http://www.hampsvalleyltd.co.uk/

Hamps Valley Ltd, Hamps House, Leek (2026)

20/10/2026

🌳 10 YEARS OF JACK "RICCO" RICHARDSON AT HAMPS VALLEY! 🎉

Today marks 10 years since Jack Ricco joined Hamps Valley, starting with us on 20 October 2016.

Jack swapped an office job for life out on the tools and hasn't looked back since! He's worked his way up to become Foreman, and he's certainly made his mark on the company along the way.

Jack is one of those characters who brings plenty of personality to the team. Between the bad jokes, the good singing and the legendary “You can see me trying!” — a phrase that's stuck around since his earlier days of tree climbing — there's rarely a dull moment when Jack's around! 😂🎤🌳

All jokes aside, Jack is a valued member of the Hamps Valley team who's put 10 years of hard work and commitment into the company.

Thanks for everything, Jack — we wouldn't have you any other way!

Congratulations on 10 years with Hamps Valley. Here's to many more years of good work, questionable jokes and plenty of entertainment! 👏

12/10/2026

🌳 INSIDE ARBORICULTURE #05
WHAT DOES AN ARBORICULTURIST ACTUALLY LOOK FOR WHEN ASSESSING A TREE?
When we're assessing a tree, we don't just walk up to it and start looking for defects.
We start by looking at the bigger picture.
📍 Where is the tree and what's around it?
We look at its location, the surrounding area and how that area is used. This has a big impact on how we assess the tree, particularly when considering the potential targets.
🌳 Then we look at the tree as a whole.
How does the crown look? Is there anything unusual about its shape, growth or overall condition? We might also compare it with other trees of the same or similar species nearby. Is this tree behaving differently, or is what we're seeing fairly typical for the species and site?
Then we work our way in and look at the ground and different parts of the tree.
🌱 The ground around the tree – looking for things like fungi, soil disturbance, compaction or changes in ground level.
🌳 The buttresses and roots – looking for root damage, decay, cavities and changes in the normal form of the tree, such as pronounced buttressing or root flare.
🪵 The stem – looking at the bark morphology, fungal fruiting bodies, wounds, cavities, cracks, decay and other features.
🌿 The branches and branch unions – looking for things such as deadwood, cracks, weak or unusual unions and included bark.
🍂 The crown – looking at its structure, density, dieback, dead branches and overall condition.
All of these observations are considered together.
A defect doesn't automatically mean a tree is dangerous.
We need to consider what we've found alongside the condition of the tree, its surroundings, the targets present and the likelihood and consequences of failure.
🌳 Tree assessment is about looking at the whole picture before making a judgement about the tree.
And that's one of the things I enjoy about arboriculture — no two trees or sites are the same, and there's always more to notice than you might see at first glance!

28/09/2026

🌳 OUT & ABOUT | Training, qualifications & the APF Show

It’s been a busy few weeks for the Hamps Valley team, with plenty going on both on and off site.

We recently took a day away from the usual tree work to refresh our Emergency First Aid training. Working in arboriculture comes with its own risks, so keeping these skills up to date is an important part of making sure the team is prepared should something happen on site.

A big well done to the team, for completing their Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Forestry First Aid +F (RQF) qualification.

And congratulations to Jack and Thyme, who have also recently gained their rigging qualifications. 👏🌳

Then last Friday, the whole team headed off to the APF Show for a day out.

The APF is always a good opportunity to see what’s new in the industry, have a look at the latest equipment and technology, and, perhaps most importantly, catch up with people we work alongside.

It was great to spend some time chatting with companies we work with, including Tree Diagnostics and Pear Technology, as well as having a wander around the various exhibitions and seeing what’s happening across the wider arboricultural industry.

It’s not all about being out on the trees — keeping our skills up to date, learning new things and staying connected with the industry are all part of what we do. 🌳

07/09/2026

🌳INSIDE ARBORICULTURE #04

WHY DO I NEED A TREE SURVEY?

If there are trees on or close to a site where construction or development is proposed, your Local Planning Authority (LPA) may require a tree survey carried out in accordance with BS5837:2012 as part of the validation requirement for a planning application.

The survey helps assess the potential impacts of the proposals on the existing trees, and provides information to help inform the planning decision.

A tree survey carried out in accordance with BS5837:2012 records the existing including things like their species, size, condition and suitability for retention. It also identifies constraints they may put on development including their Root Protection Areas (RPAs).

One of the most important things is WHEN the survey is carried out!

Getting a tree survey done early means the data can be used to help inform the design, rather than dealing with tree related issues after the plans have already been drawn.

Sometimes a tree may need to be removed, sometimes it can be retained with appropriate measures, and sometimes a small change to the design can avoid a conflict altogether!

🌳Its about understanding the trees early, so informed decisions can be made about the site and its design.

…saving a lot of headaches later!

02/09/2026

🌳 OUT & ABOUT | Rigging training

Jack and Thyme have been busy this week completing a two-day rigging course.

They successfully completed the first day on site, but unfortunately the stormy weather meant they couldn't carry out the practical training planned for day two.

Rather than waste the day, they continued with their training at the shed, working through the elements they could safely cover there.

They'll be assessed on what they've learnt over the coming days, so watch this space! 👀

Good luck guys — you've got this! 🌳💪

28/08/2026

🌳 TREE MYTH FRIDAY

“A tree’s root system is basically a mirror image of what you see above ground.”

Not quite...

It’s easy to imagine the branches above ground being mirrored by the roots below, but a tree’s root system is generally much shallower and more widespread than we might expect.

A useful way to picture it is a w**e glass sitting on a dinner plate. 🍷

The crown and stem form the w**e glass, with the structural root plate at its base. The widespread root system is the dinner plate.

Typically, around 90% of a tree’s widespreading root structure is found within the top 600mm of soil. But roots can extend much further sideways, depending on the soil, drainage, available oxygen, previous disturbance and other site conditions.

So that tree you can see above ground may have a surprisingly wide root system underneath it — beyond the edge of its canopy.

And that’s one reason understanding what’s happening below ground is so important when working around trees.

🌳 So next time you look at a tree, don't picture its roots as a mirror image of the crown. Think w**e glass and dinner plate.

Have you ever been surprised by how far a tree’s roots have spread?

26/08/2026

🌿 OUT & ABOUT | False autumn?

Kris and I have both noticed that some of the trees are already starting to turn, which is surprisingly early for August.

We're not the only ones noticing it. Gardeners and land managers around the country have been reporting similar observations, with some trees already losing leaves following the unusually hot and very dry conditions we've experienced this summer.

So, has autumn arrived early?

Not, quite...

What we're seeing in some trees is often referred to as 'false autumn' or 'summer leaf drop'. When conditions become particularly hot and dry, trees can suffer water stress and react by shedding some of their leaves as a way or reducing water loss and managing the recourses available to them. It doesn't necessarily mean a tree is dying, but it is responding to the conditions around it.

Forestry England has also been reporting this response this summer. (https://www.forestryengland.uk/news/autumn-still-arrive-say-forestry-england-experts)

This is one of the things I enjoy about being out surveying trees... You start to notice these changes - sometimes before you even think what might be causing them.

It'll be interesting to see how the trees respond over the next few weeks, especially if we get some significant rainfall.

🌳 Have you noticed this where you are? If you have, let us know in the comments and share a photo. I'd be really interested to see what other people are seeing and where! 🙂

Observations from the field by Hamps Valley Ltd.

24/08/2026

🌳 INSIDE ARBORICULTURE #03

What is a Root Protection Area?

If you've seen one of our tree plans, you'll probably have noticed the circles around the trees labelled RPA.

So what are they?

A Root Protection Area (RPA) is a specific, calculated area around a tree that is considered to contain sufficient roots and rooting volume to maintain the tree's viability. It helps identify where roots and soil need protecting during development, to minimise root damage and soil compaction.

For a single-stem tree, the RPA is initially calculated as a circle with a radius of 12 times the stem diameter, measured at 1.5m above ground level. For very large trees, this is normally capped at a 15m radius (707m²).

But here's the important bit:

An RPA isn't a map showing exactly where all of a tree's roots are.

Roots don't grow in perfect circles. Their distribution can be affected by things like soil conditions, drainage, topography, existing structures and previous disturbance. Roots can also extend beyond the calculated RPA.

So why does it matter?

The RPA helps us understand where a tree's rooting environment needs to be protected during development, and can influence things like the position of buildings, access, foundations, drainage and other construction.

It doesn't mean you can't develop near trees. It means understanding the trees early and working around them where we can.

🌳 An RPA isn't a line showing where the roots stop. It's a tool to help protect the rooting environment a tree depends on.

Plans shown are examples from arboricultural projects undertaken by Hamps Valley Ltd.

21/08/2026

🌳 TREE MYTH FRIDAY

MYTH: “A cavity in a tree means it’s dangerous and should be removed.”

Not necessarily.

A couple of years ago, during a QTRA-based tree risk assessment, Kris and I came across this fantastic mature oak on the Okeover Estate, with a substantial basal cavity and plenty of other features associated with veteran trees.

Cavities and decay can develop as trees age. They can be associated with structural dysfunction, so they need to be considered when assessing a tree. But the presence of a cavity alone doesn't tell us what the level of risk is.

There’s another really important reason not to automatically remove trees with cavities: they can be incredibly valuable for wildlife!

Hollow stems, cavities, deadwood and decaying wood can provide important habitat for fungi, invertebrates, birds, bats and many other organisms. These features contribute significantly to the biodiversity value of veteran trees.

So rather than simply asking:

“Has this tree got a cavity?”

we should be asking:

“What does the cavity mean for this particular tree, and what is the risk if part of it were to fail?”

That means considering the tree's condition and structure, the extent and location of any defects, and the targets that could be affected by failure.

That's one of the things I find interesting about arboriculture: good tree management isn't about eliminating every defect — it's about understanding the tree, the risks and the benefits, and making proportionate decisions. 🌳

Photographs: Okeover Estate, Derbyshire.

19/08/2026

🌳 INSIDE ARBORICULTURE #02

The Old Man of Calke

Yesterday Millie and I went to see the Old Man of Calke, a remarkable ancient oak at Calke Abbey.

The National Trust estimates the tree to be around 1,200 years old. Its exact age can't be known with certainty, but its size and veteran characteristics give some indication of its great age. A published measurement records its girth at 10.01 metres – more than 33 feet around the trunk.

Just think about what has changed during its lifetime.

If the estimate is correct, this tree was already around 130 years old when William the Conqueror arrived in England in 1066. It has lived through centuries of changing landscapes, people, land management, wars and technological change.

We can't know what a tree experiences in the way we do, but standing beside something that has been alive for around 1,200 years certainly gives you a different perspective on history.

What I find particularly interesting about veteran trees is that they don't necessarily look like what we might traditionally regard as a "healthy" tree.

There is extensive deadwood, decay, cavities, hollowing and old wounds associated with the tree. These features can be important to its ecological value, providing habitat for fungi, insects and other wildlife.

You might also notice the fencing around the tree. Here, it helps protect the soil and root system from compaction caused by heavy footfall, which can reduce the availability of water and oxygen to roots. In other situations, fencing may also be used as a public safety measure where there are significant hazards associated with a tree.

It's a great example of why tree assessment isn't simply about looking for defects and deciding whether something needs to be removed. Understanding the tree, its surroundings, its risks and its ecological value all form part of the picture.

The Old Man of Calke is a pretty special reminder that sometimes the most interesting trees are the ones that have a few stories to tell. 🌳

🐾 Millie enjoyed the walk too!

Hamps Valley Ltd

20/10/2026

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