Old, heritage and veteran trees
An old tree is not assessed by the standards of a young one. We produce assessments and phased care plans that protect both safety and the tree, for parks, historic gardens, protected trees and trees by cultural monuments.
Old trees call for a different approach
A veteran tree is not a sick tree. A hollow trunk, deadwood in the crown and reduced growth are its normal condition, not symptoms. Apply young-tree criteria to it and you get an order to remove a tree that, with proper care, would live another century.
What we do differently
- A chronological plan instead of a one-off intervention. Works are spread over years, because an old tree cannot take a major intervention at once.
- Crown load reduction, not shortening. Gradual reduction of leverage on critical limbs, retaining as much live mass as possible.
- Root zone protection. In old trees the roots are usually more at risk than the trunk: trampling, excavation and changes in ground level kill more veterans than decay does.
- Creating habitat. Cavities, deadwood and decaying wood are habitat for protected species. We retain them wherever safety allows.
- Regular monitoring. An assessment is valid until the next inspection, not forever.
When we get called
- Conservation order requiring removal or drastic pruning
- An old tree in a park, historic garden or beside a cultural monument
- Safety concerns about a tree where people gather
- Construction or landscaping near a protected tree
- A tree that survived a storm and lost part of its crown
- Transplanting old olives and other valuable trees
- Documentation for protecting monuments of park architecture
The most expensive decision about an old tree is not its treatment but removing a tree that could have been kept. A hundred-year replacement exists in no budget.
Questions about old trees
What is a veteran tree?
A tree that, because of its age, size or condition, has particular biological, cultural or landscape value. Cavities, deadwood in the crown and slow growth are normal features of age and habitat for many protected species; they are not in themselves a sign of danger.
Should a hollow old tree be removed?
Not necessarily. Load-bearing capacity comes from the outer shell of sound wood, so the decision rests on the measured ratio of that shell to trunk diameter, wind loading and what lies within reach of the tree. Crown reduction and root-zone protection are often enough to keep the tree safe for decades.
What is VetCERT?
A European certification for veteran tree specialists. The Consulting Level confirms competence in assessing veteran trees and preparing management plans for them. Very few specialists in the region hold it.
Let's talk about your trees
We work with cities, municipalities, public institutions, designers and owners of valuable trees. For a quote, send us the basics: which tree or planting it concerns, where it is and what worries you.
How a quote comes about
Price depends on the number of trees, the methods required and the depth of documentation, so we do not publish it in advance. After an introductory call and basic site details you receive a written quote with a clear price and timeline. For public-sector clients we prepare documentation in tender-ready form.
ARBORING j.d.o.o.
Matije Gupca 6, HR-10450 Jastrebarsko
+385 98 411 431
fran@arboring.hr