Ace of Spades Gardens Ltd

22/06/2026

The Tree Council has worked with Defra, Forestry Commission and Forest Research to produce a practical toolkit that will equip local authorities and others responsible for managing trees with the information and tools needed to develop local risk-based management approaches for OPM.

Head to our website to find out more: https://treecouncil.org.uk/science-and-research/oak-processionary-moth/

22/06/2026

The seven best trees for an attractive front garden all year round

When children are shown plants and taught how to identify them, they’re encouraged to see more than just flowers. They look at textures, leaf shape, patterns in the bark. All these things are what makes a tree beautiful, even when it doesn’t have a big show of blooms. And in a front garden, somewhere you see a tree up close every day, all through the year, these different aesthetic qualities can bring so much interest. The more you look, the more there is to enjoy.

Our front gardens are particularly special places and aren’t just for us, the owner, to enjoy as a secret sanctuary tucked in privacy behind high fences or hedges. They make up the beauty and atmosphere of the road you live on, something for everyone to enjoy. A well-thought-out front garden tree that thrives in its conditions will also provide on more than simply good looks. It can offer food and habitats for wildlife, as well as help slow water run-off and prevent flooding. In the summer, a tree offers shade and reduces the urban heat island effect.

Read more:

Create a lovely view from your windows (and for passers-by) by incorporating one of these trees into your scheme

19/06/2026

Action Oak is very sad to read the announcement of the death of the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, one of Britain's most treasured and iconic trees.

The Major Oak was more than a tree; it was a living symbol of resilience, continuity, and the importance of protecting our natural heritage.

For centuries, the Major Oak has stood at the heart of Sherwood Forest, inspiring generations through its remarkable presence, its rich biodiversity, and its enduring place in our national heritage. Thought to be in excess of 1000 years old the Major Oak is one of our 65,000 ancient, veteran and notable oaks here in the UK, where we have more ancient native oaks than all other European countries combined. These trees are ecologically rare and of great importance.

Thankfully the Major Oak’s story is not over. Although officially dead this tree will now become a deadwood habitat. Many of the 2,300 oak-associated species depend on deadwood. The UK’s veteran and ancient oak trees and woodlands support a broad range of biodiversity, and provide unique habitats for a vast array of rare and threatened species. The Major Oak will now become a home for important saprotrophic fungi and saproxylic insects: both feed on dead or decaying wood. Giving life to others in its passing.

📷Major Oak (C) Charles Sainsbury Plaice

18/06/2026

Moisture Retention is important for woody vegetation…

Trees need consistent moisture to thrive. In natural forest environments, a layer of fallen leaves and organic material helps trap moisture around tree roots, allowing for a slow, steady release of water. Mulch mimics this natural process, helping to hold water in the soil by reducing evaporation. This is especially beneficial in dry or drought-prone climates where water retention is critical.

So, do you remove the leaves, twigs, and seeds around a tree? Not always. it’s best to leave it as this is natural and what the tree or shrub would be used to in its natural setting.

When mulching around trees the mulch acts as a sponge, soaking up rainfall or irrigation water and slowly releasing it into the soil as needed. This reduces the need for frequent watering, making it an effective strategy for water conservation.
For young trees, which require more moisture to establish their root systems, mulch provides an additional advantage by keeping the surrounding soil consistently damp, thus promoting healthy growth.

Mulching around trees in the autumn or late winter when the soil moisture content is at its highest is the best as the soil moisture content is at its highest.

If the soil compacted, then decompaction such as lightly forking or air spading is recommended to break up the soil.

Read more of our expert advice at https://aceofspadesgardens.co.uk/mulching-around-trees-hedge-and-shrubs/

18/06/2026

"Can trees really communicate with each other, and if so, how? The evidence to date points to a tentative ‘yes’ vote and by two channels – both over and underground."

18/06/2026

17/06/2026

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15/06/2026

Ancient oak protected after two-year campaign

Work has been carried out to try to preserve an ancient oak, more than two years after the death of a partner tree.

The Queen Oak, situated on the roadside at Moyles Court near Ringwood, Hampshire, is one of the largest oaks in the New Forest and estimated to be 650-700 years old.

In 2023, Ellingham, Harbridge, and Ibsley Parish Council, external agreed to buy dragon's teeth to stop cars parking over its roots, following the death of the nearby King Oak.

Read more:

The Queen Oak, which is more than 600 years old, has work carried out to extend its life.

12/06/2026

Latest research emphasises climate-related subsidence risk to millions of British homes.

New data from BGS highlights the projected future impact of warmer, drier summers and underlines the need for mitigation measures in susceptible regions.

Shrink–swell ground movement, typically reported as subsidence, is one of the most damaging geohazards in the UK today. Many soils contain clay minerals that absorb water and swell when they get wet, then lose water and shrink as they dry out. This natural hazard presents a significant and growing economic cost.

In 2025, the UK experienced the warmest spring on record and the driest in more than 50 years. As a result, subsidence-related insurance claims in the UK totalled £153 million in the first six months of 2025 (ABI, 2025). With climate change projections indicating that hotter, drier conditions are likely to become increasingly frequent over the coming century, the number of properties susceptible to subsidence-related shrink–swell is on the rise.

Read more: https://www.bgs.ac.uk/news/latest-research-emphasises-climate-related-subsidence-risk-to-millions-of-british-homes/ via British Geological Survey

New data from BGS highlights the projected future impact of warmer, drier summers and underlines the need for mitigation measures in susceptible regions.

12/06/2026

We’re kicking off the with a tree-themed twist! 🌳⚽

Welcome to the TreeFA World Cup Quiz! 🏆

Submit your answer to this question in the poll below ⬇️

👉 Then, see how well you do with our full tree-via quiz here: https://bit.ly/49VIKpt

📸 Alex Shuttleworth / WTML

FIFA World Cup England football team Scotland National Team