From page 30 chippers are extremely noisy and most people will choose to oe absent if they know when the work is to be donc. Cutting trees on vour own property is generally not a problem but knowing where your property line is may be. Cutting a tree and then find- ing out that it is not on your property can be extremely expensive. Several property owners have been sued in West Vancouver recently tor cutting trees on private prop- erty or municipal park land. Do not rely on the tree com- pany for advice if there is any doubt. Timing is not important when it comes to removing trees but it can be for prun- ing or thinning. Coniferous trees can be worked on almost any time during the year but one has to be more selective with deciduous trees. Broadleaf or deciduous trees start their burst of new growth in the spring and this ailows the tree to fill out and regenerate a reasonable amount of new growth within a few months. This is particu- larly true for laurel hedges that have to be cut back to bare wood. Other trees such as maple and birch generate a we? npeve Sunday, March 28, 1999 - North Shore News — 34 north shore news 4y FJOME & Prune trees at right time heavy flow of sap in the spring and are prone to bleed if cut at the wrong time. Bleeding will nor kill the tree but does rob it of some energy and may make it more prone to disease. The practice of topping large coniferous trees is almost a thing of the past because it creates tup heavy trees that are likely to be a problem in the future. The procedure now is to spiral prune the branches to let more light in and reduce the wind drag or create win- dows on the tree for a view. Removing the lower branches can improve the light conditions, open up the view and show off the massive trunk which is typical of our West Coast environment. Douglas Fir and Red Cedar are generally well root- ed trecs and are not as prone to blow over as the Western Hemlock. Hemlocks are far more disease prone and can snap off if there is a weak point on the trunk. Rather than remove a large coniferous tree it might be better to top it at 5-7 metres and leave the stump in place for a wildlife tree. Creative arbourists can cut holes in the trunk for birds’ nests or it can be used to sup- : call: fora. free in-home e Design 150% OFF BLINDS * Hunter Douglas « Elite * Shade-O-Matic * Abbey 25% OFF FABRICS | * Fabricator of window coverings for designers in "Streot of Drsams" 19972, 1994 and 1996 * Drapes « Shades « Valance * Buy Direct from Wholesaler * Free inhome consultation fi FARE FM A port one of the more rampant vines such as Clematis mon- fana. Where nvo or more trunks are available there is the potential for a swing or a tree house. There is a definite ratio between the root struc- ture of a tree and the top growth. When this ratio is disrupted by pruning, thin- ning or topping, the tree will be stimulated to grow rapidly and re-establish this natural ratio. Tree work is seldom a one-time project. DO your homework before hiring a company to prune or remove trees. In fact, satisfaction is what all our guests can expect when they stay at the Hotel Georgia. Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the Hotel Georgia has been magnificently restored, recapturing all of the charm and character that has welcomed celebrities the world over since the 1920s. And all of this at rates that will give you a great deal of, well, satisfaction. For information or reservations call: 1-800-663-T11, Stay before April 30 and enter to win a 2 year fease on a BMW. HOTEL GEORGIA A Legend Rebora.