Jubilee oak

I hope this email finds you well. Thank you for contacting Barcham Trees and considering us as your preferred supplier of specimen trees.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a formal quotation for you, however it is with regret to inform that at this time we do not have any Oaks available for immediate supply. This is because it is currently prohibited to import, transport, move or distribute deciduous Oaks around the UK, especially Oaks that have been imported into the UK from the continent. This is due to a number of imported pest and diseases that have come into the UK from abroad, unfortunately this has affected and is still affecting our established native Oak tree stocks. The pest is  predominantly O.P.M (Oak Processionary Moth) and Sudden Oak Death.

Sudden Oak Death (phytophthora ramorum) a contagious fungal disease moved through water https://www.bartlett.com/resources/sudden-oak-death.pdf

O.P.M is a very invasive and problematic non-native pest. Numbers are increasing around the south-east and London area but is slowly progressing throughout the south-east corner of the UK. The main problem with this pest is not so much the adult moth but the juvenile caterpillar; the adult moth can lay thousands of eggs that pupate into caterpillars and as the name suggest they march in procession throughout the host tree, the caterpillar is covered in time long white hairs and it is these hairs that are the main health risk especially to people who have breathing complications like asthma or emphysema. It can also be known to cause serious skin irritation to people who have dermatological issues like eczema.https://www.bartletttree.co.uk/resources/insects-and-pests/oak-processionary-moth?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItr2Q5IvP6wIVt4BQBh1TWQfGEAAYASAAEgIVbvD_BwE

A number of Government agencies and arboricultural authorities (DEFRA, The Forestry Commission, The Woodland Trust, Arboriculture Association, Bartlett Trees Experts Ltd) are tackling the infestation to prevent further spread. Please see the report below produced by Bartlett Tree Experts Ltd.

https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/latest-news/oak-processionary-moth-new-national-measures/

That said, in the Autumn we will have Common Oak ~ Quercus robur available for general sale as the trees are germinated from our own acorns and the trees have been nurtured in our fields here in Cambridgeshire, this give the trees and British provenance which is permitted to the distributed within the UK. I recommend that you contact us again in May to reserve your tree(s) for Autumn supply. Alternatively consider Common Hornbeam –  Carpinus betulus, as an excellent alternative native species to Oak: https://www.barcham.co.uk/store/products/carpinus-betulus this is available for immediate supply in a variety of sizes.

We are committed to our bio-security policy and take the matter very seriously. Here at Barcham Trees nursery we do not supply trees from other nurseries or growers, we do not source, stock or supply bare root or root-balled trees. We will not import trees and turn them around in a short space of time, Our nursery practice is to containerise our own trees to grow for one complete growing season before we will release them for general sale. This in turn allows us to nurture and redevelop the root system, we can also monitor for pest & disease to ensure the plants health and vitality. All of our trees are guaranteed for 12 months post planting, this is subject to terms & conditions.

The trees that we stock and supply are specimen trees and start at 3m in height making the tree around 5-6 years old ranging through to 8-9m, species depending. All of our trees are containerised into our unique white ‘Lite-pot’ container, this technology has been developed to encourage a healthy fibrous and non-spiralled root system for better establishment. Here at Barcham Trees Nursery we are committed to our bio-security policy and take the matter very seriously, please see the attached for more detailed information about the subject. Here at Barcham Trees nursery we do not source or supply trees from other nurseries or growers, we do not source, stock or supply bare root or root-balled trees. We will not import trees and turn them around in a short space of time, Our nursery practice is to containerise our own trees to grow for one complete growing season before we will release them for general sale. This in turn allows the root system to redevelop and we can also monitor for pest & disease to ensure the plants health and vitality. All of our trees are guaranteed for 12 months post planting, this is subject to terms & conditions.

The traditional tree planting season is from late September through to early March, however because our trees are all containerised this offer you the freedom to plant outside the traditional planting season window, weather permitting. If you wish to undertake the planting by yourself, I would recommend your take a look at our Planting Tips section on our website, here you will find lots of expert advice and step by step videoed planting guides: https://www.barcham.co.uk/guides-advice/planting-guide

We do offer a national delivery service, linked-in delivery charges are based upon your geographical area. Delivery charges are non-negotiable and are a one-off payment irrespective of your total order value. We commit to delivering orders within 10-15 working days  from the date the order was placed, unless otherwise specified. For more information regarding our delivery service and our terms and Conditions, please follow the attached link to our website for details; http://www.barcham.co.uk/terms-and-conditions-of-order-and-delivery/

I hope this information is helpful to you, please do not hesitate to contact me again should you wish to proceed with an order or require anything further. I will look forward to hearing back from you again in due course.

With best regards,

Jules Baird