This dear old Beech at St Ive Church threw a big limb in the recent windy weather.
Thankfully no damage and no injuries.
Amazingly, it fell right between all the old head-stones without any collateral damage. The dismantling of the remaining structurally compromised stems, 1 piece at a time, was conducted somewhat more slowly and carefully!
Fungal colonisation in the main stem is fairly well established although it is anticipated that the subordinate stem will grow into the space created by the crown removal and provide many decades more visual amenity and ecological diversity value.
The great benefit (and sadly much under estimated practice) of retaining decaying timber in a standing tree is that, as it continues slowly along its journey through the decay cycle, aided by the fungi and a wide array of insects and larvae that will aid the process, with luck, the cavities that are created will provide roost for bats and possibly Woodpecker (enticed by the well stocked larder) or maybe an Owl might take up residency or at least use the high vantage point as a hunting perch.
Qualified, professional advice on matters relating to tree management extends far beyond simply calling somebody with a chainsaw.
Properly assessing the risk of harm from compromised trees and presenting management options which have a focus upon retention where feasible and which seek to maximise ecological benefits (this is especially important where mature / veteran trees or those with cultural or historic importance are involved) is the starting point.
Professionally executing the task with a properly trained, qualified and experienced team ensures safety, efficiency, quality and confidence - which is the middle.
And finally, where each job IS important, having the pride, and taking the time and effort, to check in on previous jobs as the years go by - just to see how things are progressing is the final component.
Tree work is a passion as well as a profession and what we do ‘today’ will be on show for 10s, sometimes 100s of years. That is why getting it right is so important.
Having previously undertaken significant tree management works at St Ive church it was a pleasure to be asked to return for this task.