Bracing

Bracing is a term used to describe the installation of cables, ropes and/or belts to reduce the probability of failure of one or more parts of the tree structure due to weakened elements under excessive movement.

Branch bark ridge and collar

See diagram 3 section 3. Natural features of a fork or union that may or may not be visually obvious. Neither the branch bark ridge nor collar should be cut.

Callus

Undifferentiated tissue initiated as a result of wounding and which become specialised tissues of the repair over time.

Cavity

A void within the solid structure of the tree, normally associated with decay or deterioration of the woody tissues. May be dry or hold water, if the latter it should not be drained. Only soft decomposing tissue should be removed if necessary to assess the extent. No attempt should be made to cut or expose living tissue.

Co-dominant stems

Two or more, generally upright, stems of roughly equal size and vigour competing with each other for dominance. Where these arise from a common union the structural integrity of that union should be assessed.

Coppicing

Coppicing is a form of husbandry used mainly in woodland management.

It involves the removal of a tree to ground level enabling it to produce new growth from the stump. Certain species of tree react better to coppicing than others such as hazel, willow, ash.

The cutting down of a tree within 300mm (12in) of the ground at regular intervals, traditionally applied to certain species such as Hazel and Sweet Chestnut to provide stakes etc.

Crown

The foliage bearing section of the tree formed by its branches and not including any clear stem/trunk.

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are designated by local planning authorities as areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.

If you intend to carry out work on a tree within a conservation area, then a formal application must be made to the relevant local council.

A period of six weeks from the council receiving the application must be left. The council will either grant or refuse permission within this time period.

Deadwood

Non-living branches or stems due to natural ageing or external influences. Deadwood provides essential habitats and its management should aim to leave as much as possible, shortening or removing only those that pose a risk. Durability and retention of deadwood will vary by tree species.

Decline

When a tree exhibits signs of a lack of vitality such as reduced leaf size, colour or density.

Dieback

Tips of branches exhibit no signs of life due to age or external influences. Decline may progress, stabilise or reverse as the tree adapts to its new situation.

Dormant

The inactive condition of a tree, usually during the coldest months of the year when there is little or no growth and leaves of deciduous trees have been shed.

Drop Crotching

Shortening branches by pruning off the end back to a lateral branch which is at least 1/3 of the diameter of the removed branch.

Deciduous

The deciduous tree is type of tree that sheds all its leaves during the autumn in preparation for winter.

It will have none left over the winter season and regrow its leaves when spring arrives.

The opposite type is evergreen that never sheds its leaves at all.

Fertilising

The application of a substance, usually to the tree’s rooting area (and occasionally to the tree), to promote tree growth or reverse or reduce decline. This will only be effective if nutrient deficiency is confirmed. If decline is the result of other factors such as compaction, physical damage, toxins etc., the application of fertiliser will not make any difference.

Formative pruning

Minor pruning during the early years of a tree’s growth to establish the desired form and/or to correct defects or weaknesses that may affect structure in later life.

Fungi/Fruiting bodies

A member of the plant kingdom that may colonise living or dead tissues of a tree or form beneficial relationships with the roots. The fruiting body is the spore bearing, reproductive structure of that fungus. Removal of the fruiting body will not prevent further colonisation and will make diagnosis and prognosis harder to determine. Each colonisation must be considered in detail by a competent person to determine the long term implications of tree health and structure when considered alongside the tree species, site usage etc.

Lopping and Topping

Generally regarded as outdated terminology but still included as part of Planning legislation. Lopping refers to the removal of large side branches (the making of vertical cuts) and topping refers to the removal of large portions of the crown of the tree (the making of horizontal cuts, generally through the main stems). Often used to describe crude, heavy-handed or inappropriate pruning.

Painting or Sealing

Covering pruning cuts or other wounds with a paint, often bitumen based. Research has demonstrated that this is not beneficial and may in fact be harmful. On no account should timber treatments be used as these are definitely harmful to living cells.

Pollard

The initial removal of the top of a young tree at a prescribed height to encourage multistem branching from that point, traditionally for fodder, firewood or poles. Once started, it should be repeated on a cyclical basis always retaining the initial pollard point, or bolling as it becomes known.

Pollarding is often carried out on trees in roadside areas, and those on riversides, but this method of tree management can also be adopted in the domestic garden.

It is the removal of the entire canopy of a tree, pruning back to its main branches to form a skeletal style structure. The tree then shoots from the pruning points to re-form a canopy.

This process is repeated throughout the life of the tree and is often used to make the canopy of large trees smaller and more manageable.

Retrenchment pruning

A form of reduction intended to encourage development of lower shoots and emulate the natural process of tree aging.

Root pruning

The pruning back of roots (similar to the pruning back of branches). This has the ability to affect tree stability so it is advisable to seek professional advice prior to attempting root pruning.

Topping

See Lopping and Topping.

TPO

TPO stands for Tree Preservation Order and is a part of town and country planning in the United Kingdom.

A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) can be placed on any tree to protect.

If a tree is covered by a TPO then you cannot conduct any work upon the tree without written consent from the local planning department.

Vitality

The degree of physiological and biochemical processes (life functions) within an individual, group or population of trees.