Crowning

Crowning is done by removing a portion of smaller/tertiary branches, usually at the outer crown, to produce a uniform density of foliage around an evenly spaced branch structure. It is usually confined to broad-leaved species. Crown thinning does not alter the overall size or shape of the tree.

Crown Lifting

Crown Reduction

Crown Thinning

Pruning

Pruning is to trim a tree, scrub or bush by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to encourage growth.

Sometimes pruning is used as preventive measure to obtain space for new seedling or growth.

Timing is everything when planning to prune your trees and scrubs because some plants are pruned after flowering, where others are best pruned during winter. For instance, decorative flora need to be pruned directly after flower and Herbaceous plants are pruned after every growing season.

Some delicate flora requires specialised pruning techniques to avoid causing any damage to the plant.

Dead Wood Removal

The removal of dead or dying branches is for safety and aesthetics. Larger dead branches can be safely retained (in order to provide habitat for birds and insects) by reducing their length and weight.

Hedge Pruning

Pruning a hedge helps to promote bushy growth. If the hedge is trimmed repeatedly at the same height, a ‘hard knuckle’ will start to form at that height – similar to the shape of a pollarded tree.

Formative Pruning

The formation of a healthy stem and branch framework in very young trees is achieved by carefully selecting and removing diseased wood, chafing branches and weak branch unions. Correct formative pruning can dramatically reduce the chances of disease, structural weakness and branch failure as the tree matures.

Tree Planting

Tree Disease Consultation

Tree Disease Consulting

Tree disease consulting is done on all organic horticultural disease and insect control issues. Initially, we highly recommend that we do an assessment of the soil structure to ensure the health of your trees.

Trees can become very pest resistant if the  proper nutrients are added to the soil. It is also recommended to add good microbes that will attack bad microbes.

There are many different tree diseases and they can fall in the following categories:

• Root/Butt Diseases
• Stem Decays/Cankers
• Foliage Diseases
• Decline Complexes Dieback/Wilts
• Stem Rusts
• Broom Rusts
• Biotic Damage
• Diseases of Insects
• Fungi

All these consultations are done by Prof. At Schoeman, an Entomologist and tree expert.

Veteran Tree Management

Veteran Tree Management

Veteran tree management as a profession is to take care of Veteran trees, which is ancient specimens in the final stage of their life. They provide us with significant biological, aesthetic and cultural interest because of their old age.

Veteran trees vary in age depending on their species and location and can be hundreds of years old. The size of a tree is normally used to define a veteran tree.

The vitality of veteran trees is in the slowing process and they are frequently found in a dangerous position. As a result, there is the temptation to remove them. However, with careful planning and ongoing management we can help you safely preserve your old trees in an attractive state.

Implementing the successful use of Natural Fracture Techniques (NFT) was motivated by the recent development in veteran tree management. NFTs is the process of the pruning of cuts that mimic the jagged edges character aesthetically seen on broken branches following storm damage. As a result, the cutting looks more natural than conventional pruning cuts and they provide wonderful habitat for a myriad of fungi, insects and birds, whilst removing any structural weakness.

Golf Course Tree Care

Golf Course Tree Care

Golf course tree care allow us to partner with area golf course superintendents, designers and architects to answer the important tree care questions, which affect the playability and progression of golf course design.

We specialize in tree care consulting and golf course tree services.

Golf Course Consulting

We look at special trees in need of pruning or preservation; which golf turf areas need more sunlight and better air flow; fairway tree canopy widening and thinning and which trees to remove for golf course development.

We specialize in:

Wind damage loss appraisal:

To enable Golf courses to put in a claim against their insurance for cleanup, repair and replacement costs, we assist with the evaluation of damage. (QTRA Consultation)

Risk assessment:

We assist with the risk assessment to identify any potential weaknesses before they become problems. Our clients can save a lot of money on damage or removal services due the the thorough inspection. (QTRA Consultation)

Tree inventory:

We provide accurate information on the health and diversity of all the trees on the Golf Course. A detailed report is provided stating what maintenance should be prioritized to reduce potential liability and educate management about the benefits of healthy, well-managed tree care.

Shade/air movement evaluations:

Air movement can have a devastating impact on putting-green conditions, because the health of the grass is determined by sunlight penetration and air movement. Therefore we provide professional assessment of tree shade and air movement to our clients making sure that the Golf Course is in a good condition.

Pre- and post-construction tree protection services:

The preservation of certain trees, like oak trees, etc. is very important and with our professional help we advice our client on the best cause to take to either replant or preserve a healthy tree. Further advice is given on where irrigation systems should be implemented to avoid any impact on existing trees.

Golf Course Services

We believe in preserving trees as far as possible, therefore take great care of the protection of trees. Our services include:

Large tree planting:

There are a science around planting large trees and we are qualified and have the correct equipment to assist with any large tree planting.

Lightning protection, cabling and bracing:

There are measures you can take to protect trees against lightning and they include installing rods, which provides a conductor that will guide the bolt down the earth and not harm the tree. Our specialists will be able to determine which trees mostly require the rod installation.

Tree preservation, canopy thinning, safety pruning:

Tree preservation is all about thinning, lifting and reduction of tree tops by pruning them correctly.

Woodland clearing and dump cleanup:

Woodland clearing needs to be conducted with great care to not destroy the natural habitat of other wildlife. Therefore you would require specialists in this field to identify and clean the area required.

Dump cleaning is also important to ensure that the area marked for the development of the golf course is correctly prepared.

Tree removal and our crane service:

No tree removal is too complexed for us, therefore we offer crane services to remove big trees or prune very high trees. We have the equipment and expertise to assist out clients.