Oak Valley Tree Consultancy

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Arboricultural specialists providing BS5837 tree reports for planning and development, tree safety inspections, advanced tree risk assessments and TPO planning applications.

🍁🌳 WHY DO TREES CHANGE COLOUR IN AUTUMN? 🍂Have you ever wondered why some trees turn golden yellow, others bright orange...
11/10/2026

🍁🌳 WHY DO TREES CHANGE COLOUR IN AUTUMN? 🍂

Have you ever wondered why some trees turn golden yellow, others bright orange, and some a stunning deep red?

As autumn arrives, our trees put on one of nature's most spectacular displays! 🍁
But there's actually some fascinating science behind those beautiful colours. 🔬🌳

🟢 GREEN – Chlorophyll Throughout spring and summer, chlorophyll gives leaves their green colour. As daylight hours shorten, trees begin breaking down chlorophyll in preparation for winter.

🟡 YELLOW & ORANGE – Carotenoids As the green fades, yellow and orange pigments already present in the leaves become visible, creating those beautiful autumn shades.

🔴 RED & PURPLE – Anthocyanins Some trees produce additional pigments during autumn, resulting in brilliant reds and purples. Sunshine, temperature and weather conditions all influence the intensity of these colours.

🌳 DID YOU KNOW?
Different tree species produce different autumn colours!

🍃 Silver birch – Golden yellow
🍁 Field maple – Yellow and gold
🍂 Rowan – Yellow, orange and red
🌳 English oak – Russet brown
🍒 Wild cherry – Orange and deep red

Every autumn is different, and the colours we see are influenced by tree species, weather conditions and the environment.

🌳 Oak Valley Tree Consultancy
Passionate about trees, their health, management and preservation.

🍁 Next time you're out enjoying the autumn colours, take a moment to appreciate the incredible biology behind them!

When was the last time someone actually assessed the trees on your property — not just glanced at them?There's a big dif...
23/09/2026

When was the last time someone actually assessed the trees on your property — not just glanced at them?

There's a big difference between looking at a tree and properly assessing one. Our tree safety inspections include VALID Risk Assessment as standard — a science-based, traffic-light framework that tells you exactly where your trees stand on risk. No jargon, no guesswork, just clear answers you can trust.

We work across Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset with homeowners, landowners, and developers.

If it's been a while since your trees were properly checked, now's a good time to get it done.

Get in touch to book an inspection.
📞 01837 759 179 | 📱 07817 573 066 | 📧 [email protected] | 🌐 oakvalleytc.co.uk

We've been saying it all season, but it's too important not to say it again: summer can be TOUGH on trees. Heat, storms,...
23/08/2026

We've been saying it all season, but it's too important not to say it again: summer can be TOUGH on trees. Heat, storms, pests, and changing weather can all leave trees under stress, which is often hidden at first.

​It's a good time to do an end-of-summer check for any of these warning signs:

🍂 Dead or hanging branches

🐛 Chewed leaves or webbing

🍃 Leaves changing colors too early

🌿 Thinning or sparse canopy

🍄 Mushrooms growing near the base of the tree

🪵 Fresh cracks in the trunk or large limbs

📐 Tree suddenly starts leaning or shifting
​If you've noticed any of these, it's a good time to have your trees evaluated. Our certified arborists can identify potential issues and recommend the right care to help keep your trees healthy.
​Call us or go online today to get your free estimate: www.OakValleyTC.co.uk
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Don’t let a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) stop your build before it starts. 🌳🏗️Building close to mature trees doesn’t ha...
22/08/2026

Don’t let a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) stop your build before it starts. 🌳🏗️

Building close to mature trees doesn’t have to mean planning refusal or costly site shutdowns. With the right arboricultural and engineering solutions, you can protect vital root systems and maximize your site's development potential.

How smart no-dig engineering keeps your project moving:

• Root Protection Areas (RPA): Identifies critical root zones early to avoid soil compaction and root severance.

• Helical Screw Piles: Replaces deep strip foundations with minimal-impact piles screwed directly into subsoil/clay, bypassing major root structures.

• Cantilevered Slabs & Radial Beams: Suspends the floor slab above the ground, creating a designated "no-dig zone" that preserves soil aeration and moisture flow.

• Planning Compliance: Satisfies local planning authorities (BS 5837 standards) to prevent planning delays and enforcement stop notices.

Planning an extension, new build, or garden room near mature trees? Get the right arboricultural impact assessment and engineering strategy in place before you dig.

👉 Visit www.oakvalleytc.co.uk or send us a message to discuss your site plans.

🌳 Can you still water street trees during a hosepipe ban? 🚿​With dry spells and Temporary Use Bans in place across the S...
17/08/2026

🌳 Can you still water street trees during a hosepipe ban? 🚿

​With dry spells and Temporary Use Bans in place across the South West, many residents have been asking us: ‘Can I still water my newly planted trees or local street trees?’

​The short answer: YES!
​Here is what you need to know to keep our local canopy healthy without falling foul of water restrictions:
​🪣 Buckets & Watering Cans are ALWAYS allowed: The ban applies strictly to hosepipes connected to the mains supply. Using a watering can, rainwater butt, or clean greywater is 100% permitted.

​🌿 Exemption for Young Trees: Under water company regulations, newly planted trees, saplings, and whips can be watered using a hosepipe if watering by hand is not reasonably practicable to prevent tree loss.

​💧 Drip Irrigation is Permitted: Fixed drip or trickle irrigation systems feeding directly to root systems (fitted with a timer and pressure-reducing valve) are generally exempt.

​🏛️ Council & Commercial Maintenance: Street tree maintenance carried out by local authorities, commercial contractors, and tree wardens is exempt from domestic restrictions.

​Quick Tree Care Tips:
​Give it a deep soak: Give your tree 10–20 litres (1–2 full watering cans) once or twice a week rather than a daily sprinkle. This encourages deep, drought-resilient root growth.

​Time it right: Water early in the morning or in the evening to avoid rapid evaporation in the midday sun.

​Use the pipe or watering bag: If the tree has a green irrigation bag or a perforated pipe at its base, pour water directly into it to deliver hydration straight to the roots.
​Got questions regarding tree health, BS5837 planning reports, or tree safety inspections across Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset? Reach out to our team:

​📞 Office: 01837 759 179 (Ext.2)
📱 Mobile: 07817 573 066
✉️ Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.oakvalleytc.co.uk

​

🌳 A spot of arboricultural sight-seeing in Germany! 🇩🇪​While our lead consultant was away in Germany recently, they coul...
15/08/2026

🌳 A spot of arboricultural sight-seeing in Germany! 🇩🇪

​While our lead consultant was away in Germany recently, they couldn't help but notice these young street trees—American sweetgums (Liquidambar styraciflua)—sporting distinctive bright white trunks.

​It might look unusual, but this is a standard European practice known as Weißanstrich (white trunk coating). Here is why it’s done:

​Prevents Frost Cracks & Sunscald: On sunny winter days, thin bark absorbs heat and tricks the tissue beneath into waking up early. Freezing night temperatures then cause that active tissue to rupture, leaving severe vertical scars.

​Acts as "Sunscreen" in Summer: Radiant heat bouncing off tarmac and pavements can easily bake young bark. The breathable, lime-based paint reflects harsh UV radiation, keeping the trunk cool.

​Blocks Pests & Pathogens: By preventing cracks from forming in the first place, the coating stops wood-boring insects, fungi, and bacteria from gaining an easy way in.

​Once the canopy grows dense enough to cast its own protective shade and the bark naturally thickens, the non-toxic paint gradually washes away.

​A clever bit of proactive urban forestry in action! 🌿

​Have you ever spotted these on your travels?

​Oak Valley Tree Consultancy

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🌳 ☀️ 🔥 IS YOUR NEW TREE SURVIVING THE HEAT? 🔥​When the temperature soars into the 30s, we head for the shade. But what a...
01/08/2026

🌳 ☀️ 🔥 IS YOUR NEW TREE SURVIVING THE HEAT? 🔥

​When the temperature soars into the 30s, we head for the shade. But what about the young, newly planted trees on your property—or in the new housing developments down the road?

​Right now, young trees across the UK are quietly dying of thirst. 🌲💦
​At Oak Valley Tree Consultancy, we’re seeing a heartbreaking trend this summer: countless saplings and young trees planted in new developments, gardens, and community spaces are dropping like flies. They look tidy when the developers hand over the keys, but without proper care in their first few critical years, they stand zero chance against a hot summer.

​A newly planted tree hasn't had time to establish a deep root system yet. While a mature tree can dig deep for groundwater, a sapling relies entirely on the top layer of soil—the exact layer that bakes dry first. By the time you see yellowing leaves or brittle branches, it’s often too late.

​⚠️ Why New Trees Need Urgent Action:
​No Roots, No Survival: A newly planted tree loses up to 90% of its root system when transplanted. It takes 2–3 years of consistent care just to get established!
​The Development Problem: Developers are required to plant trees, but ongoing maintenance is frequently neglected. Millions of pounds worth of green investment are lost every year to simple dehydration.

​Irreplaceable Loss: Replacing a dead young tree resets the clock, costing more money and delaying the shade, beauty, and biodiversity benefits by years.
​💧 How to Save a Young Tree (The 2-Minute Rescue):
​If you have a young tree in your garden—or one struggling on the pavement outside your house—here is how to keep it alive:

​Use the "Bucket Method": Skip the light hose sprinkle! A young tree needs a deep, concentrated drenching. Pour 10 to 20 litres of water slowly around the base 2–3 times a week during hot spells.

​Check the Water Bag: If the tree has a green watering bag attached to its stake, fill it right up! They are designed to release water slowly into the root zone.
​Clear the Competition: Keep the ground around the base free from dense grass and weeds—they will steal every drop of moisture before the tree gets a sip.

​Mulch, Mulch, Mulch: Apply a 5–7cm ring of woodchips around the base (leaving a small gap around the stem) to trap moisture and protect vulnerable young roots from the heat.

​If you're a homeowner, parish council, or site manager worried about young trees failing on your property or development, don't wait until they turn brown. Drop us a message or send over a photo—we can help you put a proper watering and retention plan in place. 🌳💚

​Oak Valley Tree Consultancy
📞 01837 759179 (Ext.2)
📱 07817 573066 (Craig)
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 www.OakValleyTC.co.uk

🌳 Protect Your Ash Trees. Combat Ash Dieback.​Are you concerned about suspicious signs on your Ash trees? Take a look at...
07/07/2026

🌳 Protect Your Ash Trees. Combat Ash Dieback.

​Are you concerned about suspicious signs on your Ash trees? Take a look at the image below. It shows some of the classic symptoms of Ash Dieback, including distinct lesions on the bark and withered, dying foliage.

​Ash Dieback (Chalara fraxinea) is a devastating fungal disease affecting trees across the UK. It causes serious crown dieback, leaf loss, and can eventually lead to the death of the tree. Beyond the loss of beautiful trees, infected trees can become extremely weak and hazardous, posing a serious risk to people and property.

​Early detection is critical. At Oak Valley Tree Consultancy, our experienced arboricultural consultants are experts in the detailed diagnosis of Chalara symptoms.

​Our tree safety inspections provide:

✅ A comprehensive health assessment.

✅ Detailed diagnosis of Chalara symptoms.

✅ Expert management plans tailored to your specific tree population.

✅ Risk assessment to identify hazardous trees before they pose a serious risk.

​Don't wait until it's too late. Protect your property, secure your woodlands, and combat this disease with expert advice. We pride ourselves on clear communication and delivering honest, professional service to both landowners and homeowners.

​For completely free, no-obligation advice, recommendations, and a quotation, contact our team today.

​📞 Book Now: 01837 759 179 | 07817 573 066

🌐 Learn more on our website: www.OakValleyTC.co.uk

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🌳 ​☀️ 🔥 IS YOUR GARDEN SWEATING? YOUR TREES ARE! 🔥​When the thermostat starts creeping into the 30s, most of us grab an ...
06/07/2026

🌳 ​☀️ 🔥 IS YOUR GARDEN SWEATING? YOUR TREES ARE! 🔥

​When the thermostat starts creeping into the 30s, most of us grab an iced drink, head for the shade, and try not to melt. But while we’re doing our best to stay cool, the unsung heroes of our gardens—our trees—are standing out in the blazing sun, taking the brunt of the heatwave for us.

​And right now? They are absolutely parched. 🌲💦

​It’s easy to remember to water the flowers or the lawn when they start to droop, but trees are masters of hiding their stress. By the time their leaves start turning brown, crispy, or dropping early, they’ve actually been suffering for weeks.

​As tree consultants, we see the aftermath of this every summer. Here is why giving your trees a little extra love right now is so important:

•​They Keep Your Home Cool: A mature canopy provides incredible natural cooling for your house and garden. If you take care of them, they’ll keep taking care of your local environment! 📉

•​Preventing "Silent Stress": Extreme heat weakens a tree’s natural immune system, leaving it wide open to pests and diseases. Deep watering is their best shield.

•​Protecting Your Investment: Trees take decades to grow but just one brutal, dry summer can cause permanent damage.

​💧 How to Water Like an Expert:
​Please don't just spray the leaves with a garden hose for two minutes! Most of that water just evaporates before it ever reaches the roots. Instead, use our favourite "Low and Slow" method:

1.​ Target the "Drip Line": The vital absorbing roots aren't right next to the trunk; they sit directly under the outer edge of the tree's leaf canopy.

2. ​Soak, Don't Sprinkle: Turn your hose down to a slow trickle and leave it near the drip line for 20–30 minutes, moving it once or twice around the tree. You want that water to sink a good 30cm (12 inches) into the soil.

3. ​Mulch is Magic: If you have some, add a 5–7cm layer of organic mulch around the base to lock that moisture in. Just remember to keep it a few centimetres away from the bark of the trunk itself.

​Go give your trees a proper drink this evening—they’ll thank you with beautiful, cool shade all summer long!

​If you're worried about a mature or specimen tree on your property showing signs of heat stress, drop us a message or a photo. We're always here to help. 🌳💚

Oak Valley Tree Consultancy
01837 759179 (Ext.2)
07817 573066 (Craig)
[email protected]
www.OakValleyTC.co.uk

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Professional Tree Safety Inspection​Woodland Path Safety Assessment​Lead Consultant: Craig​Site Focus: Identifying hazar...
20/06/2026

Professional Tree Safety Inspection

​Woodland Path Safety Assessment

​Lead Consultant: Craig

​Site Focus: Identifying hazards to ensure visitor safety and maintain woodland health.

​Key Issues Identified:

•​Ganoderma Decay: Spotted and noted for management.

•​Deadwood Hazards: Located large dead branches marked with red and yellow arrows that will be removed immediately.

•​Leaning Stem & Root Stability: Identified a leaning tree with questionable root plate stability that requires monitoring.

​"With professional assessments like this, we ensure our precious green spaces can be enjoyed responsibly."

​For all your tree consultancy needs, visit: www.OakValleyTC.co.uk

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Address

Lower Oak Farm
Okehampton
EX203AS

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441837759179

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