The Roots Company

06/12/2022

King Offa’s Oak at Windsor Great Park. Estimated to be between 1300 and 1500 years old. So, germinated somewhere between AD500 and AD700.

Difficult to comprehend. At that time the Romans had left and the Saxons had invaded. This is the time commonly referred to as the Dark Ages. The time of King Arthur. That’s when the acorn that is now this tree popped those first cotyledonous leaves.

This tree was born then and has survived all of our written history.

These ancient woody cousins twist our melons in awe and reverence like nothing else 🌳❤️🙏🏼 A big thanks to our friend Dan Steele for inviting us for another opportunity to explore his vocational playground for a day of trees, more trees and conversation that always inspires.

17/06/2022

🌳❤️💦

A range of tree related help and advice for members of the public as well as tree surgeons.

05/04/2022

Nestled on the Wiltshire & Somerset border, the 10,000 acre Longleat Estate (which is comprised of parkland, forest, farms and villages) is arguably one of the most iconic landscapes in the UK and famously home not only to many exotic animals but also many truly majestic trees. Some of the largest Sequoia, Hemlock and Douglas Fir in the country reside here, alongside some of the Oldest Oaks and Beech. There are also many specimen tree species, such as the enormous Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) near the main house to the very small but very old Veteran Limes (known as the 12 Disciples and 4 Apostles) that form the frontage of The Old Bath Arms in the village of Horningsham.

Over the past three years we have been honoured enough to work regularly with these trees, as an Approved Contractor for the Estate and under the direction of the Arboricultural Supervisor David Abrahams and the Longleat Forestry team. Climbing and tending to some of their largest and oldest Majesties to the light pruning of small fruit trees or trimming of hedges in the cottage gardens of the surrounding villages.

We also doff our caps to Capability Brown as one of our heroes. Knowing that we prune trees that he and his team planted often makes us smile.

We are the Roots Company. We care for your trees.

19/02/2022

A 27m Beech on a high retaining bank on a well known hill in Bath. A Grade II Listed house, with an old slate roof, directly below the canopy. The tree structurally compromised by deep decay in the mid-stem caused by the fungus Ganoderma australe. If the tree had fractured, it would have fallen onto the house below posing a serious threat to people and property. Our client trusted us with the work and we estimated three days to safely dismantle the tree with an extra two days of other quoted for works. Safely dismantled, piece by piece. Lowering each section carefully using expert rigging techniques. We completed the job within our estimated time with no damage and a very, very happy client. A day before Storm Eunice came and laid many, many trees down. Thanking our team. Climber: Gus Porter Foreman: Thom Berry. Rigging: Tom Greenwood. Groundie: Howie and the fantastic Simon Grindrod with his beastie blue tracked chipper.

08/07/2021

We had an unexpected new recruit join one of our teams working in Brislington, Bristol today. This little one settled on the shoulder of our climbing arborist Jake Perry whilst he was working on the reduction of a large Sycamore. This little Budgie seemed happy to hang out with our team whilst they put out messages on social media to see if anyone had lost him.

Currently, the little one is in the care of a local person who knows a thing or two about looking after Budgies. He was a little dehydrated and quite hungry when he met our team but is well fed and watered now.

As you can see, he's very tame and exceptionally lovely. If you can help find his home, please call us at The Roots Company 0800 043 0103. Thanks.

We are The Roots Company. We take care of your trees… and your Budgies.

Thanking our team Thom Hotpot Berry, Jude Steeple and Jake for their care.

12/05/2021

A positive ❤️🌳

11/05/2021

Last weekend I had the privilege of meeting with The Majesty Oak in Fredville Park, Kent. Currently estimated to be between 700 and 750 years old (although this has been long debated), completely hollowed out and still thriving. It is the largest “maiden” (non-pollarded) Oak in the UK.

On the same land there are also several ancient Sweet Chestnuts, equally fascinating and wondrous.

When I meet with veteran or ancient trees, I always think of the history they have grown through. The changing times and many storms they have weathered. The life they have supported.

We are blessed in the UK to have more ancient Oak trees that the rest of Europe put together.

May we always cherish and take care of these Old Ones. We have much to learn from them.

06/03/2021

Rob McBride records ancient and culturally significant trees along Offa's D**e.

18/03/2020

Moving through the Covid-19 Pandemic. A message from The Roots Company to all our Clients.

The unprecedented uncertainties of the coming days, weeks and months are a challenge for all of us. Both in our personal lives and our working lives. For small to medium sized businesses, it is essential that we can navigate these uncharted waters responsibly and keep ourselves afloat. To all our current and prospective clients, many thanks for your ongoing support at this time. We offer you the following statement:

Due to the nature of our business, our practical work is outdoors and generally away from people and consequently low risk. We are currently still operational and still offering the high standard of service we are used to providing, whilst ensuring that we act, move and work responsibly within the communities we operate in and the families, neighbours and friends we live amongst.

We are ensuring that our staff maintain good hygiene in-line with current WHO/ Government guidelines. We have provided them with sanitisation kits in each working vehicle. As of this week, we are practising the recommended distancing of 2m and will not offer to shake your hand or enter your houses for any reason. In truth, as we work in the open, our distance from clients and each-other is usually much further than that. Our business conversations with all clients will be limited to phone and email. Our Office based staff are able to work remotely, so enquiries and concerns can still be answered and visits from our Senior Arborists to assess works can be booked with them.

We are carefully following the Government’s advice and we will update this notice as and when operating procedures may change. Rest assured we have both our clients’ and employees’ best interests at heart and will not compromise these in any way.

May we continue to take care of each other through this challenging time.

13/11/2019

Any Arbs out there that have an issue with any chipper on site and need immediate help, we can’t recommend the Chipper Doctor enough. What a legend!

Here to help you with chipper advice. All you have to do, post a picture of the part or problem area of your machine and we will advise.