The Old Man of Kent

[Mark Bolam]

I heard today that Kent's tallest tree may have to be removed after suffering storm damage at Easter.

It's a Grand Fir at Bedgebury.

Anyone else heard anything?

[JaySmith]

Yeah saw the article in the paper Mark. Have you seen it? It's a beast i had a good look at it when we worked there. The one we took down was around 120ft and I could see the old man of Kent in the distance. I visited Bedgebury before xmas, at that time it hadn't suffered the damage but did have significant die back in the upper crown so this may have contributed. Would be an epic tree to take down!

[Mark Bolam]

I haven't been there for a couple of years Jay, but the crown was exhibiting signs of dieback then.

It's actually quite hard to spot the tree in the woods!

I reckon it could be straight felled, but some neighbouring trees would take a beating, so it will be a Reg-like dismantle!

It's a real shame, but I hope whoever does it gets some pics!

[JaySmith]

Yeah I think it would straight fell from memory. The issue with Bedgebury is they plant small new replacement trees near the larger ones so if they need removing then they need to be dismantled. When the tender went through last year or the year before I think Navin from Greencut got it so he may film it if they are still doing the work there.

[The avantgardener]

I work at Bedgebury quite regularly, the storm damage removed one of the triple stems forming the head, a visual inspection from the ground seemed to show internal decay and they where getting it inspected, I can find out tomorrow the result.

If the tree was a single stem it would be a stunner, as it is it's pretty ugly, it's a straight fell if I moved one wooden bench too.

If it needs to go I hope they let one of the Bedgebury guys Julian do it, he's put the years in on site and is very capable, just doesn't get the chance as everything gets subbied out.

[The avantgardener]

Greencut where there for a bit along with others, Gristwood and Toms do it now.

[JaySmith]

I work at Bedgebury quite regularly, the storm damage removed one of the triple stems forming the head, a visual inspection from the ground seemed to show internal decay and they where getting it inspected, I can find out tomorrow the result.

 

If the tree was a single stem it would be a stunner, as it is it's pretty ugly, it's a straight fell if I moved one wooden bench too.

 

If it needs to go I hope they let one of the Bedgebury guys Julian do it, he's put the years in on site and is very capable, just doesn't get the chance as everything gets subbied out.

 

 

I met Julian when we did some work there, very nice guy and very knowledgable. Do you do the felling/forestry ops there?

[The avantgardener]

I have done a lot of felling there over the last few years, thinning out the collection to make way for new species, a lot of planting in the experimental plots out the back of the office.

You think you know quite a bit about trees until you work there a lot and realise you've still got quite a lot to learn!

[steve collins]

Apparently its gone, i was told whilst we were there this week working

[Welshwoodsman]

It was being surveyed on wednesday 8th june and resistographed to ascertain extent of internal decay. No official update from 'the friends' yet.