Thetreeexpert.org

04/06/2022

It's National Donut Day, so we're celebrating tree-style.
How do you let your customers know the proper way to mulch?
One way would be to send them this great article from treecaretips.org>search>mulch dos and donts or you could show up on their doorstep with a box of donuts to get the convo started!
https://treecaretips.org/mulch-dos-and-dont/most-popular/

Excerpts from the article:
🍩 Properly-applied mulch will look somewhat like a flattened donut, with plenty of space in the middle for the flare and root ball to breathe.
🍩 Do not mulch up to or against the trunk; start the mulch 6 inches away from the tree trunk. You should be able to see the “flare” at the base of the trunk where the first roots start to branch out.
Volcano mulching may cause:
🌋 Decay and fungus in the base of the trunk when too much moisture is held in by the mulch
🌋 Soil that is too dry for the roots to spread and create a stable base due to an impenetrable layer of mulch keeping water from filtering down
🌋 Lack of air in the soil, resulting in suffocating the roots

02/02/2021

18/06/2020

Are you a homeowner? Do you have ash trees on your land? They may be affected by ash dieback. Learn how to manage infected trees safely and help tackle the ecological impact of this damaging tree disease.

The guidance provides simple steps to:
- help identify ash trees on private land
- assess their condition on a simple scale of 1 - 4
- consider tree management options if ash dieback
disease is suspected

Read more at bit.ly/homeownersguidance

29/05/2020

The Public are urged to report sightings of tree pest Oak Processionary Moth (OPM)

In a press release sent out today, The Forestry Commission is calling for the public to report sightings of this tree pest via their online Tree Alert portal https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/tree-alert/ or via email at [email protected] or phone on 0300 0674442.

Oak Processionary Moth was first identified in London in 2006 and has since spread to some surrounding counties. The caterpillars and their nests contain hairs which can cause itchy rashes, eye and throat irritations, and should not be touched under any circumstances at any time. The greatest risk period is May to July when the caterpillars emerge and feed before pupating into adult moths.

OPM caterpillars feed on oak leaves and can increase trees’ vulnerability to attack by other pests and diseases, making them less able to withstand adverse weather conditions such as drought and floods. A government programme is in place to limit their spread from areas where they are present.

The pest is established in London and surrounding areas but the majority of the country is designated a Protected Zone, which means it is free from the pest.

The Forestry Commission, working in partnership with others, have an annual programme in place to tackle the pest, with an ongoing programme of surveillance, treatment and research.

Andrew Hall, Forestry Commission Operations Manager, said:

“At this time of year, many people are enjoying green spaces and it’s really important for the public to be aware of the risk of tree pests like Oak Processionary Moth and to report any sightings via our TreeAlert website or by calling the Forestry Commission. This will help us with our programme of treatment and enables us to slow the spread of this pest.”

Since 2012, the government has invested more than £37 million in tree health research; this includes a dedicated programme of research on oaks and the pests that threaten them, such as Oak Processionary Moth.

The Government has also introduced tighter biosecurity checks at the border, and in 2019 introduced further restrictions on the import of oak trees to England following a number of interceptions of the pest.

How to identify OPM caterpillars -
Nests are typically dome or teardrop-shaped, averaging the size of a tennis ball. They are white when fresh, but soon become discoloured and brown. The caterpillars have black heads and bodies covered in long white hairs which contain proteins which can cause itchy rashes, eye, and throat irritations. They can also occasionally cause breathing difficulties in people and pets, so should not be touched under any circumstances.
For more information on how to identify OPM, including common mistaken species, visit www.forestresearch.gov.uk/opm

14/04/2020

14/01/2020

RIP Chris Moses, from Cardross.
Chris had recently pursued a new career in education and also ran a tree surgery firm called Easy as One Two Tree. He was a member of the Arboricultural Association and was working towards becoming an Approved Contractor.

37-year-old Chris Moses was carrying out tree-surgeon work in Rhu, Dumbartonshire when he died.

19/12/2019

The Daily Mail's mission to create a greener, more beautiful country took a huge leap forward yesterday when a reader donated £100,000 to the Be A Tree Angel campaign.

06/08/2019

What do you see?

03/08/2019