Trying to push the boundaries of modern ecological arboriculture

So, what is ecological arboriculture about? Well, obviously it's about try not to unnecessarily cut down trees, that goes without saying really. Perhaps maybe it's about planting more trees, as many of them as possible, especially when we had to remove one. But then what?

Biodiversity

Well, that's what we are trying communicate. This whole ecology thing goes way beyond replanting. It's about trying to preserve and enhance what we have and make sure there is more for the future. We all know that biodiversity is important and that the variety of species is diminishing, so I don't need to go on about that. But what can we do? What can each of us do? I certainly don't have all the answers but I could make a few suggestions. Death is part of the natural cycle of life. arboricultural method statement Huge numbers of species live either in or on dead and decaying wood. Deadwood on the ground, dead wood in the tree, it's all important, it's all a source of life.

There are many species that live exclusively in standing deadwood. These are not the big glamorous species we all know about lions, snow leopards, pandas and the like, but they do provide food for birds and small mammals and that`s important. We need to acknowledge that all forms of life no matter how insignificant they may seem are precious. Don't over manicure your trees As tree surgeons we have been responsible for the removal of far too much deadwood and other habitat from our trees. Of course we don't want them to be dangerous but an increasing culture of over manicured, chemical injected trees might look great to some people but personally I prefer something with a little more substance. Besides, a good bit of mulch is far better in the long run than quick fix chemical fertilizers.

A little wildlife haven in your garden.

Continuity

So what can you do to make your garden a little more wildlife friendly? Leave dead wood! Leave some in the trees, leave piles of it on the ground, if you do need a tree felled then leave a good sized stump. Leaving a dead standing stem is known as Monolithing, we normally cut them to about 3 metres but anything is better than nothing. If every garden in our neighbourhoods had a dead stump or two those little bugs and beasties would have new places to go when their previous dwellings finally become uninhabitable! Try leaving a little wild corner. It doesn't have to be much, but it all helps. This is hardly radical stuff. You will see more and more of this in parks and nature reserves, but from a tree surgeon, not so common.