Month: October 2021

What Is a Tree Surgeon and Why You Should Hire One

Steven Kelley Tree Services
What Is a Tree Surgeon and Why You Should Hire One

What Is a Tree Surgeon and Why You Should Hire One?

 

Trees can live from anywhere between fifty to more than three thousand years. However, the death of a tree is inevitable.

Some owe their deaths to infestations, others owe them to diseases, and others to climate change. Now while you may think of infestations and tree diseases in the context of a forest, know that your backyard trees are not immune to disease-induced death either.

It is for this reason (among others), that timely visits from a tree surgeon are not only recommended but essential to ensure the vitality of your trees and the safety of your home.

This article takes an in-depth look into what a tree surgeon does while exploring the many benefits of hiring one.

 

What Does a Tree Surgeon Do?

A tree surgeon is someone who specializes in the all-round care and maintenance of trees. They are dedicated experts who plant, prune, fell, and treat trees that require special care. Additionally, they are also skilled at landscaping when larger trees are involved.

They are qualified to give you advice on how to care for and meet the daily needs of your trees. In a nutshell, they serve as your go-to expert for everything that has to do with the care of large trees.

 

The Benefits of Hiring a Tree Surgeon

The average person, with a fair amount of research, might be able to perform the daily care required to maintain a large tree, however, over time things can get a little more complicated.

That is where hiring a tree surgeon can help.

 

Eliminating Safety Hazards

Tree surgeons have the experience and the knowledge it takes to identify potential hazards. They will be able to sport the early warning signs that a tree is likely to fall during a heavy storm, or that it poses a fire hazard to your home. Furthermore, they will then be able to carry out the entire tree removal process to ensure that you and your home are protected from any preventable tree-related accidents.

 

Tree Care Done Right

A tree surgeon will be able to accurately assess the health of your trees and give them the care they need to thrive in their surroundings. They will give you valuable insights and advice on what you can do to improve the appearance of your trees and ensure that they lead a healthy, long, and vibrant life in your yard.

This can be especially helpful if you have a variety of trees that require different types of care. A tree surgeon will be able to give you specialized recommendations for each tree type based on the climate you live in, the type of soil you have and the nearby environment.

 

Spotting the Early Signs of Disease

Your trees are prone to all kinds of diseases and infestations. However, the earlier you spot the signs of tree diseases, the easier they are to treat. Ensuring frequent visits by a tree surgeon will not only allow you to take preventative measures but will also be a great way to give any infected trees the best possible treatment at the earliest signs of infection.

This will allow your trees the opportunity to make a quick recovery and will also prevent the spread of these diseases to other trees within your garden.

 

Trimming and Organizing

In the initial stages of growing and planting trees, it can be difficult to gauge how these saplings will eventually affect the aesthetic and landscape of your garden. However, a tree surgeon can help you plan your yard, or garden to ensure that you get the most out of your space.

Additionally, a tree surgeon is also equipped for performing various tree grooming functions like trimming, pruning, branch removal, and more. These are all essential practices required for the proper maintenance of any yard.

 

dvanced Tools and Other Equipment

Large trees require complicated machinery and equipment. The wrong tools can cause irreparable damage to the tree. Improper usage of equipment is a safety hazard for the person using it as well as the people around them.

While the average person does not possess the tools nor the expertise to use these tools efficiently, a tree surgeon certainly does.

 

Save on Future Costs

Hiring a tree surgeon will only help you save money in the long run. Proper maintenance will result in fewer instances of disease and lower the likelihood of tree-induced injuries or accidents. Due to the variety of services, they offer, they serve as an all-in-one solution to a variety of tree-related problems.

This saves you from spending on a variety of specialists. Instead, you can simply hire a tree surgeon to conduct a complete inspection of your trees and follow it up by performing the necessary maintenance procedures required. Most tree surgeons offer a variety of packages which further allow you to cut down on your costs.

 

Hire a Qualified Tree Surgeon for the Job

There are a host of benefits for you and your trees to gain from hiring a tree surgeon. Not only does it prolong the lives of your trees, but it ensures that you and your family are safe from any preventable tree hazards.

At Grafting Gardeners, we have the knowledge, skill, and experience to care for your trees and give them the care they need to maintain their strength and vitality through the years. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment with our qualified tree experts!

 

Article was written by Conner D.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/what-is-a-tree-surgeon

Stump Grinding: The Process and Benefits

Steven Kelley Tree Blogs
Stump Grinding: The Process and Benefits

Stump Grinding: The Process and Benefits

 

Trees, along with hedges, ornamentals, and flowerbeds, make up about 18% of an average American yard. However, despite their beauty, trees do eventually naturally need to be removed every once in a while, for the safety of your home and family. This process leaves stumps around your yard that you think may not be removable, but this is not the case at all.

Tree stump grinding is a simple process that can make your yard a much more up-to-date space and remove the eyesores that are old stumps. Here, we are going to talk about what grinding is and what the process entails, so read on to learn why this process is essential for every homeowner.

 

What Is Tree Stump Grinding?

Tree stump grinding is the process of sanding down the stump of a tree until it no longer protrudes from the ground. This leaves a sawdust-like residue in its place but does not remove the root of the tree belowground. Its purpose is to eliminate the visual part of the stump rather than digging up the roots of the tree altogether.

The residue left behind from grinding eventually simply becomes one with the soil. This is environmentally efficient because it provides nutrition to other plants in the area. It also levels the ground out in the area where the tree once was. When you plant grass or flowers on top of this location, it will seamlessly blend in with the rest of the yard as though a tree never was there.

This process is an alternative to a full tree stump removal, which necessitates the use of extreme force to pull out the stump’s roots up from underground. Grinding is a much neater and cleaner process and uses more efficient tools and processes to eliminate the stump. This makes it less expensive for the homeowner and therefore superior in many different ways.

 

How Does the Process Work?

We have touched on the efficiency of the tree stump grinding process, but what exactly does stump grinding entail?

Professionals have a tool that is aptly named a ‘stump grinder.’ This tool chews away at the wood of your stump with a rotating blade. This blade is incredibly powerful and rips into the wood as it turns at top speed. The result is that tiny pieces of sawdust and mulch take the place of where the stump once was.

These stump grinders usually are handheld and therefore grinding is a precise process. The person operating it will move the blade in layers over the stump until it is ground down to below the level of the dirt. This process necessitates many safety precautions such as the wearing of goggles and other safety equipment.

In addition to handheld stump grinders, larger stumps may use those that can be attached to a truck or trailer. Rear-hitch grinders will generally not be used on residential property, nor will riding grinders that work like tractors. These are generally saved for larger applications where there are many stumps to be ground in woods or forests. You do not need to worry about these tools.

 

Can You DIY the Grinding Process?

While this may sound simple, it is unlikely that you have the appropriate tools to complete the process properly. You will have a terrible time getting expensively rented tools onto the site of the stump. Additionally, unless you are a trained expert in tree stump grinding, you are likely to injure yourself trying to sand it down.

Therefore, professional grinding is essential to those who need this process to be completed in their yard. This is significantly less expensive and infinitely safer than trying to do it yourself. Tree stump grinding is a serious DIY do not, so be sure that you invest in services that can get the job done appropriately.

 

What Are the Benefits?

There is a multitude of benefits to stump grinding, primarily that it removes an eyesore from your property. While trees make a beautiful addition to yards and gardens, stumps are ugly and take up space that can be used for other things. Eliminating these stumps through the process of grinding makes your yard look pleasing again and raises your property value.

You can also use the space created by eliminating your stump to make your yard your own. It frees up room so that you can plant a flower bed or a vegetable garden. Maintaining a garden is a fun hobby that comes with a plethora of health benefits, and eliminating your stump is the first step towards being able to garden more often.

Finally, grinding down tree stumps makes your yard a safer space for yourself and your family. Children and pets may hurt themselves by tripping over stumps in the yard while playing. They also may get splinters if they decide to play with the stump and run their fingers over it.

You may also injure yourself with the stump if you are not careful. They are a hazard when mowing your lawn and tripping over it could cause a trip to the hospital with a mower-related injury. Even if things do not go this far, they make mowing and other outdoor chores harder and more frustrating.

 

Get Started

Now that you know how tree stump grinding works and why it is important, it is time to begin making your property safer and more aesthetically pleasing. Contact us with any remaining questions that you may have about professional tree surgery services and how you can get our experts to your home.

We are excited to help your yard flourish and thrive in every possible way, so do not hesitate to reach out at any time.

 

Article was written by Conner D.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/stump-grinding/

Killing Your Trees: 6 Things You Don’t Even Realize You’re Doing to Kill Your Trees

Steven Kelley Tree Blogs
Killing Your Trees: 6 Things You Don’t Even Realize You’re Doing to Kill Your Trees

Killing Your Trees.

 

Did you know that most trees live up 50-100 years on average? The famous red cedar from Alaska can live up to 3,500 years under the right environmental circumstances.

But how to care for trees in your backyard? What can you do and what you should not do to protect your beloved trees? This article discusses a few things that you should avoid when it comes to caring for your trees, so keep reading.

 

Killing Your Trees: 1. Putting Mulch Too Close to the Tree

Adding mulch to the base of the tree is the right thing to do, whether you have a young or mature tree. However, make sure that the mulch is not too close to the tree trunk because this might cause suffocation.

Expert gardeners recommend adding mulch approximately 6 inches away from the tree trunk. At the same time, you should keep the mulch about one foot away from the trunk of a mature tree. This ensures proper ventilation and prevents the tree trunk from suffocating during hot summer days.

 

Killing Your Trees: 2. Tying the Dog to Your Tree

Many homeowners have dogs in their yard. Most of these dogs live in dog houses, but sometimes you might see a dog owner tying his pet to a tree. This is done for various reasons and it might appear to be a harmless thing to do.

However, dogs will rarely just sit there and do nothing for hours on end. A dog will eventually pull and tug at the tree. In this case, the dog can cause significant damage to the tree bark. Remember that the tree bark is one of the most important defence mechanisms of a tree.

Even minor damage to the tree bark can predispose your shrub to attacks from pests. Therefore, make sure that you do not tie your dog to a tree and your dog will probably be happier too. This piece of advice is true regardless of the type or age of your tree.

 

Killing Your Trees: 3. Putting Concrete in Tree Cavities

This is another bad habit that could damage the health and wellbeing of your tree. In some cases, trees might develop cavities, and this can predispose them to diseases and pests. Some homeowners think that it is a good idea to pour concrete in tree cavities to fill them up and protect the tree.

This is bad because most trees will heal themselves if you give them enough time. Adding concrete is like introducing a foreign substance into your body. It can cause problems and there is no easy way to ever remove the concrete from the tree cavities in the future.

If your tree develops cavities, just make sure that you protect it against pests or wildlife animals that might cause it harm. Young trees especially will heal themselves and fill up these cavities in a few weeks under the right conditions.

 

4. Hammering Nails or Screws to the Tree

Homeowners might do this for various reasons. For example, some of them might try to hang bird feeders from a tree. Others pick a large tree and attempt to build a large treehouse to entertain their kids.

Although these are not bad things to do, adding nails or screws to a tree can seriously damage its health. It is like having a metal piece in your body. The nails might cut through vital areas of your tree, disrupting the flow of nutrients, slowing down the growth of a tree, and predisposing it to diseases.

Even if you try to go for smaller nails, the situation is the same. Any foreign object or substance forced inside a tree will affect its health. If you want to hang bird feeders, hang them on a sturdy branch without using nails or screws.

 

5. Planting Trees Around Power Lines

Electricity companies never liked the combination of power lines and trees. You never know when a storm can push the branches of a tree into the power lines and cause serious damage. On top of that, an entire street might remain without electricity and this can cause a lot of frustration and anger.

Ideally, you should keep power lines in mind when planting trees. Avoid putting a tree under an important electricity hub and try to guess how tall a tree might grow when it is fully matured. If you already have trees that are dangerously close to power lines, consider trimming their branches.

Not only branches can get entangled on power lines, but wildlife animals residing in trees can also cause problems. Adventurous squirrels can easily jump from a tree on a power line and get fried. They might cause a blackout at the same time as well.

 

6. Adding Salt Near the Tree

It is a common practice to add salt on the streets in winter times. This prevents skidding and slipping, especially when it snows too much, and the temperatures drop suddenly. However, salt close to your trees can be a real problem in the spring.

Keep in mind that salty soil does not allow the growth of plants, grass, and trees. A soil that has absorbed salt is virtually toxic for every organic matter. If you plan to add salt to your driveways and walkways, make sure that you avoid adding it too close to the roots of your trees.

If your local authorities are adding salt to the streets as a preventative measure, try to cover the areas surrounding your trees with a piece of cloth. This should prevent most of the salt from getting into the soil and jeopardize the wellbeing of your beloved trees.

 

Taking Care of Your Trees Can Raise Property Value

Yes, you read it right. Your trees are unbelievably valuable for your property and well-maintained ones can increase the value of your house. That is because they provide shade on hot summer days, improve air quality, and also add to your home’s curb appeal.

These are just a few tips on how to properly care for your trees and avoid significant damage in the long run. Make sure that you check out the other articles on our blog to learn more about different types of trees, how to care for them, and how to prolong their lifespan.

 

Article was written by Conner D.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/killing-your-trees/

Tree Emergencies and The Effects of Storms on Trees

Steven Kelley Tree Care

Tree emergencies and how to deal with them.

 

Storms can affect trees in different ways. The effect is influenced by lots of factors including wind direction and speed, rain duration and intensity, location, health and age.

Trees are great at adapting to a change in conditions but this is a slow process that takes decades; they can’t adapt to a single change in weather due to a storm, of course.

Tree emergencies due to storms can take many forms. Storm damage is often different from the damage caused by floods. Of course, both can happen simultaneously.

 

Tree Emergencies Caused by Storms with Flooding

Lots of places around the world have natural floods annually. The shrubs and trees native to these parts have been able to adapt to prolonged periods with their roots submerged.

There are problems if non-native species are introduced in these areas because they have not adapted to being submerged in water since their native areas do not experience flooding.

When the soil is waterlogged, there is a decline in its ability to sustain life. This happens because the available air in the soil is swapped for water. This means that the roots do not have access to essential oxygen supplies.

This means that damage can happen in as little as three hours. Being submerged in water kills the tree’s fine root hairs. This means the tree’s water-absorbing ability is seriously affected. It cannot take up nutrients and water until the water level falls.

When a tree is deprived of oxygen, there is a build-up of gases that lead to the larger tree roots dying. This can affect the tree’s stability.

What’s more, flooding causes the soil’s structure to deteriorate. Particles of clay lose their stickiness, which reduces the soil’s aptitude to grip onto the roots. This means that trees are more likely to fail at the root plate level.

Floodwater also affects the pH of soils. This means that the levels of nutrients and minerals could be affected.

All in all, when soils are flooded, there is both a long-term and immediate effect on tree longevity and health. The longer the flood persists, the worse the problem.

 

Flood Stress Seen in Trees

Tree flood stress is not always visible immediately. It manifests itself in a variety of ways, including:

A reduction in the size of leaves for new growthYellowing of leaves (chlorosis)Epicormic branch and stem growthsCrown diebackLack of new leaves in spring or defoliationEarly change of colour in autumn as well as early falling leavesProlific mast or seed crop the year after the flood

 

Care for Flood-Stressed Trees

Caring for a tree after floods impacts on its survival chances as well as the tree quality that remains.

Here are some steps to help:

Remove any build-up of sand or silt so that the soil is back to its normal level. Make sure you also look to cover any roots that have been exposed. This should be done with topsoil.Incorporate organic or composted material like mulch into the topsoil to improve its structure. Make sure you do not damage any roots. Professional tree surgeons will use something called an ‘air spade’ for this task.A layer of mulch or other organic, composted material will help the soil to retain its moisture. Try not to add anything like fertiliser because it uses a lot of the tree’s energy.Watch out for colonisation. Stressed trees often have trouble fighting off secondary organisms like insects, fungi, and bacteria.

 

Storms with no Flooding

When there is no flooding, the main issue with storms is the wind. Trees are susceptible to storm damage when the force of the wind exceeds the tree’s structural strength. This type of storm damage is very obvious; you will often see large parts of the tree snapped or even a whole tree uprooted.

Some storm conditions might cause less obvious damage. Limbs and stems can have fractures while remaining intact. Trees also might be uprooted partially but don’t fall over. There might be broken branches that haven’t fallen.

If the storm involved lightning, you might notice large wounds in the tree’s bark. Lightning strikes can also result in the tree’s destruction. Once subjected to a lightning strike, there is not much that can be done to help a tree.

Luckily, it is rare to see such major storm damage and proactive, expert tree management means you can reduce the risks.

 

Why be Proactive?

Proactive tree work is cost-effective since you can protect your trees with the highest risk and greatest value. Tree work can be scheduled and planned and will avoid those emergency call-outs (and their cost) if there is storm damage.

Unfortunately, with climate change, we are likely to see lots more unsettled and stormy weather. If we want trees to survive well, we need to make sure they’re inspected frequently and well managed.

It’s a good idea to seek comprehensive tree assessments with experienced tree surgeons and tree consultants. They will be able to advise tree owners and help them keep their trees safe as well as healthy.

According to statistics by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there are around 5 or 6 people killed each year in the UK due to falling branches or trees. Around 3 of these occur in a public space.

Of course, this makes the risk of being killed or struck by a tree extremely low; these numbers mean the risk is about 1 in 10 million. Despite the low level of risk, we need to consider how the public perceive the level of risk, especially if there has been a recent incident. Thus, tree owners should take great care in ensuring they look after their large trees.

 

Final Thoughts

While typical weather events can help to strengthen trees, excess forces or waterlogging from storms can cause problems. With consistent conditions, trees can adapt and initiate developmental changes to compensate for changing weather patterns.

Thanks to their biological engineering, they can adjust to loading, if the conditions are typical. When storms, floods, ice, or snow occur, the trees might not fare well. Extreme forces cause damage, injuries and even tree death. You can protect your trees with regular tree care by expert tree surgeons.

 

Article was written by Louise W.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/tree-emergencies/

Tree Pollarding 101

Steven Kelley Tree Services
Tree Pollarding 101

Tree Pollarding 101 – everything you need to know about pollarding.

 

If you are looking for ways to keep your landscape and trees looking their best, several key methods can make a huge impact on how your outdoor space looks.

A process called tree pollarding can help to create a lush, beautiful landscape that promotes healthy trees.

Read on to learn more about pollarding trees and what the process entails.

 

Tree Pollarding Defined

Most people likely have never heard of tree pollarding, but it is an important part of maintaining healthy trees. The process involves cutting young trees and shrubs to the main stem or trunk to control their height.

The plants are not cut at ground level but instead are cut much higher at an average height of around six feet. This process helps to maintain the desired height for your trees while reducing shade and giving the trees a defined silhouette.

Many people opt for tree pollarding to keep taller trees from getting in the way of phone lines or electrical wires. It is also done to trees located close to a home or place of business to reduce the risk of branches breaking and falling onto the roof.

While most typical tree pruning processes remove the lower and crossing limbs of a tree, the pollarding process is a bit different. Pollarding trees is often done when the tree is dormant rather than when it is actively growing. Doing this while a tree is still young or dormant promotes fuller, faster, and greener growth.

In addition to protecting wires, structures, and promoting better growth, tree pollarding may also reduce the risk of fungus and pests. It can also help to protect your trees from various diseases.

 

How to Pollard a Tree

To pollard a tree effectively, it is best to leave the job to the professionals. They will start by cutting off the central leader of the tree first, then proceed to cut all of the branches around it that are at the same height.

By cutting the top of the tree this way, it shortens the crown of the tree. The gardener will remove lower limbs and any crossing limbs to promote a thicker crown as it grows back.

The younger the tree, the faster the new growth will return, while older trees may take longer to regrow leaves and new branches. By pollarding large young deciduous trees, ensures that they sprout healthily to achieve fuller, greener, and lusher growth.

Once the procedure is complete, most trees will produce “waterspouts” at the various locations where it has been cut. These areas will produce sprouts that should be removed at least once per year or every other year. Eventually, knobs or knuckles will form at these locations and continue to regenerate each year.

The timing of tree pollarding is critical and should be performed during the tree’s dormant season. If the tree is pruned during its growing season, it can stunt the growth, remove its energy source, and inhibit the tree’s ability to re-sprout.

Most tree pollarding is done during the fall or winter months of the year when trees are losing their foliage. This is extremely important because most trees rely on their leaves to help produce energy for healthy growth during the warmer months of spring and summer. Removing sprouts and pollarding too early in the year can cause the tree to stop growing, or even worse – to perish.

 

 Tradition of Pollarding Trees

Tree pollarding originated in Europe centuries ago, and the original method was done to ensure that more abundant, smaller branches were produced. As a result, these smaller branches were removed and used as fuel or for making items such as woven baskets.

As the branches were consistently cut back, farmers would harvest the slender sprouts and use them as a food source for livestock. These slender sprouts were also utilized to help weave small fences and other structures.

Today, pollarding fruit trees is a popular method to ensure healthy growth. When the tree is pollarded correctly, it encourages more production of fruits for a bountiful harvest.

Many urban areas choose to pollard trees that line busy streets to help control their growth, preventing branches from falling onto power lines and roadways. Cutting trees back can keep them healthy while maintaining them at a smaller, more easily manageable size.

The difference between topping and pollarding trees is that tree pollarding produces large knuckles. These knuckles are the source of new growth each year and can help to ensure that the tree continues to grow healthy in the future. Imagine the knuckles on a tree as large scars that heal while new growth re-sprouts from dormant buds during the springtime.

Topping a tree does not lead to knuckle formation. This process cuts the entire top of the tree off, resulting in a large wound that can cause the tree to die. Ideally, pollarding fruit trees and other species is best to ensure a healthy outcome.

 

Pollarding: A Unique Technique

Whether you want to encourage healthy growth or remove threatening branches, tree pollarding is a wise way to go. This unique tree-pruning process will ensure that your trees look lush and beautiful for years to come.

Always consult with a professional arborist or landscaper if you are considering using tree pollarding as a method to ensure best results.

For more information about our services or to find out more, contact us today.

 

Article was written by Conner D.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/tree-pollarding-101/

Western Hemlock Tree – Tsuga heterophylla

Steven Kelley Tree Services
Western Hemlock Tree – Tsuga heterophylla

What the Western Hemlock Tree Looks Like

The Western Hemlock tree is a graceful, dense and handsome evergreen belonging to the Pinaceae family. It has soft needles on its drooping branches. Since it is so dense, it casts a heavy shade and there is not much that can live beneath.

Its shape is broadly conical and it has a narrow crown. When Western Hemlock trees are mature, they grow up to 45 metres in height. They grow taller when in their native habitat, however, and grow between 50 and 70 metres tall (165 to 239 ft). In terms of girth, the trunk usually has a diameter measuring up to 2.7 metres (9 ft), making it the largest of the hemlock species. The bark of the Western Hemlock is dark brown with thin and rugged ridges.

The needles of this tree smell similar to grapefruit when they are crushed. They have rounded tips and are flat and soft. The underside of the needles has two white stripes, and they are long when they are on the sides of the twigs than when they are on the top.

The Western Hemlock’s cones don’t have stalks. They are pendulous and small and their scales are flexible, thin and papery. When they are mature they are a grey-brown colour; immature cones are green.

The scientific name for this tree is the Tsuga heterophylla.

This tree is similar to other hemlock spruce trees. It has a similar smell to the herb hemlock, hence its name but it is not related to this highly toxic plant.

 

History of the Western Hemlock Tree

This species is not native to the United Kingdom; it was introduced here in the 19th century.

Symbolism and mythology associated with the Western Hemlock Tree

There has been an association of the Western Hemlock tree with women among some ancient traditions of North America. The female warriors of the Kwakwaka’wakw people made western hemlock headdresses for their ceremonial dances.

In the United Kingdom, Queen Victoria was a huge fan of Western Hemlock trees. She even asked for the name to be changed to honour her husband Albert. The name Tsuga albertiana was used for a while but now its scientific name is Tsuga heterophylla.

The Western Hemlock tree can live up to 500 years.

 

Where Can We find Western Hemlock Trees?

As previously mentioned, the Western Hemlock is not native to the UK.  This species originates in the North West of America. The north-western limit of its growth is the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska and its south-eastern limit is in California in northern Sonoma County. The Western Hemlock is associated with more temperate rainforests and most trees grow within 62 miles (100 km) of the Pacific Ocean. There does exist a population of Western Hemlocks further inland in the south-east of British Columbia, the west of Montana, the north of Idaho and in the Columbia Mountains.

The trees grow mostly at lower altitudes right from sea level up to 2,000 ft (600 m) but they grow up to 5,900 ft (1,800 m) in the range of trees in Idaho.

It’s thanks to the botanist David Douglas that Britain now has this species here. It is so popular that it is now the species of conifer that is most common in this country. The Western Hemlock is suited best to moist climates; it regenerates well in a huge variety of upland forests and grows rapidly.

These trees are integral components of forests in the Pacific Northwest and are an important tree for timber in this region.

 

What is the Western Hemlock’s Value to Wildlife?

Since this tree is very dense, it casts a heavy shade. This means that when there is a lot of Western Hemlocks in a plantation, there is not a lot of wildlife or plants able to live beneath them.

 

Uses of Western Hemlock

In the United Kingdom, Western Hemlock is mainly grown for wood pulp and timber. It is also used as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks too. The wood of the western hemlock is used commonly for boxes and roofing as it is capable of holding nails well and doesn’t split easily.

It is an important tree for other aspects of joinery too such as furniture making and doors.

If these trees are planted along riverbanks, they can help to reduce problematic erosion there.

 

Nutritional Uses of Western Hemlock

There is a part of the Western Hemlock’s bark that is edible: the cambium. This can be collected when slabs of bark are scraped. The shavings produced can be eaten straight away or they can be dried out and then pressed inside bread. This is what Native Americans would have done in the south-east of Alaska.

Other parts of the Western Hemlock can also be used in food production. New needles are tender and can be made into a tea that is rich in Vitamin C but also bitter. You can also chew these needles directly.

 

The Largest Western Hemlock Tree

The largest known Western Hemlock tree was discovered in 2018 and was added to the American National Register of Champion Trees. It has a circumference of 343 inches (8.71 metres) and is 190 feet (57.9 metres) tall. Its crown spread is 59 feet (15.24 metres).

In the United Kingdom, the largest known Western Hemlock tree is in Doune Park in Sterling, Scotland. The girth of the tree is 7.06 metres (23 feet), and it was 43 metres (141 foot) tall when it was last measured in 2009.

 

Final Thoughts

The Western Hemlock is an impressive species. It is well recognised by its size but it also provides valuable services in joinery, paper making, erosion prevention and food sources. What is more, it provides both shelter and food for wildlife and is also critical in the ecosystem for its role in CO2 absorption from the atmosphere as it stores carbon in the wood. Finally, it is great at purifying water too.

 

Article was written by Conner D.

Article Source: https://www.graftingardeners.co.uk/western-hemlock/

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Tips on How to Properly Prune Hydrangea

Steven Kelley Tree Blogs
Tips on How to Properly Prune Hydrangea

This time of year many people want to know the best way to prune hydrangeas. How and when to prune strongly depends on the hydrangea species. Therefore, you should first understand the type of hydrangea you have to ensure health and maximum blooms.

Bigleaf (Hydrangea macrophylla) is one of the most common. This group is often known as mophead, lacecaps or French hydrangeas. Bigleaf hydrangea bloom on one-year-old wood. With that in mind, prune these plants within four to six weeks after blooming. To rejuvenate these plants, prune by selectively thinning out old stems. You should remove no more than one quarter to one third of the older stems each year. In addition, you can reduce long stems and branches to shape the plant. Further, oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) also blooms on old wood. Therefore, you should prune it in the same manner.

pruning hydrangea
Before pruning hydrangea, be sure to know what species you have.

Do not prune bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangea heavily during late summer or in early spring. Pruning during this time period will reduce blooms as it removes the flower buds for the next cycle.

In comparison, panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata), which include pee gee hydrangea, and smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) bloom on new wood in mid to late summer. Prune these species in winter or early spring. They can tolerate severe reduction.

For smooth hydrangea, including the common cultivar ‘Annabelle,’ some prefer to prune the plant nearly to the ground in winter or early spring. Panicle hydrangeas can also withstand this type of pruning. The exception is when you have trained the plant into a tree form. To maintain as a tree form, thin the plant to remove crossing and conflicting branches and selectively reduce to maintain desired size and shape.

The post Tips on How to Properly Prune Hydrangea first appeared on Tree Topics.

What is the best mulch to stop weeds?

Steven Kelley Tree Services
What is the best mulch to stop weeds?

Maintaining a garden is a labour of love. But sometimes the time and effort involved can be challenging to keep up. That’s why many homeowners today look for ways to make gardening easier. Low maintenance solutions like automatic sprinklers and composting systems are just the beginning.

One of the most challenging tasks for maintaining a garden involves weed removal. Weeds can be difficult to find and remove. Even when you least expect it, there could be seeds from weeds spreading around your garden beds. These seeds could be laying dormant until conditions are right for them to start thriving in your backyard.

Weeds are often the cause of many frustrations and issues in the garden. To help you manage weeds and keep them under control, let’s explore one of the most effective methods for stopping them—adding mulch to your garden beds.

Why mulch is a great option for weed control

When you apply mulch to your garden beds you are giving your soil a protective layer. A layer of mulch effectively blocks out the sunlight and prevents it from hitting your garden’s soil. Keep this in mind as we go through how weeds end up in your garden.

Weeds tend to spread when their seeds drop and get deposited into the soil. They can quickly multiply and spread throughout your garden in no time when growing conditions are favourable for them. Luckily, one of the most essential ingredients that help the seeds of a weed grow is nourishment from the sun.

So if you effectively block out sunlight hitting your soil, you take away a major food source for the seeds of the weeds to grow. Photosynthesis can longer occur which helps give weeds the nourishment they need to grow.

How mulch can help other plants thrive

One of the major benefits of laying down mulch is the protection it provides for the rest of the plants in your garden beds. During hot and dry seasons, mulch can help retain moisture in your soil. So long after your garden beds have been watered, the mulch will retain water and keep the soil moist.

This moist environment underneath your mulch will continue to help your plants thrive in more ways than one. Mulch can also help regulate temperature. In colder climates, the mulch is also effective at retaining heat. This form of temperature control contributes to a warm environment that helps your plants thrive well before Spring kicks in.

By now you’re probably wondering why mulch doesn’t hamper the growth of your other plants if that’s what it does to weeds. The truth is, you have to have well-established plant seedlings in place before laying down mulch. This ensures your seedlings sit above the mulch so they can still absorb nutrients and energy from the sun via photosynthesis.

Mulching on a budget

Your gardening budget can definitely help you narrow down your options for garden mulch. If you don’t want to fork out money for it, there are several free options you can rely on. If you regularly prune your garden you may already have a collection of twigs and small branches lying around. These can be perfect options for your garden mulch.

Fallen leaves from the trees in your yard are also a great option. But depending on the type of leaves you choose they may compost a lot faster than your standard mulch. Other free options to consider are sawdust or wood chips leftover from any work you’ve done in the garage. If you own a big lawn at home you may also appreciate that grass clippings from lawn mowing can also be used for mulch.

Choosing the best mulch for your needs

Choosing the best mulch to stop weeds in your garden really depends on your maintenance needs and what you’re trying to grow in your individual garden beds. Ideally, you want a mulch that can block out light from your soil. That’s the most important thing to consider when choosing the best mulch to stop weeds.

The free options we mentioned earlier like leaves and grass clippings are great but they can decompose a lot faster than other varieties. Wooden chips and mulch are popular options for several reasons. They don’t decompose quickly. They can last for months or well over a year before they start to deteriorate. One of the disadvantages of wooden mulch and chips is that because they don’t break down as fast, they won’t enrich your soil and provide your plants with nutrients.

A great solution we’ve found is using a combination of compatible mulch like leaves, grass, and hay with wooden mulch laid on top of it. This option gives you the best of both mulches. You’ll get the nutrients from the breakdown of leaves and other organic matter combined with the long-lasting surface protection of wooden mulch.

Get your next batch of garden mulch from Daryl’s tree care

Do you have a few trees that need to be removed from your garden? If so, we’ve got some great news for you. These trees can be turned into mulch that you can use directly in your garden. As part of our tree removal service, we offer mulching. So the branches, tree stump and log from your tree can be placed straight into our wood chipper where it’s turned into wooden mulch.

Even if you’re not getting any tree removed, we can still supply and deliver tree mulch straight to your yard. But you will have to be patient. Our wooden mulch only becomes available for jobs that require trees to be processed through a wood chipper.

So contact us today and we’ll gladly let you know when the next load of wooden mulch will be available for you to buy. Leading up to the day when we process a tree, we’ll let you know and arrange a day and time for your mulch delivery.

The post What is the best mulch to stop weeds? appeared first on Daryl’s Tree Care And Surgery.

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