At the end of May I’m cycling from London to Paris to support the work of charity Fund4Trees and to raise the profile of two regular giving schemes for those working in the arboricultural industry and beyond.Continue Reading
I completed the Reading City leg of the 2012 Ride for Research event last weekend; riding about 21 miles. Thank you to all those who sponsored me. I exceed my personal fundraising target of £200 – today it stands at a little over £350. It’s not too late if youContinue Reading
Britain has many wonderful collections of trees in arboreta, botanic gardens and country parks. Many of these are some of the oldest collections in the world. I’ve created an interactive Google map showing the finest collections of trees in Britain. Click on the map icons to read more about eachContinue Reading
Many people are interested in how big a tree’s crown will grow. It can be important in planning gardens, managing street trees, forest silviculture and in assessing the health of ancient trees. Estimating tree height is very imprecise as it is dependent on so many different factors. However, I wroteContinue Reading
Trees in our streets improve air quality, provide beneficial micro-climate, enhance property values and aesthetics, attenuate storm water, conserve energy, reduce noise pollution, provide wildlife habitat, and have a positive effect on physical and mental human health. There’s no denying that trees can cause problems in the built environment. TheirContinue Reading
Trees in the UK are facing significant threats on two major fronts. The warming climate is making new territories habitable for unwanted pests and pathogens; while our insatiable appetite for the newest or cheapest plants and woody materials, imported via global trade, is making the situation ever worse. Global tradeContinue Reading
I have often been asked what tools I use for tree pruning; here’s my top personal choice of tools. Always …Continue Reading
The ability of a tree to heal itself quickly following pruning is important as it reduces the risk of infection, reduces the impact on tree growth, and improves the quality of its timber. I’ve written previously about how to prune a tree and if you follow these guidelines correctly, theContinue Reading
On 23rd March I am taking part in a sponsored cycle ride in London to raise awareness of acute oak decline, and to raise money to support research. Please sponsor me to support this important work.Continue Reading
Young forest trees often require some form of ‘formative’ shaping or pruning during the first 5-10 years after planting. I co-wrote a practical guide on this subject for Woodland Heritage, and created the artwork that I’ve reproduced here. Young trees may require pruning for a variety of reasons,Continue Reading