Research results and practical experience are brought together in Arboricultural Practice Notes to provide blue prints that can be applied in the field. In this way practitioners should be able to use ‘best practices’ and provide a cost effective service to clients.
APN 1 Driveways Close to Trees
(superseded by APN12)
APN 2 Compost from woody wastes
Based on a paper prepared by Joan Webber and Christopher Gee
Forestry Commission Research Division, Alice Holt Lodge, Wrecclesham, Farnham Surrey
Increasing quantities of woody waste material, particularly prunings, are being produced by tree surgery, landscape management and gardening. Disposal of these and woody materials from other sources (e.g. construction/building sites, demolition operations and sawmill residues) to landfill sites is becoming increasingly difficult and costly. Alternatives to disposal which are environmentally friendly need to be found. Returning this biodegradable material to the soil as a mulch or soil conditioner in landscape and garden situations is one solution which imitates natural processes. However, before large quantities of woody materials are used in this way they should first be composted. The reasons for composting woody materials are outlined in this Note and advice is given on the method of composting.
APN 3 Trees in Dispute
(superseded by APN11)
APN 4 Root barriers and building subsidence
Debbie Marshall, Derek Patch and Martin Dobson
Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service
Trees may cause damage to built structures by extracting water from clay soil beneath the foundations. Severe pruning or removal of the tree can be unacceptable methods of amelioration. Construction of a barrier between a tree and a building may appear a simple method of preventing root activity near the foundations. However there are limitations to barriers both in their design and materials to use. This Note discusses the role of root barriers, design criteria and materials that might be adopted.
APN 5 Shaded by trees?
Janet F. Barlow and Giles Harrison
Department of Meteorology, University of Reading
The lengths of shadows cast by trees depends on factors which include the time of day and year and geographical location. The shape of tree will affect the duration of shading. Tables show the lengths of shadows for a range of parameters. These give quick reference having been chosen to give a representative range of locations in the British Isles.
APN 6 Trees and shrubs for noise control
Martin Dobson and Jo Ryan
Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service
Noise, or unwanted sound, can be one of the most problematic environmental factors of both urban and rural areas; traffic noise in particular is a common problem. Noise attenuation can be achieved by increasing the distance between the noise source and hearer. However, very often this is not possible and other methods, such as erecting a solid barrier can be adopted. Where space permits, trees and shrubs can make effective noise barriers and at the same time be visually attractive. Based on published research, this Note makes recommendations and prescriptions for planting trees and shrubs to reduce noise and discusses the merits of various planting specifications.
APN 7 Grey Squirrels in Parks, Urban Woodlands and Amenity Plantings
Harry W Pepper
Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service
Grey squirrels are opportunistic animals well adapted to exploit both urban and suburban habitats. They are capable of inflicting damage to trees to such and extent that it threatens the successful replacement of mature and over mature trees. Effective methods of damage prevention are, at present, confined to grey squirrel control techniques developed to protect vulnerable trees in rural woodlands. These methods can be very unpopular in urban areas as people have become accustomed to the more endearing characteristics of these animals. Grey squirrel management is essential if trees and woodlands in urban areas are to survive or be established. Therefore, management must be planned and executed with care, sensitivity and thoroughness.
APN 8 Trees Bleeding
Derek Patch
Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service
(Based on an unpublished paper by Jane Dow, Formerly of Merrist Wood College)
Liquids flowing from trees generally cause distress to the observer. The flow frequently follows damage to the plant’s tissue. The cause of the damage, which can be living or none-living, should be determined before remedial or preventative action is decided upon.
APN 9 Management of Avenue Trees
Jo Ryan and Derek Patch
Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service
Avenues of trees have long been a popular feature of the British rural and urban landscapes. The planting style is of European origin and became fashionable in Britainduring the 17th century. Today, established avenues are not always managed with the sensitivity they deserve. A lack of commitment to the available management options results in decline of an existing avenue or failure of regeneration strategies. This Practice Note offers guidance in avenue management; it identifies the problems which can affect avenues, highlights the importance of establishing management objectives and discusses some practical solutions.
APN 10 Ivy – Boon or Bane ?
Derek Patch
Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service
Common Ivy, a native evergreen climber, has many detractors who believe that it is spreading through the British countryside and killing increasing numbers of trees. What is the evidence to support these allegations? This Note reviews the status of Ivy on the British landscape and highlights a need for objective information.
APN 11 Trees and Hedges in Dispute.
Martin Dobson and Derek Patch
Revised and expanded by Ben Holding- Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service
Trees and hedges can arouse strong emotions. In some cases people can be fiercely protective of them, both their own and those owned by others. This is perhaps because of their size, historical or aesthetic value, or because of sentimental attachments. But in other cases there may be equally heartfelt animosity towards trees and hedges and a determination to see them removed or substantially reduce in size. However, there is often overlap between these two camps- the so-called NIMBY syndrome- ‘I love trees but……Not – in – my – backyard.’ The reasons for anti-tree and anti-hedge attitudes include the spectre of damage to property, loss of light and the shredding of branches, leaves and fruit. Trees and hedges can, therefore, be a focus of conflict and dispute for neighbours, conservation groups, tree lovers and councils among others. The aim of this Note is thus to provide guidance on rights and responsibilities and action that may be taken when trees and hedges become the subjects of dispute. (Arboricultural Practice Note No.31)
1 Trees in Dispute, Arboricultural Practice Note 3, is withdrawn and superceded by this wider text.
APN12 Through The Trees to Development
Derek Patch and Ben Holding
Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service
The majority of tree roots grow in the upper metre of soil and they spread outwards in any direction a distance equal to the tree’s height. Any disturbance of the ground within the root spread of a tree can damage its roots and may severely injure the tree. Damage to roots will interrupt the supply of water necessary to keep the tree alive and may cause decline in vigour, dieback or even death of the tree. The tree may also be unstable and so pose an unacceptable threat to the safety of people and property. Development of a site, including construction of access routes, driveways and parking areas can result in substantial root severance of trees. Techniques for the construction of access drives, which may avoid or lessen the damage caused to trees, are discussed. This Note embraces the principles first published by The Tree Advice Trust as “Driveways Close to Trees” (Arboricultural Practice Note No.11)
1 Driveways Close to Trees, Arboricultural Practice Note 1, is withdrawn and superceded by this wider text.
APN13 Girdling, Constriction and Ring Barking
Harry W Pepper
Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service
Trees can be damaged by many living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) agents and the symptoms may be very similar. When the damage is caused by a mammal, including man, removing the bark from around a part of a tree diagnosis should be relatively straight forward. The commoner causes of girdling and constriction and possible preventative measures are reviewed.