The soil around a mature tree is part of the tree (the root-soil system). Development continues to kill many, many trees which are supposed to be ‘retained’ on site. Fortunately, this is an example of a fantastic sycamore properly protected throughout recent work to the adjacent building.
Overseeing work to an old beech avenue – requiring thoughtful conservation management
Occasionally some clients with collections of specimen trees – gardens and arboreta – like the species identified and labelled.
Defective root system revealed by air spade during an investigation following unnatural failures of a semi-mature oak avenue in an extreme storm. Nurseries growing seedlings in pots and then (repeatedly) transplanting them too deeply, can lead to irreparable stem girdling roots (SGR’s). The crowns of these were perfectly healthy 20 years after planting; but suddenly, in a storm: snap!
Pseudoinonotus dryadeus (fungal brackets) on an old oak – conserved and monitored. Many of our biggest exceptional ‘champion’ trees throughout Ireland can be easily propagated from seed (or cuttings) to provide new trees with the genetic potential to adapt to climate change and be exceptional specimens for future generations.
Beech felled for roadside safety (decay was most extensive & advanced at c. 2 m)
Picture from a road traffic accident ‘forensic’ investigation c. 15 years ago. Yes, this ash collapsed onto a passing car, causing very serious injury. From 2019 I was on the ‘expert’ panel of three tasked by the Tree Council to write the Irish government’s new ‘Landowners Guide to Managing Roadside Trees’. Link here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/8fb45-a-guide-for-landowners-to-managing-roadside-trees/# Decay can be primary causal factor in tree failure (collapse) – but often it is not; some trees large old with decay can still be perfectly stable!

Assessment of an impressive c. 1 km long avenue in Co Kildare. The inner lines of Linden (common lime) were found to represent two principal planting dates: early 19th century and mid 18th century.