1st February 2008

 Hi, my name is Tracey Frisby and I am a horticulturalist working towards gaining funding to promote native plants to the young children of Otago.  I hope to have this funding approved this year and intend to use the funds to research what plants are important to this area and especially those plants used, revered and important to Ngai Tahu in the past, present and future.

 The initial funding is for $5000 and with the help of other horticulturists in the area I hope to start something that will carry on well into the future.  I will be posting to this blog as an when there is progress with my application and eventually implementation of the project.  So keep an eye out for my updates.  Back here soon.

Monday, 3rd September 2007

 2007 Amenity Horticulture Class

Location: Lovelock Avenue – Opoho Bowling Green

The hedge that we pruned is made up of the conifer – Macrocarpa cupressus.  It is approximately 3 metres high and is up to 2 metres wide in places. 8 students and 2 tutors worked on the hedge for 4 hours. 

Steps

1. Scaffolding was set up as per New Zealand OSH standards. Scaffolding, ladders and hedgetrimmers can be hired from Hirequip and/or McEntee Hire. Prices vary but $100 per day is reasonable for the type and size of scaffolding we used for pruning.

 2. The tutors gave a health and safety talk regarding the use of the ladders, the motorised hedge trimmer, hand shears and use of the scaffolding.

3. The hedge was trimmed with a slightly flared base and an angled cut at the top edge of the hedge so that light could get in and help promote growth at the base and in the middle of the hedge.

4. When operating the hedgetrimmer it was important to place the base of the machine against the hedge and use this as a guide for the blade. The blade is effective by making sweeping upward/downward motions, trying to maintain consistant depth and removal of branches and leaves. The amount of plant matter removed was assessed by looking and/or reaching into the hedge to see where the green area ended and the woody area began. Areas that were thin in cover were not cut back as hard as those that were thick with cover, this is an attempt to even up and fill indents in the surface of the hedge.

5. The hand shears are operated in an upwards cutting motion, this helps to get a consistant cut and you can see where your were cutting.

6. Hand shears were also used to tidy up the base of the hedge and any areas the scaffolding and hedgetrimmer could not be used safely.

7. All rubbish/waste was collected and placed for disposal. The general area tidied.

If one person were to do this job I would estimate that it would take 2 working days to complete. The total cost is as follows:

Breakdown

- Pay rate for labour would be $20.00 per hour
- 2 working days = 16 hours
- 16 hours x $20.00 = $320.00 for labour
plus
- 2 x $100.00 = $200.00 for hire of scaffolding for 2 days
plus
- 1 x hiring of hedgetrimmer at $35.00 per day = $70.00 for 2 days (as per McEntee prices)
- $20.00 to dispose of rubbish.
Total
$320.00 + $200.00 + $70.00 + $20.00 = $610.00

Total $610.00 to prune this hedge.