Latest news with #arborist
New York Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Quote of the Day: He Came to Put Up a Flagpole And Got a Trump Talk on Iran
'I was basically just there as a fly on the wall, waiting for him to wrap it up and then we could get back to work.' CHRISTOPHER TATTERSALL, an arborist who found himself as part of an informal news conference on the White House lawn as President Trump discussed the conflict between Iran and Israel.
Malay Mail
17 hours ago
- Science
- Malay Mail
From Angsana to Mempari: Trees that can transform Malaysia's urban landscape
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — Trees in cities are more than just decorative elements. They play a critical role in mitigating heat gain from hard surfaces by providing shade and releasing cool air through evapotranspiration, natural processes that make urban centres more liveable. However, the wrong tree species can pose challenges. Some can be invasive, prone to diseases, or have roots that damage pavements or roads. Trees suitable for a city like Chiang Mai, Thailand, may not be ideal for Johor Baru or Putrajaya, even if both countries share a similar climate. 'When planners began conceptualising how cities and towns in Malaysia would look, trees were seen mostly for their aesthetic value,' said Dr Sreetheran Maruthaveeran, a certified arborist and senior lecturer in Landscape Architecture at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The realisation that trees are vital buffers against climate warming and essential for urban survivability came later. Sreetheran said planners must now consider factors such as carbon storage and sequestration when selecting tree species, alongside low maintenance requirements. Malay Mail spoke to two tree experts to identify species they believe are ideal for cities like Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru. Tees are vital buffers against climate warming and essential for urban survivability — Picture by Raymond Manuel Angsana or Sena (Pterocarpus indicus) The Angsana's distinctive dome-shaped crown offers excellent shade and is visually appealing, making it a popular choice for urban landscaping. Known for its hard, durable, and termite-resistant wood, the tree also has nitrogen-fixing capabilities. 'Angsana trees have shown the ability to sequester significant amounts of carbon annually,' Sreetheran said. Pulai Pipit, Pulai Penipu Paya or Akar Lumut (Alstonia angustifolia) Commonly known as Pulai in Malaysia, this tree can grow up to 40 metres tall with a trunk diameter of up to 60 centimetres, making it excellent for shading and cooling urban areas. Pulai trees also produce white, yellow, or cream-coloured flowers that attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, enriching urban biodiversity. Additionally, its leaves and roots have antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, making the tree cost-effective to maintain. Dr Ruzana Adibah Mohd Sanusi, laboratory head at UPM's Institute of Tropical Forestry and Agroforestry, said tree selection should consider how species interact with other plants and fit into the ecosystem. 'The tree we choose should be suitable for the site, particularly how they interact (with other organisms) at the site,' she said. A worker waters a tree under the scorching sun to ease the effects of a heatwave. — Picture by Raymond Manuel Jambu Laut or Jambu Air Laut (Syzygium grande) Known as the Sea Apple Tree in English, the Jambu Laut is prized for its attractive foliage and fragrant flowers. It also bears edible, plum-sized fruits that attract birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, providing food and shelter and enhancing the ecosystem. Mature Jambu Laut trees, which can grow up to 45 metres tall, are fire-tolerant and have been used in firebreaks. These trees are fast-growing and thrive in humid, coastal areas, making them well-suited for city forestry. Mempari (Pongamia pinnata) Native to South-east Asia, including Malaysia, the Mempari tree thrives in diverse habitats, from riverbanks and tidal estuaries to lowland forests. The tree is highly tolerant of various climates, soils, and even some shade, making it ideal for urban areas. Its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil helps restore degraded or contaminated land and mitigates soil erosion, protecting infrastructure. However, pongamia trees can grow quite large, requiring proper spacing and regular maintenance to prevent overcrowding and ensure their health.
New York Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Times
A Tree Trimmer's Front-Row Seat to Trump's Impromptu Iran Remarks
When an arborist named Christopher Tattersall walked out of his house in Glen Arm, Md., before sunrise Wednesday, he had no idea he would soon be thrust into the most high-stakes moment of Donald Trump's second presidency. As the world waited to find out if Mr. Trump was really going to go through with bombing Iran's nuclear facilities, the president emerged Wednesday morning and chose to give his fullest remarks on the subject yet while standing with a crew of workers who had been contracted to do a job on the White House grounds. Mr. Tattersall was there in his bright orange shirt and his climbing harness, hovering just over the president's left shoulder, shocked to find himself cast as an unwitting extra on the geopolitical stage. Any other president might have discussed such matters in an Oval Office address or in a formal news conference. Mr. Trump did it while hanging with a crew of guys at a job site in his backyard. 'I didn't really know what to think,' Mr. Tattersall said later that day. 'I was just there, in the moment you know, and I got the president next to me giving a worldwide press conference, which I thought was pretty cool.' His adventure was set into motion about two months ago, when some friends who own a flagpole installation company called to tell him about a crazy job coming up: The White House was looking to erect two 100-foot flagpoles, one on the South Lawn and the other out front. His buddies would need some help rigging up the crane. Could he possibly come along? Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
ABC News
09-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Can you cut your neighbour's overhanging trees? Here are the rules
Do you have branches that hang over your property boundary but the tree itself is not on your land — it's on your neighbours? It may not bother you, but if the tree is dropping leaves or debris in your yard or pool, it can quickly become a problem. This is a common scenario, according to arborists who say it's important to take the right steps to address it. So how do you go about removing encroaching branches? And can you trim a neighbour's trees if they're hanging over your yard? We asked arborist Clive Woodnutt and solicitor Frank Higginson to explain what your rights are. States and territories in Australia, and even the council areas within them, have differing rules and regulations when it comes to trees. But one thing they all say is that the first step in this situation is approaching your neighbour directly (if you're on friendly terms). Queensland solicitor Frank Higginson, on Kabi Kabi lands on the Sunshine Coast, says talking to them in person first is recommended. "It really starts with, basically, go and have a conversation with your neighbour, rather than go through formal legal stuff and that sort of thing," he says. Again, it's best to check your local rules and regulations. Mr Higginson says in definitional terms, you're either the "tree keeper" or you're the "neighbour". "The tree keeper is ultimately responsible for the maintenance of their tree," he says. Mr Woodnutt says while it might seem like a simple rule, in his experience it very rarely is. Most weeks he is called to attend to a tree that's encroaching on a boundary, whether that's branches or roots. "In most cases, I have to tell you, it does boil down to money," Mr Woodnutt says. "So, if someone has a tree that is poorly maintained, that's impacting you, most of them don't maintain it because they haven't got the money to in the first place." He says sometimes it's the neighbour, not the tree keeper, who ends up putting "their hand in their pocket" to get the issue fixed. Our experts recommend people avoid trying to trim tree branches themselves, even if they have permission from the neighbour. "If you're not completely sure about the structural integrity of what it is that you're doing, I'd probably be very cautious," Mr Higginson says. "Get an arborist, perhaps. Go to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and have a third party make a decision on it." Mr Woodnutt says it can be dangerous if you're working from height and using sharp tools. "I can catalogue a list of disasters," he says. "It is dangerous to perform the task. Go and find a qualified arborist that adheres to rules and legislation. "Generally speaking, we use a product called a silky handsaw, a Japanese handsaw specifically designed for pruning trees." In some jurisdictions you can also be liable for costs if you damage the tree while removing branches. The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria recommends that before you cut back a neighbour's tree you: Mr Higginson says if your neighbour won't remove the branches, you can seek professional help. "The formal process is you, as the neighbour, say to the tree keeper, 'Here's a quote that I've got for the removal,'" he says. "You can come in in the next 30 days and do it. Just give me 24 hours' notice, please. "If they then don't do anything, you've actually got still at common law the right of abatement, which is the ability to remove the branches yourself." The right of abatement means that, under common law, a neighbour has the "right to abate the nuisance". That is, the right to prune (abate) the encroaching branches (from their neighbour's tree or hedge) to remove the nuisance. In some jurisdictions if you pay for an arborist yourself you can seek to recover the costs from the tree keeper. Most states and territories have third-party dispute resolution services that can help resolve the issue. In Victoria, trees are governed by general property law and common law, according to a Department of Government Services spokesperson. "Anyone requiring information about private tree removal can contact Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV)," the spokesperson says. If a tree is simply blocking light or views but not encroaching on your boundary, those matters need to be negotiated privately. If an agreement cannot be reached, mediation is recommended. For more detailed information you can visit your state- or territory-based Legal Aid websites, such as Queensland Government, NSW Land and Environment Court, Legal Aid NT, ACT City Services, Tasmania Legal Aid, Legal Services Commission SA and WATCA. This article contains general information only. You should consider obtaining independent professional advice in relation to your particular circumstances.
