Trees

I had problems in a previous house with roots from my neighbours conifer hedge causing damage to my sewer and house foundations. The roots will break through anything other than 'plastic' because it is porous and they are searching for water. This family of trees are shallow rooted but spread...

I've got to say that although it is more fiddly to do I think the polythene wrap is better than the black spheres. Especially with the cable ties as you have used @misterQ the spheres do dry out and I'm finding slugs love to hide in them during the day.

Hi VoobwmI recommend trimming the tops as soon as possible, even if you're only removing a few centimetres of growth. The reason for this is that it should help promote thickening of the tree, it's less damaging to the tree, and it's easier to trim little and often rather than doing a big hit....

A good point made by JWK, they seem to like a lot more water than is often suspected. They survive in dryer conditions but grow much faster with good watering.

Good drainage may be my downfall. We planted a walnut a couple of years ago and its just sitting in the ground sulking, its not liking the clay I fear.

Many nurseries are online only these days. However get a couple of garden magazines and leaf through the classified and you should find some that supply catalogs.

Cant help really, but all I will say is I know these types of Acers often suffer leaf damage, mostly from sun or cold dry winds in spring when the leaves are soft. So, is it only recently that the leaves have started to look like this?Definitely a difference between the top of the tree and...

Watch Herons Bonsai youtube channel for inspiration then have a go at making a bonsai forest group with the 8 trees.My thoughts are that there is somebody somewhere in the world who is desperately trying to germinate sycamore seeds (Acer pseudoplatanus) and having no luck. If only the two...

A young tree shouldn't need pruning If you can provide us with pictures please, it would help to see what you mean by straggly bits.

Hi Nigel,I'm sure it was an elder, I got into making wine in my early 20's and was always frustrated that I couldn't pick any of the berries from it.The railway line in question was a branch line and you have to trust me on this one, I have spent five years researching this.Always nice to...

You need to cut the top down some 12 inches below the final required height.

Just a thought, but regarding gaps in rural hedges, is it possible to layer any of it this winter Never had the chance to try it myself but seen it done. If you have some tall stuff in the hedge chop it half way through and bend it down into the gaps and fix it down.

Thanks both. I think I will try cutting it back, perhaps coppicing it as Macraignil suggests, and see how it grows back for a year or two. if it doesn't work out, at least I tried!

Hi SteveTrees can show symptoms years after the problem has occurred, so it's not always clear how and why a tree is in distress, unless plainly obvious.At first glance it looks to me to be one of two problems: Underwatering / overwatering or fungal infection (namely Diaporthe nobilis)....

Will do, I’m thinking of taking a couple of cuttings from too and may buy another one next year from a different supplier.

I've got one which I do similar with, but its an annual job if you dont want it to get away from you. I'm leaving mine for this year, but its going to be pretty big by the end of this year 25ft at least.Cut those whispy branches off lower down, it wont hurt.

It didn't flower last year or this year so it can only help it by cutting it back I guess

Could probably pollard it just above the first fresh growth it won't look pretty but thinking again I'll stick with my first thought..sadly if it was mine it would have to go.

Thanks very much for your well thought out reply, as it has given me food for thought.I was worried about the roots.I like the idea of a sturdy structure, maybe a seat with a large fan above it to support the honeysuckle.I like the idea of the bird feeder best, but unfortunately my...

glad we were useful ... we do appreciate a update.. and Portuguese laurel was the outcomeSpruce