The Clachan Oak August 2013

[mrmrfoster]

Can't seem to find the original post from Tim, but here is a couple of new images.

 

These photos are from last week and would appear to be in reasonably good health. It had some rooting works with a seaweed feed in May this year. Perhaps it could benefit from a (very) little crown work, but I imagine that the group managing this project may be a little reluctant for that to be carried out right now. What do you think?

 

The bands round the trunk were not intended as structural aids but as a public area to chain up criminals. They probably contribute some structural stability now, but may start to cause problems in the future. A lot to consider with this fine historic tree.

 

 

 

 

[Big J]

Thanks for posting - on seeing the photos, I thought that I recognised it from driving past it in Balfron.

[scotspine1]

I just put some woodchip down beneath the tree yesterday where the grass has been killed off, looks a lot better now and along with the root aeration will hopefully help the rooting zone and tree long term.

 

Be interesting to see how the tree does over the next few years.

[David Humphries]

I just put some woodchip down beneath the tree yesterday where the grass has been killed off, looks a lot better now and along with the root aeration will hopefully help the rooting zone and tree long term.

 

Be interesting to see how the tree does over the next few years.

 

How far out Tim?

 

 

 

 

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[scotspine1]

How far out Tim?

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2/3 m from tree. Not as far out as dripline, probably half way out. Maybe this will encourage the newer shoots nearer the main stem?

 

Used fresh Birch chip with a lot of leaf.

 

Any thoughts?

[David Humphries]

2/3 m from tree. Not as far out as dripline, probably half way out. Maybe this will encourage the newer shoots nearer the main stem?

 

Used fresh Birch chip with a lot of leaf.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Think I would have gone further out, perhaps 3/4 m

But anything is a bonus.

 

Crataegus or other rosaceus species would of been the preferred mulch material according to some study, but again, its all got to be better than the declining situation before intervention.

 

Lots of shots of sections of the canopy over the next year or two will (hopefully) show new epicormic sprouts.......or not.

 

If possible, get someone to carry out a climb around the canopy (now) measuring the (extention/vitality) growth between bud scars and then again after a couple of growth cycles.

That should give an indication on whether the current ground works have provided a more optimal rooting environment......or not.

 

 

I would still consider a small peripheral reduction to reduce the distance for assimilates to travel between root extremities and branch tips.

 

But understand that time is money and also precious

 

 

Look forward o the next update

 

 

 

 

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