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Tree Hugger®: A Sustainable Solution for Tree Protection

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Tree Hugger®: A Sustainable Solution for Tree Protection: As we enter National Tree Week, there’s no better time to highlight the importance of sustainable tree care. Trees are vital to our environment, but their early years require protection from animals, harsh weather, and competing vegetation. While traditional plastic guards have long been the go-to solution, they come with significant environmental and logistical downsides.

Enter Tree Hugger®, exclusively available from Agrovista Amenity, the eco-friendly, biodegradable alternative that’s set to revolutionise how we safeguard young trees.

Tree Hugger®: A Sustainable Solution for Tree Protection

Tree Hugger®: A Sustainable Solution for Tree Protection

Why Not Plastic?

Plastic tree guards, typically made from non-biodegradable petrochemicals, pose numerous problems such as:

  • Environmental Impact: Traditional guards break down into microplastics, contributing to pollution and bioaccumulation in ecosystems.
  • Animal Safety: Broken plastic fragments can harm small animals.
  • Aesthetic Issues: As trees outgrow their shelters, abandoned plastic guards create unsightly litter.
  • Removal Burden: Retrieving plastic guards is costly and labour-intensive, with recycling options often limited and expensive.
  • Tree Health: Plastic guards can sometimes trap excessive heat and promote weed growth, both of which can hinder healthy tree development.

The True Cost of Plastic

Beyond environmental concerns, plastic guards come with hidden costs. Recycling programmes, while helpful, often have stringent requirements and fees. Labour and transportation costs for removal can range from £1 to £1.50 per guard—excluding VAT—and escalate further for guards located in challenging areas such as roadsides or railway embankments.

Tree Hugger®: The natural choice

Available exclusively through Agrovista Amenity, Tree Hugger® guards provide a much-needed solution. These innovative products are made from biodegradable materials, including loomstate organic cotton and pine rosin from FSC-certified Scandinavian forests. Designed to last a minimum of five years, they protect young trees without the need for collection or recycling.

Key Benefits of Tree Hugger® Products:

  • Plastic-e: Completely biodegradable, eliminating microplastic pollution.
  • Encourages Growth: The unique visible light spectrum within the guards promotes tree development.
  • Durable: A lifespan of at least five years ensures long-term protection.
  • Animal Protection: Guards are strong enough to resist prying animals, including voles.
  • Ease of Use: No removal or recycling logistics, saving time and costs.
  • Sustainable Design: Made from organic and recycled materials, meeting international sustainability standards (ISCC PLUS certification).

Product Range

Tree Guards: Available in various sizes (0.6m–1.8m heights and 70–110mm diameters), these guards protect trees during their critical establishment period.

Vole Guards: With diameters of 45–50mm, these guards shield young trees from vole damage by forming a barrier at the soil level.

Shrub Shelters: Designed for shrubs and trees with larger diameters, these shelters improve survival rates and are secured with stakes.

Hedge Wraps: Quick-to-install wraps that protect hedges, vines, and trees during early growth, supported by bamboo canes.

A Greener Future with Tree Hugger®

For every 8,000 trees planted with Tree Hugger® guards, approximately 700kg of plastic is avoided—equivalent to saving 35,000 single-use 330ml plastic bottles. By choosing biodegradable solutions, farmers, landowners, and local authorities can significantly reduce their environmental footprint while ensuring robust tree protection.

By offering Tree Hugger® guards, Agrovista Amenity reinforces its dedication to reducing environmental impact while delivering practical, high-performance products.

This National Tree Week, make the sustainable choice. With Agrovista Amenity and Tree Hugger®, you’re not just protecting trees—you’re protecting the planet.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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South Staffs build ‘fleet for the future’

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South Staffs build ‘fleet for the future’: South Staffordshire Golf Club are busy equipping themselves with a machinery fleet that’s fit for the challenges of the future – and for that, they’ve chosen Redexim.

Whether it’s managing increased rainfall, or disease and pest control in an era with fewer chemical treatments, the greenkeeping team are well placed to tackle the issues head on with a range of machines from across Redexim’s aeration, overseeding, scarification and brushing portfolio.

South Staffs build ‘fleet for the future'

South Staffs build ‘fleet for the future’

While Paul Law has been at the club for the last eight years, and Course Manager for the last four, the club’s history with Redexim dates back much further! “We’ve got Verti-Drains in the shed which are close to 30 years old, that are still playing an active role in our annual maintenance” Paul says. No strangers to the Redexim build quality and in-field performance, he says they’ve been the first port of call now that maintenance requirements are changing.

“This year has been incredibly wet, so drainage works have been top of the priority list.” Complementing the Verti-Drains, Pauls most recent purchase is a linear aerator in the form of the Redexim Verti-Quake® 2516. “We tried one of these on demonstration last year, on a particularly compacted area where we had no drainage whatsoever. It was incredible! It’s no exaggeration to say that this machine is set to transform our drainage.”

“At the opposite end of the spectrum, when we’ve had periods of drought, it’s again been Redexim that has come to the rescue. We’ve been employing the services of our Overseeder 1275 to incorporate more tolerant species into our surfaces, and maintaining presentation during those really high-pressure periods with the Redexim Top-Brush.”

Paul continues, “The 6m Top-Brush has become one of our most important pieces of equipment. We’ve had it since 2022 and it’s blown us away with how many applications we’ve found for it. We’ve been removing organic matter from the fairways, delivering incredible presentation through the winter with it, as well as clearing dew and dispersing worm casts to improve plant health and playability.”

Further work to remove organic matter has been conducted using the Redexim Verti-Cut, which was delivered in early 2024. “We’ve worked hard to reduce OM over the last four years, and with the Verti-Cut bringing new speed and efficiency to the task, we’ll be able to continue this on the greens and other areas of the course.”

The loyalty to Redexim and belief in the product, is equalled by the trust and quality of partnership established with local dealers Charlies Ag & Turf. “I’ve known Matt Lewis from Charlies for a long time and he and the whole team have always gone above and beyond to support us over the years.” He adds, “It’s great to know we have both the equipment and the advice to help us face whatever challenges lay ahead!”

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BOSS appointed as distributors for AODES

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BOSS appointed as distributors for AODES: BOSS ORV is delighted to announce their appointment as UK and Ireland distributors for AODES Off-Road Vehicles. Established over thirty years ago and headquartered in Shandong, China, AODES is a multinational brand sold in more than 100 countries.

The company opened an R&D and distribution centre in California, USA in 2012, and decades of focusing on the power sports industry culminated in the introduction, in 2021, of the Pathcross ATV Series. The ATVs feature V-Twin engines in 525cc, 650cc, and 1000cc displacements. The appointment of BOSS was finalised at the EICMA exhibition in Milan.

BOSS appointed as distributors for AODES

BOSS appointed as distributors for AODES

“We are very excited to have a new ATV/Quad in our product portfolio.” Says BOSS ORV MD Phil Everett. “The wait has been worth it, as we have finally found a really high quality and price competitive product to suit our challenging market. This Shandong ODES Industry Co Ltd range will fit perfectly with our current products from CORVUS UTV, Powerland Agro Tractor Vehicles Private Limited, Paxster AS, and Faunamaster ApS as it fills a gap to join them all together. We will announce more details over the coming weeks.” The Pathcross ATV will be on show for the first time on the BOSS ORV stand at the LAMMA agricultural show in January 2025.

Pictured at EICMA with Mr Wang, the Shandong ODES founder and owner, are some of the BOSS team, Neil Everett, Phil Everett, Matt Richardson, and AODES global and Italy team.

For more information about BOSS ORV distributed products, you can call 01785 561046

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The Golf House Club, Elie prepares for 150th anniversary

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The Golf House Club, Elie prepares for 150th anniversary: The Golf House Club, Elie is preparing for its 150th anniversary celebrations with the help of three new Toro Greensmaster TriFlex 3420 hybrid mowers, signifying the club’s commitment to providing an exceptional golfing experience – as it has done for a century and a half.

The traditional links course, located just 12 miles from St Andrews, is the third oldest in the world, with a rich golfing tradition dating back to 1589. For course manager Matt Baird, only one brand is fit for such a historic course: Toro.

The Golf House Club, Elie prepares for 150th anniversary

The Golf House Club, Elie prepares for 150th anniversary

“Though our golfing history dates back to the 16th century, the club was founded in 1875, so we’re eagerly anticipating our 150th anniversary next year,” he says. “It’s going to be a huge occasion and we’re busy renovating tees and preparing the course – that’s where the new Toro mowers will come in.”

The trio of hybrid mowers, supplied by Reesink Turfcare, are classic Toro – precise, productive, highly efficient, and capable of the perfect cut – and exactly what Matt’s come to expect from the brand.

“We’ve been using Toro’s flawless Lynx irrigation system since 2019 and a 3420 hybrid mower for some time now, so we know just how good Toro is,” says Matt. “With all the work ahead of our 150th anniversary, it was the perfect time to expand our fleet and bring in more hybrid power.”

The 3420 is enhanced by Turf Guardian leak detection technology and provides immediate audio and visual indication of possible hydraulic fluid leaks. While this is already at minimal risk due to the hybrid engine, it provides an added layer of reassurance. “Not only does it offer us peace of mind, opting for a hybrid also helps us reduce our total emissions as a club,” confirms Matt.

“We’re working hard to improve surfaces, especially tees and approaches,” he continues. “On a traditional links course like ours, people expect to be able to putt from approaches – with their precise quality of cut, the new 3420s will help ensure our surfaces are immaculate.”

But the deal is as much about the people as it is the brand, according to Matt: “Working with John Rankin and Reesink has been a breeze. With all the renovations going on, there’s a long list of jobs to complete, but they’ve been efficient and reliable – just like Toro! – and that’s made life much easier for us.”

To make a start on the journey towards reduced emissions, visit Reesink Turfcare at reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Equipping Turf Managers for the Future

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Equipping Turf Managers for the Future: Turf Science Live Ireland, a renowned educational event in turf management, returned in September, hosted at the magnificent Killeen Castle.

This prestigious golf course provided a fitting venue backdrop for turf professionals to gain valuable insights into the latest advancements in turf science, hands-on product demonstrations, and real-world solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing the industry today.

Organised jointly by ICL and Syngenta, the free-to-attend event has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality educational content and showcasing innovative products. It also provides an excellent networking opportunity for golf course managers and turf professionals.

This year’s event featured a series of interactive learning stations, each led by industry experts who shared their knowledge on a wide range of critical topics. Dr. Andy Owen, ICL’s International Technical Manager, led discussions at his station focused on organic-based fertilisers and their role in soil sustainability.

Dr. Owen emphasised the importance of understanding what an organic or organic-based fertiliser truly is, highlighting that many products can be over-marketed with exaggerated claims. He encouraged attendees to take a more informed approach when selecting fertilisers, and showed some demo plots illustrating the value of CRF products by comparing turf response from a range of different fertilisers with matched nitrogen inputs.

At another station, Colman Warde, ICL Ireland Country Manager, presented the latest advancements in precision nutrition. As the demand for high-quality sports turf increases, Colman demonstrated how precision spreaders can dramatically improve the results of granular fertilisers. His station was a reminder of the importance of calibration and investing in proven, high-quality technology to ensure turf managers achieve the best possible outcomes for their courses.

Glenn Kirby, Syngenta’s EAME Technical Services Manager for Turf & Landscape, tackled the growing pressures of climate change at his station. With disease threats on the rise, Glenn provided valuable insights into emerging turf diseases and the importance of fungicide rotation to combat these challenges.

He stressed the need for predictive models and responsible management of fungicides to maintain healthy turf in a changing climate, stating, “Climate is changing, and disease pressure is increasing.”

A pressing issue discussed at the event was worm casting, which affects the quality of playing surfaces and increases wear on equipment. Fergal Greenan, ICL Area Sales Manager, and Sean Loakes, Syngenta Technical Manager, led a station focused on mitigating these effects. Attendees learned best practices for using growth regulators like Primo Maxx II, with practical insights from Mark Collins, Killeen Castle’s Course Superintendent, on how the product has helped manage worm casting on his course.

In addition to the educational sessions, Turf Science Live2024 provided attendees with hands-on demonstrations of new products, including ICL’s 360ST spreaders. These spreaders are designed to enhance the precision of fertiliser applications, ensuring that nutrients are delivered evenly across turf surfaces.

Beyond the educational content, Turf Science Live was an invaluable networking event, allowing turf professionals to exchange ideas and learn from one another’s experiences. It was an opportunity for attendees to come together and discuss common challenges and explore potential solutions.

Andy Sheehan, Course Superintendent at Milltown Golf Club and President of the Association of Turfgrass Professionals Ireland, shared his thoughts: “Disease management is our biggest issue. Presenting a good golf course is, in my opinion, easy with quality products, but getting the disease timing right is a challenge—especially in Ireland in autumn and winter. ICL and Syngenta help you get through the worst of it.

The networking and education here allow us to exchange insights and problem-solving strategies .”

David Behan, a Course Manager, echoed these sentiments: “Turf Science Live is a highlight of the Irish greenkeeping calendar. Climate change is a growing concern, and the event provided insights into new biology strategies for disease management. The innovative solutions from ICL and Syngenta to manage healthy turf in Ireland’s challenging conditions.”

Mark Bewley, head greenkeeper at Grange Golf Club, added: “The event is a credit to ICL and Syngenta for their research. We tested the 360ST spreader, and the calibration is spot on. The lessons learned today on using organic products and slow-release fertilisers to reduce disease activity will help us maintain healthy turfgrass.”

Turf Science Live 2024 was once again an essential event combining education with hands-on product demonstrations and networking opportunities. Attendees left with practical knowledge, the latest advancements in fertiliser and fungicide technologies, and strategies for managing emerging challenges like climate change and turf diseases.

With industry-leading sessions, cutting-edge products, and opportunities to exchange ideas with peers, Turf Science Live continues to be a must-attend event for anyone serious about staying at the forefront of turf management.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.uk or www.icl-growingsolutions.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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