Heritage Tree Management

30/05/2021

The tree is located at Lytchett Minster School and was condemned in 2013 following a tomograph investigation that was misleadingly interpreted as meaning the tree was dangerous. These readings are notoriously difficult to interpret on big old trees and often provide false readings, so they have to be backed up with further investigations such as drilling. I was asked for a second opinion and advised a severe crown reduction, often called topping, of about 50%. This was done and 8 years later, the tree is looking great. The tree is fenced to restrict access and it remains a living environmental heritage asset for the local community.

You can hear more about topping and this case in particular at 35 minutes in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YV6FB7i0Ic&t=378s. If you want a short summary of why topping is a great alternative to felling, then try this short video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsVVaTfhIng.

Most important of all, only fell as a last resort.

16/05/2021

My latest Horticulture Week Opinion article on greenwashing can be read here https://www.hortweek.com/individuals-drive-climate-action/arboriculture/article/1715458) or from the attached image. Its about councils riding the climate emergency bandwagon for the credit, and then quietly slipping back into business as usual, hoping that no one will notice!

There is an interesting initiative emerging relating calling for a Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill to be passed by Parliament that can be reviewed here www.ceebill.uk.

03/05/2021

This spectacular horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) won't fall over as its trunk decays because the layered branches touching the ground act as living props. Crown lifting young trees to remove lower branches removes this survival mechanism as trees reach old age.

03/05/2021

The strimmer damage at the base of this commemorative oak encapsulates the sad reality of cheap grounds maintenance. Poor contract specification oversight by councils & non-existent staff training by contractors are the root causes, although there are always plenty of excuses.

08/04/2021

The art of seasoning firewood!

17/03/2021

Rather disappointing news from Quebec. The tree has some defects, but despite its huge historic importance making it an irreplaceable living environmental asset, felling is the chosen option ahead of pruning or supporting intervention.

This is one of the big problems with taking intelligent and creative decisions based on experience out of the equation and relying on formulaic approaches that give you an answer without having to think.

Modern tree management needs intelligent analysis based on experience, and formulaic methods should be secondary, not primary, considerations. Of course, that's tough to do if you lack a progressive mindset and experience. Arboriculture still has a long way to go!

https://quebecurbain.qc.ca/2021/03/10/abattage-de-larbre-au-boulet/ -138431

10/03/2021

If you have a few minutes to spare, it is well worth checking out this short video on how this charity (Tyeni) is helping Malawian farmers significantly increase their farming yields simply through more sustainable soil management.

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02/03/2021

If you are responsible for tree safety, then you might want to check out how the latest legal developments in the UK might affect you, summarised in my new research article just published.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03071375.2020.1854996?src=

Jeremy

28/02/2021

There is so much really good webinar content around that its tough to decide where to invest your valuable time. This is free, but the speakers are really top notch in their respective fields. Check out the programme, it looks really interesting. I am going to try it out.

Join some of the world’s most knowledgeable experts in Regenerative Agriculture in this free, virtual, 4-day event, March 15-18, 2021.

25/02/2021

My latest Horticulture Week Opinion focuses on the harm being done to newly planted trees by rogue grounds maintenance contractors damaging tree trunks through mowing. An ongoing assessment of the damage in Birmingham indicates that the lost asset value is costing the taxpayer millions.

My research, experience, and feedback indicates that this is not an isolated problem, and really is an urban epidemic. All local planning authorities should be reviewing their grounds maintenance contracts to make sure that mowing is under control and penalties adequately reflects the lost asset value from tree damage.

Jeremy

20/02/2021

There is a difference in the expectations of the courts on duty holders that can be divided along the lines of whether they have Health & Safety at work Act obligations. UK homeowners with no business activities at their properties can check their own trees if they feel confident about identifying obvious safety problems. Otherwise, they should get a professional to advise on what to do.

This flow chart is a simplistic conceptualisation illustrating the process. You can find out more detail in my recent Research Article that is free to download here:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03071375.2020.1854996?src=

Jeremy

13/02/2021

I have a new research article about tree risk management just published that can be downloaded free here https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03071375.2020.1854996?src=. Here's one of the conceptuals following the mantra "if you can't draw it, you don't understand it". An effective diagram portrays the point without written explanation.

The article is about strategic tree risk management. I am currently working on the next one in the series that will focus on the checking process and how inspectors can feel more comfortable with the decisions that they make.

Jeremy