Don talked about the importance of keeping your trees and shrubs pruned well back from the footpath. Trees and shrubs growing over the footpath make access very difficult for all sorts of people, including pedestrians, parents pushing strollers and postal workers trying to deliver the mail. The problem is even worse on rainy days, when wet foliage droops across the path.
Be civic minded
If you have trees and shrubs growing across the footpath in front of your place, prune them well back. Don’t leave any stubs sticking out – they could poke somebody in the eye. Large, sharp spines on shrubs such as firethorns (Pyracantha spp.) could also cause eye injuries to passers-by. Firethorns and other shrubs with spines or thorns are dangerous when planted next to footpaths and walkways.
Rhus trees
Don warned against having rhus trees (Toxicodendron succedaneum) overhanging the footpath or growing anywhere in your garden. Around 98.5% of the population will develop an allergy of some kind after varying lengths of contact with this dangerous tree. Only 1.5% of the population will not develop an allergy to the rhus plant if they have contact with it over an extended period. Reactions vary from a rash to severe swellings of the limbs and face, sometimes producing temporary blindness. Rhus is a noxious weed in some states of Australia, and growing it can incur a hefty fine.