Dave Ford Tree Care Newsletter

Welcome to the Dave Ford Tree Care Summer 2013 Newsletter. We are very proud and pleased to announce that after much blood, sweat and tears from all at Dave Ford Tree Care, we are now an Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor.

The Arboricultural Association approved contractor scheme is a recognised benchmark for arboricultural contracting throughout the UK. It is increasingly required by local authorities and other large commerical organisations. It is also of benefit in the domestic market, assuring our clients of good quality tree care carried out safely and efficiently. In addition, our AA approved status is good for our staff, in that it ensures a safe working environment with good equipment and fully in line with industry best practice.

Ultimately, gaining approval from industry peers has pushed us to be the best that we can, both for ourselves and all of our clients too. We are extremely proud of the entire team and all of their efforts in getting us here.

Summer Branch Drop

Summer Branch Drop is a phenomenon that occurs to trees all over the world. It is very frustrating for all arborists because we cannot predict or prevent a summer branch drop event.

It effects lots of different species, hardwoods and softwoods, but is most commonly seen on large Beech and Oak trees. Seemingly healthy trees of good vigour and form can simply shed large limbs up to 1 metre in diameter.

It tends to happen in the early afternoon on a calm day. It is thought that high water flow in conjunction with high water demand by the tree causes water stress in the branch. This is due to an inability to keep up with transpirational demand of the foliage, meaning that water loss through the foliage is occuring faster than the plant can take it up through the roots.

There isn't much you can do to prevent it, although generally this occurs on long horizontal limbs and so it may be possible to shorten and lighten suspect limbs through reduction and or thinning.

Although it's lovely to sit in the shade of a tree, you should be wary, particularly during the afternoon between 12 and 4pm. It's a scary thought but there have been deaths and quite a lot of damage caused to cars parked etc. beneath trees. Just this last weekend I saw a large limb that had been shed from a very large old Oak. Fortunately this was just on the grass area adjacent the main car park at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill - no damage done there but it does and can happen so please be aware.

If you have any concerns, please get in touch and we will be happy to provide further advice or come out to check your trees free of charge.

Summer Branch Drop

Summer branch drop from an Oak tree

Fallen Limb

Fungi at base of Oak

Immature form of Ganoderma 17/7/13

Immature Ganoderma

The Best Time To...

INSPECT TREES FOR FUNGI - Although some fungi are perennial and will persist and remain year on year. Most fungal fruiting bodies will begin to appear in August / September and into Autumn generally decomposing after frost damage. Certain fungi can indicate possible areas of infection. There are lots of harmless as well as harmful fungi that appear at this time so don't be overly alarmed. Most importantly, look for anything that appears on or by the roots, or on the stem / in between the butresses. If in doubt, give us a shout and email us over some photos initially if you can. Some fungi are beneficial to trees and also very beautiful...keep your eyes peeled and see what you can spot.

PLANT TREES - Autumn is generally the best time to plant, so now is a good time to be thinking about what to plant in your garden. Be it new trees, hedges, any planting scheme large or small, we can help.

PRUNE - Magnolia and Prunus species now (Ornamental Cherries, Plums & Almonds etc.). They are prone to silver leaf fungus if pruned before mid - summer. Get in touch for further info on this.

The Importance of Mulching

We have done several articles on this in the past, however with the current heatwave we feel it's a good idea to remind everybody of just how important mulching is.

To help your garden conserve water, it is a good idea to mulch flowerbeds - spreading a layer of woodchip over the surface. In their native environments a thick layer of decaying organic matter surrounds trees and plants on the forest floor. Mulching simply replicates this.

Mulching helps to trap moisture in the soil by reducing evaporation. It also prevents weeds and enhances the look of a garden. We recommend spreading a layer that is 50mm deep over the surfaces surrounding trees and plants.

We are currently running a special promotion and will supply one load (approximately 2 cubic metres) of mature woodchip for £100 (within 10 miles). Please get in touch to order yours now.

Stock Up

We are selling logs all year round and have lots of lovely split, seasoned, hardwood logs ready to go. Get them in now, it's much more pleasant to fill your log store on a warm, sunny, dry day than on a wet, dark, winters evening. Large dumpy bag of logs - £80 or £190 for a trailer load (which equates to approximately 3 bags full). We will deliver free of charge within 10 miles. Please drop us a line to order yours.

We hope you have enjoyed our Summer 2013 newsletter. You can find this and all our previous newsletter online. We are continuing to update our website so keep an eye on it - www.davefordtreecare.co.uk.

Please don't forget to recommend us to your friends and family. Recommendations and referrals are still the best way for us to get work.

Happy Summer and stay cool!

That’s all for this edition.

Kind regards,

Dave Ford ND Arb

www.davefordtreecare.co.uk Tel:01306611661