£30K worth of yew hedge.

[Steve Bullman]

Nice job there Rupe!

[Rupe]

Looks great I've not seen a yew hedge planted as instant as that

Shows what you can do when you got the money

 

It is a good example of what can be done. With Yew you either need patience or money. This client has lots of one and little (if any) of the other.

[Le Sanglier]

Looks good anway, you can't take it with you!

[Gary Prentice]

It's up to the powers that be to ensure the plant passport scheme is correctly used, and to inspect for any Alien pests and diseases. If other countries such as Australia can do this then we can too. It's unfair to vilify someone for adhering to current rules and systems.

 

I was trying, miserably, to come across as a bit tongue in cheek..

The numbers of young ash already identified and destroyed suggest that plant passports and inspections haven't worked as intended.

 

Timber pallets and packaging are meant to be funigated/treated at 'point of origin' but the AOB has alrady landed here. I personally think we're heading rapidly into an environmental crisis in this island nation of ours due to climatic changes and new/adapting pathogens.

 

I had no intention of vilifying anybody, certainly not the o.p, but personally feel its time that everyone begins to consider where plants are obtained from.

 

I've no intention of making a big issue over this, the hedge looks great, has been well cut and prooves what money can buy.

 

Cost is always going to be a major consideration. I'm well aware, knowing local growers and nurserymen, of all the issues involved.

[Gary Prentice]

Nope, they are cheaper!! These were imported before any "fuss" over chalara started, so seperate issue really.

 

Apologies, a poor choice of words.

I think and hope that Chalara may be the wake up call the public needs. Although judging by recent discussions with clients I doubt it. Everyone on this forum must have realised the effect that this is going to have on our landscape. DED was bad, but chalara being airbourne is likely to be worse, more rapid and involve greater numbers.

 

As end users I think we, as an industry, need to do more to promote the use of trees and plants of local provanence, regardless of cost. I appreciate that its difficult to educate the client, particularly where cash is involved.

 

I find it ironic that the HTA are now looking to seek compensation for their members losses. The government failed to ban imports at the HTA's request, their members ignored a voluntary ban and now thats its occured they're going cap in hand....

 

Its a situation of long term problems over short term financial considerations. I'm sorry that I'm not a better debater, but I'm concerned about where we're heading enviromentally and what we are going to leave for our children and grandkids.

 

I'll get off my soapbox........

[Andy Collins]

I do agree, local provenance is so important. How many will rush out to buy their Xmas trees this year, and not know where they are from, so long as the price is right? many many trees are imported to meet demand, even though we have a strong and vibrant Xmas tree industry right here in this country. Local grown are as cheap as imported, so why buy them in from the Continent at all? I think this has more potential for disaster than the importation of other trees.

[Rupe]

I had nothing to do with the sourcing/planting of this hedge, I just trimmed a hedge that cost £30K to install. I knew it was being bought from abroad but its not for me to try and tell this particular client (or any others) how to go about their projects. And as it was done well before the chalara issues were brought to light no one has any reason to feel bad about it, its just a hedge. its done now and I'll continue to trim it.

[Andy Collins]

I wonder if the publicity of the ADB will raise awareness of using British produce, or if price and indifference will continue? Will it improve border controls on imports? I understand that most of the major suppliers buy in from the Continent, pot on and sell them as British...is this a correct understanding or myth.?

[Peter]

Some, but not all.

 

Most of the big specimen trees come from Italy or Holland. Some Japanese Maples come from New Zealand, although it takes them a year or two to adjust to the seasons.

[skyhuck]

I wonder if the publicity of the ADB will raise awareness of using British produce, or if price and indifference will continue? Will it improve border controls on imports? I understand that most of the major suppliers buy in from the Continent, pot on and sell them as British...is this a correct understanding or myth.?

 

Chances are we would have got Ash die back even without imported trees, we are only 20 odd miles from france, so it probably blew in, plus there are trucks and cars coming over on the train or ferry with mud on their tyres etc.

 

You mentioned Australia, but they are very different from us, they are miles from other countries and are very tight on imports, muddy boots are not allowed, etc.