Author: Emma Candlin

What is Phytophthora?

The name Phytophthora originates from the Greek for “plant destroyer” and it is one of the world’s most destructive plant pathogens. But what is Phytophthora? With around 120 species of Phytophthora being identified around the world, the pathogen causes a range of different symptoms, some more severe than others.

The most commonly known species of Phytophthora is Phytophthora infestans which attacks the stems and leaves of potato plants and causes Potato Blight. Infact, this was the disease that contributed to the potato famine in the 1800s.

What is Phytophthora?

Another two commonly known species of Phytophthora are:

Phytophthora Ramorum

Phytophthora Ramorum (P. Ramorum) is considered one of the more destructive species and is reportable to the Forestry Commission when identified within England. P.Ramorum has been identified as originally spread from Rhodedenfrom ponticum which is highly susceptible to the pathogen and produces large numbers of spores, spreading the infection to other plants.

Larch trees are also very susceptible to P.Ramorum’s algae like organisms and, similar to the Rhodedendrom, produce high amounts of spores when infected. P.Ramorum is now most commonly found in Larch trees, but can also be found affecting European Sweet Chestnut trees or Oak trees as well as others.

Phytophthora Sojae

Phytophthora Sojae (P. Sojae) is the cause of Phytophthora Root and Stem Rot. This is a soil borne disease that causes seed and stem rot of plants at various growth stages. Primarily found in heavy or waterlogged soils, P. Sojae can survive in the soil for many years without requiring a host plant.

Phytophthora Root and Stem Rot can be identified by dark discolouration of the plant stem, which extends up from the soil. As the disease progresses, the plant typically dies.

ProHort Ltd - Horticultural, arboricultural and landscape development surveys.

Contact Us:

At ProHort Ltd, we can carry out Phytophthora testing that identifies whether your plants are infected by Phytophthora, providing you with the option to carry out the test yourself or for one of our professional horticulturists to visit the site and complete the test for you.

For more information, get in touch with us on 01782 479 479 or email [email protected].

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The Importance of a Tree Safety Survey

Tree Health Survey

What is the main purpose of a Tree Safety Survey?

There are many reasons for having a tree safety survey carried out, but generally they are required to access the safety of a tree as well as monitoring the general health of a tree. This is to protect both people and property. They examine the tree closely for defects and disease. It is recommended that commercial property owners and homeowners undertake a tree health survey to ensure that any potential hazards can be identified and mitigated before any damage or harm is caused. 

Whatever the size of your site or the number of trees, we can offer you the guidance and tree safety advice you need. We work to British Standard BS 5837:2012 and our tree safety survey documents include information such as: 

  • tree species
  • measurements
  • tree age
  • overall health of the tree
  • life expectancy
  • management recommendations
tree health survey

 

 

Tree Surveys and Reports, Health of Your Trees

Your Legal Obligations

As a property owner, landlord, landowner or a commercial tenant, you have a legal obligation and a duty of care, to all those who may be affected by trees under your management. If you’re unsure which obligations these are, they are laid out in the Occupiers Liability Act (1984) and the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974). Guidance issued by the Government, the Forestry Commission and the Arboricultural Association advises that a tree survey is regularly undertaken by a professional tree surveyor. Failure to do so may leave those responsible liable to prosecution. Monitoring the condition of a tree will help you proactively take appropriate action to reduce risks.

What kind of Tree Safety Survey do I need?

Option 1 – Hazard, Walkover or Preliminary Tree Condition Survey

This is a cost-effective way to survey a high volume of trees for potential hazards. This type of tree safety survey identifies any trees that may pose a risk to property or people. The report will also ensure you have enough guidance and information to be able to successfully instruct a contractor who will be able to complete any arboricultural works that have been recommended. If you are restricted by budget or need the tree risk to be identified quickly e.g. after extreme weather, then a walkover tree safety survey is the ideal option. This kind of survey is ideally suited to schools, universities, academies, hotels, leisure groups and parks which have a high level of public access.

Option 2 – Tree Condition Survey or Tree Risk Assessment

This survey involves examining the tree closely for defects and disease and will provide recommendations to help reduce risks. In some areas, for example near to schools or the public highway, a Tree Condition Survey needs to be carried out on a regular basis, usually annually, but preferably at different times of the year, because trees change through the seasons and different issues can become apparent at different times of the year. Monitoring the condition of a tree will help you proactively take appropriate action to reduce risks. In addition, there is an option to conduct wider analysis of soil and plant material to look for chemical imbalances or poisoning.

Book your Tree Safety Survey Today!

At ProHort Ltd, we have a wealth of experience in horticultural, arboricultural, ecological and landscape development. We provide landscape plans, arboricultural surveys, ecological surveys and soil testing and analysis. We also provide a range of other reports detailed on our Services. 

 

ProHort Ltd recommends that you should carry out a tree health survey at least once every two years. If any damages were to occur (for example, a tree branch falling on your car) as well as possible injured individuals, claims against property may occur.

 If you require a tree health survey, then get in contact with us today to find out more information.

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Bat Surveys – What They Are & Why You Need Them

Bats – The Facts:

There are 18 species of bat that live and breed in the UK, and each of these species if fully protected by law. This means that anybody that is completing development on land or a property that houses bats will need to acquire a European Protected Species Licence. Without this licence you are liable to prosecution if you kill, capture, harm or disperse the bats.

Bats can be found in a range of different places depending upon the species of bat. These can include trees, buildings, mines, caves and other structures. Again, depending upon the species, they can either be found in easily identifiable locations, such as the apex of a roof, or can be more difficult to locate due to roosting in cracks and crevices. Most species of bats roost in groups, and therefore anything that impacts the land or property they are roosting in can affect the entire colony.

Between November and February, bats go into hibernation to conserve energy, due to the reduction in the number of insects during these months. Bats are therefore very vulnerable to disturbance at this time of year.

In addition to the roosts, bats also choose a foraging habitat, which is where they find food resources, and routes they use to travel between the roost and the foraging habitat. The distance of the routes varies depending upon the species of bat, with the range varying from 1km to 22km. The routes to the foraging habitats tend to follow linear features, such as hedgerows. Therefore, it is important that any gaps or lighting is minimized within these routes to avoid disrupting any commuting bats.

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What Are Bat Surveys?

Bat surveys are often requested by the local planning authority and are designed to determine whether bats are present or not on a development site. Although there are a number of different types of bat survey, the two most common are:


An Initial Assessment (Phase One Survey):

Also called a Bat Roost Potential Assessment or a Preliminary Roost Assessment, this survey is used to identify and collect physical evidence of bat activity. If no evidence is found, then the ecologist will make an assessment based on any roosting features that present high potential. The Initial Assessment can be conducted throughout the year.


A Nocturnal/Bat Activity Survey:

This survey is also commonly called a Bat Emergence and Re-Entry Survey and can be conducted once it has been confirmed that bats are occupying the site. The survey is designed to identify the types of bat roosting in the area, the size of the population and the entry and exit points of the bats. Conducted outside of daylight hours, this survey usually involves two or more surveyors and can only be undertaken between May and September, due to these months being outside of the bat hibernation period.

Contact Us Today!

ProHort Ltd can provide you with the bat survey that you need to help you satisfy planning conditions and move forward with your development plans. For more information, give us a call on 01782 479 479 or get in touch.

Ecology Survey

What is an Ecology Survey?

An ecology survey is a study of the plants and animals in a specific area. This includes their interactions with each other and their habitat. An ecology survey is carried out by qualified professionals, such as ourselves, to create an inventory of the living organisms and ecological features in a particular area. The purpose of an ecology survey is to understand the dynamics of the ecosystem and to identify any potential impacts, risks or constraints of a development on the landscape and species living within it. This is to assist developers and the local planning authority in establishing what the next steps are to mitigate the impact on the environment.

What type of Ecology Survey do I need?

There are a range of surveys available, each is suited to a different scenario. They assess the impact that a development project may have on the surrounding environment and go into varying depths of detail depending upon the type of survey that you have.

Ecology surveys and assessments that ProHort Ltd can provide include but are not exclusive to the following:

  • Preliminary Ecological Assessment (previously called the Phase 1 Habitat).
  • Phase 1 Ecology Survey.
  • Phase 1 Extended Survey including Protected Species – Bats, Birds and Mammals.
  • NVC Vegetation Surveys (National Vegetation Classification)
  • UK Habitat Classification.
  • Habitat Regulation Assessments.
  • Ecology Mitigation Plans.
  • Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments including DEFRA.

ecology survey hedgehog

How do I book my Ecology Survey?

Firstly, contact ProHort, we can provide you with a written quote for the survey or assessment you require. Upon the confirmation that you would like to proceed, our specialist ecology consultant will visit the site, as required, to carry out the survey or assessment.

Once the survey has been completed, the consultant will put together your documentation. This will clearly show the results from the survey. This documentation will be sent in the form of a PDF or a physical copy of the report, if required.

 

Contact Us Today!

To find out more about how ProHort Ltd can help you, get in touch with us by calling 01782 479 479 or email us at [email protected].