How did this tree get big!!!?!

So many of my clients are surprised that the little sapling they planted is now a huge tree. It's important when you plan your garden and start planting trees to understand how big they will grow and to keep them maintained in a way that supports how you use your garden. Arborists can help your tree grow in the shape and direction that you want so that the garden is perfect for your family. My blog has tips for the home owner on keeping your tree healthy and, of course, tips on when to use an arborist to get the perfect result.

Delightful but Dangerous Trees: 3 Attractive Trees That Are Deceptively Dangerous

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The right tree planted in the right place will become a valuable asset to a property. In fact, a good tree is beneficial to the entire neighborhood, increasing its appeal and adding value to properties. However, the opposite is also true. A homeowner that selects a tree based solely on its looks may be in for an unpleasant surprise in a few years, once that tree matures.

Tree Safety Trumps Tree Beauty

There is no such thing as a faultless tree. Each species has its downsides. However, some tree species, despite their beauty, don't belong in yards or beside footpaths. The possible dangers they could pose to people, pets, buildings and cars are simply too great to ignore. Here are 4 common examples of beautiful trees that may eventually turn deadly.  

Silver Maple

This species of tree is popular because it is fast-growing and so can quickly provide shade with its large canopy.

Silver Maple Delights

When a gentle wind blows, the canopy of a silver maple appears to shimmer due to the silvery underside of its leaves.

Silver Maple Dangers

Because silver maples grow so fast (3-7 feet per year), their wood is dangerously weak. During storms then, which Australia is no stranger to, their brittle branches often break off. If these falling branches don't hurt someone, they may very well cause thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Weeping Willow

These trees are stunning to look at but their place is in parks and by rivers, not in yards.

Weeping Willow Delights

The most delightful aspect of a weeping willow is its long, drooping branches and leaves which hang low to the ground. These trees look dreamy in a gentle breeze, and the shaded space under their canopy is a great place to sit and relax.

Weeping Willow Dangers

Much like silver maples, the wood of weeping willows is weak and prone to breaking. In windy conditions then, sitting under them might not be such a good idea. The bark of willow trees contains salicylic acid, a component used to create aspirin. This means that they pose a risk to cats since cats are unable to process salicylic acid.

As a result, prolonged exposure can cause salicylic acid to build up to dangerous levels in a cat's body, causing both short and long-term health issues.

Leyland Cypress

These attractive evergreens are popular as privacy screens and do have several nice benefits. However, as they mature, the danger they pose becomes more apparent.

Leyland Cypress Delights

A row of emerald green Leyland cypresses isn't just nice to look at. They are also fast growing, growing 3 feet per year, ideal for traffic noise reduction and can be turned into tall, attractive hedges.

Leyland Cypress Dangers

Tall Leyland cypresses don't hold up well in strong winds. Mature trees of this species, at a height of 30-40 feet, have a reputation for uprooting during storms. This species of tree is also a significant fire hazard because there is generally an abundance of dry branches and twigs at its centre. All that dry woody material makes Leyland cypresses extremely flammable.

If you have begun to realize that a tree on your property is putting you and your family in danger, you need an arborist. Once an arborist has assessed and removed the tree, they can help you to choose a safer alternative, show you what to look out for and show you where best to plant your new tree.  

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8 January 2018