Tree Life Arboricultural Training

Last chance to book on Andy's ISA Cert Arb Preparation Course before it starts on Tuesday! Check out https://treelifeac.co.uk/isa-certified-arborist or contact us at [email protected] to join this course.

Tree Life | Training | Online | Courses | ISA Certified Arborist Preparation What is the ISA Certified Arborist? From the ISA themselves: “The ISA Certified Arborist designation sets you apart as someone with the commitment, dedication, and knowledge to succeed. The ISA’s most popular credential, the ISA Certified Arborist program is accredited by the ANSI National Accre...

Thinking of becoming an ISA Certified Arborist? Our next ISA Cert Arb Preparation Course starts on 27th January 2026 - check out https://www.treelifeac.co.uk/isa-certified-arborist or contact us for details!

Tree Life | Training | Online | Courses | ISA | Arborist What is the ISA Certified Arborist? From the ISA themselves: “The ISA Certified Arborist designation sets you apart as someone with the commitment, dedication, and knowledge to succeed. The ISA’s most popular credential, the ISA Certified Arborist program is accredited by the ANSI National Accre...

An old Acer palmatum, the Japanese maple.

These are admired for their graceful form and striking seasonal colours, and with the right care, it can be a long-lived feature in the landscape.

While its typical lifespan is around 100 years, well-positioned and well-maintained specimens have been known to live even longer.

These trees thrive in sheltered spots with dappled light, avoiding extremes of wind or scorching sun that can scorch the delicate leaves. Healthy soil with good drainage, combined with regular watering during dry spells, helps them reach their full potential. A long-lived Japanese maple can become a centrepiece of the garden, offering beauty for generations.

̇gn

The Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum) is a small, ornamental tree renowned for its stunning display of pink-purple flowers that emerge directly from the trunk and branches in early spring, before the leaves appear.

Native to southern Europe and western Asia, it's well-suited to UK gardens and urban settings due to its compact size and drought tolerance.

The name "Judas tree" comes from legend, said to be the tree from which Judas Iscariot hanged himself, though its beauty tells a different story.

Beyond folklore, it provides early nectar for pollinators and adds striking seasonal interest. Its heart-shaped leaves and vibrant blossoms make it a favourite among tree lovers.

Lottie found this huge beauty!
Cerioporus squamosus, commonly known as dryad’s saddle, is a striking bracket fungus often found on dead or decaying hardwoods such as sycamore, ash, and elm, though it can also appear on living trees with central decay.

It typically fruits in spring and autumn, producing large, scaly caps with a distinctive saddle like shape and a strong, mealy scent.

This fungus plays a role in breaking down lignin and cellulose, contributing to white rot. While it can be a sign of internal decay in standing trees, especially around old wounds or cavities, its presence doesn’t always indicate immediate failure. However, careful inspection is warranted where it appears on stressed or valuable trees.

A hazard beam crack (a term coined by Prof. Dr. Claus Mattheck) is a serious structural feature found in large, often horizontal limbs, where a longitudinal crack runs along the centre of the branch.

It develops when internal stresses, usually from heavy loading or extended lever arms, cause the wood fibres to fail under tension.

This feature weakens the limb and increases the likelihood of failure, especially during storms, snowfall, or periods of dense foliage. Identifying hazard beam cracks is an important aspect of tree risk assessment and should prompt appropriate management such as pruning, bracing, or removal to reduce potential risk.

Lovely to catch up with Russel of at The Arb Show 2025
Tree Life has been sponsoring them for many years and wholeheartedly endorse the work they do.

Check them out!

Salix caprea.
Commonly known as goat willow or p***y willow, is a native UK species valued for its early spring catkins, which are among the first sources of pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators.

Male trees produce soft, silvery catkins that turn yellow as they shed pollen, while female trees bear greenish catkins that develop into fluffy seed heads.

It thrives in damp soils and is often found in woodland edges, wet meadows, and along streams. Ecologically important, it supports a wide range of insects and provides food for birds and mammals.