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As trees can cause subsidence, I thought it would be good to detail in this blog how a property would be underpinned. .Resin injection Small holes are drilled into the ground near to the foundations. The holes are then injected/filled with resin. The resin is known as...

We all love the vibrant colours of Autumn, but do you know how the leaves of trees display such awesome wonder?  Well described below in simple terms is one of natures glorious processes: Pigments:  Leaves contain three pigments which are produced by cells in helping...

What is Mycorrhiza? It is a fungus found within the soil among the roots of plants. The term mycorrhiza refers to the symbiotic relations between the fungus and roots of plants. The Two Types of Mycorrhiza Ectotropic and Endotropic, the fungi concerned is Ascomycetes...

Trees are very important to bats; currently the UK has 18 species of Bat.  Below is a list of the Bats which roost in trees: Barbestelle Bechsteins bat Natterers bat Noctule Pipistrelle (3 species) Brown Long-eared bat Why are trees so important to bats? Bats use...

Phenology To put simply phenology is the timing of a natural process throughout the 4 seasons. A tree has 5 major stages, which I shall detail below: Stage 1 Spring Onset of growth (wake up) Stage 2 Spring Formation of new leaves (get dressed) Stage 3 Summer High...

Oyster Mushroom - Pleurotus ostreatus Description Muscle shaped bracket up to 20 cm across The upper surface can either be creamy or grey They have a short lateral stem Underneath they have white/cream coloured gills Where Can this be found? On dead or alive trees All...

Leaning Trees Many trees lean, however it does not always mean that the tree is unsafe. Trees can lean for various reasons: Issues with the roots stability Decay within the roots Growing orientation in response to sunlight (positive phototropism) Soil instability Tree...

Life Belt – Bulging Wood You may have come across a tree which has the following distinct characteristic and wonder what was going on: Description The tree has what could be described as a distinct bulge around its girth like a belt. This defect can also be noted...

The following Arboricultural Associations list, of commonly used terminology/abbreviations and their meaning. May help in understanding some aspects of my reports and on various posts within this website: AA                        Arboricultural Association AAIS     ...

Burrs? What is a Burr? You may have noticed that some old trees have large lumps on the trunk which gives it a disfigured look. These lumps are known as Burrs. What Causes Burrs? Burrs are a reaction to damage from a number of causes: Fungi, Bacteria, Viruses,...

Chicken Of The Woods This tree can be found mainly on broad-leaved trees. It is vary rare to find it on conifers: Commonly found on trees with a coloured heartwood - Oak and Robinia Description: Bright yellow fan shaped bracket 10-40 cm across. Generally found growing...

Tinder Fungus - Fomes fomentarius Host trees • Beech • Poplar • Birch Description • Perennial bracket • Bracket shaped • 10-50cm across • Upper surface very hard • Young bracket brownish in colour • Mature bracket slate grey in colour • Very obvious bulgy grooves •...

Currently Effected Counties OPM is established in most of greater London and surrounding counties. Affected English counties include Cambridgeshire, County Durham, Devon, Dorset, Essex, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire,...

Shoot Blight Of Cedar - Sirococcus strobilinus Current Situation A number of locations throughout the UK has seen infections in Atlantic Cedar caused by Sirococcus strobilinus   Closely Related Fungal Pathogens conigenus sensu stricto tsugae hitherto piceicola...

Ramorum Disease Of Larch Ramorum is a fungal pathogen Spores from the fungal pathogen gain entry through the bark and needles Symptoms In Autumn the foliage turns grey/black Rusty coloured patches on the trunk and branches Partial flushing in the spring Gingering...

Oak Wilt - Ceratocystis faqacearum This is a fungal pathogen called Ceratocystis faqacearum It is particularly aggressive on Red Oaks and can result in major die back and eventual death of a Red Oak. Native species (White Oaks) such as English Oak infection generally...

Oak Wilt - Ceratocystis fagacearum This disease is caused by a fungal pathogen called Ceratocystis fagacearum. The fungus is related to the fungus that causes dutch elm disease. The fungus has caused severe damage to Oak trees in the US. However it is believed that...

Elm Zigzag Sawfly Biology - This pest has spread rapidly throughout Europe! First recorded in Europe in 2003 How it came to be in Britain is not known Identified in Britain in 2017 near Dorking in Surrey. Since June 2018, further reports have come in from south east...

Asian Longhorn Beetle Anoplophora glabripennis This beetle native origin is found in parts of Asia. It has caused extensive damage to trees in North America, through accidental introduction in 1990. Since 2000 parts of mainland Europe have been effected, Italy is...

Emerald Ash Borer Agrilus planipennis This is not yet present in the UK but has had devastating effects in North America and Russia. What is it? it is a small insect that bores into the tree. Cause - The insects larvae is what causes the devastating damage, as they...

Acute Oak Decline This is a bacterial infection The disease was believed to be first established in Britain around 30 years ago. The disease effects mainly English and Sessile Oak The disease causes tissue decay. Symptoms include vertical weeping fissures which seep...

Massaria (S. platani) This disease was noted in London 2009 by people who manage trees. London Plane trees were displaying large lesions, and branches would unexpectedly drop. The cause of this condition is assumed to be spores from the fungal pathogen Splanchnonema...

Perenniporia fraxinea This fungus is not common, its is found on various broad leaved trees, in particular: Ash, Robinia, Laburnum, Elm, Plane, Poplar and Beech. Description A perennial fruiting fungal bracket with a very hard and woody texture found at the stem base...

Inonotus hispidus This disease can be found on mainly living trees, very rarely dead trees. Its common hosts are the following: (Broad leaved trees) especially apple, walnut, plane, and ash. Description - this is an annual fungal bracket generally up to 35 cm across....

Chicken of the Woods Laetiporus sulphureus The fungus fruits from May - September (annually). This fungus is generally found on living trees, normally on the main stem or stem base, it is rarely found on the roots. It's hosts are Oak, Robinia, and other broad leaves...

How Do Trees Compartmentalize Against Decay? The diagram below shows the different cells that make up the biological structure of a tree. These cells have many different functions including compartmentalizing or containing the spread of decay. A trees ability to...

Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora) Bacterial infection NOT Fungal. This disease is common and effects ornamental trees in particular Apple and Pear trees. Symptoms are noticed from Spring to early Autumn. The disease causes leaves to wilt as if they have been exposed to...

Meripilus giganteus (giant polypore) This fungus is commonly found at the base of the following trees: Beech, Oak, Poplar. It is rarely found on conifers. Description - Overlapping fronds in clusters around the stem base. The fronds are up to 40 cm in width. The...

Ustulina deusta This is a very serious fungus, because it is hard to spot, and in many cases an infected tree does not show symptoms of infection. The fungus is extremely aggressive in decaying live wood. The following detailed points will give the reader more...

There is a popular misconception that tree roots grow deep down in the soil in order to anchor the tree in the ground, much like a mirror image of the canopy. This belief  is wrong, the majority of roots are near the surface of the soil, providing a wide but shallow...

A healthy tree is an undamaged self optimized structure with greater balance of stored energy (potential) than (kinetic) energy (movement). Potential energy must be higher than kenetic energy (greater than 1:1 ratio) to keep a healthy balance.

It is to act in a professional manner consistent with accepted professional standards of the industry. To act with the degree of skill accepted in the position, and understand the legal framework and obligation that meet the duty of care.

Arboriculture is the production and management of trees and shrubs in urban and rural environments for the sake of amenity and aesthetic value.

It can be a difficult process when choosing a tree surgeon or contractor, hopefully the form I have created will  enable the process of choosing a tree surgeon or contractor much simpler. Please click on the link below to download the form: Best Value FormDate

The Life Stages Of A Tree March 18th 2018 Formative – At this stage a tree will use most of its energy on growth. Its size increases rapidly from seedling to maturity. The trees crown size increases until it reaches full maturity. Full to late Maturity – The tree has...

Phytophthora ramorum (Bleeding Canker) This is a fungus like pathogen The fungus can be spread over several miles through the air, mists, water causes and rain splashes. It can also be spread by the transportation of diseased plants, and vehicles, dogs and other...

Ash Dieback (Chalara)   The disease was first confirmed in Britain in 2012. The disease is from a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Symptoms - I include leaf loss, crown dieback and bark lesions. Prognosis – The disease is usually fatal, by weakening a tree to...

Dangerous Trees It is nearly always the responsibility of the land owner to ensure the safety of trees. In some occasions   a rental agreement may put the responsibility on the tenant to manage the trees. The legislation that effects the management of trees comes...

The best time to prune your tree is when the tree is dormant, which is in late autumn or winter. The reason for this is explained below: Phenology This is the timing of a natural process, trees have major periods within this process, and these are as follows: Period 1...

There are various types of fungi that will decay living tissue on your tree. Each month I shall be highlighting one, with a photo and brief summary. Not all fungi decay live wood, some only live off dead wood. Decay Fungi can, by their very nature make a tree unsafe...

March 2nd 2018, Planting a tree in your garden is a wonderful thing, and the enjoyment of watching your tree grow and flourish through the seasons is rewarding, and good for mental well being. However it is crucial that you plant your tree correctly, otherwise it...