A branch resting on the gutter is a bridge for a possum. In the Inner North, big figs, jacarandas, mango trees and palms grow close to many homes, and their branches often reach the roof. Even after gaps are sealed, those branches give possums a place to sit, run and test the roof for new weak spots. Palms are a common culprit, as their fronds sit right against the gutter.
The crew we book trims branches back from the roof line so possums have to jump further to reach it. They use hand saws and pole saws for branches they can reach from a ladder, and clear the cuttings from the roof and gutters. The aim is a clear gap of a metre or two between the branches and the roof. The work usually covers:
- Cutting back branches that touch or overhang the roof
- Trimming palm fronds near the gutter line
- Clearing leaves and cuttings from gutters
- Pointing out larger limbs that need an arborist
This is light trimming along the roof line, not tree removal. Large limbs, big trees or anything near power lines is a job for an arborist, and the crew will tell you if that is the case. If a branch comes from a neighbour's tree, it is worth having a chat with them first. Branches grow back, so a trim every year or two keeps the gap wide.
Trimming is often added to a removal or proofing visit, since the crew already has ladders set up. To book roofline branch trimming in the Inner North, call 07 3543 7770. Tell us roughly how many trees are close to the house, and we will give you an upfront price and a booking time.
