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Tree health care is all our responsibility. In our drive for civilisation we have developed ever increasing demands for cleanliness and hygiene. There are obviously many situations, such as the operating theatre or kitchen, where this is a distinct advantage. However, one situation where it is not ideal to have everything sterilised and polished is in your garden.
If nature teaches us anything it is that less is more.
In this modern era, often our initial reaction to any situation is to think that we humans need to manage a situation to the finest detail for a successful outcome. When it comes to tree health care however, nature is many steps ahead of us.
Ecosystems involving trees have been looking after themselves quite successfully for the last 370 million years. So it appears there is a lot we can learn from trees. The problem arises where trees and people meet. The self-management system developed over millions of years in the forest is not always desirable in the urban setting. When a limb falls from a tree in the forest it usually does not have a house or car beneath it.
So in steps the Arborist to mitigate. An ambassador and adviser for both sides.
At Pro Climb we have the interests of both parties concerned. This is our Expert Arborists priority and we can advise you on how to take care of your garden. Our Arborists will give you expert tree health care advice. In a way that not only increases tree health care, but also considers the wildlife that share the space too and in a cost effective manner.
A common approach to tree care management and tree health care is to focus on the above ground portion of the tree, for obvious reasons. That is the bit you can see and the one which may be blocking your light or to close to your house. However, it the part of the tree you cannot see, the roots below the ground, that have a major impact on overall tree health care. Practise good tree health care and you will significantly reduce the need to prune the canopy of the tree every year.
One way in which you can provide tree health care is by mimicking a natural environment.
There are no lawns, concrete or paving in the forest. If the space allows it, extend the clear area beneath the tree as far as possible. You can use a good quality wood mulch, native ground plants, or a mixture of both to cover the area.
This will help retain moisture in the soil, reduce competition for the tree by preventing weeds from growing. This will also create an environment for earthworms and insects to naturally decompose the material and aerate the soil improving conditions for the tree.
Another option when having tree work done in your garden is to leave some or all of the waste material on site and unprocessed.
Having a section of your garden that is left in a somewhat wild state is a great way of encouraging wildlife. Rotting wood and branches provide a rich source of food for many insects and worms which are in turn a source of food for other forms of wildlife such as birds.
Leaving tree waste material on site in this manner is also often the cheapest option for dealing with waste created from tree work. Extra Eco points are also gained by not using the fuel it would have taken to chip and remove the material from site. The area does not need to be on show, it can be tucked away in a back corner or screened off by some clever planting, quietly working away doing its part for the environment.