Blog

What to Consider When Planting New Trees

Posted on by mike

What to Consider When Planting New Trees

Decided to plant new trees in your backyard? Read this before you start.

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most important things to consider when planting new trees and how the team at Affordable Tree Service can help. 

Factors to Consider When Planting a New Tree

So you’ve decided to plant a new tree in your backyard, but have you done your research? Here we’ll discuss some of the things you should consider when planting a new tree.

Your Existing Trees

When planting a new tree in your yard – or even considering it – it’s important to take into account what kinds of trees and other flora you already have. Think of things like:
– the size of your existing trees and how far their root systems span
– whether adding a new tree will disrupt their environment or growth patterns
– if your current trees are healthy and whether a new tree will flourish in that location (especially if it is of a different species)
– whether you need to remove a tree to make room for the new one (this is where our services come in handy)

Size of Your Yard

The size of your yard is especially something you have to take into account when planting a new tree. This is because you should make sure you have enough space on your property for the new addition (both when it’s first planted and when it’s fully grown).

Size of the Tree

Not only is it important for you to consider the size of your existing trees, and the space you have available on your property, you should also think about the size of the tree you intend to plant.

The last thing you want is to invest in a beautiful new tree only to find it grows too tall (or wide), and you can’t control it.

Don’t forget about the roots! The larger a tree, the more expansive the root system so you need to take this into account before you make your decision.

Where You Want to Plant It

Taking the time to consider where you are going to plant your tree in order for you to get the most out of it.

This includes things like sunlight exposure, how close it is to the neighbour’s property, whether you can access it to maintain it and even if it will flower or produce fruit in your preferred location.

Maintenance

Speaking of maintenance, this is one of the most important things you need to consider.

Growing a tree means being responsible for a living thing, and while you may not exactly put it in the same category as raising and taking care of a child, it’s not far off.

Just as you need to make sure your child is healthy with food and water, regular baths or showers and the like, so too you need to ensure you have the time to take care of your tree.

If you’re time poor and don’t want to spend much of your weekends pruning and watering your garden, you may want to choose something more low maintenance. 

Safety

Safety is paramount when it comes to planting a tree. You need to ensure that if something does happen to your tree (for example, if it’s hit by lightning or becomes damaged in some other way), it will not cause harm to either yourself, your family, your neighbours and surrounding property. 

How Affordable Tree Service Can Help

As a homeowner, you want to be sure you’re getting the right advice to maintain the health of your trees. And this is something you can be certain of when you contact our professionals at Affordable Tree Service.

Our qualified and highly skilled team members can assist with any number of services to maintain your trees, from stump grinding and land clearing, to health assessments, storm preparation, tree removal and so much more.

If you’re thinking about planting a tree and need to remove one to do so, contact the experienced team at Affordable Tree Service for assistance. 

How to Spot Termite Damage in Trees

Posted on by mike

How to Spot Termite Damage in Trees

Worried you might have termites in your trees? This is the place for you.

In this article, our experts will take you through common signs of termite damage in your trees, what you can do about it and how the team at Affordable Tree Service can provide you with professional advice.

Signs of Termite Damage in Trees

Termites can create extreme damage to your trees, which is why an infestation is something you’ll want to address quickly. But how do you know your trees are being attacked by termites?

In this section, we’ll go through some of the more common signs of an infestation.

Hollow Trunk 

If the trunk of your tree is sounding a little hollow,  it might mean it’s been infested by termites.

Soft Timber or Missing Bark

Is your tree trunk softer than usual or missing bark? This is a common sign of a termite infestation and isn’t something you’ll want to ignore.

Mud Tubes

Termites stay hydrated through mud tubes, so if you see them on your tree, it’s probably a sign of infestation.

Nests or Sawdust Piles

Termites make their nests in the inside of your tree trunk or in the soil. While the presence of termite nests or sawdust piles is an obvious sign of an infestation, it’s important to note that they can be difficult to find.

For that reason, you may want to talk to your professional arborist to confirm.

What Can You Do About It?

In terms of DIY methods, there’s not much you can do to manage a termite inspection. The best thing to do is to talk to a professional arborist for assistance.

How Affordable Tree Service Can Help

As a homeowner, you want to be sure you’re getting the right advice to maintain the health of your trees, especially when it comes to termite prevention. And this is something you can be certain of when you contact our professionals at Affordable Tree Service.

Our qualified and highly skilled team members can assist with any number of services to maintain your trees, from stump grinding and land clearing, to health assessments, storm preparation, tree removal and so much more.

If you think your tree may be afflicted with termites, contact us today for an accurate diagnosis.

How To Maintain Your Trees in Summer

Posted on by mike

How To Maintain Your Trees in Summer

Summer is now officially in full swing, but are you doing all you can to maintain your trees and shrubs?

In this article, our experts will take you through everything you should be doing to ensure your backyard not only looks great in the summer months, but is as healthy as can be. 

What You Should Be Doing in Summer

While summer may not be the perfect time to plant your trees, shrubs and other plants, there are definitely other things you can do to maintain your  yard and ensure your flora is in optimum health.

Here, we’ll go through the most important tasks you should be doing:

Mulching & Fertilising

Technically, mulching and fertilising should probably be done in Spring, but Summer is also a great time to add mulch to your garden beds (or top up your existing mulch). Ensure you do your research and are using the right mulch/fertiliser for your plants before starting the process.

Pruning

Again, this is something you usually do in Spring (or whenever best advised by your nursery staff – depending on your tree or plant type), but if you haven’t got around to pruning, Summer may just be the time to do so. 

Watering

Everyone knows how hot it can get in Summer in Queensland. So while you need to maintain your own hydration levels, you should also ensure your plants and trees are getting the water they need to survive extreme heat.

Where possible, try to water your yard early in the day or later in the afternoon, when it’s a little cooler and you don’t burn your plants and trees.

Inspecting Your Flora

It might seem a little excessive, but it’s a good idea to inspect your trees every day (or as often as possible) if you want them to maintain their health.

By doing this, you will pick up on any anomalies and deal with smaller problems before they become major issues that will affect the rest of your plants.

Prepare for Storms

You’ll likely want to have prepared for storms before storm season starts, but the reality is that thunderstorms can hit at any time of the year. They’re just a lot more likely to occur in the warmer months.

The best way to prepare for storms in terms of your plants and trees is to arrange an inspection to assess which ones in your yard are likely to fall in a storm and cause damage to your property.

By removing the offending trees, you minimise the risk of damage, which keeps you and your family safe.

Organise Pest Control

In Summer, there are a lot of different pests around. If you spot pests and other nasty insects on your trees and plants, you might want to organise for a professional pest control company to come and inspect your property.

This will, hopefully, keep the disease and/or damage contained to that particular area, instead of spreading to nearby plants and trees.

Prevent Fires

Debris such as leaves, branches and other green waste are quite literally fuel for fire, and this is especially something you want to avoid in the Summer months (when the potential for bushfires increases exponentially).

Do the right thing and clean up your yard, or arrange for a professional land clearing team to get the job done.

How Affordable Tree Service Can Help

As a homeowner, you want to be sure you’re getting the right advice to maintain the health of your trees. And this is something you can be certain of when you contact our professionals at Affordable Tree Service.

Our qualified and highly skilled team members can assist with any number of services to maintain your trees, from stump grinding and land clearing, to health assessments, storm preparation, tree removal and so much more.

For expert help with maintaining your trees during Summer, contact us today.

How Does Weather Affect Trees?

Posted on by mike

How Does Weather Affect Trees?

How does volatile weather in Queensland affect trees?

In this article, we’ll discuss how different types of weather events – from high winds to heatwaves and floods – can affect trees. We’ll also talk about how Affordable Tree Service can help with sick or dying trees. 

How Weather Affects Trees

Extreme weather can affect many living things, even trees. But just how are trees affected by the temperature and conditions? Here we’ll go into detail. 

High Winds

Storm damage from high winds could result in fallen or broken trees. Not only may this negatively impact the tree itself, it could also cause massive damage to the plant life around it.

Rain

Too much rain reduces oxygen for tree roots. This leads to wilting, brown leaves. Sometimes you may even see a chalky mildew, which is when fungal disease can spread.

Floods

Trees affected by flooding may show signs of:
– discolouration or yellowing
– weakening
– loss of foliage
– disrupted growth
– dying growth around crown

Flooding can disrupt the oxygen and carbon dioxide production of a tree or shrub, which is why growth may be stunted. In some cases, you mightn’t realise a tree has  been negatively affected by floods until it flowers next (or fails to do so).

Floods also affect the pH levels as well as increasing the risk of chemical damage and diseases like root rot. To help your trees recover from the effects of flooding, you should remove debris and surrounding damaged trees, use fertiliser and aerate your soil.

However, not all trees will be able to be saved from the effects of flooding, so if you’re concerned, you should contact your professional arborist.

Heatwaves

Heatwaves cause your tree to use up more water than it would normally. During extreme humidity, you should water trees two to three times a week. But, be sure that you aren’t watering in the middle of the day, when humidity is at its highest.

How Affordable Tree Service Can Help

As a homeowner, you want to be sure you’re getting the right advice to maintain the health of your trees. And this is something you can be certain of when you contact our professionals at Affordable Tree Service.

Our qualified and highly skilled team members can assist with any number of services to maintain your trees, from stump grinding and land clearing, to health assessments, storm preparation, tree removal and so much more.

To find out more about how the weather affects your trees – and how we can assist you, contact the experienced team at Affordable Tree Service. 

What is Palm Tree Cleaning (& Why You Need It)

Posted on by mike

What is Palm Tree Cleaning (& Why You Need It)

Do you have a palm tree in your yard but don’t use professional palm cleaning services?

In this article, our experts will discuss what palm cleaning is, the benefits of investing in it, if you can do it yourself and when to call our qualified team members at Affordable Tree Service for assistance.

What is Palm Tree Cleaning?

Let’s start with the basics. What is palm tree cleaning, exactly?

Palm tree cleaning is fairly self-explanatory, really. It’s simply about removing any dead fronds seeds and other unnecessary hanging foliage from your tree. When cleaning your tree, you should also remove any pods as these attract birds and bats.

Can You DIY Palm Cleaning?

Technically, you can do your own palm tree cleaning. But the question is whether you actually should. Tree maintenance and palm tree cleaning can be very dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing or have the proper qualifications and knowledge to get it done right and efficiently.

It’s also very time consuming and can be quite expensive when you factor in the cost of hiring equipment, obtaining permits and everything else that is involved.

For these reasons we would never recommend you attempt to do palm cleaning on your property yourself. Always contact a professional like those we have on our team at Affordable Tree Service. 

Why You Should Invest in Palm Tree Cleaning

As with other tree maintenance, there are so many benefits of investing in palm tree cleaning services. Here we’ll discuss some of the most common advantages:

Aesthetically Pleasing

When well maintained, palm trees are a great addition to your property, and can give your landscaping a grand appeal. But when you don’t have them regularly cleaned, they can look scraggly and off-putting, which is not great.

This is especially advantageous if you want to increase your curb appeal when selling your property. 

Maintain Tree Health

If you’re going to have palm trees in your yard, you want to make sure they’re healthy. You can do this by ensuring your trees are maintained and professionally cleaned on a regular basis.

Improve Longevity

It almost goes without saying, but a healthier tree will live longer. When you invest in palm cleaning, you are improving your chances of your tree living longer.

Prevents Pests

Pests can destroy not only your palm tree but other plants and foliage on your property. If your palm tree is not cleaned regularly, you run the risk of attracting pests to your home and endangering your plants.

Safer

We’ve mentioned that we would not recommend cleaning palm trees yourself because of the danger involved. That’s one of the benefits of investing in professional tree cleaning. Not only will you get rid of the berries and fronds that could fall and potentially hurt someone, you also don’t have to put yourself at risk because you’ve arranged for a professional to do the work for you.

Save Time & Money

Another thing we touched on before was the cost involved in hiring equipment to do palm tree cleaning. When you choose to work with our professionals, you are essentially saving time and money, and who doesn’t love that?

When to Contact Affordable Tree Service

Affordable Tree Service has been working in this industry for over four decades, and we have the experience to match. All our team members are qualified, licensed and specially trained in palm tree maintenance and cleaning services to complete your work professionally and efficiently.

We even bring our own equipment and clean up after ourselves, so you don’t have to worry about a thing!

Need palm tree cleaning on your property? Call our qualified experts today to arrange an obligation-free quote.

How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost?

Posted on by mike

How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost?

You’re in the market for professional stump grinding services, but don’t know how much it will cost you?

While we’ve previously published an article on how much stump removal will cost you, the focus of this article will be on how much you can expect to pay for stump grinding. We’ll also discuss the factors that influence our quotations and when you should contact our professional team at Affordable Tree Service for assistance.

How Can I Expect to Pay for Stump Grinding? 

It can be difficult to determine exactly how much it will cost for stump grinding services. But on average it will cost you anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to several hundred dollars.

Factors That Influence The Cost of Stump Grinding Services 

There are several things that we – as professional arborists – take into account when providing you with an accurate quote on stump grinding services. Here, we’ll go through some of the most important factors.

Service You Require

At Affordable Tree Service, one of the things we take into account when providing you with an accurate quote is the type of service you require. This includes things like how long the job will take, where you are located, and the equipment required to perform the stump grinding.

What You Want to Achieve

The finish you are after when we complete the job (i.e. how far you want the stump ground down), and what you want to achieve by investing in stump grinding is also something we consider when providing you with a quote. 

Size of Stump 

Obviously, the size (diameter) of the stump itself will influence how much you can expect to pay. If the stump is smaller, you may pay less, whereas a larger stump could cost you more.

Root System 

Sometimes, the labour involved isn’t focused on the stump itself but the root system. If the root system is complex and affects how we are able to complete the work required of us, it may influence the price. 

Condition of Stump 

Is the stump you need grinding healthy? Or is it aged and infested with pests or diseases? This is definitely something we need to think of when estimating quotes, as it will often affect how we go about the service we provide.

Type of Tree & Number of Trees 

The type of tree you have will influence how easy it is to grind the stump, so is something that will also be taken into consideration when preparing your quote. Additionally, the more stumps you have to remove, the more you can expect to pay.

Access 

Access is something any tree removalist or stump grinding specialist will need to consider when giving you a quote for services provided. We need to know that we – along with the equipment required to actually grind the stump itself – can actually get to the area we need to. 

Clean Up 

At Affordable Tree Service, we pride ourselves in leaving your yard in the same condition we found it. But the amount of clean up will influence the duration of the job, so may affect the price.

When to Contact Affordable Tree Service

As you can tell by the name of our company, at Affordable Tree Service, we try to keep our prices as cost effective as possible. We have a team of professionals on board who are dedicated to providing you with a range of quality services, including stump grinding or stump removal.

To arrange your stump grinding service, contact our experts at Affordable Tree Service today.

Cost of Land Clearing in Brisbane

Posted on by mike

In the market for land clearing services, but don’t know how much it’s going to cost you? This is the place for you.

This article will focus on the cost of professional land clearing services in Brisbane and surrounding areas, the factors that influence said cost and when to contact the team at Affordable Tree Service for assistance.

Is There a Specific Price You Can Expect to Pay for Land Clearing? 

Because all land is different, it can be difficult to provide an accurate quote of how much land clearing services will cost without actually seeing the area in need of work. Some services may cost only a couple of hundred dollars, but others may be several thousands of dollars.

For this reason, it’s important to contact your professional land clearer for a proper quote.

Factors Influencing Cost of Land Clearing Services

There are a number of different factors our professionals need to take into account when providing you with an accurate estimate of what it will cost you for land clearing services. Here, we’ll discuss some of the most important things we consider:

Regulations

In Queensland, there are certain regulations homeowners (and professionals like us) need to follow. Sometimes, navigating these regulations is more involved and may influence how high (or low) your quote is.

Size of Land

The size of the land requiring clearing matters when it comes to how much it will cost you. In most cases, smaller plots of land will cost less than larger spaces, which is understandable when you think of the equipment required and labour.

Equipment & Duration

Most professional land clearing services require a certain amount of equipment in order to get the job done, just as it would if you were to attempt it yourself (which is not something we recommend). 

The type of equipment required may influence the price you pay, especially if the duration of the job is a little longer than usual, and cannot be completed in one day.

Accessibility

Accessibility is something we always consider when taking on work, and this is especially true when you engage land clearing services. We need to make sure that, where possible, we are able to access the area in need of clearing easily, and move any equipment needed in and out as required. 

Terrain 

Is the land in need of clearing fairly flat, or are there lots of hills and rocks we need to navigate. If it’s the latter, you may find you need to pay a little extra for your services than if it was flatter.

Debris

Have you cleared the area of any excess rubbish? If there’s a lot of debris around which needs to be cleared in addition to the trees on your property, it may influence your quote.

Number of Trees

The number of trees in need of clearing will greatly influence how much you can expect to pay. For instance, if there are only a few trees to be removed, it will likely cost you less than if there was a “forest full”.

Condition of Trees

It’s much easier for us if the trees that need to be cleared from your land are healthy and in good condition. We are more than capable of removing them, of course, but the work required to do so may be more labour intensive, which will increase the cost.

When to Contact Affordable Tree Service

As we said, we would always recommend leaving land clearing to the professionals, especially if it’s not something you’re trained in and confident in completing.

Affordable Tree Service has been in the business for decades, and our team members have the knowledge and experience to get the job done right every time.

To book land clearing services with a professional company you can trust, contact us today.

Can I Clear Land Myself?

Posted on by mike

Whether preparing for a major renovation and extension, or simply cleaning up your property, we’re often asked if you can clear land yourself.

In this article, we’ll tell you all you need to know about whether you can clear land yourself. From what’s involved, to the type of equipment, planning and restrictions, our experts will take you through it all.

We’ll also suggest when it might be time to call in the professionals like those on our team at Affordable Tree Service.

Is it Possible to Clear Land Myself? 

It is possible to clear land yourself, in some cases. But your question should really be if you want to. Not only are there certain restrictions on what you can and can’t clear yourself, you also need to factor in the time and skill associated with doing so.

You should think about the type of equipment you need to get the job done, as the cost of hiring such things can be more expensive than organising professional services.

Just some of the equipment you may need to hire includes:

– excavators or mini excavators
– stump grinders
– mulchers
– waste removal trucks
– skip bins

And before you do that, you have to work out your planning, complete with accurate measurements and placement of utilities or sewage lines so you don’t find yourself in hot water. By the time you get all that done, our professionals could have been in and out, but you haven’t even started.

Do I Need a Permit to Clear Land Myself? 

Again, this depends on what you’re doing. It’s one thing to clear up rubbish and pull out flower beds to make room for new plants. It’s another thing to remove trees – especially those native to Australia and if they are home to wildlife like koalas or possums.

When You Should Call Affordable Tree Service 

There’s nothing worse than starting a project and finding you’re out of your depth.

At Affordable Tree Service, we have the expertise and know how to assist with all your land clearing needs, including advice on permits and planning, having the right equipment and everything you’ll ever need.

To arrange for professional land clearing services from someone who knows what they’re doing, call Affordable Tree Service today.

Benefits of Land Clearing| Affordable Tree Service

Posted on by mike

Benefits of Land Clearing


Want to clean up your yard but don’t know if land clearing is something you need to invest in? Then this is for you.

In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of land clearing, and where to go to make sure it’s done right.

Why Arrange Land Clearing on Your Property 

There are several reasons to arrange for a land clearing service on your property. In this section, we’ll break down some of the most common reasons clients like ours have invested in this service.

Aesthetically Pleasing

A looked-after yard goes a long way to creating not only a healthy, happy home, but one that looks great. This is especially something you want to consider if you’re building on your property or looking to sell the property in the near future. 

Think about it. Are buyers more likely to buy a property that looks run down, abandoned and full of rubbish? Or will they opt for one with a well-manicured lawn that they and their family can enjoy for years to come.

Reduce Falls & Injury

If your hard is full of dead branches, plants and snakes, the risk of falls and injury is high. By clearing up the property, it might not necessarily eliminate falls or injuries completely, but it may help minimise them.

And any parent who has worried about rushing to the emergency room when their child hurts  themselves will know that that’s a good thing.

Reduce Illness from Airborne Viruses 

With COVID-19, we all know how dangerous airborne viruses can be, but did you know your dead trees and tree stumps can be a breeding ground for them? By investing in land clearing services and ridding your home of these potential problems, you’re protecting your health. 

Pest Control 

Pests love trees and old plant matter, and once they’re on your property, the likelihood of infestation is high. By getting rid of these things through land clearing, the pests have nowhere to call home and will (hopefully) move on to somewhere else.

Creates a Fire Barrier

Fire loves kindling, fallen trees and neglected tree stumps. It stands to reason, therefore, that the removal of these would create a fire barrier to protect your home. 

Improves Plant Health 

Plants and trees need sunlight and water to survive, but if they can’t access this due to excess debris and rubbish, they will die or get sick. You can increase their health and improve environmental sustainability simply by cleaning up with our land clearing services. 

Prevents Soil Erosion 

Just as plants and trees need sunlight and water, they also need access to quality soil with nutrients. And if they lack this access due to soil erosion, they will (again) become sick or die. You can prevent this from happening by investing in land clearing services such as those we offer.

Where to Go for Reliable Land Clearing Services?

If you’re looking for reliable land clearing services by a professional team with decades of experience, you can’t go past Affordable Tree Service.

We’re experienced in a range of land clearing techniques and will arrive at your property with all the necessary equipment needed to get the job done.

To arrange a professional land clearing service – or find out more about what we offer – get in touch with our experienced team today.

Signs of Wood Rot in Trees

Posted on by mike

Worried your trees might have wood rot, but can’t be sure? Our experts will talk you through the signs.

Wood rot is a death sentence for most trees. While there are some treatments on the market, for the most part all they really do is delay the inevitable. In this article, we’ll discuss

some of the common signs of wood rot, when they appear and where to go for professional assistance.


Common Indicators of Wood Rot 


While we have talked about tree diseases in other articles, it’s worth further investigation into the signs of one of the most deadly: wood and root rot. Here, we’ll discuss the symptoms in more detail.


Hanging or Dead Branches


If hanging or dead branches are becoming more commonplace around your tree, it may be an indication of wood rot.

Remove these branches as soon as possible and consult an arborist for an accurate diagnosis and (if possible), potential treatment.


Mushrooms 


As a fungi-based disease, mushrooms at the base of your tree – especially if they keep returning – is a clear indication you may have wood rot. If this is the case, you will need to call the experts at Affordable Tree Service for assistance and advice on how to proceed.


Moss or Ferns 


Once you see moss or ferns start to appear on your tree, you probably have damaged roots. As such, seeking professional help from our team is highly recommended.


Yellow Leaves 


Yellow leaves (or those with brown tips) can be a sign of wood rot. But, it is also a common symptom of a number of tree diseases. Consultation with a qualified arborist to get a correct diagnosis is something you will want to look into before jumping in to remove your tree.


Hollow Trunk 


You can test whether your tree is hollow by tapping on it with a rubber mallet. But you also want to be careful not to damage the tree, especially if it’s already sick. Again, this is something we can assist with so when you need help, you should give us a call.


When Do Signs of Wood Rot Appear in Trees (And How to Treat It)? 


Unfortunately, when symptoms of wood rot appear in trees, it’s already too late. By the time you’re able to notice the changes, it has already progressed.

The only thing you can really do is maintain the dying tree by removing branches, and limiting the spread to the sick tree so it doesn’t infect any of your other plants.

Prevention is ultimately the best method of treatment when it comes to wood rot.

By engaging the assistance of professional arborists like those on our team and initiating a strict regime of pruning and maintaining your trees on a regular basis, you can help prevent them becoming sick in the first place.


Where to Go for Assistance 


If you suspect your tree may have fallen victim to wood rot, or you want to organise a professional tree removal service, you can’t go past Affordable Tree Service.

With decades of experience in the industry, our qualified arborists have seen it all, and can assist you with a professional, efficient service each and every time.

Find out more about the range of services we have available, or book an appointment by getting in touch with us today.