Balclutha’s beloved parks and playgrounds received a professional manicure last Tuesday thanks to a team of arboriculture students from Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin.
Fourteen students and two lecturers from the polytechnic’s arboriculture programme spent the day pruning and shaping five horizontal elm trees at the Bridge Playground, Naish Park, Gormack Playground, and the lawn cemetery.
Senior lecturer Ben Fentiman said the trip was part of the polytechnic’s on-the-job training initiative, which began in 2013.
"Arboriculturalists care for trees and forests — mainly in urban settings," he said.
"This is about making the trees look tidy and creating more space underneath for people to enjoy."
Using ropes, climbing gear, and specialised tools, students practised essential techniques while gaining real-world experience in tree care and on-site health and safety.
Lecturer Alvar Del Castillo said pruning while they still had leaves enabled the team to better see the deciduous trees’s shape.
"The best time to work on it depends on the tree and we tend to think of pruning as a winter job, but new scientific evidence shows trees can cope with cutting faster in spring, because the spring vascular systems are very busy. They’re full of life and you can avoid the tissue dying."
"I love trees," he said. "The climbing is the most fun. I want to get qualified and travel overseas — maybe to Australia."
The one-year, full-time course offers level 3 and 4 certificates in arboriculture, and combines hands-on experience with classroom learning.
Students spend three days a week in the field and one in the classroom.
"For me, it’s a dream job," Mr Fentiman said.
"There’s a real shortage of qualified arborists in New Zealand and worldwide."
The practical training was carried out in partnership with SouthRoads for the Clutha District Council, and Mr Fentiman said the next team would most likely return in another two years, when Balclutha’s trees will be due for another trim.
