Lambeth Trees

Scare Mongering

2013-03-22T23:29:00.004-07:00

It's possible that some of you may think that a lot of scare mongering is going on, with regards to trees and paying someone to work on them, or risks associated with trees are not such a factor.

Quite simply the call is yours to make. I firmly believe if you own trees they should be getting managed and not just left to grow naturally or wild (which is my preferred term).

Reductions, reducing, tipping back are all more or less the same thing. Best practice reads that this type of work shouldn't really be carried out, a person that has a tree on top of a building will think differently about best practice. There are situations when one of the above is the right thing to do.

Pollarding, see above.

Felling has to be carried out from time to time. Thoughts on this are varied good and bad.

My preference is to work on a tree that is to be retained and not have to reduce it. Carrying out a crown clean, maybe be remove a branch here and there to encourage good branch spacing. If certain limbs need to be lifted or raised, not a problem. Certain parts on a side may need attention due to a building, also not a problem.

will finish later

Earth Hour

2013-03-22T00:52:00.001-07:00

Earth Hour is here again.

Hope you all take part. If you do not know what it is heres a link http://www.earthhour.org/. There may be a local event in your area. The local link on the above URL is at the top of that page

the most important thing is to take part. Encourage as many people as you can

Three Step Cut

2013-03-16T04:27:00.002-07:00

How To Make Pruning Cuts

Correct PPE, Personal Protective Equipment
Three step cut - Make an undercut several inches out from the branch attachment, make a second cut on the topside an inch further along. The branch can be snapped off from there. This removes weight and leaves the trunk to support an elongated stub. The third cut can be made just outside the branch collar (never inside the collar). Care should be taken to ensure no tears or rips occur, you can take the stub in your hand to support and gently finish off the cut.
If a branch is dead complete it's removal in the same way.
sometimes the dead branch has a live collar that has started to grow down the length of the dead wood. Remove the branch only up to the extended live collar. Again do not cut inside the collar.

Proper pruning techniques or maintaining sound arboricultural practices will help prevent most common hazardous tree defects. Formative pruning while a tree is young does promote good tree architecture. While guiding the growth along a desirable course.

The above picture shows the third and final cut just outside the branch collar. This is a professional cut, it minimizes the size of the cut and allows the tree to heal the wound quicker. Pruning this way only removes branch tissue and not stem tissue.

The first cut on the underside will stop stem tissue from tearing when the branch snaps away from the tree. The second cut on the topside can be partially cut through or cut straight through until the branch falls. The top cut is basically cutting through any holding wood, the bottom cut is the closest place to the trunk a cut is made to remove a branch, any wood or bark attached to the piece being removed does not want to extend beyond the first cut toward the trunk.. Only the third and final cut should be made inside the fist, once the weight of the branch has been removed.

This type of cut could also be classed as a thinning cut. A tree will be more able to retain its natural form when pruned this way rather than when carrying out heading cuts.

If you have the space to allow your tree to grow there should be no need for a heading cut, unless safety is a factor in the reasons for pruning.

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Amazon.co.uk Widgets

Relevant Arboricultural terms to post.

Branch Bark Ridge: ridge of bark that forms in a branch crotch and partially around the stem as the growth of the stem and branch tissues press together.

Branch Collar: bulge formed at the base of a branch by annual production of overlapping layers of branch and stem tissues.

Crown Reduction: a method of pruning used to reduce the height of a tree. Branches are cut back to laterals that are at least one-third the diameter of the limb being removed.

Crown Thinning: a method of pruning to increase light penetration and air movement through the crown of a tree by selective removal of branches.

Flush Cuts: pruning cuts that are inside the branch bark ridge or the branch collar.

Included Bark:bark enclosed between branches with narrow angles of attachment,forming a wedge between the branches.

Pollarding: removal of all of the previous growth, resulting in a flush of slender shoots and branches.

Stub Cuts: third cut of the step cut made too far outside the branch bark ridge or branch collar.

Tipping : a poor maintenance practice used to control the size of tree crowns; involves the cutting of branches at right angles leaving long stubs.

Topping: a maintenance practice often used to control the size of trees; involves the indiscriminate cutting of branches and stems at right angles leaving long stubs. Topping is often wrongly referred to as pollarding.

Woundwood: produced on woody plants as a response to wounding (also known as a callus).

Plant and Tree Health Care

2013-03-16T04:21:00.001-07:00

Carry out regular inspections of trees you own, anytime of year whether in leaf or not. Inspections following severe weather should also be carried out.

A systematic approach is needed, always check the main trunk, root flare, stems and branch unions for any structural defects or signs of structural failure.

Observing conditions in the upper canopy of trees can be made more easily with a digital camera or video recorder. Trees in poor condition tend to have dead branches and twigs, off color leaves and possible defects on main supporting limbs or stems. Trees in poor condition can also have full healthy looking crowns that show now sign of the decay in the root system.

Sometimes the problem is easily explained, sometimes the problem has gone on so long unnoticed the tree cannot be helped. Regular inspections can spot the causes long before they become a problem and long enough for a plant and tree health care program to take effect.

Information gathered on your trees and shrubs can ensure the correct decisions are made to meet the trees needs and the sites goals.

Why Hire an Arborist?

2013-03-16T04:07:00.000-07:00

Arborists specialize in tree care, they are trained and equipped to provide proper tree care. Your urban ecosystem is as complex as any forest or wooded area, although they are not natural. Urban ecosystem's generally have low species diversity, isolated trees, poor rooting space, poor nutrient cycling, compacted soils, de-icing salts, pesticides and a lack of water. Our trees and plants need help to survive and flourish naturally.

If you cannot recognize and prescribe a course of action for the following, you should hire an Arborist.

species

tree hazards

dead branches

dead or dying tree

tree health and vigor

signs of decay

tree balance

wounds and cracks

root decay

Acer - Maple Branches

2013-03-12T06:08:00.000-07:00

Insects and Infectious Diseases of Acer - Maple

A link list of insects and diseases that feed on Acer - maple. Clicking a link will take you to an external page which gives you specific information on each subject. You can come back to this page at any time and also click the back to main page link to return to the Acer - maple page.

Insects

Eucroptis chrysorrhoea Hydrangea Scale

Eupulvinaria hydrangeae Fall web worm

Hyphantria cunea gypsy moth
Pulvinaria regalis Cottony Scale

Pulvinaria vitis Cottony Scale

Xyleborus dispar pear blight beetle

Zeuzera pyrina Leopard Moth

Infectious Diseases

Armillaria mellea Honey fungus

Armillaria ostoyae Honey mushroom

Cryptostoma corticale Sooty bark
Nectria cinnabarina Coral spot

Abiotics

Drought
Lack of oxygen

Back to Main Page or use the related links below

Acer - Maple Leaves

2013-03-10T06:37:00.001-07:00

Insects and Infectious Diseases of Acer - Maple

Insects

Cossus cossus Goat Moth

Drepanosiphum acerinum Sapling Sycamore Aphid

Depanosiphum platanoidis Common Sycamore Aphid

Erannis defoliaria Mite galls

Eriophyes macrorhynchus Brown tail moth

Eucroptis chrysorrhoea Hydrangea Scale

Eupulvinaria hydrangeae Fall web worm

Hyphantria cunea gypsy moth

Lymantria dispar Winter Moth

Operophtera brumata Sycamore Periphyllus Aphid

Periphyllus acericola Common Periphyllus Aphid

Periphyllus testudinaceus Horse chestnut scale

Pulvinaria regalis Cottony Scale

Pulvinaria vitis Cottony Scale

Xyleborus dispar pear blight beetle

Zeuzera pyrina Leopard Moth

Infectious Diseases

Armillaria mellea Honey fungus

Armillaria ostoyae Honey mushroom

Cryptostoma corticale Sooty bark
Melasmia acerina Tar spot

Nectria cinnabarina Coral spot

Sooty moulds Sooty moulds
Uncinula tulasnei Powdery mildew

Verticillium dahliae Verticillium wilt

Abiotics

Drought
Anaerobic soil
Mineral deficiency
Lack of oxgen
Herbicide damage

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Acer - Maple Trunk

2013-03-10T06:36:00.002-07:00

Insects and Infectious Diseases of Acer - Maple

Infectious Diseases

Cryptostoma corticale Sooty bark
Fomes fomentaria Horses hoof

Abiotics

High temperatures

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Acer - Maple Roots and Root Collar

2013-03-10T06:35:00.006-07:00

Insects and Infectious Diseases of Acer - Maple

Infectious Diseases

Armillaria mellea Honey fungus

Armillaria ostoyae Honey mushroom

Ganoderma applanatum Artists bracket

Back to Main Page or use the related links below

Betula - Birch Branches

2013-03-04T22:23:00.001-08:00

Insects and Infectious Diseases of Betula - Birch

A link list of insects and diseases that feed on the Betula - Birch. Clicking a link will take you to an external page which gives you specific information on each subject. You can come back to this page at any time and also click the back to main page link to return to the Betula - Birch page.

Insects

Agrilus viridis Beech splendour beetle
Cossus cossus Goat Moth
Pulvinaria vitis Cottony Scale
Zeuzera pyrina Leopard Moth

Infectious Diseases

Armillaria mellea Honey fungus
Armillaria ostoyae Honey mushroom
Piptoporus Betulinus Birch polypore

Abiotics

Drought
Lack of oxgen

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Betula - Birch Roots and Root Collar

2013-03-04T21:43:00.004-08:00

Infectious Diseases of Betula - Birch

Infectious Diseases

Armillaria mellea Honey fungus
Armillaria ostoyae Honey mushroom

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Betula - Birch Trunk

2013-03-03T23:10:00.002-08:00

Insects That Feed on Betula - Birch Trunk

Insects

Agrilus anxius Bronze Birch Borer
Agrilus planipennis Emerald Ash Borer
Agrilus viridis Beech Splendour Beetle
Cossus cossus Goat Moth
Zeuzera pyrina Leopard Moth

Infectious Diseases

Piptoporus Betulinus Birch polypore
Ungulina fomentaria Horses hoof

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Betula - Birch Buds and Young Shoots

2013-03-03T22:27:00.000-08:00

Insects

Erannis defoliaria Mottled Umber
Operophtra brumata Winter Moth

Abiotics

Low temperatures

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Betula - Birch Leaves

2013-03-03T10:42:00.001-08:00

Insects that feed on Betula - Birch leaves

Agrilus viridis Beech splendour beetle
Altica quercetorum Oak flea beetle
Byctiscus betulae Hazel leaf-roller
Coleophora serratella Cigar Casebearer Moth
Croesus septentrionalis Sawfly
Deporaus betulae Birch Leaf Roller
Erannis defoliaria Mottled Umber
Euceraphis punctipennis Downy birch aphid
Fenusa pusilla Birch leafminer
Lymantria dispar Gypsy Moth
Lyonetia clerkella Apple Leaf Miner
Operophtra brumata Winter Moth
Orgyia antiqua Rusty Tussock Moth
Phyllobius spp Weevils
Pulvinaria vitis Cottony Scale
Zeuzera pyrina Leopard Moth

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Cherry Tree with Phellinus and Tremates Versicolor

2013-02-23T23:10:00.002-08:00

Nice natural growing Cherry tree has great color in the summer months and despite its windy location and several wood rotting fungal brackets is still standing.

More Pictures Of Lambeth Trees

2013-02-14T09:25:00.002-08:00

just uploaded a few hundred pictures of trees, fungus and other things to do with trees. Will get round to labeling them up in a while but for now here's the link to More Pictures Of Lambeth Trees.

Anytime you want to return to this blog press the back button.

Cherry Tree with honey fungus - Armillaria

2012-12-09T04:54:00.000-08:00

Cherry tree that fell over due to wind throw, had honey fungus at the base

honey fungus

Functions Of Trees

2012-12-09T03:34:00.000-08:00

Prevents soil erosion by wind and water, the roots bind and stabilize the soil.
Influence climate, provide shelter and effect temperature and moisture content of the air.
Provide habitat for wildlife.
Tree form along with color and texture of leaves and bark contribute to the beauty of the landscape.
Provide screens in man made setting's.
Give shade and absorb noise.

Does The Urban Landscape Support The Above?

Trees can obstruct views of unsightly buildings as well as obstruct views of accepted landmarks within towns and cities. Why shouldn't the tree be felled? Why should it be kept? are debates that will continue to rage forever more:-)

I'm in favor of the tree 95% of the time... health and safety need to come first.

In the urban environment a problem that occurs so often is that trees are dominant. It's never a problem though until the tree is affecting someone. Once this happens the tree is on a hit list, the functions of trees do not matter at this point.

Trees are part of life and so what they do needs to be accepted and the places they are planted need to be chosen to allow 100% of the trees form to develop both above and below the ground. There are places therefore where trees cannot be within the urban environment.

The biological functions of trees needs to be separated from the functions humans want the trees to provide and that changes from new plantings to established trees and to locations, then the deciding factor other than health and safety is cost.

The functions of trees does not need to be understood greatly but it does have to be considered. The right tree right place phrase is key to success.

Oak Tree with Fungal Brackets possibly Sulphur Polypore Latest

2012-07-17T23:27:00.002-07:00

Oak Tree with Fungal Brackets

Oak Tree with Fungal Brackets possibly Sulphur Polypore Latest photos taken approximately 2 weeks after the first. They have grown some since and started to look more like the form they will take.

Definitely a wood rotter with the amount of hollow wood in a couple of the buttress roots.

Oak Tree with Fungal Brackets

see the first pictures

Read more »

Stag Beetle Lucanus cervus

2012-07-14T01:34:00.000-07:00

Stag Beetle Lucanus cervus in Lambeth off Brixton Hill. Not in a park but a tree pit from a street tree.

this is probably a female. Not looking the most healthy, I was unsure if she was alive or dead

Oak Tree with Fungal Brackets possibly Sulphur Polypore

2012-07-10T23:45:00.000-07:00

Oak Tree with Fungal Brackets

At this stage this Oak Tree with Fungal Brackets possibly Sulphur Polypore is difficult to identify. The yellow of the brackets immediately suggests Laetiporus sulphurus, however, the round shape of the brackets is not consistent with other pictures I have taken of this Polypore.

Root Flare behind bracket is hollow

The root flare behind this bracket is hollow. More or less impossible to spot without the bright color of the bracket standing out against the dark bark of this Oak tree.

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Innonotus hispidus On Ash Trees

2012-06-26T11:49:00.002-07:00

Innonotus hispidus On Ash Trees

some picture taken yesterday of this fungus emerging.

Innonotus hispidus On Ash Trees

Have removed trees and sections of trees when this bracket has been spotted. The level of deterioration varies greatly. These particular trees do not have any significant signs of die back but the effects of this bracket cannot be underestimated.

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Tree Pruning or Tree care

2012-06-22T00:35:00.000-07:00

Tree Pruning or Tree care, the following picture is a perfect example of why, "If you are a tree owner you should have a tree care program for your trees"

This Robinia - Robinia pseudo acacia is a mature tree, it has been in place for a minimum of forty years and quite obviously never been thought of as a problem or thought of as "somebody elses problem".

there are literally only a couple of options here, the owner has to change the construction of the wall if the tree is to remain and not be felled.

Read more »

Tremates versicolor on Apple Tree

2012-06-19T21:50:00.000-07:00

Tremates Versicolor on Apple Tree, this tree was definitely in decline when I came across it. Because of its location it will be a little dangerous to leave it in situ for too much longer.

Climacodon septentrionalis or Laetiporus sulphureus - Sulphur Polypore

2012-06-17T22:55:00.001-07:00

Climacodon septentrionalis or Laetiporus sulphureus - Sulphur Polypore, could definitely be confused with each other

Laetiporus sulphureus - Sulphur Polypore On Robinia

This picture is from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Climacodon_septentrionalis_134149.jpg

see more pictures of Sulphur Polypore

To aid identification I have listed these two together as identification may be difficult from ground level especially if its a bright day.

The Climacodon septentrionalis has been inserted from wikipedia.org

Lambeth Trees

Scare Mongering

Earth Hour

Earth Hour is here again.

Three Step Cut

Plant and Tree Health Care

Why Hire an Arborist?

Acer - Maple Branches

Related Acer - Maple links

Acer - Maple Leaves

Related Acer - Maple links

Acer - Maple Trunk

Related Acer - Maple links

Acer - Maple Roots and Root Collar

Related Acer - Maple links

Betula - Birch Branches

Related Betula - Birch links

Betula - Birch Roots and Root Collar

Related Betula - Birch links

Betula - Birch Trunk

Related Betula - Birch links

Betula - Birch Buds and Young Shoots

Related Betula - Birch links

Betula - Birch Leaves

Related Betula - Birch links

Cherry Tree with Phellinus and Tremates Versicolor

More Pictures Of Lambeth Trees

Cherry Tree with honey fungus - Armillaria

Functions Of Trees

Oak Tree with Fungal Brackets possibly Sulphur Polypore Latest

Stag Beetle Lucanus cervus

Oak Tree with Fungal Brackets possibly Sulphur Polypore

Innonotus hispidus On Ash Trees

Tree Pruning or Tree care

Tremates versicolor on Apple Tree

Climacodon septentrionalis or Laetiporus sulphureus - Sulphur Polypore

see more pictures of Sulphur Polypore