Tree Preservation
If you are the type of person that truly appreciates trees, you will probably want to take good care of an irreplaceable asset. Although trees as timber are a sustainable resource that can be managed without changing the scenery, individual, high value amenity trees usually are not. A large individual tree can be irreplaceable for many, many years. And even when a replacement is planted, it may not survive to reach the same value (most new plantings die within 5 years from lack of maintenance. A longer establishment period may well be required for larger standard plantings and harsh soils).

If you are responsible for such trees, and require them to be maintained as well as it is possible to, then we can help. By using our knowledge and extensive experience, we can prune your tree, brace and support it or inoculate the roots with a beneficial fungi that feeds the tree where the tree cannot extract nutrients. In return, these fungi receive sugars made by the tree’s leaves.

It is not possible to maintain a tree in its natural form so that it is 100% safe. This is because trees are highly optimised structures that grow as dictated by their genetics (species differentiation) AND their environment (wind shaping, type of soil, direction of sunlight). This is the tree's ability to adapt to its environment by the use of growth (Reaction wood). In terms of safety, a tree must have sufficient nutrition and sunlight to grow in to the form that enables it to stand up straight in wet lands and resist high winds in exposed areas. This is regardless of whether the tree has the genetic capacity to physiologically survive in a particularly wet, dry, acidic or alkaline soil. Hence, trees have to grow to survive, and cannot afford to lay down too much wood to survive a remote chance of a force 9 gale.

Having said that, trees are amazing survivors! From the latest research, it appears that trees operate on a safety factor of about 5; that is, they are 5 times stronger than they need to be to stand under their own weight. In addition to this, they are very flexible. Some amazingly so; palms can withstand hurricanes without uprooting. The Wellingtonia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) is an excellent example of bio-mechanical survival; the trunk and root plate are very broad, tapering finely to a single point.

The branches are evenly spaced from the ground up, along the entire length of the trunk, and become progressively shorter toward the top. This means the wind loading is distributed along the entire tree, finally being absorbed through the trunk down into the roots, and out into the soil. Should the branches be removed up to half of the tree's height, the wind loading on the tree is localised at a weaker taper. Trees are designed to lose branches in varying stages; first leaves, then twigs, then smaller branches, until a large bough or the trunk snaps. Usually, in a tree of good form with no defects and good soil, the trunk snaps at about breast height. It isn't clear why, but it may be a survival flaw; the tree can sprout a new crown with intact roots. The difference between good and poor taper has been defined through research of failed trees on 3 continents. It appeared that when the height was divided by the diameter at breast height, most trees failed between factors of 50 and 60. So, as long as your tree has good form, is healthy and is free from defects, it is as safe as can be reasonably expected.

If you are concerned with safety, or wish to abate a nuisance, most trees can be made much safer by sensitive pruning. So much has been learned recently about tree bio-mechanics and harmonics, that pruning as little as 15% from the tips of branches makes trees safer. Such small amounts of pruning also mean the tree's energy reserves are not depleted, enabling it to effectively compartmentalise the specialised pruning areas without physiological stress. This lack of stress also means the tree is less likely to respond with vigorous sprouting soon after pruning (a problem of incorrect pruning if you wished for more light), or go into a state of decline (reduced annual shoot extension and ultimate death). Unfortunately for some tree owners, the effects of incorrect pruning are often not realised until it is too late - as much as five years later, because although the tree has stopped growing, it has managed to survive off of its starch reserves.

It may be that pruning alone will not bring the tree into acceptable safety margins. This may be because of a tree's specific defects or a poor form. In these instances, additional measures can be undertaken such as bracing and supporting. Depending upon the circumstances, either steel rods and cables or synthetic high strength ropes and belts with energy absorbers can be used. These help reduce the strain on defects, and insure against damage to persons or property should the tree fail. However, regular checks and maintenance are required every 2 years.

Finally, if a tree is too great a hazard, in permanent decline, or has grown too became a perpetual nuisance, then it should be dismantled and replanted - possibly with a more suitable species. This must be done by highly trained, experienced and competent staff, using technically specialised equipment and techniques. Under most circumstances, trees must not be 'topped'. This causes many future hazards and much re-growth or death. Topping is not the same as pollarding, which is a regular long term strategy to manage trees of 30years of age or less. Pollarding keeps trees perpetually juvenile and dynamic, like a hedge. Because of this, pollarded trees can reach a great age, and some of the oldest trees in the UK were once pollards.

Managing Veteran trees is an entirely different arena; these trees are of ecological or cultural importance, and no longer resemble a natural form of a mature tree. To retain these trees it is necessary to encourage small dynamic branches. The bolesof these trees can be huge and thin, a deliberate survival strategy. Sometimes this balance of high dynamic mass versus low static mass, can only be maintained by topping. The result can be many weak attachments. This is why many important trees carry high risks, and cannot be touched by the public. Just like anything of great importance, it seems; it is a shame that as a regulated and litigated society, we still refuse to accept, that only with risks comes any real benefits.

Hazard Assessment
To maintain your trees cost effectively requires expert advice, and this must start with qualified and experienced Arborists. If you have one or more trees that you wish to maintain, it is cheaper in the long run to pay for advice. Free advice must be re-cooperated through a service of pruning or felling that probably isn't even required by you or the tree. We undertake cost effective tree surveys that leave you with a clear and justified management schedule primarily aimed at identifying tree hazards and health. Work is prioritised to allocate funds appropriately.