TREES IN

CARDIFFA HOUSEHOLDER’S GUIDE

TREES IN CARDIFFA HOUSEHOLDER’S GUIDE

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TS 1. Tree Pruning2. Trees and Nuisance Problems3. Trees and Structural Damage4. Trees and Legal Issues5. Tree Health Problems

6. Tree PlantingAppendix 1Useful Contacts and Links

Click to select content section

Trees: • Produceoxygenandabsorbcarbondioxide. • Providefood,medicineandconstructionmaterials. • Absorbpollutants. • Provideahome,shelterandfoodforwildlife. • Provideshadeandcooltheair. • Retainsoilsandstabiliseslopes. • Aidsustainabledrainage. • Reducewindspeeds. • Buffersoundpollution. • Provideavisualscreenorbuffer. • Haveaestheticvalueandbring‘nature’tourbanareas. • Havehistorical,educationalandculturalimportance. • Relievethestressesoflifeinthemodernworld.

WHY CARE ABOUT TREES?

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Treesdon’tneedtobeprunedotherthantosatisfyhumaninterests,soavoiditifatallpossible.However,carefulpruningmayhelpto:

• Reducerisksofdamagetopropertyor persons. • Promoteflowerorfruit. • Combatdisease. • Allowmorelighttoahouseorgarden. • Developanattractiveshape.

Healthytreesmayrespondtopruningwithexcessivegrowthandunhealthytreesmaydie.Mostpruningshouldbeformative(fig1)whenthetreeisyoung,withtheaimtomakeasmallnumberofminorcutsthatmeanspruninginlateryearsisnotrequired.

1. TREE PRUNING

Removecrossingbranches

Removesnapped/damagedstems

Remove competingleaders

Selecttreeswithstronguprightleaderandbalancedbranching

structure

Removesnags

Fig1-FORMATIVEPRUNING

Why?

1=Firstcut2=Secondcut3=Finalcut=Branchbarkridge

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1

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Fig2-REMOVINGALARGEBRANCH

Fig3-RECOMMENDEDPRUNINGPOSITIONS

Figures2and3showcorrectandincorrectpruningpositions,andhowbesttoremovealargerbranch.Ifindoubt,employaqualifiedtreesurgeon.

Generally latewinterormid-latesummeristhebesttimeofyeartoprune.

Pruninginspringusesupresourcesthetreeneedsforhealthygrowthandfordefenceagainstpathogens.Inautumnthenaturaldefencesoftreesareweakerandfungalsporesareabundant,someofwhichmaylandonpruningwoundsandcolonisetrees.

Reduction:-Reductioninoverallvolumecuttingfromouterpointsofbranchestostrongforksorgrowingpoints(fig5)

When?

What?Thinning:-Reductionofbranchdensitybyremovingdead,crossing,diseasedandsuppressedbranches(fig4)

Fig4-CROWNTHINNING Fig5-CROWNREDUCTION

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(onlyrecommendedwhenaleadingstemhasdied,isdecayedorisstructurallyweak)

Lifting:-Shorteningorremovaloflowerbranches(Fig6)

Fig6-CROWNLIFTING

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Dysfunction and decay at topping ‘heads’

Branch failures due to decay or dysfunction

Re-topping necessary to enhance safety, but results

in decay extending

Original topping cuts

Topping (fig7)iswhenthemainstemorstemsaresevered,withoutthisbeingpartoftheperiodicmanagementofthetreefromayoungage.Itisbadpracticewhichcausestreesstressandcanresultindecayandweaklyattachedbranches.Re-growthaftertoppingmayberapid,exacerbatinglightproblemsandincreasingtheriskofatreefallingoverifitincreasesthevolumeanddensityofthecrown.Toppingalsodestroysthenaturalgraceoftrees.

Fig7-TOPPING

Pollarding (fig8)iswhenthemainstemorstemsofatreearedeliberatelyseveredtostimulatenewgrowth,whichisthenperiodicallyremovedtobeusedforconstructionpurposesoranimalfodder.Pollardingisstartedwhenatreeisyoungandrepeatedperiodicallysothatthewoodadaptstowoundingbydevelopingstrengthenedtissuesclosetowherethecutsaremade.Someurbantreesaremanagedaspollards,withthepollardingregimebeginninginthenursery.

Fig8-POLLARDING

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TreeSurgeonsarelistedon:

• ThewebpagesoftheArboriculturalAssociation www.trees.org.uk .Thewebsitealsogivesadviceonthingsto takeintoaccountbeforeappointingatreesurgeon.• Atthe‘FindanArborist’webpageswww.tree-care.info/findanarb• Under‘TreeWork’intheYellowPagesbutbewareof‘cowboy’firmsandfollowtheguidancefromtheArboricultural Associationand‘FindanArborist’webpages.

Contractorsshouldprovidewrittenquotations,evidenceofqualificationsandcurrentcertificatesofPublicLiabilityInsurance.TheyshouldbefamiliarwithandworktotheBritishStandard3998:2010‘TreeWork–Recommendations’.

Who?

2. TREES AND NUISANCE PROBLEMSCan I cut back branches that overhang my property?

A tree is blocking my TV reception, what can I do?

Why is my car covered in sticky sap from a tree?

What can I do about the height of my neighbour’s evergreen hedge?

Roots in the earth or branches in the air above a property may be cut to the boundary (subject to Council consent if the tree is protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) or 6 weeks prior written notification to the Council if it is in a Conservation Area), but this is bad practice that may kill or unbalance trees. Consult an arboriculturist (tree specialist) for advice and ensure cuttings are offered back to their owner before being disposed of and are not returned to the owners land without their consent (fig 9).

Consult a TV or satellite engineer about moving the aerial or dish, fitting a booster device or attaching it to an extension pole. Pruning or felling will need Council consent if the tree is protected or 6 weeks prior written notification to the Council if it is in a Conservation Area. Applications or notifications will be considered on their merits. Holding a TV licence does not give a legal right to reception.

Aphids and related insects feeding on tree sap excrete what they don’t use as sugary water called honeydew. It is tacky dried on vehicles and slippery wetted by rain. Some dark-coloured ‘sooty moulds’ that colonise it may absorb pollutants, but can spoil the appearance of plants, release spores linked with respiratory conditions and impede photosynthesis (fig 10).

Leyland cypress (‘Leylandii’) and similar evergreens make good hedges, but unmanaged grow tall, block out light and suck up lots of water. If you are involved in a dispute about an evergreen or semi-evergreen hedge or line of trees and need advice or want to make a formal complaint, contact the Council Private Sector Housing (02920 873564) or see www.cardiff.gov.uk/highhedges.

Fig 9 - Cutting back overhanging branches’

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Leaf

Leaf

SootyMoulds

FeedingAphids

Honeydew

FallingHoneydew

Fig10-HONEYDEWANDTREES

What can I do about the constant shedding of leaves and twigs by my tree?

Honeydewonvehiclescanberemovedwithsoapywaterandacoverwillhelp.Watersprayswilldislodgeaphidsandhelptoremovehoneydewandmoulds,butmaydamagefoliageandbudsandhoneydewisanimportantfoodsourceformanyorganisms,includingthenaturalenemiesofaphids.Chemicalsshouldbealastresortandmaybeexpensiveanddifficulttoapply.‘BiologicalControl’usingaphidpredatorsshouldalsobeusedwithcaution.Onlythecostlyreleaseofamassivenumberoflarvalpredatorsalloveratreecanhopetooffersomecontrol,butthiswillonlybetemporaryasthelarvae(orsubsequentlyadults)willleavethetreeoreateachotheroncetheirpreyhasdiminishedandwingedaphidswillre-colonisethefollowingyear.

Theaccumulationofleavesandotherorganicmatterisimportanttotreesinprovidinga‘blanket’forrootsthatisbrokendownbysoilorganismstoformhumus,retainingessentialmineralsandwatertobetakenupbyrootsortheirassociatedfungi(fig11).

Apartfromrakingandsweeping,useoftexturedsurfacingmayhelpwithsliphazards.Arangeofbrushes,guards,meshesorgridsareavailabletohelpstopguttersblocking.

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Fruiting bodies ofsoil fungi that associate

with tree roots

Grass growing wherelight is available and

competition with tree roots less

Topsoil formed frommixture of organic matter and mineral

elementsSubsoil dominatedby mineral elements

Humus layer formedby breaking down

organic matter

Transport betweenroots and crown

CROWN(Foliage and branches)

Why won’t grass, only moss, grow in the lawn under my tree?

Grassandtreefeedingrootsoperateatabout6inchesdepth,butgrassrootsmayout-competetreerootsunlessthetreeisestablishedfirst.Asatreegetsbigger,lightbeneathitscanopyisreducedandthetrunk,branchesandfoliagedirectwatertoroots(fig11).Mostgrassesstrugglewherelightandmoisturelevelsarenothighorconsistent,andmanyofthespeciesoffungusinthesoilclosetotrees,formamutualisticrelationshipwithtreerootsratherthangrassroots.Manymossesarebetteradaptedtosuchconditions,survivingforlongperiodswithoutwaterandhavingnotrueroots.

Shadeanddroughttolerantgrassesareavailablebutherbicides and fertilisers should not be used to encourage growth if they can transfer to tree roots. Treerootscanbebadlydamagedbyshallowexcavationssotakecarelayingnewturforcreatingaseed-bed.Do not use a rotovator close to trees.

Can trees cause allergic reactions?Potentiallyallergenicpollenfromalder,birch,hazelandoakisabundantinspring/earlysummerandtreeshostmanyspeciesoffungusandyeast,someofwhichproduceallergenicspores.AnothercommonrespiratoryallergenisthehairsonyounggrowthofLondonplanes.ThesapfromLeylandcypress(‘Leylandii’)caninduceanitchyrash,socoverupwhenpruningorclipping.

Fig11

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Sincepollenandsporesareubiquitousintheatmosphere,fellingtreeswillnotstopallergiesandremovestheenvironmentalbenefitstreesprovide,includingimprovementstoairquality.

Ifyouhaveconcernsabouttreesandanallergy,takeadvicefromamedicalprofessional.UsefulsourcesofinformationaretheNationalPollenandAerobiologyResearchCentre www.worc.ac.uk/businessandresearch/specialist/14462.html AllergyUK www.allergyuk.organdAsthmaandAllergyInformationandResearch www.users.globalnet.co.uk/%7Eaair/

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3. TREES AND STRUCTURAL DAMAGE

I think a tree is causing subsidence damage to my property, what should I do?

I’m worried that roots from my tree will block my drains, what can I do?

What can I do about tree roots damaging my wall, drive and patio?

Treerootsinshrinkableclaysoilbeneathfoundationsmayremoveenoughwaterforthesoiltoshrinksomuchthatthebuildingsubsides,causingcracksatweakpointsthatmayopenandcloseseasonallyassoilwets(swells)anddries(shrinks).Theoppositeofsubsidenceisheave,whenshrinkableclaysoilprogressivelyswellswithwater,forexampleafteralarge,oldtreeisremoved.

MostofCardiffisonsoilsthatdonotgiverisetoahighriskoftreerelatedsubsidencedamage,andinmostcaseswheretreerelatedsubsidencedamageisproventhedamageistrivialandnotsufficienttoaffectstructuralintegrity.

Ifaproblemissuspected,seekadviceinitiallyfromanarboriculturist(treespecialist).TheArboriculturalAssociationwebsitewww.trees.org.uklistsAssociationapprovedconsultants.Formalinvestigationsmayrequireinputfromanarboriculturistandengineer,followingtheguidelinesintheInstituteofStructuralEngineers,‘SubsidenceofLowRiseBuildings’2000.IfthetreeisprotectedaskaTreePreservationOfficerwhatinformationtheyneedtodetermineanapplicationtoprune/fellonthebasisofsubsidence.

Oldpipeswithweakjointsorcrackscauseleaks,androotsmayfollowthewatergradientintothepipe(fig12).Condensationonapipesurfacemayincreaserootgrowth,givingtheimpressiontheyare‘attacking’it.Damagecanalsooccurwhenrootssheathpipes(fig13),pullingontheminwinds,orwhentheydrysoilaroundapipecausinglocalisedsubsidence.Sometimesthecauseofrootentryintoapipeisnotclear,butmaybeduetoconditionswithinthepipebeingbetterforrootgrowththanthosewithout.Largetreeswithextensiverootsystemslikepoplarsandwillowsareagreaterrisk,sodon’tplantthemclosetodrains.Replacingorre-liningpipeswithmodernmaterialsisthebestsolutionsincerootpruning,rootbarriersandmechanical/chemicalclearanceisusuallyonlyatemporarysolution.PublicdrainsaretheresponsibilityoftheWaterBoard,eveniftheyareblockedbyrootsfromyourtree.

Mostrootsareclosetothesoilsurfacewherewaterandoxygeniseasilyavailable.Astheygrowormove,surfacingmaybedamaged(fig14).Seriousdamagemayrequirere-surfacing,butseveringrootscanaffecttreehealthandstability,soavoidexcavatingbelowanyexistingsub-baseandtakeadvicefromanarboriculturist.Arootbarriermayneedtobeinstalledtodeterfuturegrowth(fig15).

Watersaturatedsoil

Rootsproliferateblockingpipe

Rootsexploringwatersource

Crackedclaypipe

ROOTINCURSIONDUE

TOLEAKINGDRAIN

Wind

Force

ROOTSSHEATHINGAPIPE

Rootsheathingpipe

Fig12 Fig13

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Useofflexible,waterpermeableandgaspervioussurfacingmayavoidseriousdamageand‘no-dig’constructionraiseslevelswithloadbearingmaterials,removingtheneedforexcavationandreducingtheneedforsoilcompaction(fig16).Thiscanallowhardsurfacingclosetotrees,buttreehealthisusuallybetterwhenun-compacted,vegetatedoropensoilismaintainedinitsrootingzone.

Damagetowallsthroughgrowthormovementoftrunksorrootsmaymeanadecisionneedstobemadetokeepthewallortree,butbridgingroots,orreplacingsectionsofwallwithrailingsorfencingcanallowaboundaryandtreetoberetained(fig17).

Wind

Increaseingirthandmovementofrootsdistorts

surfacing

Raisinglevelsintherootingareawithoutexcavation

andusingwaterpermeableandgaspervioussurfacing

Preventingrootincursionwitharootbarrierandroot

pruning

Caution-Rootpruningmayde-stabilisetreesordestroy

theirhealth

Wind

TRUNKADJACENTWALL

Wind

MAJORROOT/BUTTRESSADJACENTWALL

Fig17

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Fig14 Fig15

Fig16

RAILINGSREPLACEWALL

Wind

ROOTSBENEATHFOUNDATIONS

Wind

ROOTSAGAINSTRETAININGWALL

Fig17

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Adviceonsurfacingorwallsclosetotreesmaybeobtainedfromanarboriculturist,landscapearchitect,civilengineerorspecialistcontractor.UsefulcontactsaretheBritishAssociationofLandscapeIndustrieswww.bali.co.uk ,Interpavewww.paving.org.uk,Interlaywww.interlay.org.uk,RoyalHorticulturalSocietywww.rhs.org.ukandtheQuarryProductsAssociationwww.qpa.org

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4. TREES AND LEGAL ISSUES

How do I find out who owns a tree?

Do I have a duty of care over my tree?

What precautions should I take to avoid disturbing wildlife in trees?

Are some trees protected?

Atreeusuallybelongstotheownerofthesoilsurroundingthebaseofitsmainstem.Ifthestemisdividedbyaboundaryitmaybejointlyownedbybothpartieswhomaypruneit,butshouldnotfellitwithouttheothersconsent.

PropertysaleorLandRegistry(01792355000)plansshouldshowboundaries.Insmallurbangardensboundariesareusuallyclearlydefined,butinsomecasesyoumayneedtoconsultneighbours,solicitors,surveyorsandtheLandRegistry.AssistancewithlegalcostsmaybeavailablethroughtheLegalAidScheme,foradviceonwhichcontacttheLegalServicesCommissionlocalofficeatcardiff@legalservices.gsi.gov.uk(03002002020),asolicitororlocalCitizensAdviceBureau(02920346490).

Becausetreesarelivingthings,humansarenotexpectedtoforeseeeverythingthathappenstothem.However,itisrecommendedthatparticularlyinthecaseoftreeswhosefailurecoulddamagepropertyorharmpersons,theirownerwillarrangeforthemtobeinspectedperiodically,ideallyeverycoupleofyearsandfollowingseverestorms,bysomeonefullyinsured,professionallyqualifiedandexperiencedintheinspectionoftreesinrelationtotheirhazardpotential.Thetreeownershouldactonanyadvicegivenassoonaspossible.Intheeventofanaccidentinvolvingatree,evidencethatatreeownerhasfulfilledtheirdutyofcaremayavoidlegalaction.

Muchofournativewildlifereliesontrees,includingbirds,batsanddormice.Becauseofthis,legislationisinplacetoprotectcertainspecies.Beforeundertakinganyworks,treesshouldbecheckedfornestingbirds.Nestsmaybeobviousamongstthebranchesordiscretelyhiddeninholes/crevices.Allbirdnestswhetherinuseorbeingbuiltareprotectedfromdisturbance,damageordestructionundertheWildlifeandCountrysideAct(1981,asamended).

TreePreservationOrders(TPO’s)aremadebyLocalPlanningAuthorities(LPA)toprotecttreesthoughttobeofsignificantpublicamenityvalue.Treesofanysizeorspeciesmaybeprotectedbuttheyareusuallyonprivateland.SpecialcontrolsapplywithregardtoworktoprotectedtreesandyoushouldconsultaTreePreservationOfficerforadvice.MostpeoplewhoownprotectedtreesandsomepeoplewhoownlandadjoininglandthatcontainsprotectedtreeswillhaveacopyoftheTPOlistingtheprotectedtrees,showingtheirpositiononamapandgivingdetailsofthelawsthatprotectthem.LocalsearchesundertakenaspartofapropertysaleshouldhighlightTPO’sandcopiesshouldthenbeobtainedbySolicitor’stobepassedontothepurchasers.SincesomeTPO’sdatetothe1950’s,informationcangetlostandtherecanbeuncertaintywhetherornotatreeisprotected.Ifindoubt,consultaTreePreservationOfficer.

IfyouliveinaConservationArea,mostworktotreesrequires6weekspriorwrittennotificationtotheLPA.TheLPAthenwritesbacktosaythattheworkmaygoahead,oriftheworkisconsideredunsuitableandthetreeisofsignificantamenityvalue,servesaTPOtopreventthework.

Insomecircumstances,andparticularlywhenfellingtreesinthecountryside,aForestryCommissionFellingLicence mayberequired.Detailedinformationmaybefoundatwww.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-5z8nj2orbycontactingthelocalForestryCommissionOfficeon03000680300.

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SeveralspeciesofbatusetreesforroostingandDormiceusethemfornestingandfeeding.ThesespeciesarelistedasbeingimportantonaEuropeanscaleandareprotectedthroughtheConservationofHabitatsandSpeciesRegulations(2010).Ifthesespeciesareknowntobelivinginthearea,aqualifiedEcologistshouldcheckthetreespriortoworkcommencing.IfanybatsorDormicearefoundduringtreework,workmustceaseimmediatelyandtheCountrysideCouncilforWalesbecontactedon08451306229.

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5. TREE HEALTH PROBLEMS

Why are there mushrooms on my tree and in the lawn?

Mushroomsarejustthefruitofafungus-themainpartisinthesoilortree.Fewfungiareactivelyharmfultotreesandmanyinlawnsarebeneficial,beingconnectedtorootsthatprovidethefunguswithsugarsinreturnforthefungusimprovingtheabilityofthetreetoobtainwaterandminerals(fig11).Somemushroomformingspeciesofhoneyfungus(Armillariaspp.)colonisetreesviarootsandcancausedeathanddecay,butthisoftenhappensafterthetreehasbeenweakenedbyotherdiseases,droughtorrootdamage.

Somefungi,appearingasa‘bracket’,‘shelf’or‘hoof’fromatree,decaywood(fig18).Thiscanaffectstabilityiftheamountofsound,un-decayedwoodisnotenoughtoresistthestressestowhichitisexposed.Consultanarboriculturistforadviceifyounoticefungi,decayoracavity,butdon’tremovefungisincethiswillnotreducedecay,willmakeidentificationofthecauseofdecaydifficultandremoveanimportantfoodsourceforinvertebrates.

I’m worried that insects are killing my tree, what should I do?

Thousandsofinsectsliveontreesbutitisrarefornativetreefeedinginsectstobecomesonumerousthattheykilltrees.Invasiveinsectsintroducedonexoticplantsandtimber,areagreaterthreat.Ifyouareconcernedaboutaninvasiveinsectpestordiseaseontrees,contactaFoodandEnvironmentResearchAgency(FERA)PlantHealthandSeedsInspectorattheirSwanseaoffice(01792310436).ForestryCommissionorRoyalHorticulturalSocietyEntomologistscanalsoprovidespecialistadviceaboutinsectsontrees.Extensiveuseofpesticidesongardentreesisnotusuallynecessaryoradvisablesinceitisunlikelytobeeffectiveinthelong-termandmaybedetrimentaltousefulnaturalenemiesorharmlessspeciesthatareanimportantpartoffoodwebs.

Harmless mosses, lichens and algae growing

on bark

Bracket and mushroom shaped fungal fruiting

bodies that decay living or dead wood

A bracket shaped fungal fruiting body in a cavity

that decays living or dead wood

ThemoistenvironmentofacompostheapencouragestheactivityofPhytophthorapathogens,whichhavea‘swimming’stageintheirlifecycle,viawhichtheymaycoloniserootsorstembases.SeveralspeciesofPhytophthorainBritaincancoloniseandultimatelykilltrees,orallowsecondarycolonisationbypathogenssuchashoneyfungus.Alargebuildupofcompostaroundthetrunkwillalsoimpedethepercolationofwateranddiffusionofgases,andmayleadtoade-oxygenatedenvironmentresultinginbarkdeath,andsubsequentcolonisationbypathogens.

Why did my tree die when I built a compost heap next to it?

Fig18

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Treebarkishometomanyspeciesoflichen(acombinationofafungusandalga),moss,liverwort(relatedtomoss)andalgae.These‘epiphytes’arenotharmfultotreessincetheyhavenoroots,buttheydoprovidefoodandshelterformanyinvertebratesandcontributetothelitterbeneathtreesthatisbrokendowntoreturnmineralstothetreeviaroots(fig18).

Ivy(Hedera helix)usestreesforsupporttoenableitsvegetative(non-flowering)stemstogetabovegroundwherefloweringstemsdevelopduetotheimprovedlightlevelsandincreasedvisibilityofflowerstopollinatinginsects.Treesofpoorvigour,orthosesituatedinplaceswheredenseivygroundcoverispresent,aremorelikelytobeextensivelycolonisedbyivy.Ivyfoliagemaycompetewiththefoliageofatreeofpoorvigouranditsgrowingstemsmayexertforceonthelivingtissuebeneathbark,causingdistortionthatmaygivethefalseimpressionthattheivyis‘strangling’thetree.Ivymayalsoaddsignificantweighttoandincreasetheeffectofwindonatree,andobscuredefects,butitalsoprovidesfoodandshelterformanyinvertebrates,birdsandbats.Itsretention,particularlywhenithasdevelopedfloweringstems,isdesirable,butitmaybewisetodiscourageitsdevelopmentintheuppercrownoftrees(fig19).

What are the growths covering the bark on my tree?

Will ivy kill my tree?

Fig19.IVYANDTREES

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Species Situation CharacteristicsNative

Scientific name Common name

Acer campestre Field Maple N/A

Alnus glutinosa Common Alder N/A

Betula pendula Silver Birch N/A

Betula pubescens Downy Birch N/A

Carpinus betulus Hornbeam N/A

Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn N/A

Fagus sylvatica Common Beech N/A

Fraxinus excelsior Common Ash N/A

Ilex aquifolium Holly N/A N/A

Pinus sylvestris Scot’s Pine N/A N/A

Populus nigra var. betulifolia Black Poplar N/A

Populus tremula Aspen N/A

Prunus avium Wild Cherry N/A

Quercus petraea Sessile Oak N/A

Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak N/A

Salix spp. Sallows N/A

Salix spp. Willows N/A

Sorbus aucuparia Rowans N/A

Sorbus spp. Whitebeams N/A

Taxus baccata Yew N/A N/A

Tilia spp. Limes N/A

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Conditions to which a species/genus is particularly well suited or attributes which a species or genus is particularly known for.

Conditions to which a species/genus is suited to at a sub-optimal level or attributes which a species/genus displays, but is not particularly known for.

Conditions to which a species/genus is not well suited to or attributes which it does not display or is not known for.

6. TREE PLANTING The matrix below (fig 20) gives details of the characteristics of some native and non-native tree genera and species that should help you select a tree or shortlist of trees that suit your site and taste.

(fig 20)

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Species Situation CharacteristicsNon-native

Scientific name Common name

Abies spp. Firs N/A N/A

Acer palmatum Japanese Maple N/A

Acer platanoides Norway Maple N/A

Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore N/A

Aesculus spp. Horse Chestnuts N/A

Ailanthus altissima Tree of Heaven N/A

Alnus spp. Alders N/A

Amelanchier spp. Serviceberry N/A

Araucaria araucana Monkey Puzzle N/A N/A

Arbutus spp. Strawberry Trees N/A N/A

Betula spp. Birches N/A

Castanea sativa Sweet Chestnut N/A

Catalpa bignonioides Indian Bean Tree N/A

Cedrus spp. Cedars N/A N/A

Cercis siliquastrum Judas Tree N/A

Chamaecyparis spp. False Cypresses N/A N/A

Cornus spp. Dogwoods N/A

Crataegus spp. Hawthorns N/A

Crytomeria japonica Japanese Red Cedar N/A N/A

Cupressus spp. Cypresses N/A N/A

Eucalyptus spp. Eucalypts N/A N/A

Ginkgo biloba Maidenhair Tree N/A

Gleditsia triacanthos Honey Locust N/A

Juglans spp. Walnuts N/A

Juniperus spp. Junipers N/A N/A

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(fig 20)19

Species Situation CharacteristicsNon-native

Scientific name Common name

Koelreuteria paniculata Golden Rain Tree N/A

Laburnum spp. Laburnums N/A

Larix spp. Larches N/A

Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum N/A

Liriodendron tulipifera Tulip Tree N/A

Magnolia spp. Magnolias

Malus spp. Apples / Crab Apples N/A

Metasequoia glyptostroboides Dawn Redwood N/A

Morus spp. Mulberries N/A

Nothofagus spp. Southern Beeches

Picea spp. Spruces N/A N/A

Pinus spp. Pines N/A N/A

Platanus spp. Planes N/A

Prunus spp. Plums / Cherries N/A

Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas Fir N/A N/A

Pyrus spp. Pears N/A

Robinia psuedoacacia False Acacia N/A

Sequoia sempervirens Coast Redwood N/A N/A

Sequoiadendron giganteum Giant Sequoia N/A N/A

Taxodium distichum Swamp Cypress N/A

Thuja spp. Arborvitae N/A N/A

Tsuga spp. Hemlocks N/A N/A

Zelkova spp. N/A

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(fig 20)

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Treesplantedatlargesize:

• Giveinstantimpact.• Aredifficultforvandalstodamage.• Canbeexpensive.• Mayhaveasmallrootsystemcomparedwiththesizeofthecrownandstruggletoestablishorbetakenoverin growthratebyatreeplantedatsmallersize.

Treesplantedatsmallsize:

• Donotgiveinstantimpact.• Areeasilydestroyedbyvandals,butinconspicuoussomayescapeharm.• Arecheap.• Mayhavealargerootsystemcomparedwiththecrown,soestablishwellandhaveafastergrowthratethanatree plantedatlargersize.

Formostgardens,treeswillbeplantednolargerthanthefollowingnurseryspecifications:

• Standard.8-10cmcircumferencemainstemat1mheight.250-300cmoverallheightandstraightmainstemclearof branchestoaheightbetween175and200cm.Crownevenlybalancedandincharacterwiththespecies.• Feathered.125-300cm+heightwithaclear,upright,centralleadingstemandbalancedlateralshootsdowntonear groundleveldependentonspecies.

Thereare5mainmethodsofgrowingandsupplyingtrees:

• Containergrown–Growninacontainersuchasapotuntilrootsfillbutdon’toutgrowthecontainer.Don’tbuy treeswithrootsextendingoutofthecontainerorspirallingaroundwithinit.• Containerized–Plantsliftedasbarerootsorroot-balled,thensuppliedinorgrownonincontainersfornomore thanonegrowingseasontoensurerootsdon’toutgrowthecontainer.• Bareroot–Rootsgrowninthegroundbutdon’trequiresoiltobeattachedwhentransplanted.• Root-balled–Rootsgrowninthegroundbutrequiresoiltobefirmlyattachedandsupportedwithapermeable materialsuchasHessianwhentransplanted.Mostevergreensareinthiscategory.• Root-wrapped–Bareroottreeswhoserootsareenclosedtopreventthemdryingout. Donotacceptunhealthyplantswithsparsegrowthandpaleleaves,noclear,strong,leadingstem,anunbalancedbranchingstructure,weakforksordamagefromcrossingbranches.

What size?

Goodgardencentresortreenurseries,someofwhichspecialiseinparticulartypes.Manyopentothepublicandmostprovideadeliveryservice.TheRoyalHorticulturalSocietymaintainsadirectoryofplantsandnurseriesthatsupplythem.

Where can I buy a tree?

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Betweenmid-OctoberandlateMarch,thoughevergreensmaybeplantedinAprilandcontainergrowntreesmaybeplantedatanytimeoftheyearsolongastheyreceivesufficientwater.Donotplantinfrosty,orexcessivelyhot,wetorwindyconditions.

When should I plant my tree?

Seefigs21,22,23,24

• Removesurfacevegetationtocreatewhateversurfaceshapeisdesiredanddigashallowbutbroadhole,with gentlyslopingsides,whichaccommodatesnomorethanthedepthoftherootsorroot-ball,butprovidesaspreadat least30cmgreaterthantherootspreadorwidthoftheroot-ball.Breakupthebaseandsidesoftheholeifthesoilis heavyandremovelargestones.

How do I plant my tree?

Organicmulchtonogreaterthan4”depth

Breakupbaseandsidesofplantingpit

Plantingpitshouldcomfortablyaccomodateallroots.Itshouldbebroadbutshallow,withgently

slopingsides

Twinstakeswith cross-member

Stakeangledto avoidrootball

Rootball

Wind

Fig21

Fig22 Fig23 Fig24

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• Positionthetreecentrallywithrootsspreadevenly.Teasesomerootsoutofthecompostforcontainergrowntrees. Fortreesover1.5mheight,driveastakeinslightlyoffcentre,avoidingroots,toaheightabovegroundnomore thanone-thirdofthatoftheclear-stem(themainstembeforethefirstbranch).Thestakeshouldberoundedand penetratethebaseoftheholebyapproximately2feet.Ifaroot-ballwillbedamagedbythestake,angleitto45 degrees,orforlargertrees,usetwostakeseithersideoftheroot-balljoinedbyacrossmember.Positionstakes facingthedirectionoftheprevailingwindsothatthetreedoesnothitthemwhenflexing.Anadjustablerubbertie andspacermustbefittedandthestakeandtieremovedinthespringafteronegrowingseason.Treesmustbe allowedtomoveinthewindasthisstrengthenstheirtrunk,rootsandbranches.Over-stakedtreesorthose withastakeleftinplacetoolongmayfalloveroncethestakeisremoved.

• Backfillwiththesamesoilasexcavated,shakingthetreegentlyasyoudosotosettlethesoil,butdonotaddorganic matter.Ensurethetrunkflareisnotburiedasshowninfig21.Gentlyfirmthebackfillaroundtherootswhen theholeishalfandcompletelyfull.Spreadalayeroforganicmulchsuchasbarkchippingsontoptoadepthno greaterthan4inches,providingamulchfreeareaof2inchesaroundthebaseofthestem.

• Ifbrowsingmammalssuchasrabbits,voles,hareordeerarelikelytobeaproblem,attachafitforpurposeguard. Fencingwillberequiredwherestockisgrazed.

• Wateratleastonceaweek,moreoftenindryweather.Ifthesoilbeneathmulchisdry,waterisrequired.Donotover- watersothatthesoilbecomeswaterlogged.• Removedead,split,diseased,abradingandweaklyattachedbranches.• Topupmulchperiodicallyandadjustties.• Removestakesandtiesinthespringafteronegrowingseason.• Maintainaweedfreeareaaroundthebaseofthetreeofminimum0.5m,radiatingfromthebaseofthemainstem. Mulchingorhand-weedingisthebestwaytosuppressweeds.Aweedfreeareashouldbemaintainedforatleast twoyears.

How do I look after my tree?

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Appendix 1: TREES FOR SMALL GARDENS AND RESTRICTED SPACES

Someofthetreeslistedbelowcanattainsignificantsizeand/orhavepreferencesforparticularsoilsorgrowingconditionssocheckwiththenurseryoratreespecialistbeforeyoumakeapurchase.

(E)=evergreen.cultivar=avarietyofaspeciesthathasbeenmaintainedthroughcultivationbyseedorpropagation.

ColoradowhitefirAbies concolor‘Compacta’(E)KoreanfirAbies koreana (andcultivars)(E)AlpinefirAbies lasiocarpa var. arizonica ‘Compacta’(E)FieldmapleAcer campestre (andcultivars)VinemapleAcer circinatum(andcultivars)PèreDavid’smapleAcer davidii(andcultivars)Forrest’smaple Acer forrestii (andcultivars)PaperbarkmapleAcer griseumDownyJapanesemapleAcer japonicum(andcultivars)Japanesemaple Acer palmatum(andcultivars)Moose-barkAcer pensylvanicumNorwaymapleAcer platanoides ‘Globosum’SycamoreAcer pseudoplatanus‘Brilliantissimum’AmurmapleAcer tataricum ssp. ginnalaSilktreeAlbizia julibrissin‘Rosea’CommonalderAlnus glutinosa Alnus glutinosa ‘Imperialis’GreyalderAlnus incana‘Aurea’GreyalderAlnus incanaServiceberryAmelanchier arborea‘RobinHill’SnowymespilAmelanchier laevisJapaneseangelicatree Aralia elataStrawberrytreeArbutus unedo(E)HybridstrawberrytreeArbutus x andrachnoides(E)Chileanincensecedar Austrocedrus chilensis(E)BirchesBetula spp.Box Buxus sempervirens‘Arborescens’(E)HornbeamCarpinus betulus‘FransFontaine’AmericanhornbeamCarpinus carolinianaJapanesehornbeamCarpinus japonicaIndianbeantreeCatalpa bignonioides‘Nana’Japaneseplumyew Cephalotaxus harringtonia var.drupacea(E)JapaneseplumyewCephalotaxus harringtonia‘Fastigiata’(E)NorthAmericanredbudCercis canadensis‘ForestPansy’JudastreeCercis siliquastrumFalsecypressesChamaecyparisspp.(E)Chitalpa tashkentensis‘SummerBells’Clerodendrum trichotomumNewZealandcabbagetreeCordyline australis(E)WeddingcaketreeCornus controversa Cornus kousa (andcultivars)CorneliancherryCornus masHawthornsCrataegusspp.JapanesecedarCryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans’(E)SmoothArizonacypressCupressus glabra‘BlueIce’(E)QuinceCydonia oblonga

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JapanesepersimmonDiospyros kakiSpindleEuonymus europaeus‘RedCascade’FigFicus carica MannaashFraxinus ornus HolliesIlexspp.(E)JunipersJuniperusspp.(E)GoldenraintreeKoelreuteria paniculataLaburnumspp.CrapemyrtleLagerstroemia indica‘Rosea’‘Violacea’BaylaurelLaurus nobilis(E)JapanesetreeprivetLigustrum japonicum(E)ChineseprivetLigustrum lucidumSweetgumLiquidambar styraciflua Chileanmyrtle Luma apiculata(E)Magnoliaspp.ApplesMalusspp.MedlarMespilus germanicaBlackmulberryMorus nigraOliveOlea europaea(E)SorreltreeOxydendrum arboreumWhitesprucePicea glauca(E)OrientalsprucePicea orientalis ‘Skylands’(E)Coloradospruce Picea pungens(dwarfcultivars)(E)BristleconepinePinus aristata(andcultivars)(E)SwissstonepinePinus cembra(andcultivars)(E)LodgepolepinePinus contorta var. latifolia(E)BosnianpinePinus heldreichiiincludingvar. leucodermis (andcultivars)(E)MountainpinePinus mugo(andcultivars)(E)MacedonianpinePinus peuce(E)StonepinePinus pinea (E)ScotspinePinus sylvestris‘Fastigiata’(E)Pittosporum tenuifolium(E)Plum-fruitedyewPodocarpus andinus(E)KusamakiPodocarpus macrophyllus (E)Prunusspp.PearsPyrusspp.KermesoakQuercus coccifera(E)Quercus glaucaLebanonoakQuercus libani Quercus phillyreoides(E)PontineoakQuercus ponticaPedunculateoakQuercus roburFastigiata‘Koster’CorkoakQuercus suber(E)Stag’sHornSumach Rhus typhinaGoatwillow Salix caprea‘Pendula’ElderberrySambucus nigraRowansandwhitebeamsSorbusspp.Stuartiaspp.TamariskTamarix gallica Irishyew Taxus baccata‘Fastigiata’(E)ArborvitaeThujaspp.(smallcultivars)(E)SmallleavedlimeTilia cordata‘Rancho’MongolianlimeTilia mongolicaBluemountainhemlockTsuga mertensiana‘BlueStar’(E)

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USEFUL CONTACTS AND LINKSTree Preservation Officers (protected trees and trees in the planning system)

Ed Baker 02920871375

treeprotection@cardiff.gov.uk

Arboricultural Operations Manager (Parks)

Kevin Matthews 02920 445933

High Hedges Officer (nuisance evergreen/semi-evergreen hedges or lines of trees)

Private Sector Housing 02920 873564

Ecologists (protected species, bats and nesting birds)

Matthew Harris 02920 871382

Arboricultural Association www.trees.org.ukForestry Commission www.forestry.gov.ukInternational Society of Arboriculture www.isa-arbor.comTree Council www.treecouncil.org.ukTree Advice Trust www.treehelp.infoRoyal Horticultural Society www.rhs.org.ukCommunities and Local Government (information on Tree Preservation Orders) www.communities.gov.ukWelsh Assembly (information on Tree Preservation Orders and tree/woodland policies in Wales) www.wales.gov.uk

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