Don’t Let Frost Stop Play This Year

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Don’t let frost stop play this year – proven frost protection + germination with Total Growth Cover…

When investing in a new frost protection system, why settle for one that only protects the surface? Designed specifically to allow the pitch to breathe, the Climate Cover Total Growth Cover (TGC) actively enhances seed germination whilst it protects from frost. 

The result – not only will you have a surface that’s ready for play in frosty conditions, but a well grown pitch that’s better able to withstand the rigours of the game and finish the season in good shape.

Developed to be easy to handle in the coldest conditions and with multi-layer configurations offering play-ready surfaces down to -6°c, TGC is in use by clients that include Premier League football grounds, Premiership Rugby Union Grounds, the IRFU (Irish Rugby Football Union), National Hunt race courses and the Lawn Tennis Association.

Orders are now being taken for various size covers from goal mouth to full pitch, with hire options also available.  Call 01604 864575, email info@total-play.co.uk or visit www.total-play.co.uk to find out more.

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Bexley’s Charter Oak Revived

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Bexley’s Charter Oak Revived: After the Great Storm in 1987, Londoners were asked to nominate the leading landmark trees in the capital. In 1988, over 40 were officially awarded “Great Tree” status, with an additional 20 in 2008. The magnificent Charter Oak of Bexley was elected one of these landmark trees.

Situated in Danson Park, originally part of the Danson House estate, the Bexley Charter Oak is around 200 years old. The oak takes its name from Bexley’s Charter to become a Municipal Borough, which was presented by Lord Cornwallis underneath the Oak in 1937. It is the most iconic tree within the borough, situated within the formal areas in one of its three flagship parks, and features on London Borough of Bexley’s coat of Arms.

Bexley’s Charter Oak Revived

Beefsteak fungus and lazy branches

In recent months, the Charter Oak was starting to cause concern. It was showing noticeably diminished vitality and a reduced leaf area index. Its huge canopy clearance was also reducing due to ‘lazy branches’, and the destructive ‘beefsteak fungus’ (Fistulina hepatica) had started to advance.
London Borough of Bexley Tree and Woodland Officer Philip Louis called on Apex Tree Surgeons and Carbon Gold to work with the Council to prolong the life of this historic tree. Apex are the only UK distributor of Vogt GeoTech equipment, which allows them to inject granular material deeper into the ground then other equipment. Carbon Gold are leading suppliers of enriched biochar, a horticultural form of charcoal used to improve soil nutrition and growing conditions.

Previous treatments with varying success

The oak had been treated with air-spading over ten years ago, however the soil around the root system was found to be compacted when Apex Tree Surgeons commenced work in autumn 2017. An amenity grade mulch had been applied every year, which was successful in suppressing weeds but had a negligible effect on nitrogen recycling and water retention. Fencing around the root area had been erected approximately fifteen years ago which had been successful in minimising compaction by footfall, and preventing climbing and vandalism.

Getting enriched biochar into the root-zone

Enriched biochar is known for its tree revitalising properties and Bexley’s arboriculture department were keen to see if it could reverse the Charter Oak’s worrying symptoms. Apex were commissioned to use the pioneering Vogt GeoTech Injector to apply Carbon Gold’s enriched biochar Tree Soil Improver directly around the root system. This unique piece of equipment is designed to inject high pressure compressed air up to a metre into the ground – reducing compaction, improving aeration and drainage, and stimulating root growth. Using the same probe, materials such as biochar can then be injected into the cavities it has created in the soil, ensuring product is applied deep into the root zone.

Philip and the team expect to see results within as little as a few months, however the treatment will continue to develop over the next year or two. Carbon Gold’s enriched biochar is proven to improve the vitality of established trees as it is enriched with Mycorrhizae and Trichoderma fungi which, in combination with wormcasts and seaweed, create a fertile, living soil around the root systems of trees. Biochar has a microscopic honeycomb-like structure which provides the perfect habitat for beneficial soil microorganisms, such as mycorrhizal fungi and actinomycetes bacteria which make nutrients more available to plants. Biochar also decompacts and aerates soils, and stabilises soil moisture, allowing veteran trees such as the iconic Charter Oak to grow strong, healthy root systems so that it can stand tall for many more generations of Londoners.

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MJ Abbott Return To BTME

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MJ Abbott Return To BTME: MJ Abbott will be returning to BTME 2018 in Harrogate, bringing with them over 25 years of experience in golf course construction, renovation maintenance and irrigation.

Over this period the company has gathered invaluable experience across all aspects of golf course construction and maintenance, but also the art of first-class customer service and delivering exactly what clients request.

MJ Abbott Return To BTME

This ethos has seen some major recent projects including Royal Norwich Golf Club’s new £10 million course and club house, with MJ Abbott undertaking the £4.5 million land redevelopment. This project is joined by works at Skipton Golf Club, Royal Wimbledon Golf Club, Sunningdale Golf Club and Queenwood Golf Club to name a few.

Being able to meet the needs of the customer is important for all jobs, but none more so than building a new course. All of MJ Abbott’s qualities as a contractor were required when it came to being awarded this contract, and Peter Todd, estates manager and director of Royal Norwich Golf Club Limited explains what contributed to the Norfolk club awarding the work.

“We looked at level of resources, how much labour was in house and how much was sub-contracted, financial stability of the company, their track record and reputation,” Peter said. “So, there was a whole host of measures in place and it was scored by a professional panel.

“A major benefit for MJ Abbott was that they could offer the irrigation along with drainage and construction, because it meant we only needed one contractor on the course and kept everything within the one team.”

Being able to offer every service allows MJ Abbott to work with clients large and small, with greenkeepers from all courses welcome to speak to our experienced staff on stand A49.

For more information, visit: www.mjabbott.co.uk

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