AS 4373 is the Australian Standard for Pruning of Amenity Trees, and it defines how pruning should be done. It specifies where cuts are made, how they relate to the branch collar, and how much live canopy can safely be removed at once. Pruning to the standard lets a tree seal its wounds and resist decay, so it stays healthy and structurally sound. When we say we prune to AS 4373, it means the work is done to a recognised professional benchmark rather than by guesswork.

Deadwooding is the removal of dead, dying and hanging limbs from a tree's canopy. It matters most on Ballarat's large old gums and ageing deciduous trees, which naturally shed dead branches, sometimes onto a roof, path or car below. Removing that deadwood makes the tree safer and lets you see its live structure clearly. During the assessment we will tell you whether your tree carries enough deadwood to be worth a dedicated visit, or whether it can be handled within a wider prune.

Yes, sound pruning genuinely helps. Crown thinning lets wind pass through a canopy instead of catching it, and reducing overextended limbs lowers the leverage that snaps branches in the strong winds this highland city sees. Deadwooding removes the brittle limbs most likely to come down first. What harms wind resilience is topping and over-thinning, which we never do. Pruned correctly to AS 4373, a tree is better prepared for storm season, though no pruning can make any tree completely storm-proof.

Timing depends on the species. Ballarat's deciduous trees, such as elms, oaks and liquidambars, are generally best pruned in the dormant winter, when their structure is visible and growth has paused. Evergreen gums can be pruned across much of the year, though we avoid heavy work in extreme heat. Formative pruning of young trees is best done early and little-and-often as they establish. Dead or hazardous limbs should be removed whenever they are spotted, regardless of season.