2nd guess me on this

[treesmith]

Yeah, know what you mean, I keep seeing trees here that are supposed to be the same but are hybridised or cross bred or whatever and look different in so many ways, had a reasonable recognition ability in the UK summer or winter but not anymore, it's a long way away geographically and biologically

 

[snowyman]

It is a crime in australia, and the penalties are heavy if you get caught.

What is? Hedge laying, pollarding or topping. And who says?

 

[imagineero]

What is? Hedge laying, pollarding or topping. And who says?

Topping/lopping is a crime in australia. We have a national standard for tree trimming AS4373 pruning of amenity trees. It's pretty basic stuff - collar cuts, spikes not to be used, no topping etc etc... but it lays down a good framework for local government to control tree work in their area. It's tough to enforce, but even the fact that it has established a standard helps move things in the right direction. Being able to say to customers "I can't top your tree, you'd be looking at a $100,000 fine if you got caught" seems to hit home that much harder than "I can't top your tree, it would ruin the form and leave you with a tree prone to rot, which would rapidly send out epicormic shoots which would rise very quickly about the height of the current apex and be weakly attached".

The maximum fine a council can impose is $110,000 per offence. Taking it to court steps the maximum up to $1,100,000 per offence. The maximum fine has actually been handed out once from memory. Some guy in the eastern suburbs paid the full price for intentionally removing a heritage fig after applying and being rejected for its removal. $1.1mil. The $110k fine is not unheard of either. Many fines get handed out each year, in the $10,000~$50,000 range. Mostly they're for removing trees without a permit. Just the fact that there is a standard and there are penalties for not following it is a step in the right direction in my opinion.

Shaun

 

[snowyman]

Well it might be a step in the right direction, but to say it's a crime in Australia is stretching it a bit.

It's a big place mate, you might cop a fine in some council areas for unauthorized removal or very serious topping but I think you'd be pretty safe in most places. Not that I agree with it.

 

[imagineero]

I don't know which part of aus you're in, I know the laws are pretty relaxed up north, and in the centre and probably WA too.... but most places in NSW except rural/farm and melb you're seriously rolling the dice if you d anything less than quality tree work. If anybody catches you on video topping a tree, and gets your details, you're looking at a minimum of $10k, and easily up to $50k. That's quite a disincentive to guys who are regularly doing that sort of work.

Shaun

 

[richard t]

And the op keeps talking like that he'll be joining the ban camp.