Brooke Estate Management - Field, Paddock and Meadow Management Services

Weed control in paddocks, pastures and fields

May is here and it looks like spring is finally upon us. With the abundance of water and sunshine, growth will be strong in all plant groups at this time. This is great news for the plants that we wish to encourage, but unfortunately, it will also bring a proliferation of weeds.

To define a weed as a plant that grows where you don't want it to leaves the choice of what to keep and what to remove entirely up to you. However, if you wish your paddocks, pastures and fields to be clear of any unwanted plants, now is the time to get specialist help to eradicate weeds before they take too strong a hold. Call us now or click in the header of any page to get help with:

• Ragwort (Scenecio jacobaea)
• Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)
• Marestails (Equisetum spp)
• Nettles (Urtica dioica)
• Docks (Rumex spp)
• Chickweed (Stellaria media)
• Buttercups (Ranunculaceae repens)
• Plantains (Plantago spp)
• Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
• Spear Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
• Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
• St. Johns Wort (Hypericum spp)

Sectional tree felling in progress using our MEWP for access

Sectional tree felling in progress using our MEWP for access

Sectional tree felling in progress using our MEWP for access

Sectional tree felling in progress using our MEWP for access

Sping Clean

Despite the up and down situation of the weather, this season is traditionally the one we choose to clear up our homes, our lifestyles, our offices and our lands.

Let's presume you have horses and let's presume your livery yard is looking a little on the tired side. Is it down to the riders not clearing up after themselves or does the place needs good looking at and a deep clean?

Brook Estate Management offer more than just a sprucing up. Our dedication to health and safety, tree trimming and path clearing is second to none. Our experience goes back quite a way so we understand exactly what is needed when you want us.

Just get in touch via a click on any of our links and see just how easy it is to get your livery yard spick and span in time for the genuine summer months - the time when most of your new clients will be interested in looking around.

Windblown tree removal near Tintern, Monmouthshire

Traffic management is a vital requirement to ensure the health & safety of workers and public when working close to a road

Our compact 4x4 tractor and ATV mounted equipment is ideal for single meadows, smallholdings, equine establishments and smaller farms

Our compact 4x4 tractor and ATV mounted equipment is ideal for single meadows, smallholdings, equine establishments and smaller farms. Being compact but powerful we can offer the services detailed below just like agricultural contractors who use large tractors, but without the damage often caused by these larger heavy machines such as compaction of the ground. We can also access small gateways easily and make tight turns in fields and enclosures ensuring that we can work close to hedges and fences, maximizing the effect of the services we carry out;

Tine Harrowing
Removes the thatch from the base of the healthy grass, aerating the soil to allow in air, light and water along with all the required nutrients to encourage healthy growth. This helps to maximize grass yield. If the ground is particularly uneven due for example to mole hills, then chain harrowing may be more effective.

Chain Harrowing
Like tine harrowing, removes the thatch from the base of the healthy grass, aerating the soil to allow in air, light and water along with all the required nutrients to encourage healthy growth. However our frame mounted chain harrows also level and breakdown minor undulations in the ground caused by mole hills and the like.

Over Seeding
This allows bare and patchy ground to be reseeded with the appropriate grass seed without the need for ploughing or disc harrowing. This reduces the chance of weeds taking hold, whilst still allowing stock to graze. Over seeding can be carried out individually or combined with harrowing.

Rolling
Rolling levels out uneven and poached ground caused by over wintering stock. This is an important process as rutted ground can lead to foot health problems for animals, particularly horses.

Topping
Regular topping prevents grass and weeds (ragwort, docks, thistles & nettles) from going to seed. It keeps the grass at optimum grazing length and encourages a strong and thick grass sward and prevents weeds from flowering and establishing seed.

Fertiliser Application
Application of fertiliser will encourage strong grass growth and increase yield.This will encourage strong grass growth and improve yield.

Spraying
Once a weed problem has been identified an appropriate weed killer can be applied, either by spot application or by boom application with our pressure regulated ATV mounted equipment. Our staff are trained and accredited to the PA1, PA2 and PA6AW standards, meaning that as well as applying herbicides by knapsack or ATV boom sprayers, we can also apply herbicides on and near water. We can also apply for the necessary permits from the Environment Agency and NAtural Resources Wales for you.

Small Bale Hay/Haylage Making
We can provide a complete hay and haylage making service which includes mowing, drying, baling and stacking.

Seasonal Timetable

Spring

• Chain Harrowing
• Tine Harrowing
• Over Seeding
• Rolling
• Fertiliser Application
• Topping

• Topping
• Weed Control-Spraying
• Fertiliser Application
• Hay/Haylage Making

• Topping
• Weed Control-Spraying
• Over Seeding

Tracked access platform assisting the installation of a chimney liner saving hundreds of pounds in scaffolding hire

With our tracked access platforms we can reach a working height of 17 metres or 55 feet with two operators in the basket. Our equipment is light weight and can access narrow pathways and will even drive through a normal domestic doorway as it measures only 32 inches or 80 cm wide.

The platforms are available for hire with an experienced operator. Ideal for one day hires to undertake inspection or quick repairs where scaffolding would be cost-prohibitive.

Contact us for more details or to arrange a site survey and quote by using the free phone number shown above, or click in the header of any page to email us about your access hire needs.

Small bale wrapping, prevent waste on smaller farms

If you have a small holding or small farm, hay bales and haylage are every bit as useful as they are on larger farms, but sometimes the large bales that are commonly available are just too big for the rate at which you use them.

Small bales are also much easier to handle without the need for specialised equipment and can be stacked for storage, making the best use of limited space.

You can now avoid waste by taking advantage of our small bale wrapping service, which is ideal for the smaller farm. This is just one of our many agricultural contracting services, which add up to a great help for farms with limited equipment and manpower resources.

Call us now on the number shown above or click in the header of any page to email us and start taking advantage of small bales straight away.

Small bale hay and haylage wrapping can help prevent waste on smaller farms.

Small bale wrapping, prevent waste on smaller farms

If you have a small holding or small farm, hay bales and haylage are every bit as useful as they are on larger farms, but sometimes the large bales that are commonly available are just too big for the rate at which you use them.

Small bales are also much easier to handle without the need for specialised equipment and can be stacked for storage, making the best use of limited space.

You can now avoid waste by taking advantage of our small bale wrapping service, which is ideal for the smaller farm. This is just one of our many agricultural contracting services, which add up to a great help for farms with limited equipment and manpower resources.

Call us now on the number shown above or click in the header of any page to email us and start taking advantage of small bales straight away.

August & September. Time to watch out for broad-leafed weeds

Now is the time of year that broad-leafed weeds can interfere with the grass crop from your fields and paddocks. Perennial broad-leafed weeds generally reproduce through seed, but also through various vegetative structures. Many only set seed in the second year, and some may die back after setting seed (biennials). Weed management can therefore be aimed at one or more phases of the life cycle such as prevention of seed setting or exhaustion of underground roots.

The specialists at Brooke Estate Management can advise on and apply the most effective treatment for broad-leafed weeds to make sure that your feed crop is protected. Call us today, or click in the header of any page to send us an email if your fields and paddocks are blighted by:

• Bramble
• Broad-leaved dock
• Bulbous buttercup
• Cat's-ear
• Coltsfoot
• Common mouse-ear
• Common nettle
• Common ragwort
• Common sorrel
• Common toadflax
• Cow parsley
• Creeping buttercup
• Creeping thistle
• Curled dock
• Daisy
• Dandelion
• Field bindweed
• Greater plantain
• Ground elder
• Ground-ivy
• Hedge bindweed
• Hoary cress
• Japanese knotweed
• Lesser celandine
• Meadow buttercup
• Mouse-ear-hawkweed
• Mugwort
• Perennial sowthistle
• Perforate St John
• Procumbent pearlwort
• Ribwort plantain
• Rosebay willowherb
• Selfheal
• Sheep's sorrel
• Slender speedwell
• Thyme-leaved speedwell
• White campion
• White clover
• Yarrow

An October Breeze Brings Peace of Mind Outdoors

October is with us and soon it will be getting colder. Lets make the most of the warmth, long days and shorter nights before it starts going away. If you are looking for the best way to tidy the autumn leaves away to avoid the slippery pavements, now is the time to get in touch.

While clearing leafy lanes is one way to make our customers smile, you'll notice from our website that our experience and knowledge in estate management far exceeds that. From assisting customers with tree surgery to weed control, you can even hire our equipment (with an experienced operator) on a daily basis for those hard to reach places and heights.

So, while we are spiralling towards the colder seasons, you need not think that your grounds, garden or livery yard may fall into disrepair. Just a quick call for advice on your next step is all is takes. You'll receive a friendly, helpful and professional response.

An October Breeze Brings Peace of Mind Outdoors

October is with us and soon it will be getting colder. Lets make the most of the warmth, long days and shorter nights before it starts going away. If you are looking for the best way to tidy the autumn leaves away to avoid the slippery pavements, now is the time to get in touch.

While clearing leafy lanes is one way to make our customers smile, you'll notice from our website that our experience and knowledge in estate management far exceeds that. From assisting customers with tree surgery to weed control, you can even hire our equipment (with an experienced operator) on a daily basis for those hard to reach places and heights.

So, while we are spiralling towards the colder seasons, you need not think that your grounds, garden or livery yard may fall into disrepair. Just a quick call for advice on your next step is all is takes. You'll receive a friendly, helpful and professional response.

Field, Paddock and Meadow Management Services

Our compact 4x4 tractor and ATV mounted equipment is ideal for single meadows, smallholdings, equine establishments and smaller farms. Being compact but powerful we can offer the services detailed below just like agricultural contractors who use large tractors, but without the damage often caused by these larger heavy machines such as compaction of the ground. We can also access small gateways easily and make tight turns in fields and enclosures ensuring that we can work close to hedges and fences, maximizing the effect of the services we carry out;

Tine Harrowing
Removes the thatch from the base of the healthy grass, aerating the soil to allow in air, light and water along with all the required nutrients to encourage healthy growth. This helps to maximize grass yield. If the ground is particularly uneven due for example to mole hills, then chain harrowing may be more effective.

Chain Harrowing
Like tine harrowing, removes the thatch from the base of the healthy grass, aerating the soil to allow in air, light and water along with all the required nutrients to encourage healthy growth. However our frame mounted chain harrows also level and breakdown minor undulations in the ground caused by mole hills and the like.

Over Seeding
This allows bare and patchy ground to be reseeded with the appropriate grass seed without the need for ploughing or disc harrowing. This reduces the chance of weeds taking hold, whilst still allowing stock to graze. Over seeding can be carried out individually or combined with harrowing.

Rolling
Rolling levels out uneven and poached ground caused by over wintering stock. This is an important process as rutted ground can lead to foot health problems for animals, particularly horses.

Topping
Regular topping prevents grass and weeds (ragwort, docks, thistles & nettles) from going to seed. It keeps the grass at optimum grazing length and encourages a strong and thick grass sward and prevents weeds from flowering and establishing seed.

Fertiliser Application
Application of fertiliser will encourage strong grass growth and increase yield.This will encourage strong grass growth and improve yield.

Spraying
Once a weed problem has been identified an appropriate weed killer can be applied, either by spot application or by boom application with our pressure regulated ATV mounted equipment. Our staff are trained and accredited to the PA1, PA2 and PA6AW standards, meaning that as well as applying herbicides by knapsack or ATV boom sprayers, we can also apply herbicides on and near water. We can also apply for the necessary permits from the Environment Agency and NAtural Resources Wales for you.

Small Bale Hay/Haylage Making
We can provide a complete hay and haylage making service which includes mowing, drying, baling and stacking.

Seasonal Timetable

Spring

• Chain Harrowing
• Tine Harrowing
• Over Seeding
• Rolling
• Fertiliser Application
• Topping

• Topping
• Weed Control-Spraying
• Fertiliser Application
• Hay/Haylage Making

• Topping
• Weed Control-Spraying
• Over Seeding

Access Platform Hire

With our tracked access platforms we can reach a working height of 17 metres or 55 feet with two operators in the basket. Our equipment is light weight and can access narrow pathways and will even drive through a normal domestic doorway as it measures only 32 inches or 80 cm wide.

The platforms are available for hire with an experienced operator. Ideal for one day hires to undertake inspection or quick repairs where scaffolding would be cost-prohibitive.

Contact us for more details or to arrange a site survey and quote by using the phone number shown above, or click in the header of any page to email us about your access hire needs.

Bracken Control-Don't miss the time limited deadline

Brooke Estate Management Ltd is pleased to announce that DEFRA has secured an Emergency authorisation of the banned herbicide Asulam, the proven herbicide of choice for the control of Bracken. However there is only a limited timeframe within which this can be used. Between now and the end of October 2013 Asulam may be used to control the growth and spread of Bracken which has been significant since the original ban of Asulam.

Brooke Estate Management Ltd is now taking orders from landowners and home owners alike for us to apply Aulam to your Bracken. Using either knapsack or ATV mounted spraying systems capable of treating in difficult terrain areas or field margins with a hand lance and 4 metre boom combination. The last date we can accept orders is 15th September 2013, as after this date no new supplies of Asulam will be sold.

Call or email us now to arrange your quotation and to secure your booking.

Brooke Estate Management Ltd can also work with you to control all other commonly encountered weed problems in the UK. We only use BASIS registered advisers to ensure we provide the best solution for your needs and the environment.

Every time of change is a time of opportunity. This is very true of January, the perfect month to look back on the previous year and of course look forward to the coming one, make the most of the new year opportunities ahead. Janus, the Roman god who gave this month its name looks forward and looks back and, we are sure would appreciate the consistently high standards of tree surgery and estate/grounds maintenance. By focusing on our customers including local authorities, farms, land owners, equestrian centres and park managers throughout South Wales and Gloucestershire who come to us for the qualified staff and our high professional standards.

Make a great start to the year ahead by offering a quotation for your paddock and grasslands management, weed control, fencing and tree surgery needs then sit back and enjoy the best value out of your open spaces. All you need to do is call Brooke Estate Management, 01600 730857 or click in the header of any page to send us an email, and relax.

When winter bites hard, Brooke Estate Management can help you keep your pathways and car parks clear so that business can continue.

When winter bites hard, Brooke Estate Management can help you keep your pathways and car parks clear so that business can continue.

When winter bites hard, Brooke Estate Management can help you keep your pathways and car parks clear so that business can continue.

February is Here!

February is the month to celebrate pancakes and love. But why not put down those pancakes and fall in love with our range of services instead? They are much less fatty too!

At Brooke Estate Management, we focus on clearing pathways, cutting trees and bushes to ensure, especially this time of year, a safe environment for everyone. Our clients range from home owners, office owners, smallholders, horse livery establishments, farmers and estate managers, corporate clients and local authorities too.

Based in the South West, we are happy to offer quotes on services so do get in touch with us soon.

We will look forward to hearing from you.

When winter bites hard, Brooke Estate Management can help you keep your pathways and car parks clear so that business can continue.

When winter bites hard, Brooke Estate Management can help you keep your pathways and car parks clear so that business can continue.

July: A time for peak growth in invasive weeds

July is the peak growing season for many plants, not least of which are the various invasive weeds that thrive here. Our government takes a fairly strong stand on the matter of invasive weeds. Their website spells it out for us like this:

"Invasive non-native plants are species which have been brought into the UK that have the ability to spread causing damage to the environment, the economy, our health and the way we live. Injurious weeds are native species, which have been deemed to cause a problem to farming productivity."

The government site then goes on to say: "If you have invasive plants or injurious weeds on your premises you have a responsibility to prevent them spreading into the wild or causing a nuisance.

You must not plant or otherwise cause to grow in the wild any plant listed on schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

You are not obliged to remove or treat invasive plants, but you must not:

• allow invasive plants to spread onto adjacent land - the owner of that land could take legal action against you
• plant or encourage the spread of invasive plants outside of your property - this can include moving contaminated soil from one place to another or incorrectly handling"

• Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
• Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
• Himalayan Balsam (Imaptiens glandulifera)

When winter bites hard, Brooke Estate Management can help you keep your pathways and car parks clear so that business can continue.

The nesting bird season in Britain is nearly over. Now's the time to think about your trees.

During the nesting season, all birds living in a tree are protected. No work can be carried out that would disturb the avian population. Luckily, evidence of birds is easy to spot, so not much special training is needed to assess the risk. However, if in doubt it is always safer to ask a qualified arborist to make sure you stay on the right side of the conservation laws.

Bats are protected during roost and hibernation. Signs of bats are a bit less obvious than birds, so if there is any suspicion of a roost in your tree, please check with us before taking any action.

Brooke Sstated Management follows the best practice guidelines as adopted by many local authorities:
Timing of works

• To reduce the chance of disturbing a bat roost, it is important to avoid the summer (breeding season) and winter (hibernation) months.
• Works to trees with potential for bats is best done from late August to early
• October when young bats are mobile and on the wing, female bats are
• unlikely to be pregnant and the hibernation season has not yet begun.
• March to April is also a suitable time, though consideration should also be
• given for nesting birds as these are also protected by law.
• Crown pruning and minor tree works can also be completed over the winter
• months. The removal of potential roost sites during this time should be
• avoided, as some bat species hibernate in trees.

• Keep tree work to a minimum retaining all potential roosts where possible.
• A precautionary inspection of the tree(s) by the tree work contractor looking for signs of bats should be carried out before starting work. This should include an inspection of all holes and niches using a torch and preferably an endoscope. If bats or signs of bats are found, no work should start and English Nature should be contacted for further advice.
• Where possible, avoid cross cutting in proximity to cavities or hollows.
• Limbs with internal fissures should be pruned carefully to maintain integrity of features as potential roost sites.
• Any sections felled containing cavities should be lowered carefully and left on the ground (preferably for 24 hours) with the openings clear, allowing anything inside an opportunity to escape.
• Split limbs that are under tension may need to be wedged open to prevent their closure when pressure is released, potentially trapping bats

Severe weather warnings for Wales

As the Met Office issues a Severe Weather Warning for South Wales for high winds potentially resulting in damage to trees and buildings, Brooke Estate Management Ltd have been gearing up for a busy time.

As a reminder during periods of severe weather, we can provide the following services, all backed by nationally recognised qualifications, £5 million public liability insurance and a team of capable and experienced local personnel:

• Making safe damaged or dangerous trees
• Clearing private roads and driveways to facilitate urgent access/egress pending remedial work to fully clear fallen trees
• High level access using tracked cherry pickers (up to 18 metres/60 feet vertically) if trees have fallen on buildings/roofs etc.
• Chipping and removal of tree debris (we are also licensed waste carriers with Natural Resources Wales/Environment Agency)
• Liaison with utility companies on a 24/7 basis (particularly BT Openreach and Western Power Distribution) if electric or telecom lines are affected.
• Liaison with the local planning authorities if the damaged trees are within conservation areas or are protected by Tree Preservation Orders
• Liaison with insurance company loss adjusters to gain approval of remedial works after any emergency phase.

British Nesting Bird Season 2014

National Bird Nesting Season starts on March 1st and goes on until July 31st. Any tree work carried out in that period may be in breach of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the European Habitats Directive 1992/Nesting Birds Directive.

Ground nesting birds must also be considered at this time and any work that may disturb their habitat either carried out before the end of February or put off until August.

If you need any tree work done to lift or reduce crowns, prune trees or remove dangerous branches, February is the last chance for some time, so call us today on the number shown above or click in the header of any page to send us an email.

Hedges need attention and regular trimming to keep their shape and appearance.

Brooke Estate Management Ltd can handle all you hedge cutting needs, whether a small garden hedge that requires a simple trim to tidy it up, or a major reduction job on tall and overgrown hedges. With our tracked access equipment we can safely and efficiently deal with all sizes of hedge without the need to erect scaffold towers or use ladders, making the whole process quicker and safer. We can undertake work adjacent to roads and other rights of way and can handle all the associated traffic management issues.

Call us on the free phone number shown above, or click in the header of any page to email us about your hedge management needs.

Rustic country hedge trimmed by Brooke Estate Management

An October Breeze Brings Peace of Mind Outdoors

October is with us and soon it will be getting colder. Lets make the most of the warmth, long days and shorter nights before it starts going away. If you are looking for the best way to tidy the autumn leaves away to avoid the slippery pavements, now is the time to get in touch.

While clearing leafy lanes is one way to make our customers smile, you'll notice from our website that our experience and knowledge in estate management far exceeds that. From assisting customers with tree surgery to weed control, you can even hire our equipment (with an experienced operator) on a daily basis for those hard to reach places and heights.

So, while we are spiralling towards the colder seasons, you need not think that your grounds, garden or livery yard may fall into disrepair. Just a quick call for advice on your next step is all is takes. You'll receive a friendly, helpful and professional response.

This small field gate was installed for a customer in Llandogo

This length of post and rail fencing is one of our jobs in the Wye Valley, Monmouthshire

Stock fencing on a Monmouthshire Farm