We also erect BS:5837 tree protective fencing and carry out all maner of tree works as well as surveys, inspections, assessments and inventories via our seperate consulting practice - Brynley Andrews Associates.

WE GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM
 
Q.           Why do air-excavation?
 
A.           Because it will save you hassle, cost and time. A exploratory dig with a non-damaging device enables a accurate assessment of whats going on without damaging the tree and creating a problem.
If the tree is protected by a preservation order, conservation area or condition of planning then it can be done without annoying the local authority tree officer. IN fact he/she will be pleased that you took care not to damage the tree and have presented definite facts to base decision making on - its a win-win thing!
 
 
 
 
THE APPLIANCE OF SCIENCE............All organisms die in three basic ways:
Depletion
Dysfunction
Disruption 
 
Soil compaction effects all three by depleting the water that is available to the tree, killing-roots and disrupting normal growth. This is a man-made urban problem. The good news is that it can be reversed.

Compaction........whats the fuss about?

Trees can very easily become stressed by many factors, a shortage of available water will obviously seriously stress a tree and can lead to a permanent and irreversible strain and probable early death.

Soil de-compaction opens the soils structure to allow root growth and water up-take and can also enable incorporation of organic matter to hold more water and aid nutrient availability.

Soil becomes compacted by direct pressure from above i.e. people repeatedly walking across the area or by machinery. The soil particles can get squeezed together and thereby prevent normal root growth and normal metabolic processes. A compacted soil will have fewer pore spaces and therefore poor water holding capacity and poor infiltration characteristics.

Soils can be de-compacted by various means. We mainly use a supersonic compressed air-lance to physically bore a hole into the ground and blast air sideways creating fissures and allowing ingress or organic matter. This method does not harm roots.

Combined with mulching this is probably the most cost effective method of soil de-compaction currently available.

A stressed tree in a public area will require on-going surgery to remove dead or dying branches and early felling and replacement - this can all add up to £000's of pounds and wasted resources. Pro-active alleviation of the cause of the problem rather than re-active panic management can turn the problem around and make the tree healthy and no longer a liability. It is not rocket-science just good management.

Contact Bryn Andrews on...
T 01935 862115
F 01935 864397

Day rates provided by AA approved contractor. Constructionline registered, ISA certified arborist.

Air excavation is a very useful method of excavating around sensitive objects, such as trees roots, in order to avoid causing damage & to carry out investigative works.
 
Air excavation equipment is often referred to as an 'air-spade' but this is a brand name and air excavation or air-digging is more correct.
 
Air excavation can also be used to carry out;

• Root examinations and vitality testing
• Root decay investigations (we also have a resistograph diagnostic drill)
• Soil amelioration
• Aeration to improve root growth & vitality
• Decompaction
• Vertical mulching
• Trace roots and establish depth, diameter and spread
• Root collar examinations
   
  Very often it is used to enable builders to more carefully work around tree roots - in comjunction with recommendations made in British Standard 5837 (2005) Trees in relation to construction - Recommendations - which is the main document that guides the building industry as well as arborists.

The pictures below and left show the roots of damaged trees being exposed for easy examination - no more guess work.

Below is a trial trench dug to find out the extent & depth of the root system on a development site