the truth.

SF

justoon · 4th February 2007, 06:41 PM

Yeah i agree to that with the private jobs.However contract jobs from the councils themselves state that all aborist work must be done to oz standard as per the standard document and they are bound to that by WHS.So what is going to happen when the Denutting contracts come up and they cant use spikes, everything is going to have to be done by EWP or a different climbing device that does not damage the Palm.One thing is for sure pricing will go up when it comes to these sort of contracts especially when comes to getting up and denutting 20+meter trees.

Sean Freeman · 4th February 2007, 07:10 PM

Yes, you're right if council do take the standard and incorporate it without any caveats then it will mean changing work methods.

But the LGA policies and procedures I've seen, and thats a few, generally have a dot point or two that will permit work methods to vary outside the standard following specific directions from council officers.

But it will be different for each LGA and how they have written their own policies in this case.

SF

a_lopa · 4th February 2007, 07:46 PM

Theres been a big amount of roadside clearing lately around here most done by road maintanance crews with really poor trimming.

It sucks trying to compete(i dont bother anymore)with these guys.

Sean Freeman · 4th February 2007, 08:04 PM

I think one of our biggest problems is that there is a lack of understanding in councils themselves as to what proper pruning/tree care is and why these standards should be the bare minimum.

Moving them forward is one of our greatest challenges, and there is just no quick way of achieving it....in the mean time all that terrible damaging activity continues with Joe public having their opinion of a goos hair cut reinforced as they drive past massacred trees.

Yes i understand that they utility crews are working to their cutting criteria, and their job is to protect the service asset, absolutely no problem, but council and state govt really have to take on board the kind of changes and developments that have been going on in parts of US and UK in the last 20yrs and incorporate them into our practices.

Better for the trees, better for the LGA budgets better for the power supply company, better for the community.

SF

justoon · 4th February 2007, 08:43 PM

I agree with you Boa between councils there really is no conformity on the queensland coast.Alot has to do with the opinions of the arborist manager in each council.Only time will tell how serious they are in following the standard.But on every contract that i,ve seen states that the job must be done as per AS 4373-1996 to cover their own butt.

Ekka · 4th February 2007, 10:22 PM

Don't you guys up north have those coconut catcher things installed everywhere now?

Heck, where's the link for those things I had it .... Tim straatman invented them. Here's a pic I found on the net.

I suppose you still have to empty it somehow.

Sean Freeman · 5th February 2007, 12:00 AM

It's funny believe it or not I meant to take some photos of the coconets today but it was raining too much, and I wasn't getting anything done at all!

We only have one area in town where they've been used (caravan pk I think from memory) and whilst I love the idea as you lnow Ekka in practice these palms produce prodigious amounts of fruit.....you'd need a massive cage with huge "I" beams for support to hold the nuts. The darn things flower all year round, trying to keep up with emptying the cages...good luck

I will post some photos on that thread as soon as the rain lets up.

SF

Ekka · 5th February 2007, 01:39 AM

I know when i stayed at Airlie Beach there was friggin coconuts all over the joint ... and signs saying look out.

Do you know what happens when you eat too many?

Sean Freeman · 5th February 2007, 02:21 AM

So go on tell us...what happens?

(Here's the link to the nut catchers by the way http://www.coconet.net.au/)

SF

justoon · 5th February 2007, 02:32 AM

yeah ekka thats all of tims nets around airlie beach and boa hes got a few around saunders and balgal beach.He has a few in Townsville but mainly in thurwingawa.As for them getting full Boa it shouldnt happen as they are part of a maintainence program and the tree is serviced every 6 months.

27th January 2007, 06:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,931	There are British Standards ... you should know that TROLL! You're outta here. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

4th February 2007, 07:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
a_lopa Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Drouin Posts: 877	Theres been a big amount of roadside clearing lately around here most done by road maintanance crews with really poor trimming. It sucks trying to compete(i dont bother anymore)with these guys. __________________ Free Tree Industry Link Directory Drouin tree lopping, land clearing and stump removals

5th February 2007, 01:39 AM	#15 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,931	I know when i stayed at Airlie Beach there was friggin coconuts all over the joint ... and signs saying look out. Do you know what happens when you eat too many? __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

27th January 2007, 04:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Anton Banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warwick, England Posts: 12	Hi again, We dont have anything like that for trees in Britain. I think it would be a good idea to introduce something like this as the trees I have seen around here are cut badly. Regards Anton

4th February 2007, 12:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
justoon Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boyne Island Posts: 63	Ekka do you know when the draft will become the standard? because the shut off date for comments closed july in 06.What is the time frame for this type of thing.

4th February 2007, 02:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	There was a committe meeting to resolve public comments re the draft on 3/11/06 so I would not expect any sudden developments for at least 3-6 months. SF

4th February 2007, 04:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
justoon Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boyne Island Posts: 63	thanks boa, It will be very interesting to see what councils do especially up your way boa when it comes to maintaining their coconut palms and enforcing the no spikes rule.

4th February 2007, 05:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	I honestly don't believe it will be policed. There is no structure to manage it and no funding to set one up. You may get the occaisional incident when a particularly loved palm is spiked and the owner goes after the person(s) responsible and tries to use the standard in small claims but unless they have the $ to support the action the result will be negligable. It will not change a great deal where I am to tell the truth. SF

4th February 2007, 06:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
justoon Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boyne Island Posts: 63	Yeah i agree to that with the private jobs.However contract jobs from the councils themselves state that all aborist work must be done to oz standard as per the standard document and they are bound to that by WHS.So what is going to happen when the Denutting contracts come up and they cant use spikes, everything is going to have to be done by EWP or a different climbing device that does not damage the Palm.One thing is for sure pricing will go up when it comes to these sort of contracts especially when comes to getting up and denutting 20+meter trees.

4th February 2007, 07:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	Yes, you're right if council do take the standard and incorporate it without any caveats then it will mean changing work methods. But the LGA policies and procedures I've seen, and thats a few, generally have a dot point or two that will permit work methods to vary outside the standard following specific directions from council officers. But it will be different for each LGA and how they have written their own policies in this case. SF

4th February 2007, 08:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	I think one of our biggest problems is that there is a lack of understanding in councils themselves as to what proper pruning/tree care is and why these standards should be the bare minimum. Moving them forward is one of our greatest challenges, and there is just no quick way of achieving it....in the mean time all that terrible damaging activity continues with Joe public having their opinion of a goos hair cut reinforced as they drive past massacred trees. Yes i understand that they utility crews are working to their cutting criteria, and their job is to protect the service asset, absolutely no problem, but council and state govt really have to take on board the kind of changes and developments that have been going on in parts of US and UK in the last 20yrs and incorporate them into our practices. Better for the trees, better for the LGA budgets better for the power supply company, better for the community. SF

4th February 2007, 08:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
justoon Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boyne Island Posts: 63	I agree with you Boa between councils there really is no conformity on the queensland coast.Alot has to do with the opinions of the arborist manager in each council.Only time will tell how serious they are in following the standard.But on every contract that i,ve seen states that the job must be done as per AS 4373-1996 to cover their own butt.

5th February 2007, 12:00 AM	#14 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	It's funny believe it or not I meant to take some photos of the coconets today but it was raining too much, and I wasn't getting anything done at all! We only have one area in town where they've been used (caravan pk I think from memory) and whilst I love the idea as you lnow Ekka in practice these palms produce prodigious amounts of fruit.....you'd need a massive cage with huge "I" beams for support to hold the nuts. The darn things flower all year round, trying to keep up with emptying the cages...good luck I will post some photos on that thread as soon as the rain lets up. SF

5th February 2007, 02:21 AM	#16 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,671	So go on tell us...what happens? (Here's the link to the nut catchers by the way http://www.coconet.net.au/) SF

5th February 2007, 02:32 AM	#17 (permalink)
justoon Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boyne Island Posts: 63	yeah ekka thats all of tims nets around airlie beach and boa hes got a few around saunders and balgal beach.He has a few in Townsville but mainly in thurwingawa.As for them getting full Boa it shouldnt happen as they are part of a maintainence program and the tree is serviced every 6 months.