Recent Cherry Tree Reduction - 2024

Pollarding is the practice of a cycle of pruning that maintains a small, compact canopy. Ideally pollarding is first done to a tree when it is young. It then needs to be repeated at regular intervals to maintain the shape and health of the tree. Although we don’t recommend it, pollarding can also be completed on an older tree by completing an aggressive cut to bring the tree back to pollard points

Once a tree has been pollarded, this practice needs to be maintained for the rest of the tree’s natural life. This is because pollard points can become weak over time. The frequency at which this needs to be done is normally every 3-5 years, depending on the species of the tree

Crown lifting lifts the lowest part of the canopy to a desired height. The lowest branches are removed creating more space under the tree’s canopy. Some examples of where this tree surgery service can be effective are: when a tree is growing over a pavement, a lawn, street, vehicle access or over a bus stop

If a tree is not regularly pruned back, this can lead to damage to property. It can also restrict access routes or fire escapes for commercial properties

What is stump removal?

After a tree has been removed, the stump will still remain in the ground. In some cases, people opt to keep the stump, as it can be retained as a habitat or a sculpted feature. However, many would like to remove the stump to make way for other site developments, or new flora and fauna. We work with our clients to create an agreed plan of action based upon their wishes for the site. This factors in the expected future uses of the site and also the relevant advantages and disadvantages of stump retention

There are many reasons why a stump should be removed, it might be a trip hazard, you may wish to plant new trees in the area, or build on the area. There are a variety of methods used for removing a tree stump

Stump Grinding

Stump grinding is used when the stump needs to be ground down to below the ground surface. This is done with a stump grinder, a specialist piece of machinery. The machine grinds down the main bole of the stump, producing grindings in the process. We leave the grindings in situ to rot down. Initially the grindings will sit proud of the hole, but as the organic matter decomposes, these will sink and typically leave a level surface. We do also offer an additional service of grinding removal

Stump Treatment

Stump treatment is the process of applying a glyphosate based weedkiller to kill a stump. This stops any future growth.This is generally completed instead of physically removing the stump, as the stump will decompose over time. Some species will not need this treatment as they will not regrow from a stump anyway

Digging Out Stumps

Smaller stumps can sometimes be dug out too. This is a manual process which results in some of the roots being removed as well as the stump. This is only possible on stumps of particular sizes and is generally used where there is no access for a stump grinder.

Considerations

It’s important when considering what action to take, to consider the safety of the site. If the stump is permitted to remain, will it present a hazard?

We are well mechanised and equipped to cope with every type of clearance from small scale garden clearances to make way for landscapers to start work, to large scale site clearance for property developers and house builders. We undertake site clearance quickly and safely, removing trees and hedging of any size, along with any surrounding vegetation.

What is a veteran tree?

A veteran tree can be:

1 – Trees that are of interest biologically, aesthetically or culturally because of their age

2 – Trees in the ancient stage of their lives. Trees reach maturity, then become “over-mature”, and finally, “veteran”

3 – Trees that are old relative to others of their species

What care do they need?

Veteran trees require a unique set of management strategies. There are a number of ways by which a veteran tree can be retained for as long as possible

Some management practices are:

• Retrenchment pruning – crown retrenchment is a natural process that a tree goes through during its senior years. Once a tree has reached its maximum crown size, the tree must retrench in order to survive. This can be bio-mimicked with retrenchment pruning

• Tree propping – this is where props are placed in order to take the weight off vulnerable limbs. This may or may not be in addition to careful pruning

• Tree Bracing – this is where selected limbs are strapped together in order to support each other, or where one limb or trunk supports another. This is something that cannot always be done in veteran trees if none of the limbs are very strong

• Haloing – this is where less important trees are cut down or pruned around the veteran tree so that it is allowed more light, nutrients and water

• Cordoning off – sometimes a tree is important, but not safe to be around. In this circumstance we would create a barrier, such as dead hedging, to stop people coming near. The added benefit here is a reduction in compaction, where continual walking on the ground makes the soil too dense for the roots to breathe

Veteranisation

Veteranisation is a technique whereby younger trees are “damaged” in a way which may speed up the development of the valuable habitats, found otherwise only on very old trees. In this way, we are speeding up the process of young trees becoming veteran. The idea is to mimic natural damage, but not killing the tree

Examples would be:

• Fracture pruning – this is where we mimic tears and fractures in a tree. We use a variety of methods including winching and cutting into using coronet cuts

• Habitat holes – we can cut holes that are suitable for different animals, such as bats and owls. The onset of rot will also encourage insects and invertebrates

Formative pruning is generally completed when a tree is very young (generally up to 5-10 years). It encourages the tree to grow into an attractive and healthy structural form. Ideally, this pruning should be started when the tree is in the nursery in order to influence the structure, shape or size of a tree’s crown

Formative pruning is used to remove any future weaknesses in the tree and to give a desired shape. Potential weaknesses are caused by crossing branches, or any part of the tree that has grown in an unusual way.

Why do pests and diseases need to be managed?

Trees are a huge benefit to our landscape, but there are many pests and tree diseases that can bring significant damage. If left unchecked, you might find yourself with no option but to remove the tree. In the UK alone, there are over a hundred pests and diseases that are attacking the native trees. This is why we provide tree disease treatment and pest management services

Damage to trees can be caused by pests such as the Oak Processionary Moth or the Green Fly. Damage can also come from animals such as deer, rabbits, squirrels or insect infestations

There are a number of aggressive tree diseases in the UK, these broadly come as either bacterial or fungal infections. Tree diseases can also come in the form of viral infections

The first step is always to identify what pest or disease is present. Once identified, we can then advocate the best course of management

When do we use tree disease treatment?

Once a pest of disease has been identified, we can then advise on the best course of action to manage the tree. Due to the aggressive nature of some diseases, it’s always best to act quickly, to minimise the spread or any potential damage

Not everything that is alien to the tree is bad for it, for example, there are some fungi that can be essential to a tree’s condition. Others, on the other hand, are a sign that the tree may need immediate remedial action

Considerations

We advise our clients to have a regular tree survey every 15 months. This enables the trees to be viewed in different seasons. Some pests and diseases will only be apparent at certain times of the year