Articles
The Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra) is considered to be the only true indigenous Elm tree in the UK, and now sadly it is one of our most endangered. These stately, majestic trees were once a common site across the British Isles, but have in recent years been decimated by the Dutch Elm Disease epidemic. Like many of our ancient native trees, Elms have a long relationship with humans and feature in our mythology and history as well as in our industry.
An interesting conundrum recently presented itself to consultant Graham: a listed wall, built in Exeter's local Heavitree Stone, had started to bow under pressure from the roots of a protected veteran Holm Oak, believed to have been planted at the same time the wall was constructed. Through careful assessment and conversation a way was found to preserve both wall and tree, protecting two local pieces of heritage in one go.
You may have come across mention of Devon’s ancient rainforests in the news (LINK), or perhaps you know them personally and have visited one of the three miniature forests located on Dartmoor: Wistman’s Wood, Blackator Copse and Piles Copse. Known for their distinctive, gnarled oak trees, festooned with moss and lichens, and popular in local folklore, these woodlands are actually fragments of an increasingly rare part of our landscape.
P. pluvialis is a fungus-like pathogen which affects a variety of trees but most commonly conifers such as pine, fir and spruce. Since October P. pluvialis has been found in other parts of Cornwall and in Devon, as well as a few isolated cases in the north of the country and Scotland, resulting in a demarcated area being drawn around areas known to be experiencing infections.
The first few months of this year has seen Dartmoor Tree Surgeons working with an unusually high number of Monterey Pines. These distinctive trees have become a real feature of the Devon landscape , often become very popular within their communities. Read on to learn more about the history of these “mountain kings”, as well as the best way to keep an eye on any you might be responsible for.
Have you ever walked past a team of tree surgeons as they are dismantling an awkward tree? Maybe there are powerlines running alongside the tree or a delicate structure that they have to avoid. A lot of people are interested in what we do and how we do it, understanding that that it takes a great deal of skill, experience and training to tackle a large tree as the wind blows and the rain comes down and every piece of material has to come down into an area the size of a small garden shed! That could be someone’s idea of a real nightmare, but to most of us it’s an enjoyable challenge that it is very rewarding.
From time to time we are asked to assess the structural integrity of a specimen which maybe raising concerns for a customer. An indicator of potential decay is sometimes (but not limited to) a fungal fruiting body protruding from the wood or root area around a tree, and depending on what species of fungi these fruiting bodies belong to, we can gauge whether a look inside the stem is necessary or not.
