Mount Wilson Fire Protection Boundary – Private Resident

The Brief

Following the widespread bushfires that impacted the surrounding national park in 2019 and 2020, the owners of a large private property in Mount Wilson sought to reduce the future risk of fire encroachment from the adjoining bushland. Several mature trees positioned along the boundary were identified as potential fuel sources should fire again move through the neighbouring landscape.

In 2021, Dixons Trees was engaged to carry out the safe removal of multiple trees along the boundary line, helping create a more defensible space between the residence, established gardens, and the fire-affected bushland beyond. The project also required careful planning to protect newly installed landscaping and garden features located close to the trees being removed.

Site Challenges

This project presented a number of technical and environmental complexities:

• Large, mature boundary trees – required controlled dismantling due to their size and proximity to the property.
• Protection of landscaped gardens – new plantings and garden features were positioned beneath several of the trees scheduled for removal.
• Restricted site access – typical of large Mount Wilson garden properties with narrow drives and established landscaping.
• Multi-day coordination – removals carried out across a three-day project to safely manage the number and size of trees involved.

Our Approach & Execution

To meet the brief while protecting the surrounding landscape, we implemented a carefully staged removal strategy:

• Three-day project schedule – allowing the crew to methodically dismantle multiple boundary trees while maintaining a safe and organised worksite.
• Crane-assisted removals – utilising a 20-tonne crane to lift larger timber sections directly from the canopy
• Precision sectional dismantling – with arborists carefully rigging and removing tree sections to avoid damage to gardens below.
• Garden and landscape protection – ensuring the property’s new landscaping and surrounding plantings remained undisturbed throughout the operation.
• Experienced crew coordination – enabling efficient progression across the site while maintaining strict safety and environmental standards.

Impact & Outcome

The successful completion of the three-day project significantly improved the property’s bushfire resilience while preserving the integrity of the surrounding garden landscape. Key outcomes included:

• Reduced bushfire risk – removal of boundary trees that could contribute to fuel loads in the event of future fire activity.
• Protection of landscaped gardens – achieved through crane-assisted lifting and controlled dismantling techniques.
• Minimal site disturbance – ensuring the property’s established gardens and new landscaping remained intact.
• Improved defensible space – creating greater separation between the residence and the fire-affected national park beyond.

The result is a safer and more resilient property boundary that balances bushfire preparedness with the preservation of Mount Wilson’s renowned garden landscapes.