Planting shades building


Listed under: Section

Cause

Planting is too close to or is overhanging the house (keeping surfaces damp)

Repair

  • consider whether the planting can be cut back or whether a better long-term solution is to replace it with smaller planting that will not shade the building

  • if trimming back is appropriate, cut as required to allow the house, decks and paths to dry after rain

  • when removing large tree branches, especially where they are very close to a building or power/telecom cables or on steep ground, consider using a professional arborist. Look for an appropriately trained/experienced practitioner, such as an approved contractor of the New Zealand Arboricultural Association

  • if you plan to carry out the work yourself, always let someone else know when you are working at height

    • make sure you have a strong and stable platform to work from and a sharp saw or pruning tools

    • with large or heavy branches, remove the branch in stages to reduce the weight before making the final cut. A common practice is to make a first cut on the underneath of the branch, slightly higher up from where the final cut is planned, to reduce the risk of splitting

    • to allow the tree to heal properly when removing branches, the final cut should be close to the branch collar, (often a bump or raised area), leaving the collar intact. Do not cut flush with the trunk or too far away from the trunk

    • a clean cut in the correct location is enough to allow healing to start. Do not paint the cut surface or apply any other substance to it