The UK may be bracing itself for snow over Easter but up until now, the winter has been unseasonably mild. And because of this, a lot of the trees have been blossoming for weeks. The daffodils and crocuses are out already and spring has sprung early.

But although this means we have gorgeous swathes of colour in our gardens, an early spring is not necessarily a good thing. The warm winter has prompted a ‘false’ spring, which can leave crops and plants vulnerable. This is because invariably, these high temperatures are likely to be followed by an abrupt freeze.

Early buds and blooms are easily killed off by a hard frost; they simply aren’t strong enough to survive such extreme temperatures. The sudden shock can damage the growing tissue and reproductive structures of the plant. And this can mean that the plant then fails to flower or fruit for the rest of the year.

Not good for your garden and even worse for wildlife, as lost plant productivity can have a massive impact on animals that depend on certain plants to survive. Agriculture can also be affected by the false spring, with frost damaged fruit and vegetables costing farmers millions in waste.

Trees

A warm winter can have an adverse effect on trees too. On a warm day, it is normal for a tree’s sap to come up. However, unusually warm winter and early spring days can lead to the level of sap you would expect in mid-summer, which is abnormal.

Plus warm weather can produce fungus and a tree that has gone dormant for the winter is not able to fight it like it usually could. In the worst cases, this fungus could kill a tree.

What can you do to help?

Tempting as it may be, try not to plant anything you may be growing in your home or greenhouse until later in the spring. If your garden’s plants are struggling, keep an eye on the weather forecast and protect them with a cloth or plastic covering if frost looks likely.

Mulch can help to keep tree roots warm but if you have noticed that any of your trees have been affected by fungus, there’s not much you can do but wait and hope.

We hope you found this article on ‘Will the mild winter cause damage to my plants and trees?’ useful. If you would like to discuss any aspect of this article then please do not hesitate to call Prince Tree Surgery on 01277 229709 or ‘Ask Matt’ a question.

Do you need a tree surgeon or surveyor to determine whether a tree has become a threat to your home or premises?

I was recently asked the following question:

“Could you please tell me if a tree surgeon alone can make a decision as to whether a tree is causing root damage to a property, or does he have to work along side a construction engineer or surveyor?”

My answer was pretty straightforward:

“It depends on your tree surgeon’s experience! You may be able to find a tree surveyor near you who could do both.”

This is because when it comes to tree work, one size doesn’t necessarily fit all. Just as some plumbers are also qualified to carry out gas work, some tree surgeons have the skills that cross over into a tree surveyor’s remit and vice versa.

What does a tree surgeon do?

A tree surgeon has the skills to carry out a huge range of tree work, to include:

• Planting
• Care and maintenance
• Pruning and branch removals
• Tree felling
• Tree health and hazard assessments
• Pest control

Due to the work involved, a tree surgeon must be physically fit and have a head for heights. Many people become tree surgeons after gaining experience assisting qualified tree surgeons as a ground worker. Ground workers operate chainsaws, grinders and chippers, and clear the area of cut timber as the tree surgeon works. Others undertake an apprenticeship in Trees and Timber.

What does a tree surveyor do?

A tree surveyor, otherwise known as an Arboricultural Surveyor, is qualified to undertake a range of duties. These include:

• Surveying, managing and maintaining trees
• Producing site reports
• Managing trees on construction sites and in relation to planning applications
• Advising on trees within Conservation Areas or that are part of Tree Preservation Orders

Arboriculturists tend to specialise in one particular area of arboriculture, but in addition to inspection and surveying, a tree surveyor is likely to be fairly knowledgeable about tree preservation and conservation, tree climbing and maintenance, planning, and parks and gardens.

A tree surveyor may be self employed, work for a private company, or a local authority.

And if you’re not sure where to look in your area, a fast and simple way of finding a local, qualified tree surgeon or surveyor is to visit The Arboricultural Association’s website. 

There you will find a Registered Consulant Directory, which provides you with all the information you’ll need.

We hope you found this article on ‘How do I find out whether a tree is causing root damage to my property?’ useful. If you would like to discuss any aspect of this article then please do not hesitate to call Prince Tree Surgery on 01277 229709 or ‘Ask Matt’ a question.

Many of us assume that trees and shrubs are big and strong enough to take care of themselves over the colder months. Yet the harsh winter weather can affect all plants, particularly those that have recently been planted.

So what can you do to protect your trees and shrubs over winter? You will be happy to know that it doesn’t take much to help them survive and thrive during the next few months.

Established trees and shrubs

Most well-established plants will be able to withstand even the harshest elements. If you have any trees with stakes or ties, check them to make sure the wind hasn’t loosened them. If so, the tie may damage the bark as it rubs up and down. Tighten them again if you need to. You will also need to check if any ties need to be loosened. As the trunk grows, it expands and ties that are too tight can harm the tree and restrict growth.

Remember that stakes should only be left in place for approximately 18 months. They are not meant to support the tree for the rest of its life – simply help it establish itself in the soil to begin with. If your tree still isn’t anchored after 18 months, you will need to do some investigation. It is likely that there is either a problem with the tree itself or the way the it was anchored originally.

New trees and shrubs

Have you recently planted a tree or shrub? If so, it is important that you regularly check on them to make sure they are firmly staked and tied. Otherwise, strong winds can rock them back and forth until they become loose, stopping them from being able to anchor themselves and potentially damaging their roots.

Using mulch is a great way to retain moisture in the soil around your trees over the winter months. This is best done in autumn or spring but with this December being unseasonally mild, adding a layer of mulch now will be fine.

Snow

Snow may look pretty but a lot of that pretty white stuff settling on tree branches or the top of shrubs equals a lot of weight to withstand. Excessive snow can lead to branches breaking. Shake off snow or gently knock it off to lessen the load.

Pruning over winter

When trees lose their foliage you can see their branches much more clearly, so it makes perfect sense that winter is the ideal time to prune deciduous shrubs and trees. Remove any dead or diseased branches and take full opportunity of your plants’ lack of leaves to shape them exactly as you want.

Branches and limbs risking your property?

If any of your trees’ branches or limbs are hanging over your house, garage, car or path, now is a good time to either cable, brace or prune them to stop them from causing expensive – and potentially dangerous – damage to your property.

Alternatively, if you are concerned that they are diseased or dead, we would strongly recommend getting them removed as quickly as possible. It takes only one storm or gusty day to do some serious damage.

Are you worried about your trees this winter?

If you are concerned about any of your trees and how they will fare this winter, please do not hesitate to get in contact. We are happy to provide professional advice on any aspect of tree care.

We hope you found this article on ‘Protecting trees and shrubs over winter’ useful, if you would like to discuss any aspect of this article then please do not hesitate to call Prince Tree Surgery on 01277 229709 or ‘Ask Matt’ a question.

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If you buy one of our gift vouchers for £30 when it is redeemed it is worth £40!!

All you need to do is click on the below button to purchase your gift voucher – which are sold in multiples of £30.

If you have any queries regarding our voucher offer, then please do not hesitate to call Prince Tree Surgery on 01277 229709 or ‘Ask Matt’ a question.

T&Cs: Gift Vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash nor  used in conjunction with any other offer.

The colder weather has set in and with it, stronger winds and a greater likelihood of storms. The local area is seeing pretty mild, dry days but elsewhere, gusts are reaching in excess of 40mph. It’s unlikely that any trees will topple, but branches may fall and old, diseased trees could potentially pose a threat.

So what if a tree was to topple into your property? Alternatively, what if it was to fall into your neighbour’s property? Who would take responsibility? Would you be able to make a claim and if so, who to?

Any damage to your home or garden caused by a tree is generally covered by your buildings insurance. If a tree was to fall from your property, a neighbouring property or from the road, your insurance company will probably recover any costs from whoever ‘owned’ the tree.

However, it is worth remembering that it is highly unlikely that you will recover the costs of removing any debris. The insurer is likely to cut away and remove whatever is required in order to then commence any repairs. This will also apply if a neighbour’s tree has damaged your property. Under your buildings insurance, your insurer will pay for the damage to be repaired. But don’t assume that they will also pay for the removal of any debris, other than whatever has to be disposed of in order for that repair work to start.

Why? Because insurers argue that the tree belongs to you (or your neighbour) and as such, it is your responsibility to dispose of.

What if a tree falls onto my vehicle?

Trees falling onto cars in high winds are not an uncommon sight. If a tree was to topple onto your vehicle, you should be able to make a claim on your car insurance.

However, if you only have third party or third party fire and theft cover, you will not be covered for any damage incurred by a fallen tree.

What if the tree was damaged or diseased before it fell?

This could cause a problem as most insurance companies will refuse to pay out if the property owner cannot prove that the tree was in a good condition before they toppled over.

Sadly, a lot of people either don’t realise or ignore the fact that they have a legal responsibility to ensure that all trees within their property boundaries are safe and healthy, and will not fall on passers-by or damage other people’s property. If you are aware that your tree poses a potential threat, you are legally obliged to take reasonable steps to either make it safe or remove it from your property.

If a tree that has fallen is deemed to be diseased, rotten or dead, your insurance company will refuse your claim. This means that you will have to either pay for the damage yourself if it is your property, or settle a claim with a neighbour out of your own pocket.

When you take into account the fact that it can cost several thousand pounds to remove a large tree, let alone the cost of any damage it may have done to buildings, sheds, fences or vehicles, it’s hardly surprising that this sort of oversight can quickly become a huge financial burden and incredibly stressful for all involved.

What if it’s a neighbour’s tree that was diseased and fell into our property?

Thankfully, this scenario is rare. If a healthy tree blows over, your neighbours are not liable for the damage. It should be covered as part of your own buildings insurance.

However, if it was rotten, diseased or dead and you can prove that they failed to do anything to rectify the problem, you could claim that they were negligent and therefore liable for the cost of repairs. The same is true if they had been digging around it and left it in an unstable condition.

We hope you found this article on ‘Who should take responsibility if a tree falls on my property or vehicle’ useful, if you would like to discuss any aspect of this article then please do not hesitate to call Prince Tree Surgery on 01277 229709 or ‘Ask Matt’ a question.

Have you noticed that every time you enquire about buildings insurance, you will more than likely be asked whether there are any trees within a certain distance of your property? Have you ever wondered why?

Trees are an attractive addition to your garden. They provide privacy and shelter. Yet it is important that you are aware that trees can also have impact on your house insurance.

This is because as well as looking pretty and stopping prying eyes from seeing into your garden, trees and other vegetation that are close to your home can potentially cause subsidence or heave. Falling trees or branches could damage your – or a neighbour’s – property. There is also the issue of third party liability.

What damage can trees do to a property?

Falling trees and branches are usually covered by home insurance policy at standard. To be sure, make sure you check the wording of your policy in case there are any exclusions.

However, although you may think that a falling tree is a major issue, the roots can be far more problematic. As your tree roots grow, they could push through, under or against your property’s external walls or foundations. In addition, trees can remove water from the soil, drying it out and making it shrink. This can then cause the foundations to sink and your building to subside.

Will my home insurance be more expensive?

Homeowners who have trees in close proximity to their property are unlikely to find that their buildings premiums are any more expensive. In addition, it shouldn’t be any more complicated to take out house insurance.

However, you do need to check your policy’s terms and conditions to see if any ‘assumptions’ have been put in place regarding damage caused by trees. You will want to do this before taking out cover to ensure that you meet the provider’s criteria. Otherwise, if something were to happen, you may find that you are not covered.

If your property was damaged through subsidence, it is likely that your home insurance providers will send a loss adjuster to assess the claim and source of the issue. There is a chance that they will request that you remove the tree as a precautionary measure. It is your right to refuse but bear in mind that if there is any subsequent damage, you may be held financially responsible for any repairs.

I am concerned about planting a tree in my garden

If you want to plant a tree, simply make sure it’s as far away from your house as possible. The general rule is that a tree should be planted at least as far away from a building as its full height once it matures.

Also, it is important to remember that every tree is different – some need a lot more water than others. For example, evergreen roots suck up less water than broad-leafed trees. Oak, ash, willow and elm trees require a lot of water to thrive.

Can I just remove a tree if I’m worried it’s too close to my house?

Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. If you removed an established tree in dry ground, you may end up seeing ‘heaving’. This is when the ground around the tree is so used to water being removed that once the tree is no longer there to suck up the excess, it will swell with moisture.

If you are worried about a tree being too close to your home, don’t just try to cut it down or you may end up causing more problems than you fix. Make sure you speak to a qualified tree surgeon to ascertain the risks before making any decision.

We hope you found this article on ‘what effect can a tree have on my home insurance’ useful, if you would like to discuss any aspect of this article then please do not hesitate to call Prince Tree Surgery on 01277 229709 or ‘Ask Matt’ a question.

Safety guidelines for trimming or cutting trees near overhead power lines.

Are you planning on trimming or cutting down trees or hedges adjacent to live overhead power lines? Trees can grow into overhead lines, hitting the cables and arcing and sparking. This can affect local peoples’ electricity supply. Therefore it makes sense that trees growing too close to power lines should be trimmed before they become a problem.

But before you get the saw out, have you considered the risks? It may sound obvious but accidentally making contact with – or even coming close to – live electrical lines and equipment will result in serious injury or death. Therefore it is imperative that you stay safe at all times.

In some cases, your local electricity distribution network operator may be responsible for cutting trees and hedges. For example, UK Power Networks covers London, the South East and the East of England, whereas Western Power Distribution is the electricity distribution network operator for the Midlands, South Wales and the South West. Both conduct an extensive tree management programme, ensuring that trees that could interfere with overhead lines are trimmed regularly.

However, if a tree branch breaks off and lands on an electrical wire, it is essential that you contact your network operator immediately. Do not touch the branch or wire; power lines are not insulated so if you touch one, you will be severely injured or killed.

You can report a tree that you believe needs cutting; however it is worth noting that these operators can only cut trees back enough to make sure they are no longer an imminent risk. It is only if an engineer deems the tree to be an issue of public safety that more radical action will be taken.

The landowner will also need to be contacted as they will be responsible for removing the cut branches one work has been carried out.

What if our electricity distribution network operator says it’s not their responsibility?

In some cases, the tree may not be growing close enough to a power line to directly affect the electricity supply. However, you may still want to trim or remove it.

We would strongly suggest that you pay a professional to carry out the work on your behalf. The money you spend will be far less than serious injury or death if you were to make a mistake.

However, if you do feel confident in cutting or removing a tree or hedge, here are our safety guidelines for working near overhead power lines:

• If you are unsure how close you may have to get to overhead power lines, contact your electrical network operator for advice. The equipment may need to be made safe before work commences.
• Never cut trees or hedges if they are directly below overhead power lines and any associated equipment.
• Do not cut down trees that are two times or less than the length of the tree on either side of the power lines.
• Never let your ladder touch an overhead power line.

Plant smart

You should never plant a tree near high voltage overhead power lines. However, there are some trees that can be planted a safe distance away that won’t grow tall enough to interfere with the lines. These include Hawthorne, Rose Acacia, Common Juniper and Honeysuckle.

If you have any questions or concerns about trimming, removing or planting trees near overhead electrical lines, please do not hesitate to contact Prince Tree Surgery. We’re happy to help.

We hope you found this article on ‘How to remove a tree near power lines’ useful, if you would like to discuss any aspect of this article then please do not hesitate to call Prince Tree Surgery on 01277 229709 or ‘Ask Matt’ a question.

I recently received a message via my ‘Ask Matt’ page, which said:

“I have a large Leylandii fern tree that split into two trunks years ago. Recently one of the trunks has started to move and the branches are starting to brown and lose colour. I’m concerned that the tree is dying and might fall over onto my neighbour’s fence or shed. Should I be concerned?”

Simply put, yes.

Cuprocyparis (formerly Cupressocyparis) leylandii is a tree that is like Marmite – you either love them or hate them. Leylandii provide exceptional privacy but they grow very quickly and can become very tall if you don’t cut them regularly. In fact, the green species of Leylandii can grow up to 25m high if left unpruned.

If there is a neighbour dispute about a hedge, it’s very likely that the culprit will be a Leylandii. In fact, there have been so many disputes that the ‘high hedge law’ was introduced in 2005, enabling local authorities to intervene and decide on any necessary action required. This could result in a fine of £1,000. This is before you look into the repercussions of damaging your neighbour’s fence or shed (let alone the horrendous possibility of injuring people if your tree was to fall).

Therefore, if there are any issues with your Leylandii, it is important that it is sorted as quickly as possible. Without looking at the offending tree, it is impossible to say for sure what the issue is; however, there are a few possibilities.

Lack of water

You might assume that your trees are well established and can get everything they need from the soil. However, if they have to compete with other plants nearby, your tree may be short of water. Make sure you water well and if you can, mulch the area around the trunk with compost or bark chippings.

Cypress Aphid

Hearing the symptoms, it could be that your Leylandii has been attacked by a cypress aphid. This is a highly destructive insect that sucks the sap out of the leaves. This causes the leaves to turn brown, eventually killing branches and ultimately the entire tree.

Climate change is blamed for the millions of cypress aphids that are now about to survive milder winters. John Buxton, a consultant entomologist described the insect as a “very, very virulent pest.”

“They feed by sucking sap and the plants react by dropping their needles and going brown,” he explained during an outbreak in 2007. “The damage they cause is far more severe than with most aphids. It can’t be reversed.

“You can tell if aphids are present because they leave lots of black sooty moulds from secretions,” he added.

Root disease

A root disease such as honey fungus or Phytophthora is unlikely in this case but it can cause a tree to die completely. Honey fungus is the common name of several types of species of fungi that attack and kill the roots of numerous perennial and woody plants. It spreads underground, killing off the roots of plants and decaying the dead wood.

You can check if a plant is infected with honey fungus by peeling away the bark at the base of the tree to see if there is a paper thin, white layer of fungal tissue.

Phytophthora root rot is another common cause of root and stem base decay. Microscopic, fungus-like organisms cause plants to decay, with symptoms including wilting, sparse foliage and branch dieback.

What next?

There are many pests and diseases that can severely affect a plant’s health, as well as human error. The key is to determine the exact problem as soon as possible and to deal with it before it gets out of hand. Prince Tree Surgery is always on hand to offer advice and conduct a site visit – all you need to do is call.

We hope you found this article on ‘Should you be concerned about Leylandii fern branches going brown?’ useful, if you would like to discuss any aspect of this article then please do not hesitate to call Prince Tree Surgery on 01277 229709 or ‘Ask Matt’ a question.

More and more British homeowners are bringing the Mediterranean to their gardens by investing in a fruit tree or two. These colourful additions can brighten up a courtyard, orchard or lawn and keep you self-sufficient in whichever variety of fruit takes your fancy.

Although they’re not particularly difficult to maintain, fruit trees can leave their owners literally stumped when they encounter a problem.

One of the most frequently asked questions about lemon trees in particular is why they have sticky leaves. We will attempt to address that right here but if you’re unsure of what to do, it’s always worth getting a professional to come out and take a proper look.

Sticky leaves of any tree are usually evidence of an aphid infestation or occasionally an infestation of a tree above the lemon tree. 

Aphids feed on the sap of phloem vessels – this is the living tissue that carries organic nutrients to the plant for healthy growth. These insects pierce the leaf using their mouth and suction up the sap into their food canal.

Aphids suction up more sap than they can physically digest which means the excess drops onto leaves below. As the sap dries, it leaves a sticky, sugary substance known as honeydew.

Occasionally the sap residue will also be flecked with black. This indicates the presence of a fungus called sooty mould. While this might appear alarming, the fungus relies on the sap itself to feed and not the leaves, therefore causing no further damage.

Colonies of ants often eat the honeydew which is rich in energy. This provides the lemon tree with additional protection from predators and creates an ecological balance.

Where infestations are unmanageable, it is advisable to prune your lemon tree to remove some of the insect colonies.

Another useful tip is to spray the lemon tree with water from a hose which will help to wash and disperse some of the population and prevent them from finding their way back.

It is possible to buy natural oils such as Neem oil which infects and kills aphids and won’t harm your tree.  You could also try and introduce other predators organically to control your aphid populations. Ladybirds and wasps are particularly partial to aphids.

The good news is lemon trees are one of the toughest citrus trees and will withstand many problems, including aphid infestations. 

We hope you found this article on ‘Why are the leaves on my lemon tree sticky’ useful, if you would like to discuss any aspect of this article then please do not hesitate to call Prince Tree Surgery on 01277 229709 or ‘Ask Matt’ a question.

This tree is within a tight area, quite close to another property, so to enable not to damage the property nearby, Stuart climbs the tree to bring the tree down in little bits, smaller bits than he normally would due to the confined area, rather than a ‘hey T.I.M.B.E.R‘ approach as one does envisage!

So this is how to safely remove a tree – call in a professional tree surgeon to ensure safety at all times.