Hello all tree lovers. I have recently been working on a property to create a parking area beneath a mature Wellingtonia tree. The tree stood between a lawn on one side and a gravel surfaced parking area on the other. My client wanted to switch the parking and lawn area. We have followed directions from the local authority on drive construction (in Britain this means a 'no dig construction' method where we use a deep, honey combe type membrane placed on top of the soil which is filled with a large stone fill to allow water and oxygen penetration before the surface dressing is applied. This has been done but the tree seems to be producing clumps of brown needles up the entire height.

We have had a very dry early part of summer, followed now by heavy rain, so I'm not sure if it's weather related, or just that we've now got grass on one side and gravel on the other which has upset some previous biologocal balance.

If anyone has any views whatsoever I'd be very grateful.

Jon