We recently had the pleasure of pruning and shaping a large Lemon-scented gum tree, Corymbia citriodora, in Maleny, see photo.
The species used to be called Eucalyptus citriodora until the botanists, bless their little cotton socks, decided to split the Eucalyptus genus into three different genera.
The tree was located in a relatively densely populated part of town, and was spectacularly beautiful, in a way that only Lemon-scented gums can be, however its lateral limbs extended out over the roofs of several houses and out-buildings.
After some construction and earthwork had been carried out within its root zone, some of the smaller lateral limbs had begun failing, and the neighbours, quite rightly, became concerned. It was only after being above the tree in a 28-metre-tall Cherry- picker that I was able to fully appreciate how many properties were affected by this one large tree.
Fortunately, we were able to sculpt the tree into what the cherry-picker operator described, quite poetically, as a ‘champagne flute’, ensuring the safety of the surrounding properties for many years to come.
It is really heartening to see people taking the option to keep these magnificent specimens in our built environment, in a way that retains their beauty, and their wildlife habitat value, whilst maintaining their structural integrity and the safety of the people and property around them.
Touch a tree near you.
