Here is some information for the new person: A good website for tree
information is also: www.shigoandtrees.com I studied New Tree Biology with
the author as did many many other people. His stuff like MODERN
ARBORICULTURE is lucidly presented. The World Wide Pruning photo guide is a
must for anyone pruning woody plants. It has lucid information with top
quality pictures of dissections and such so you will have a great
understanding of how branches are attached to trees. His books are
translated in many languages. Once you know and understand that, you would
be able to answer your own questions regarding pruning. Pruning dose is
addressed he http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/shigo/DOSE.html
also he had published many articles which are very interesting in TCI
Journal. With their permission I reproduced the articles for easy access.
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/shigo/index.html
Your library should have these books and if they don't they can get them.
If not and worse comes to worse you can obtain the lucid information from
his daughter who now runs the educational business. He does not push
products in his stuff so there is not the spin to push products. Surely the
value of proper mulch is addressed. I am so thankful that people directed
me his way back in the late 80's. I was one of the first 20 people in the
state of Florida to be a Certified Landscape Maintenace Supervisor and
Operator with the Landscape Maintenance Asscoaiation of Florida. our
questions about trees required a better understanding of the tree as a
system and his stuff filled that requirement. His stuff adds understanding
to a confusing topic. Tree care. I used to go into one store and ask
questions and they used to push their products. Than another store would
say no that was wrong that their way was best. Thank GOD I had the
opportunity to read his literature as well as dissect trees for a better
understanding that allows me to answer my own questions rather than have to
rely on garden shops with different ideas. That's my Spielberg on trees.

--
Many tree problems are associated with the following: They are Case
Sensitive.

Unhealthy Trees from the Nursery / Improper Planting
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT20..._planting.html

Improper Mulching -
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/M/mulch.html

Improper Pruning
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/tree_pruning

Improper Fertilization (See A Touch of Chemistry)
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/shigo/CHEM.html

Tree Farming and Related Problems
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/SOUND/

Troubles in the Rhizosphere
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/shigo/RHIZO.html

Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Consulting Tree Biologist
www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.

"rivergarden" wrote in message
...

This is my first ever post about my first ever garden and I have to
begin by confessing I know next to nothing about gardening. Conversely
my partner and I have just moved into a home by the Thames with a
beautiful mature garden attached so many stupid questions to come. My
first is this. I have just cleared out a load of ivy which has
obviously been growing for some time and contained, between the stems,
a large amount of semi rotted twigs - a builders bag full to be
precise. Whats the best use for this? I dont want to just burn it as it
looks like it contains a lot of nutrients. Should I compost it?




--
rivergarden