Professional tree business's should carry between 5 and 20 million dollars public liability insurance and should also carry personal insurance.If they are giving advice they should also have professional indemnity insurance.

Significant  tree laws apply to most councils in South Australia.

For all our local clients please be aware the significant tree legislation had just come into effect in The District Council of Mt Barker. You will need council approval usually accompanied by a level 4 or 5 Arborist report before any tree work outside maintenance pruning can be carried out on your significnat trees.

Native Vegetation Legislation also applies to many areas of S.A. 

In fact their are many different laws that apply to trees in S.A, qualified Arboricultural consultants usually are the best people to talk to regarding laws which may apply to your trees.

 If you have a large tree on your property and would like to have it pruned or removed you quite likely will need council approval first. You will require an independant Arborist report which will be lodged with your local council.  Usually council application and lodgement fees apply.

To find out more about this process or to organise an independant qualified arborist report feel free to ring our office on 81880069

Significant  trees can be maintenence pruned without an arborist report or council approval, however the guidelines are very strict and removal of live healthy non conflicting limbs or branches is againest the law.  Tree companies should know exactly what limbs /branches can and cannot be pruned.Your council should also be advised if this is too occur as they will most likely want to come along and have a look to make sure they are being pruned correctly. We recommend that significant or large trees should be maintenence pruned and have a visual inspection around every 2 to 4 years.

If your tree is a Native veg tree it is also protected and for good reason.So are the understorey plants grasses sedges etc. Mt Lofty Ranges only  has 10% left of remanant vegetation and the plains only 4%. Many of our native animal rely on Native veg for food source and habitat. Only a few of them are able to survive off introduced plants and trees, the rest just go without if it's not there.

If you are lucky enough to have remenant vegetation on your property take good care of it, take notice of wildlife that lives on your property and if you can help them out by replanting. You can go to State Flora In Belair National Park , Native plants are very cheap and State Flora can give you Providence stock indigenous to your specific area.We provide free Native plant replacement if you spend over $1000 on our service.

Fines for removing Native vegetation are up to $250,000.

And be aware Native Vegetation Council uses Google earth , it scans ceratin areas once every three years in three layers ;trees, understorey and groundcover- so they will know if it is removed without approval and most likely prosecute.

 Tree professionals should be acutely aware of all laws pertaing to trees and there are alot. The fine for removing a significant  tree without council approval can be as much as $120,000. This fine also applies to the person who employed them.

In fact recently in Mt Barker Council a property owner was prosecuted for felling paddock trees- if you are concerned about this please feel free to contact our office to discuss tree laws which may apply to your trees.We do not charge for this.

To check if your tree is significant measure  from natural ground level  one metre up the trunk , then around the girth of the tree. If this measure 2m or more you have a significant tree. Some councils have a tree register of non significant trees ;these are also protected, you need to ring your council to see if this applies to your tree.

It is always worthwhile to get at least three written quotes. Most tree companies will be happy to come out and give a free quote but not all of them will be written. Written quotes guarantee what they propose to will be done and at a set price. There should be no hidden costs. Qualified arborists or tree care professionals are not necessarily more expensive than "loppers" , you also need to keep in mind the old saying of 'you get what you pay for.'

 For pruning this can be an invaluable to have a qualified arborist prune you trees as beautiful healthy well maintained trees can add  considerable value to your property.( think of trees in the botantical gardens)

Do'nt be shy in asking to sight certificates of currency for insurance or asking what people's qualifications are.

Some other things to consider are "do you want to keep the wood or the mulch?"as this can sometimes effect the price.  Would you like the stump ground out? Most tree companies will be happy to cut up the wood into firewood lengths and leave the mulch for you. However you need to organise this when you are receiving your quote. It is always worthwhile to ask whether your garden will be damaged or not. You will find some people will say yes alot will be damaged and others will say not much or none at all, as they will carefully lower all the branches and tip toe through your garden. If it is unavoidable that your plants may be damaged, it is often a good idea to dig them up ,place them aside then re-plant them whilst your tree is being pruned or removed.

Another question we are often asked is do our clients need to be there whilst the work is performed? The answer is not usually, but clear access must be given, dogs must be locked away, gates or roller doors must be left open if your tree is in the back yard. If you are at home, children must be kept well away. Just as a note if you are having a large tree removed or pruned it is really worth it to stay home and watch these skilled professionals at work.

 Tree professionals should be able to give sound reasons for what they suggest.

Beware of poeple who try and talk you into having a seemingly healthy tree removed, removal can be alot more expensive than pruning. Also beware of people who are happy to remove any old limbs or top/lop trees this is very bad pruning practice is not good for the tree and will end up costing alot more money in the long run because it may die and then you pay again to have it removed.Not only does it alter the natural shape of the tree it creates alot of stress for the tree.

All trees need correct care, this involves adequate nutirents and clean water, maintenence pruning and deadwooding etc. Tree professionals should be able to advise you how to correctly care for your trees. Healthy trees can add alot of money to property value, they can be well worth taking care of.