When the sap is rapidly rising (between September 1 and the end of October) no pruning of deciduous trees should be undertaken or the tree will “bleed” profusely.

Once a tree is bare, it is easier to attend to damaged branches by following the three “D’s” rule – Dead, Diseased and Damaged.

Some trees had considerable damage after the recent storms and high winds, but I don’t recommend householders carry out any serious tree surgery; better to use a qualified arborist who has the necessary safety equipment (ensure they are qualified and have full insurance).

I know of instances where owners have carried out tree surgery themselves with large branches falling into neighbours’ gardens. Or, more disastrously, damaging a neighbour’s shed or even their house.

Do not attempt to prune near power lines. ActewAGL can provide a list of accredited qualified arborists.

All tree branches must be kept 1.5 metres from power lines. In my view, this is totally inadequate as most trees easily grow back more than this in one growing season. I think it should be a minimum of two metres.

READING a recommended list of screen plants mentioned in the old ACT Parks and Gardens’ “One Sheet Answers” from the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, I discovered that some are today on the environmental weeds list.

For example, the spiky Pyracantha angustifolia is covered in the most colourful berries at this time of the year. But it’s these berries,  spread by birds, that are causing serious problems in nature parks.

While there’s no legislation to remove environmental weeds from private gardens, it is recommended they are removed.

However, there’s little or no attempt by the ACT government or the NCA to remove these menaces from public land.

One classic example is the large hedge of Pyracantha along Parkes Way bordering Commonwealth Park.

I think it’s time for these organisations to lead by example and I am sure Weed Busters, the splendid volunteer group who spend weekends in nature parks such as Aranda/Black Mountain trying to eradicate this pesky plant, would agree.

Cotoneaster with its profusion of berries is just as bad. The Forestry Commission of NSW was equally to blame recommending Pyracantha and Cotoneaster for windbreaks.

ANOTHER plant the old “One Sheet Answers” is recommending is Vinca Major or Periwinkle, with those lovely blue flowers, as an ideal ground cover!

Have you ever tried to get rid of it? Spraying glyphosate doesn’t work as the glossy leaves will not absorb the spray. One way I have found effective is a two-person job; one to use the whipper-snipper and the second person to immediately spray with a strong solution of glyphosate. Add a few squirts of household detergent to help the glyphosate to stick to the leaves.

THE “One Sheet Answers” also recommended a range of Eucalyptus for home gardens!

Examples include Eucalyptus cinerea or Argyle Apple, a tree that grows top up to 15 metres. Or E. mannifera ssp. maculosa to 15 metres or more. How many folk today regretted taking this advice?

Jottings…

• Do not over water spring bulbs. Water when planted and unless no rain is received for weeks, do not water until flowers start to appear.

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  Move container-grown citrus out of frost under eaves or in gazebo or carport. In-ground citrus, if still small, cover with hessian or shade cloth supported by three to four tomato stakes.
• Rake leaves off lawns or use the mower to shred them. I put half directly on to garden beds as mulch and half on to the compost heap. Remove leaves off the top of hedges.
• Complete all spring bulb planting, at the latest, by the end of this month.