Tree – Root and Branch – Page 2

Best Trees for Toughness

November 26, 2018 hortoris

Avoiding early onset of death caused by disease or climate change will affect the trees we plant in the future. Gardeners must consider tree selection carefully bearing in mind more than aesthetics and utility. Economics of forestry have increased there relevance to Britain as (the dreaded by some) Brexit nears. We import and export more wood than in previous years but with those extra tree miles comes risks. Toxins pests and disease are to readily spread from one country to another. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is designed to protect over-exploitation and endangermentÂ through international trade.

Some of the most reliable trees to plant with a view to them reaching maturity even if not in my life time include:

Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera

American Sweetgum Liquidambar stryraciflua

Evergreen Oak Quercus ilex also Pin Oak and Chestnut leaved oak

Silver Lime Tilia tomentosa

Sweet Chestnut Castaneasativa

Hornbeam Carpinus

Dawn Redwood Metasequoia

Wedding cake tree Cornus controversa

Trees That Produce Hard Tough Wood

Janka is the basic measure of hardness for a sample of wood. The toughest tree isÂ an ironwood tree which is native to Australia.
Lignum vitae is so hard it was used to make policemen’s truncheons
Ebony and Brazilian Olivewood have tightly packed grain making up the hardness.
Snakewood is an exotic hardwood which is particularly prized for it’s decorative grain
Other hard woods common in Britain include mahogany, maple, oak, and teak.
Tropical pear, cashew and walnut are hard hardwoods.

Trees for Carbon Capture and Global Warming

November 25, 2018 hortoris

I amÂ unsure about all the fuss over carbon emissions and the impact of humans on the environment. There is a finite amount of carbon in our world and it cycles around in solids, dissolved in water or in gaseous forms. Plants helped convert the primordial carbon gasses andÂ volcanoes eruptions into solid carbons. Trees capture carbon and hold as wood for long periods and historically many trees fossilised into coal.

Other key examples of carbon capture include the stores of hydrocarbons in the form of tar, oil deposits and shale from which gas is now fracked. Less related to tree carbon capture is the vast quantities of limestone deposited from crustaceans and coral.

Many ecologists and scientist now believe we should invent mechanical ways of storing carbon as there is a perceived imbalance in the carbon cycle caused by human activity. I am amused by the idea of sending carbon dioxide down the mines and oil wells to be retained for some future ill defined purpose.

Personal View on Global Warming

The above photograph of the Yorkshire Dales including a tree and dry limestone wall contains a substantial amount of captured carbon as does the peat up on the moor.
All Yorkshire can’t compare to the Amazon rainforest or the dissolved carbon in the sea. Since I first wrote about carbon capture major advances with shale gas exploration have highlighted again the plants of eons ago that were converted into captured carbon and are now giving up their bounty to modern man.
All the hot air about global warming and political influence isn’t going to change me or my gardening approach.
I will garden responsibly but I do not think I will take my gardening to extremes. However, I am going to plant some trees, grow some hard carbon and hope these trees have a long and hard carbon producing life, I just regret I won’t be around to carbon date them.

Amazon Rain Forest

This resource is often quoted as a shorthand for the ills of global warming. Is it better to use the land freed up by deforestation for human or animal food production? I don’t think there is a perfect answer but avarice and vested interest is a poor driver of policy.
If a tree grows 10% each and every year ( at least until adult maturity) then if follows that small young trees will capture less carbon than stately relatives. There is also a potential amenity benefit from large well managed forests so lets encourage the big and beautiful.
In National Tree Week we should be celebrating our British heritage of trees and those organisationst and woodland charities that help manage them.

National Tree Week Tribute 2018

November 24, 2018 hortoris

Gardeners tips would like to pay tribute to the nation’s trees, past and present and all those that use or care for them. The time to pay this tribute must be during National Tree Week which runs from 24th November to 2nd December 2018.

Where to Start the Tribute

I have ordered 3 bare rooted fruit trees to be delivered on the 24th November. These will be planted in my mini orchard to augment the apple and plum varieties I already grow. I don’t really need any more trees for fruit production as the family can’t eat a good years crop even when taking jam into account. Still another tree will be a good backstop should one of my current trees start to fail.
It may be a bit early for Christmas but I have agreed to give and have sourced a Kilmarnock Willow tree for my sister’s present. This is to replace a dead willow tree that used to provide a place for garden birds to congregate.
Whilst learning oil painting and watercolour I have set aside 2 books on how to draw and paint trees. It will make me look closely at all trees (during cold winter months that will probably be through a window.)
Historically gardeners tips have published 443 articles about trees. I will re-post and update one of these pages on each day during National Tree Week

Quirky Tree Facts

An 80,000 year old Quaking Aspen in Colorado formed a clonal colony linked toÂ a single massive subterranean root system with all the trunks above ground remaining connected to each other.
Against all odds trees can have great survival instincts

Â The process known as dendrochronology involves counting the rings of a tree trunk.
If a birdhouse is hung on a tree branch, it does not move up the tree as the tree grows.
There are over 50,000 tree species and some large specimens can drink 100 gallons of water a day.
There are numerous uses of trees including food production, energy creation from burning, construction of buildings and ships, decoration and furniture. Best of all I like the idea of a tree house.

Raise a toast including a tree botanical to the UK National Tree Week and all the great trees in the world

Trees for Burning

October 12, 2018 hortoris

I am indebted to Lars Mytting for the inspiration to write a post about ‘trees for burning’ that would fit with our gardeners tips. Trees are a good source of green energy that can oftenÂ be used for various constructions including boats and furniture instead of reaching a fiery end.

Odd Facts about Wood and Trees for Burning.

All timber has pound for pound the same calorific value. Some burn hot and fast whilst other yield their heat treasure more slowly. The heating values per cubic meter vary with the weight.
Virtually all trees will burn once they have dried. They will dry quicker if they are split as the bark retains moisture.
Wounded Pine trees produce a lot of resin which produces ‘fatwood’ that burns strongly.
Rowan and Birch make great glowing embers with which to rekindle a fire.
Stacked would is measured in cords (not music to my ears).

Different Trees

Ash contains less moisture than many common trees and the wood is prized for burning, furniture making and its ability to be coppiced.
Beech grows slowly but can be long lived reaching 5 feet in diameter.It has a fine texture and can be steamed and used in furniture making.
Birch grows tall, knot free and straight a virtue in wood that needs drying, chopping or using for furniture making. It rots quickly if left on the ground.
Spruce and other conifers are prone to spitting and crackling when burnt but provides quick heat.
Oak is revered for its strength and has long been used as a building material. It will burn with great satisfaction but who would want to destroy such a useful wood.
More individual pieces of Aspen are burnt than any other wood because Aspen is used to make matches.

What About Gardens and Trees for Burning

It would take a large garden to grow enough wood for burning to heat a house but dry branches and twigs can be a start.
Clean air acts and pollution have curtailed garden fires but dry wood burns in a chimneyed dustbin without too much smoke.
Charcoal for a barbecue is best bought specially for the purpose.
Firethorn, burning bushes and bonfire night plots are not trees for our type of burning.

Trees Burning with a Scent

All smoke smells to a greater or lesser extent but one all time favourite is wood from an Apple tree. The fruity aroma pervades the room.
Cedar has a strong scent that appeals to many. My house is named Cedar Ville for it’s cladding rather than burning (I hope).
Pine cones are a quick scented burner and the season wood will burn well if you can stand a pit of spitting.
If wood is hard to obtain you can get a herbal aroma from burning Rosemary or other fragrant herbs.

In the words of Lars -Â ‘In Learning About Wood, We Can Learn About Life

Part guide to the best practice in every aspect of working with this renewable energy source, part meditation on the human instinct for survival, this definitive handbook on the art of chopping, stacking and drying wood in the Scandinavian way has resonated across the world, with more than half a million copies sold worldwide.’

Trees Near Buildings

July 4, 2018 hortoris

The UK is experiencing a significant drought following a very wet spring. Trees were encouraged to put on extra foliage and they are now regretting the extra moisture they need to transpire. This is leading to more cracks in the surface soil and could lead to permanent damage.

Trees take up large volumes of water during summer. Shrinking and swelling of clay soils can be a concern but trees 30 feet from buildings should not be a major concern. However it is wise to avoid large vigorous and thirsty trees like Oak, Poplar and Willow.

Root Damage

Main roots are usually confined to the top 3 feet of soil
Shrubs and climbers are seldom implicated in root damage.
Swelling trunks close to buildings may squeeze against structures.
Root size and extent is variable dependant on species.They seldom penetrate well maintained drains but vulnerable drains should be repaired.
Roots radiate irregularly seeking moisture and nutrient. They may spread two to three times the height of the tree.

Subsidence & Structural Damage

Older buildings with shallow foundations are more vulnerable.
Soils other than shrinkable clay do not swell and contract as much as other soil and seldom cause damage.
The side of a building nearest the tree can settle due to its weight in dry soil causing cracked masonry, distorted doors and windows.
Fences, hedges and boundary walls may be damaged by proximity.
Paths can be lifted by robust roots.
Wind damage to trees may make them structurally unsafe.

General Tree Issues

A tree is the responsibility of the landowner who may be liable for any damage it causes.
Check with the local planning authority to establish if a tree has a ‘Tree Preservation Order’. They should also know if the garden is in a designated conservation order whose objective is to conserve landscape and public spaces in an area.
Trees have atendency to grow larger than you originally intended. They can block out light through your windows, shade gardens and over hang into your neighbors garden.
If you need to remove a large tree be aware that the large volume of water it previously transpired will remain in the ground and may lift the water table, swell the soil and cause ‘heave’ or displacement.
Gutters and roofs may suffer from leaf litter.
Surface roots and suckers can be invasive.

Further Tree Safety Tips

Think about the future life and nature of your tree before planting or starting work. It pays to plan ahead.
If a large tree needs pruning, lopping or taking down use a tree surgeon who has full insurance.
Consider neighbors andÂ overhangs across roads and public paths.

Trust Woodland to Supply Timber

June 14, 2017 hortoris

What do Acute Oak Decline, The Red Squirrel Survival Trust and the silviculture reduction of oak rotation from 140 years to 100 years have in common? I can think of two or three answers around the work of the late Peter Goodwin.

Peter was from a family of cabinet makers and with Lewis Scott founded the Woodland Trust a charity focused on forestry and users of the different types of wood. The trust is a fount of knowledge about our native trees, tree planting advice and woodland based education.

Acute Oak Decline (AOD)

AOD is an aggressive disease which can result in high levels of tree mortality within 5 years of diagnosis.
Like chronic Oak decline, AOD affects pendunculate and sessile oak trees that are over 50 years old
AOD is caused by a pathogenic bacteria that attacks the trunk of the tree causing a dark, sticky fluid to ooze from cracks or lesions in the bark.
Trees may also suffer from canopy dieback, similar to that in chronic oak decline.
Chronic Oak Decline is a less vociferous disease caused in part by insect damage caused by the leaf roller moth caterpillars .
The Woodland Trust has sponsored research into the problems and potential treatment.

The Red Squirrel Survival Trust

The American grey squirrel is a destructive pest that has displaced many colonies of red squirrels.
By keeping reds and greys apart, red squirrels can be allowed to thrive protecting the biodiversity of Britainâ€™s native woodlands.
Other activities of the trust include establishing new red coloniesÂ across the UK wherever feasible and funding research.

Â Ancient and veteran trees

The British love ancient trees, the stories associated with them, cultural connections and historic uses of timber for dwellings ship building etc.
The number of ancient trees in the UK (127,595) is exceptional. Many look special and support rare fungi, plants and animals.
Visit the Woodland Trust’sÂ Ancient Tree InventoryÂ to find ancient trees near you. ‘You’ll be able to record one that is missing or search the database for the largest or oldest trees in any part of the UK.’

Silver Birch – 8 Species Review

November 2, 2016 hortoris

Silver Birch look the part on a cold and frosty morning. The white or silvery trunk looks good singly or when grouped together.

Key Features of the Silver Birch

Latin name Betula pendula other common names Curly birch, Paper Birch, Weeping Birch or Ribbon Tree
Height up to 100 feet 30m narrow spread.
Type of tree – Deciduous broad leaf
Leaves – Green and triangular shaped with toothed edges.
Flowers Male and female catkins borne on the same tree.
Male are yellow and drooping female green and upright, later pendulous when fertilised.
Fruit Winged seeds borne in catkins
Bark Silver white with black fissures.
Family Betulacea

Origins and Distribution of the Silver Birch

European origin found throughout Europe, western and northern Asia.
Seeds prolifically and is found in Canada, Scandinavia, Turkey and widely spread as a specimen ornamental.

Uses and Commercial Attributes of the Silver Birch

Used for making barrels and furniture. The wood is too soft for use in construction
The fine twiggy branches are used for brooms and besoms as well as racecourse jumps.
Used as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens.
Silver birch is popular in Finland where it is the national tree used in forestry and as branches to beat yourself in the sauna.
Â Historically the paper like bark was used in ancient times for writing Sanskrit texts and it is still used today for sacred mantras.

Gardeners Tips for the Silver Birch

Silver Birch grow in a cool climate and enjoy an occasional winter snowfall.
They are fast growing, shallow rooted that may require water during dry periods.
They grow best and show most colour in full sun planted in deep, well-drained soil..
Trees are short lived and rot from damage so dislike pruning.
They are often planted amongst leafy rhododendrons and conifers where the white bark is particularly striking.
The deciduous foliage turns yellow in autumn.

…

Tulip Tree – Root and Branch Review

February 29, 2016 hortoris

Liriodendron tulipifera or Tulip tree is a tall striking tree related to the magnolia with similar Tulip shaped flowers. It has been planted in Britain since 1688 as an ornamental parks and gardens tree.

Key Features of the Tulip Tree

Latin name – Liriodendron tulipifera – other common names Tulip poplar or yellow poplar
Height – 90-100 feet
Type of tree – decidious
Leaves – Deeply lobed green turning yellow-gold in autumn
Flowers – Six petals pale green at the edges and orance corollas at the centre
Fruit – Cone like woody unseeded fruit with one wing.
Bark – Pale grey-green with white furrows
Family – Magnoliacaea

Origins and Distribution of the Tulip Tree

Eastern seaboard of North America.
Now more widely spread as a specimen tree in UK and elsewhere.

Uses and Attributes of the Tulip Tree

The fine grained soft wood is used for plywood and pulp.
Ornamental due to the flowers and leaf colouring.

Gardeners Tips for the Tulip Tree

Flowers are not produced on young trees. Flowering can take over 8 years from seed sowing.
Fastigiatum is a slender columnar tree suitable for more constrained spaces.
Flowers are generally high up in the tree and thus less visible.

Other types of Tulip Tree

Until the 20 century it was thought tulipifera was monotypic. Then a plant was discovered in China with leaves more glaucus and smaller in flower and stature Liriodendron chinense.
Liriodendron tulipifera Aureomarginatum have edged leaves and Liriodendron tulipifera Integrifolium has leaves without lobes.

Credits
On my Tulip Tree_4-30-08 by jimbrickett CC BY ND 2.0 ‘These are the blooms on my Tulip Tree in my yard today (there are a hundred of them). Most too high to see well.’
Interior of Sprawling Tulip Tree, Tudor Place by ok-oyot CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Tulip tree, Liriodendron tulipifera, Flower by nipplerings72 CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
“Tulip Tree Flower 7236 by pjriccio2006 CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 ‘The Tulip tree is a large, deciduous tree, which easily reaches 70′ to 90′ tall, and large trees to 150′ or more are common. The flowers are 2″ to 3” long, tulip-shaped, upright blossoms, borne singly at branch ends, and blooms late may through mid-June. The petals are yellow-green, and the inside of the corolla base is orange. Unfortunately, most flowers are borne in the higher reaches of the plant and are not easily observed. These flowers were collected on a series of cool windy days.’

Beech Tree – Root and Branch Review

February 29, 2016 hortoris

I used to think Beech trees grew on the beach but now I know a little better but not much. This is one of the UK’s most useful trees and deserves to be grown where ever space permits.

Key Features of the Beech

Latin name Fagus sylvatica other common names include ‘Lady of the Woods’ or European Beech
Height up to 45m 150 feet trunk can be 10 feet in diametre
Type of tree Deciduous, broadleaved, dictoyledon tree
Leaves – Light green turning deeper in summer are ovate shaped with wavy edges. Decorative in autumn with copper and russet foliage.
Flowers Male are in yellow pendulous clusters whilst female flowers are inconspicuous in leaf axils on the same tree.
Fruit Beech nuts are 3 sided brown nuts contained in pairs or singly inside prickly green/brown husks
Bark is silver gray thin and smooth
Family Fagus

Origins and Distribution of the Beech

Grows widely throughout Europe and likes chalky and limestone areas.
Native to England it may have been introduced by stone age man for the food property of the nuts.

Uses and Commercial Attributes of the Beech

Beech nuts or ‘mast’ are still used to feed pigs and parkland deer.
Wood from the beech is tough and used for flooring and furniture.
Wooden implements like bowls, spoons and tool handles are traditionally made from beech
Beech woodlands often act as home for mushrooms.
Beech hedges are popular as the young plants are easy to train and retain their leaves through winter
Beech fruit are edible and have a nutty flavour but should not be consumed in great quantity as they can be toxic.
Beeches can live for 300 years and are used as wind breaks and field markers as well as part of mixed hedges particularly when young.
Wood from the beech is used as a fuel.

Gardeners Tips for the Beech

Leaves remain on the tree until the spring making beech popular as a hedge.
Wood is easy to turn and work for carpentry particularly if soaked first to make it pliable.
Limited topiary is possible with a beech tree.
Older trees have buttresses to improve stability.
Read Copper Beech Hedges

Other types of Beech and Species

Copper Beech or Purple Beech Fagus sylvatica Purpurea atropunicea has purple leaves some turning deep green by mid-summer.
Weeping Beech or Fagus sylvatica Pendula has branches that hang down as the name suggests
Fagus sylvatica ‘Rivers Purple’ also known as ‘Riversii Major’ has been awarded an Award of Garden Merit
A narrow cultivar of beech Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ develops into a striking cone shape.

Beech Comments from Elsewhere

‘A coppard is an ancient tree that was coppiced hundreds of years ago and then later pollarded. This prolongs their life and this beech tree could be anything up to 1,000 years old and was first cut by Anglo-Saxon woodmen’ Jacks Hill Epping

Credits
Beech Trees by Joost J. Bakker IJmuiden CC BY 2.0
Lake Wood, Uckfield – Beech Nuts by Dominic CC BY 2.0 below

Part of a Slideshow / Set forming a virtual tour around the lake at Lake Wood, on the outskirts of Uckfield, East Sussex, England, UK. [Map]

The artificially expanded lake and woodland is adjacent to, and to the north of, West Park Local Nature Reserve. The two areas are separated by Rocks Road (the B2012 Uckfield / Piltdown road). Both areas formed part of the Rocks Estate, owned for 200 years – and landscaped in the style of Capability Brown – by the Streatfield family. A tunnel beneath the dividing road (now bricked off) enabled carriage access to the lake from Rock House.

The area has numerous Ardlingly Sandstone outcrops. Where these obstruct the path around the lake, a tunnel – and also steps leading down to an underground boat house cave – were excavated.

Lake Wood is managed and protected by The Woodland Trust

Read about our series on British tree reviews with a bakers dozen fact sheets

Baobab – Root and Branch Review

February 29, 2016 hortoris

Baobab is a remarkable tree with striking appearance identified by it’s swollen trunk which stores water. Slow growing the tree is believed to live for centuries but has no aging rings in the trunk.

Key Features of the Baobab

Latin name – Adansonia digitata Common names – Upside down tree, boab, dead-rat-tree, boaboa or bottle tree
Height – 30-70 feet
Type of tree – Deciduous
Leaves – dark green glossy hand like leaves with 5-7 fingers
Flowers – Solitary large scented white to cream
Fruit – ovoid, brown, hairy capsules of black seeds
Bark – Grey-brown and fibrous. No annual growth rings of trunk.
Family – Malvaceae

Origins and Distribution of the Baobab

Native to Madagascar and central Africa.
The tree is adapted to arid conditions and is also found in India.

Uses and Attributes of the Baobab

Fruit and leaves are edible. The seeds are used to thicken soup.
Water is collected in the clefts of branches.
The fibrous bark is used to make mats and fishing nets

Gardeners Tips for the Baobab

The tree is able to survive bark ringing.
The large white strongly scented flowers attract pollinating bats – alas not in my garden.
Seeds are available to grow bonsai trees.

Other types of Baobab and key species

There are 7-8 key species of Adansonia.
Adansonia digitata L. â€“ African Baobab, Adansonia grandidieri Grandidier’s Baobab, Adansonia gregorii Boab or Australian Baobab Adansonia madagascariensisâ€“ Madagascar Baobab Adansonia perrieri â€“ Perrier’s Baobab Adansonia suarezensis Adansonia Za. â€“ Za Baobab .

Baobab comments from elsewhere

‘The Baobab is called the Tree of Life with good reason. It is capable of providing shelter, food and water for the animal and human inhabitants of the African savannah regions.
The cork-like bark is fire resistant and is used for cloth and rope. The leaves are used for condiments and medicines. The fruit, called “monkey bread”, is rich in vitamin C and is eaten. The tree is capable of storing hundreds of litres of water, which is tapped in dry periods.
Mature trees are frequently hollow, providing living space for numerous animals and humans alike.There are also numerous superstitions amongst native African people regarding the powers of the tree. Anyone who dares to pick a flower, for instance, will be eaten by a lion. On the other hand, of you drank water in which the seeds have been soaked, you’d be safe from a crocodile attack.’ From Baobab solutions for more information

Credits
baobabs by asfd01 CC BY-NC 2.0
“Baobab by sociate CC BY-SA 2.0
Baobab Africain by dinesh_valke CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 ‘The Baobab has long provided people with material for cloth, rope, soap, dye, glue, fodder, and medicine. In West Africa, the young nutritious leaves are cooked and eaten like spinach.’
Baobab Tree by K W Reinsch CC BY-NC 2.0