DK Tree Care

01/10/2026

🌳 DK Tree Care is back in full operation! 🌳

After a busy but very rewarding three months, DK Tree Care is back to normal operations and taking bookings for arboricultural consulting, tree assessments and reports, elm leaf beetle treatments, pruning and general tree care.

While recovering from hand surgery, I was fortunate to take on a temporary position as Arborist Site Supervisor with Forge Solutions, working on the rehabilitation of sections of the Great Victorian Rail Trail following the fires earlier this year.

The works covered sections from Merton to Yarck, Cathkin to Alexandra, and Cathkin towards Cheviot Tunnel / Yea, with a major focus on identifying and managing fire-damaged and hazardous trees and making the trail safer for the community.

It was incredibly rewarding to see the difference the work made.

There is still a long road ahead. A number of bridges were badly damaged or destroyed by the fires and will take considerable time to rebuild. But the Rail Trail is a fantastic community asset, and hopefully people can continue enjoying the sections that remain accessible while that recovery continues.

One of the best parts of the project was seeing that very little went to waste. Timber generated through the works was provided to local community organisations including Rotary and CFA groups, helping provide firewood to people who needed it and giving community groups an opportunity to raise funds through firewood raffles and similar activities.

Large quantities of mulch were also put to good use, including at the Yea Saleyards and the Alexandra Transfer Station, where mulch was made available to the public free of charge.

Something I was particularly pleased to see was the retention of suitable trees as habitat stumps. Where hollows or other habitat features were present, and where it could be done safely, trees were cut at height rather than removed completely. These retained stems will continue developing valuable habitat for wildlife for many years to come.

It was a great project to be involved with and a real team effort, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to play a part in the recovery of such an important community asset.

Now it’s back to DK Tree Care.

I’m currently working through a backlog of jobs for clients who have been incredibly patient while I’ve been away, including scheduled pruning and other tree work, and I’ll be doing my best to get around to everyone over the next couple of weeks.

If you need assistance with arboricultural consulting, tree risk assessments, development and planning reports, elm leaf beetle treatment, pruning or general tree advice, feel free to get in touch.

🌳 DK Tree Care – David Kuronya Professional Arboricultural Services

09/06/2026

🌳 DK Tree Care Update 🌳

Just a quick update for clients and followers.

Over the next few months I'll be stepping back from most hands-on tree and garden work while I undertake a temporary supervisory role associated with post-fire recovery works in the region.

As a result, I won't be taking on any additional fruit tree pruning or garden maintenance projects this winter.

DK Tree Care isn't going anywhere though. I'll still be available to answer questions, provide advice and may be able to assist with selected consulting arborist projects where time permits.

I'd like to sincerely thank everyone for their support over the years. It's not goodbye, just "catch you soon". I look forward to getting back out and working with you again later in the year.

In the meantime, if you have a tree or garden question, feel free to get in touch.

David
DK Tree Care

17/05/2026

Tree Transplanting “Too Old to Move?”

I recently had someone contact me looking for a bit of advice regarding a council street tree that was directly in line with a proposed driveway crossover for a new home build.

The tree itself was less than 2.5 metres tall and appeared to be healthy and worth retaining. As there was adequate room either side of the proposed crossover, the owners asked whether the tree could simply be transplanted rather than removed.

They claimed they were told the tree was “more than 10 years old” and therefore could not be transplanted.

To be honest, I found that statement surprising.

Trees much larger, and significantly older, have been successfully transplanted in Australia and around the world. A notable local example was during the CityLink Burnley Tunnel Project in Melbourne where mature elms and London plane trees were successfully relocated. Another well-known example involved mature Mountain Ash trees being transplanted at the Melbourne Museum by specialist contractors.

In my opinion, age alone is not the determining factor.

Successful tree transplanting comes down to planning, preparation, species suitability, timing, aftercare, and of course budget.

One of the key techniques in preparing a tree for transplanting is root pruning. This is often done progressively over time by dividing the root zone into sections and pruning opposing segments before backfilling. The aim is to encourage the tree to develop a more compact fibrous root system closer to the trunk, increasing the chances of successful relocation later.

When the final move occurs, the root ball needs to remain intact and secure, with care taken not to damage the trunk, branches, or bark during lifting and transport.

Timing is also critical.

You generally wouldn’t attempt to transplant a tree in the middle of a 40-degree summer day. Cooler periods such as autumn or winter are usually preferred, while soil moisture is higher and temperatures are more favourable for root growth and recovery.

As a very rough guide, establishment time after transplanting can take around one year for every 25 mm of trunk diameter. So a tree with a 100 mm trunk diameter may take up to four years to fully re-establish.

Some species handle transplanting far better than others, while some can be particularly sensitive. Olive trees, for example, are well known for transplant success, while other species can be far less forgiving.

At the end of the day, many trees can be transplanted successfully if the project has:
• Enough planning time
• Proper preparation
• Suitable machinery and lifting equipment
• Appropriate aftercare
• And a budget that reflects the complexity of the work

Sometimes removal is unavoidable but simply saying a tree “can’t be transplanted because it’s over 10 years old” doesn’t really reflect modern arboricultural practice.

09/02/2026

Last Thursday I was out conducting secondary impact assessments for properties affected by the Longwood fire and was amazed at how quick some of the trees are responding with Epicormic regrowth.

09/02/2026

I’m very pleased with how the trees have grown from my planting in June 2025. At least 95% of the trees have grown with many now well over a metre tall.
Just goes to show that preparation is a key element in planting success as well as good quality stock.
Fingers crossed for some rain soon to really help these trees get moving again in autumn.

25/12/2025

Christmas may have passed, but the gratitude hasn’t.

Wishing all our clients, friends and followers a Merry Christmas and a safe, happy New Year. Thank you for trusting us with your trees this year, here’s to strong roots, healthy canopies and steady growth in 2026 🌳

11/12/2025

🌳 SUMMER TREE CARE TIP – MULCH & WATER 🌞

As we head into the hotter months, it’s important to give your trees a bit of extra support, even mature trees benefit from proper mulching and watering.

Mulching:
Mulching around the base of your trees helps to:
• Retain soil moisture during hot, dry periods
• Provide slow-release nutrients as the mulch breaks down
• Improves soil structure
• Support beneficial soil flora and mycorrhizal fungi, which play a huge role in healthy root systems

A good quality organic mixed species mulch, applied correctly, can make a world of difference to the long-term health of your trees.

Watering:
Deep, slow watering is far more effective than frequent light watering. I recommend a deep soak once a week in the evening, allowing water to pe*****te down into the root zone.

This encourages deeper root growth, improves drought tolerance, and reduces overall water stress, especially during extended heatwaves.

If you’re unsure how much mulch to use or how to water effectively, feel free to get in touch. Keeping your trees healthy through summer pays off for years to come.

I’ll let you in on a little secret…
Water is one of the greatest stimulants for plant growth and health.
No fancy products, no magic formulas, just consistent, deep watering.

DK

Send a message to learn more

21/11/2025

Here’s another bit of tree nerdery whilst in the Beachworth area we also stopped by to check out this beautiful big Eucalyptus bridgesiana or Apple Box , But But.

Tree is listed with the national trust with a level of state significance and is estimated to be approximately 300 years of age. My photo does not do it justice and when standing next to the thing I felt dwarfed by its girth.

21/11/2025

Hidden away in the hills near Stanley Victoria lies the locally famous - Magic Forest. A quiet stand of Dawn redwoods - Metasequoia glyptostroboides planted generations ago as part of a trial plantation.

Much like the legendary Wollemi Pine this place has no sign post, no visitor Centre and no nearly marked walking tracks. You get there with a mix of sketchy directions, local knowledge and a bit of adventure.
The Trees are still juveniles compared to their ancient relatives growing in their native valleys in China but they’re already tall straight and impressive, the soft feathery foliage and towering form, gives the whole gully a cathedral like feel, easily one of the most atmospheric spots in the north east.
Visitors have added to the charm over the years with the scattering of quirky bush constructions houses and makeshift shelters old sculptures and even a giant bird nest from fallen branches. All add to the sense that you stepped into something or somewhere half wild and half imagined.
If you go take care, the forest is riddled with historic mind diggings some of them very deep hidden and overgrown stay alert and watch your footing and treat the place with respect.
The magic forest isn’t marked on any tourist map but for those who seek it out, it’s one of the most unique pockets of forest in the High Country.

Really enjoyed meeting these beautiful trees yesterday.

Photos by Lisa Kuronya

05/10/2025

🌿 Elm Leaf Beetle Treatment – Book Now for Spring! 🌿

Spring is here, and now’s the ideal time to protect your elm trees from Elm Leaf Beetle damage.

DK Tree Care is now offering professional Elm Leaf Beetle treatments, providing lasting protection through both stem injection and soil injection methods safe, effective, and targeted solutions to keep your trees healthy all season long.

📞 Contact me today for a free over-the-phone quote.
Just provide the diameter of your tree trunk measured at 1.4 metres above ground, and I’ll give you an accurate estimate straight away.

Don’t wait until the damage starts treat your trees now for a stronger, healthier canopy this summer.