Proper tree care and maintenance involves a combination of knowledge, skill, experience and some essential equipment. Whether you’re a professional arborist or an avid gardener, having the right tools for the job can make all the difference in properly nurturing your leafy companions.
Here’s a peek inside the Arborist’s toolbox for effective tree care and maintenance.
Pruning Tools
The size of the tree and its branches will determine the tools used for pruning. Here are some of the most commonly used pruning tools:
- Hedge Trimmers – for exactly that, trimming the toughest of hedges!
- Handsaws – for larger branches.
- Pruning shears – for removing small branches and shaping foliage.
- Polesaws – for branches high up. This useful tool allows the Arborist to stand on the ground and get to tall branches.
- Secateurs – for more delicate jobs and very small branches.
Tree Climbing Equipment
Climbing trees can be extremely dangerous and requires specialty equipment to be done safely and effectively. Here are some of the common items used by Arborists:
- Harness – an essential piece of safety equipment for Arborists when working at heights, the harness is worn to provide support and security and keep the Arborist essentially tethered to the tree.
- Climbing rope – A very strong and durable rope designed to bear the Arborist’s weight and assist with safely ascending and descending trees.
- Climbing spikes – also known as climbing spurs, these ‘spikes’ look exactly as they sound and are attached to boots to help the Arborist gain traction and stability when climbing the tree by spiking into the tree’s trunk.
Tree Removal Tools
When it comes to removing a tree, a number of factors are considered in selecting the appropriate tools and equipment to be used. The size of the tree, the hardiness of the timber, the accessibility and the health of the tree will all help the Arborist determine the best course of action. Here are some of the most commonly used tools:
- Chainsaws – Used for cutting down trees and removing large limbs. Chainsaws come in various sizes and a professional Arborist will normally have several in their kit.
- Rigging equipment, pulleys, ropes, slings and winch – to assist in safely lowering large branches or section of the tree to the ground.
- Stump grinder – a specialist piece of equipment that essentially shreds the stump to below ground surface level once the tree has been removed.
Tree Inspection Tools
Tree inspection tools are useful for collecting information about the overall health of the trees, as well as for assessing the environmental conditions surrounding the trees. Some commonly used tree inspection tools include:
- Bark inspection tool – a metal mallet or probe that assesses the integrity of the tree bark and identifies signs of pest infestation and decay.
- Soil probe – to test soil moisture and nutrient levels as well as any compaction.
- Binoculars – to help assess tree health, spot wildlife as well as any obvious issues form a distance.
Tree Care & Maintenance
Examples of tree care and maintenance tools include:
- Mulching tools: wheelbarrows, rakes, shovels.
- Watering equipment: irrigation systems, hose, watering can.
- Fertiliser spreader – to evenly distribute fertiliser around the root zone of the tree to promote healthy growth.
Safety Equipment
Safety equipment is a necessity when working with trees which is why no arborist toolkit would be complete without the following items:
- Hard hat or helmet – to protect against any falling debris while working in the tree canopy.
- Safety glasses – to shield eyes from dust, debris and sharp branches.
- Gloves – provides grip and helps protect against cuts, abrasions and blisters.
Educational Resources
An Arborist needs to be widely read on trees themselves as well as pest and disease management, and up to date on current techniques. They are likely to have numerous books and guides and comprehensive resources to cover these topics and stay up to date. They may also do online courses to keep their knowledge current.
For The Home Gardener
Basic care including mulching, watering, fertilising and light pruning can go a long way when caring for your trees, however when it comes to larger jobs it’s generally best left to the professionals. Tree work can be highly dangerous and you could end up hurting yourself as well as your tree.
It is also important to note that tree care tools and equipment need to be well cared for and maintained on a regular basis to keep them effective and to not damage the tree. Hiring a professional Arborist instead means that you don’t need to worry about purchasing expensive tools and equipment or worry about maintaining them!
If you want the very best for your trees, call Aussie Tree Solutions for a free quote on our professional tree care and maintenance services. We offer a full range of tree services including Consulting Arborists, tree pruning, tree removals and replanting. Whatever your trees need, we’ve got you covered at Aussie Tree Solutions. Give us a call today.