MAINTENANCE: THE JOBS WE CAN DO
Look out for signs of poor tree health
Keep an eye on your street trees. You might be able to spot damage, disease, decay and even potential danger. We walk the streets of Herne Hill all the time and can often deal with problems much faster than the council's contractors or tree officers
This rowan on Wyneham Road has had one of its main branches torn off, possibly by a lorry or van parking nearby. Broken limbs are an entry point for disease and need to be cleanly cut back to undamaged wood
Rot in the base of a London plane at the corner of Elmwood Road and Frankfurt Road. Any weakness like this poses a serious safety risk, particularly in such a big tree, and invariably it will have to come down
The same rowan - a yellow-berried Sorbus aucuparia Joseph Rock - was already suffering from a fungal disease called silver leaf, which has covered the trunk in these little mushroom-like growths
Rot in the base of a London plane at the corner of Elmwood Road and Frankfurt Road. Any weakness like this poses a serious safety risk, particularly in such a big tree, and invariably it will have to come down
This rowan on Wyneham Road has had one of its main branches torn off, possibly by a lorry or van parking nearby. Broken limbs are an entry point for disease and need to be cleanly cut back to undamaged wood
The same rowan - a yellow-berried Sorbus aucuparia Joseph Rock - was already suffering from a fungal disease called silver leaf, which has covered the trunk in these little mushroom-like growths
What to watch for​
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Cages, stakes and watering bags that aren't needed any more: usually when the tree has been in the ground for three years or more, unless it's especially fragile.
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Black rubber tree ties that are cutting into the trunk: these will need adjusting or removing.
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Dead or dying branches: leaves that drop or buds that fail to open when the rest of the tree looks healthy.
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Trees that don't flourish for more than one or two seasons: sometimes what looks like a sick tree can spring back to life.
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Badly leaning trees: these could present a danger.
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Long grass, profuse weeds or planted flowers in the tree pit: these can deny water to a very young tree.
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Obvious wounds or holes in the trunk: especially if they're oozing or you can see black staining.
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Signs of a fungal infection: mushroom- or toadstool-like growths at ground level or on the trunk.
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Splits and tears: usually from vehicle damage.