Two Centuries Of This Cedar of Lebanon Tree: A Testament to Nature’s Resilience and Beauty
At Beechwood Tree Care, we have had the incredible fortune of tending to some of the most beautiful and important trees over the years. This particular project was yet another example and a testament to our team’s skills and quality.
For this project, we were tasked with the pruning and care of one of nature’s truly awe-inspiring creations – a massive Cedar of Lebanon tree.
With an estimated age spanning over two centuries, this magnificent specimen towers over the surrounding landscape on the estate it calls home. A living piece of history, this tree traces its origins back to the Atlas Mountains in North Africa.
Due to its rich heritage and significant role in the landscape, Beechwood Tree Care was required to manage the project with utmost precision and care.
A Wonderful Challenge: Making The Giant Safe
Big trees like this Cedar of Lebanon tree come with their own set of challenges, due to their size and age.
The vast size of this Cedar of Lebanon tree was a particular challenge for our clients and team. Trees of such a size can potentially pose a threat to nearby buildings or passersby should they fall or any limbs give way.
Not only is external damage a challenge, but trees of this size often experience internal decay. If left unchecked, this decay can compromise the structural integrity of the tree, meaning it is under threat of falling and causing damage.
At Beechwood Tree Care, our professional arborists are committed to preserving trees of all sizes and species without compromising public safety. We understand the value that trees, especially of this magnitude, have to local landscapes and strive to keep them, and the public, safe.
Assessing The Tree’s Health
Our first step in addressing the issues faced by this grand Cedar of Lebanon tree was to prepare an in-depth report detailing its condition.
This involved a thorough climbing inspection, where our team assessed and photographed the tree’s structure.
To ensure the accuracy of our assessment, we enlisted the expertise of Guy Watson for this task. This allows us to make the best decisions for the tree and the surrounding landscape, ensuring that nothing is compromised during our work.
Diagnosing Internal Damage
To assist in identifying the extent of internal decay, we brought in James Pinder, who employed a PiCUS tomograph.
This is a sophisticated sound-wave measuring machine, which gave us a detailed insight into the tree’s internal structure. With this technology on our hands, we were able to determine the extent of any internal damage and how this should best be treated.
Spending dedicated time on the preparation and assessment of this Cedar of Lebanon tree enabled us to precisely plan our mitigation strategies so we could do the best for the landscape and this magnificent tree.
Reinforcing The Giant With Custom Cables
As part of our tree care strategy for this incredible Cedar of Lebanon tree, we installed cables within the tree.
This will provide additional support to the large limbs of the tree, and prevent potential damage to its surrounding property which may occur if the branches become loose or fall.
This is a custom-developed, non-evasive method which is ideal for supporting trees of such magnitude. Known as a catch system, this method of supporting the tree’s limbs successfully prevents damage to nearby properties should a break or fall occur.
The cables reel in the broken limb, keeping it away from surrounding properties and mitigating any damage that could come from such a fall. This is why it is such an effective method for particularly large and old trees, like this Cedar of Lebanon tree.
Navigating Legal Hurdles: Complying With Tree Preservation Orders
A crucial factor when dealing with historic trees such as the Cedar of Lebanon is tree preservation orders.
These mandates prohibit any work on the tree without local authority permission and are done to protect significant trees from unnecessary damage.
At Beechwood Tree Care, we are experienced with tree preservation orders and frequently work with these kinds of trees. Before we carried out any work on this Cedar of Lebanon tree we obtained approval to carry out the necessary pruning and reinforcement work.
To get this approval, we had to file a comprehensive report and proposed safety measures to show that we understood the significance of the tree and its surrounding landscape. This is something our team are completely experienced in and can help you successfully manage TPOs across the region.
Skilled Pruning By Beechwood Tree Care
Armed with the permission to tackle this magnificent tree, our team got to work reducing the canopy.
Our expert tree surgeons skillfully reduced the Cedar’s canopy by three to four meters. This not only made it more attractive but also made the landscape safer by reducing the threat of damage to surrounding properties.
The pruning and reduction were done while keeping the tree’s impressive aesthetics in mind, as we aim to enhance not reduce the appeal.
Following our work, a safer, yet still breath-taking Cedar of Lebanon tree remains. Our tree surgeons are so precise and skilled, that a returning vacationer didn’t realise this magnificent tree had been pruned demonstrating how seriously we take TPOs.
Why Choose Beechwood Tree Care?
Our team at Beechwood Tree Care take immense pride in projects like this. We are committed to preserving all tree life wherever possible, and nowhere is this more important than with awe-inspiring trees like the Cedar of Lebanon.
We work to ensure the best for the trees, while also supporting the surrounding landscape to create a safer environment for our clients.
Due to the precision and skill needed for this kind of project, it is not something that your average tree surgeon can do. However, our team thrives on the challenge and is proud to offer such an extensive range of solutions across the region.
Contact Us Today
If you require expert care for your mature trees, reach out to us at Beechwood Tree Care.
We are passionate about making these grand natural wonders safe and preserving them for years to come. Our skilled tree surgeons can handle a range of requirements and are available to work with all trees.
