Lizzie the Arborist | Personal blog

Lizzie the Arborist

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24.01.2022 Leyland cypress Cupressus leylandii Grows 1m a year up to 20m!! This popular conifer is available through all major retailers as a fast growing hedging tree... but BEWARE did you know it grows 1m a year? That’s a lot of pruning needed to keep it a manageable size hedge. Before you know it, this tree could be double the height of your house, and you could be spending thousands for a professional to reduce its height requiring a cherry picker or spider lift. ... If your looking for a hardy hedge that’s low maintenance I would recommend something like a Murraya paniculata (Murraya hedge) or if you like something more eye catching a Photinia. Other common options like Cotoneaster spp. and Cherry/English laurel are becoming environmental weeds due to birds eating their fruit and spreading the seeds when they poo, so avoid these for the betterment of Aussie trees https://lizziethearborist.wordpress.com//cupressus-x-leyl/

24.01.2022 Olea europaea (olive tree) The oldest Minoan olive tree (approximately 3,370 years-old) is located in Kavousi, Crete, Greece. SOURCE: History Daily

23.01.2022 Fruiting bodies, bracket fungi, & fungi Today I am home and researching these interesting fungi. Did you know a bracket fungus indicates internal decay? BUT, it doesn’t necessarily mean the tree is structurally compromised Other factors such as species, tree location, and other weaknesses of the tree like included bark, cracks, previous branch failures etc should all be assessed in conjunction to the fungus. ... If you had quickly decaying tree, such as an Euc. Nicholii (ave life expectancy of 30-40 years) with a large fruiting body I would potentially recommend removal, but other trees like. Euc Saligna could stand sound for many more years Did you know Bracket fungus feed off living wood.... so if your bracket fungus is growing larger and larger, and it’s brackets are getting bigger... the tree still has solid wood internally for it to feed on. If the bracket fungus starts to grow smaller brackets, it’s likely the tree has little to no living wood left. If you spot anything like these on your trees and want some advice, you can call an Arborist to assess and monitor the tree Photos all copyright Lizzie The Arborist 2020.

22.01.2022 Condemned tree still standing 5 years later Eucalyptus saligna (Sydney blue gum) According to the teachers at Ryde TAFE, this Euc. saligna was condemned over 5 years ago as an imminate failure and was recommended for immediate removal by independent consulting arborists. This isn’t to say they were wrong, but is an important lesson in the acceptance of risk. People who tolerate little risk often see a defect in a tree and automatically condemn the tree, others are mor...e likely to accept some degree of risk which *can* be a valuable exercise, like in this case, which can see a tree live many more years in contribution to the local environment. Their decision was also contextually risk adverse as it was done around the time of a schoolyard death cause by a falling tree branch. Using the ISA method of Tree Risk Assessment we as a class determined the tree had a overall low risk rating . In my personal assessment, I noted that there was 1 previous evidence of branch failure, evidence of recent site excavation within the drip lines, pavement and pavers within the structural root zone, healthy crown and branches with no dieback and under 5% deadwood, BUT the trunk had significant decay/12cm cavity on the North side with 2 x fruiting bodies and evidence of jewel bettles.. overall... dead and missing bark abnormal bark texture sapwood decay heartwood decay fruiting body cavity depth 12cm! response growth jewel bettle damage There was various limitations as we only conducted a ground based assessment and we had limited access to the root crown due the collar being buried 20cm underground. I recommended a reassessment in 12 months or sooner if the site changes and this was the general consensus across my peers. Yes, this tree will eventually be removed but for now it stands tall and provides numerous environmental benefits. Not to mention when removed, the saligna behind will become vulnerable to wind and weather conditions as it as a SE aspect so by keeping this tree in we are also protecting the understory and the saligna behind. P.s how great is the symmetry in this tree! https://lizziethearborist.wordpress.com//condemned-tree-s/

20.01.2022 Say hi to my little friend Yesterday was a huge day, apart from assessing over 80 trees for DA’s between Bilpin and North Kellyville with Arborist Mitchell, we also consulted on these two Eucalyptus sideroxylon in Schofields. The trees are affected by winter bronzing, and probably weren’t the best choice by the builders/landscapers for the location. One very happy client

20.01.2022 I just saw this epicormic growth attached to a snapped off trunk with electrical tape. As we know life’s finds a way so I’ll check back in 12 months and see how it’s doing! Seems to be ok for now

18.01.2022 Hollowed out tree Eucalyptus tereticornis Surveyed Bilpin Fire Trail this morning. It was amazing to see the regeneration and some trees that are still standing beyond belief this Forrest red gum is one species known to hold some structural stability with this kind of hollow and I felt completely confident sitting inside it! I’m still out and about but more photos to come!

17.01.2022 I am so in love with Australian Bushland, Mangroves and Waterways Saturday night game: Point 1: Spot the Araucarias (shouldn’t be too hard, they always pop out the top of the canopy) how many do you see?... Point 2: Spot the jellyfish how many do you see? Enjoy your weekend

12.01.2022 Did you know in NSW 81 species of birds rely on tree hollows alone for protection, breeding and socialising? Did you also know some councils require permission to remove dead trees? This is the reason why. If the tree is structurally sound and not at risk of failure, the tree can become a habitat home . ... Removal of hollow-bearing trees may lead to displacement and death of a bird species using the hollows locally, a threat to biodiversity. Read more here: https://www.maitlandmercury.com.au//birds-nests-and-tree/ Check out these Rosellas and Gallahs photos partially mine and also used with permission from Karen Staunton-Ross, Pymble Community Page and Maitland Mercury.

11.01.2022 Recycled dead trees make for sustainable tree house I recently teamed up with Evolution Arbor and Consulting to observe and assist their assessments on some trees on a property in fire damaged areas of the Hawkesbury. Along the way I was so impressed with the integration of the natural environment with this tree house! Recycling old dead trees for the posts, the house is perfectly propped up, encased by trees and sprawling mountainous views. What a marvelous engineering ...feat for a sustainable future! Pictures from Evolution Arbor and the Love Cabins website. P.s if you’re wondering a sophisticated sprinkler system saved this place bush fire preventative methods for the win! https://lizziethearborist.wordpress.com//recycled-dead-tr/

11.01.2022 Case Study - Storm Damaged Eucalyptus In February this year I was contracted to assist with a Health and Condition report for this Eucalyptus tree. The tree was significant to the owner of the block as they had an approved DA to build their dream home and this tree was a feature in the front yard, not to mention they had the building plans drawn up in respect of the tree. The site Arborist allowed me to conduct my own ground-based assessment, my notes included:... The upper portion of the single stemmed trunk failed at approximately 12m high resulting in the tree losing its uppermost canopy and roughly 30% of its foliage. The remaining nearby branches are now exposed where before they were protected and are now potentially vulnerable to failure in future wind and storm events. Evidence of 2 previous branch failures. No evidence of remedial/restorative pruning to reduce the potential hazard of the remaining branch falling from the tree. Evidence of another tree removed within this trees structural root zone (SRZ) with a similar sized diameter at base to the tree I was assessing which indicates the failed tree had protection at some point from the NE direction. Evidence of exit holes from a boring insect, no insects found and no Kino/sap flow. Compacted soil within the SRZ and evidence of poor drainage due to pooling of water from recent rains within the SRZ. Mechanical damage to exposed roots resulting in response growth I assessed the tree with a probable failure potential (using ISA methodology) I did not have a soil compaction reader with me at the time and I could not access the canopy of the tree, but I could access the branches and foliage that had failed from the tree and I also noted: Significant evidence of boring activity in the upper trunk and branches. The site Arborist at the time spoke with Hawkesbury Council and enquired with another Arborist to find a suitable solution. Unfortunately, in the meantime another storm rolled through and another portion (percentage unknown) of the tree failed. In this case, there was no solution for tree retention, and it was recommended in the Health and Condition report the tree be removed, and Hawkesbury Council agreed and approved this request. In this instance, I believe the client agreed to plant 3 x native trees in replacement of this lost Eucalyptus and to replace environmental and psychological importance the lost tree gave the local area.

08.01.2022 Melaleuca quinquenervia A new tree growing inside another tree! I was fortunate enough to witness Expert Tree Removal Pty Ltd remove this Melaleuca quinquenervia (Paperbark) that had a HUGE inclusion right to the bottom of the trunk! ... A surprise was in store for me when I checked how deep the inside the hollowed out wood, there was another trunk of a new Melaleuca quinquenervia with bark and all!! How incredible.... life always finds a way! https://lizziethearborist.wordpress.com//melaleuca-quinqu/

08.01.2022 Look at the size of the Ganordorma brackets on this Beech tree. After it had been felled you could see there wasn't much solid wood holding the tree up.

06.01.2022 I am "Lizzie the Arborist" | Studying Arboriculture at TAFE NSW This page is to promote the information I am learning as a study resource for myself and other Arborists or those interested in trees/arboriculture.

05.01.2022 FALLEN tree stands up straight Bilpin NSW Here’s another tree that I was amazed by recently ... Its fallen, and the exposed root crown has maintained connection with earth and the dominant leader changed direction torwards the sun ! You can even see new lateral branches growing. The foliage is still photosynthesising and the roots still absorbing nutrients - how great . I torn my ACL 15 years ago and it never felt as good as this tree looks even with my surgical intervention! In some species, the fallen trunk will grow multiple leaders along the length of the trunk and this is sometimes called a harp tree as they end up looking like a harp.

04.01.2022 Update on the Eucalyptus pulchella (White peppermint gum) The tree is now showing signs of potential fibre buckling on the east side and is potentially heaving from the soil on the west side. In my opinion this tree is at risk of failure due to its poor health (sparse canopy, amount of dead wood, dieback, poor reaction wood, fibre buckling). I’ve reported it on for inspection by council as it is located in an area with constant pedestrians and of it were to fail it would land on a driveway and footpath

02.01.2022 Eucalyptus rossii (Inland scribbly gum) Blue Mountains National Park Copyright Lizzie the Arborist

02.01.2022 BILPIN FIRE TRAIL Check out these photos I captured today from the Bilpin Fire Trail. I could have spent hours and hours in amongst them. The place was full of energy and I'll definitely be going back for more exploring of tree features and quirks. In this environment, are are so many trees of various ages and conditions... from sapling to over mature... from a text book perfect tree to every defect under the sun.... so it is a great learning experience of me to apply all t...hese aspects to other rural trees and trees in our urban environment. All images Lizzie the Arborist and can be used with permission. https://lizziethearborist.wordpress.com//bilpin-fire-trail/

01.01.2022 Heritage Oak Tree in Schofields Great job Mayor of Blacktown City and Blacktown City Council! Yesterday I visited the new park off Banneby Cres, Schofields and I am so impressed with the park coexisting with the 100+ year old oak tree in a beautiful new urban environment. To add, more than 800 native trees have been planted in the immediate surrounds and creek bed!! What a fantastic investment to the local environment which will encourage the regeneration of the land a...nd provide opportunities for habitat to call home https://lizziethearborist.wordpress.com//heritage-oak-tre/