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Enquiries: +44 (0)1666 502711 |
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Frequently Asked Questions |
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General
Common Areas for Concern |
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Q1. Do we have enough bark in the UK to cope with expected demand?A. Yes. Bark for UK landscape products comes mainly from British conifer trees. From the new forest planting over the past 50 years, it is possible to accurately forecast the potential volume availability of bark. It is expected that the volume of UK bark will at least double in the next 10 years. Additional quantities of Pine Bark are being imported from Europe, to meet current market demand for that species. |
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Q2. If I am unsure which product I need, how can Melcourt help me?A. There are a number of options available. Telephone Melcourt and discuss your particular problem. The technical staff are able to identify precisely which Melcourt product would your site, budget or client requirements. Clear Technical literature is also available, together with typical product samples and quotations. Alternately, we would be pleased to visit your office or site, to discuss your requirements in detail. |
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Q3.I've heard of 'Bark Passports'. Do they exist and what are they?A. Bark Passports were introduced in 1993 as part of the statutory control measures to help prevent the spread of the Spruce Bark Beetle (Dendroctonus micans) from the existing infested area into the uninfected area. All raw bark being transported from the affected area either to a producing plant, or to an end user, has to be identified with a Bark Passport. This is so that a tracability system is in place to check that the Act is adhered to and any new infection can be traced back to the source. The Spruce Bark Beetle doesn't affect Pine Bark, which is exempt under this legislation. |
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Q4. What is the latest situation regarding Methyl Bromide treatment of imported bark?A. Methyl Bromide will be a 'totally banned substance' under the Montreal Convention by 1st Jan 2005, Therefore bark treated with this substance will be banned from that date |
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Q5. My landscape schemes are quite small, often for domestic gardens, with the subsequent quantity of material being less than a full lorry load. Can you help?A. Melcourt have recognised the need for users who require relatively small quantities of less than 25m3. We have set up a national network of 'Approved Stockists' to service this particular requirement. Stockists have the most popular grades of mulch ex stock, together with other Melcourt products. Next time you have a requirement, please contact our Tetbury Office on +44 (0)1666 502711 and we will be pleased to give you contact details of your nearest approved stockist. |
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Q6. Recently my contractor had a load of mulch delivered and off-loaded on site that was not to my specification. What should I do about it?A. The load should have been visually inspected before it was off-loaded, and if not to specification, rejected. Now that the load has been tipped, do not allow the contractor to spread the material. Get the contractor to contact the supplier and either arrange for it to be removed or negotiate a price reduction, which will be passed on in full, to the client. It might be worthwhile to get the supplier to inspect the load, on site. |
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Q7. I believe that Melcourt products are expensive. Is this true?A. No. You are not comparing like for like products. When comparing product specification, independent testing, volume measurement, technical back-up and customer support, we guarantee that the Melcourt product is the best buy. |
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Q8. Do products from other suppliers perform the same as the equivalent Melcourt product?A. No, not necessarily. For instance, it is most unlikely that any other supplier would be able to produce products to the same specification. No other suppliers have had their mulches independently fire tested in accordance with British Standard 4790:1987. Melcourt are fully aware of other suppliers products; it is often the fine specification detail that makes the difference. If you contact our Tetbury office, we would be able to point out the differences in specific cases. |
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Q9. I always specify Melcourt products, but find that the contractor often submits samples for approval from other suppliers. Why is this ?A. More than likely, the contractor is offering the samples from other suppliers beacuse it gives him a cost saving. We suggest that you :
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Q10. Are Wood Shards a Problem in bark based Products?A. From time to time some customers complain about the oversize wood particles (wood shards) in our products. We grade our products into ‘nominal particle size ranges’, using flat or rotating screens. As the material passes over the screen mesh, a proportion will fall through ‘end on’ and will consequently be longer than the particle size stated. This problem is particularly apparent with products whose particle sizes are over 50 millimetres. If this ‘oversize material’ is a problem, it should be physically removed from the surface, after the product has been installed on site. |
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Q11. Should I be Concerned if Fungus Growth Appears?A. The materials used to manufacture Melcourt mulches and soil improvers are natural, organic and unadulterated with any chemicals. Under some circumstances, typically in the damp, warm months of autumn, they can support the growth of toadstools and other fungi. We have never had any reported instances of fungi known to be harmful to either human, plant or animal, and in over two decades have never received a single notification of any harm caused by the products from such causes Under normal circumstances any fungal growth generally disappears when the weather changes, but if considered necessary, it can be physically removed from the site. |
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Copyright 2009 - Melcourt Industries Ltd.
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