Picus sonic Tomograph

[ScottF]

Hi Gerrit. I hadn't seem the thread you linked to above, and it is quite thought-provoking. The commercial reality I generally have to deal with is such that if a tree has a bracket on it, of any specie, it's seen as a reason to fell, either to enable a development or due to general risk-aversity. This is particularly true when a third party has spotted it and reported it to the client, often accompanied by a sharp intake of breath and much head-shaking. Trying to convince a client that a tree might have many years left to give with some corrective work/retrenchment/monitoring is often a difficult task, but I do try. And, when I get that rare client who's trying to retain a tree, despite there being a fungus evident, I will go some way out of my way for them.

 

For a service like the one you describe for work for me (and, I suspect, other contractors and consultants out there), it would need to satisfy the following:

 

1) It would need to be reactive: an ID would need to be turned around as quickly as possible, 2-3 days max;

 

2) It would need to be simple to take and provide a sample: I presume this would be straightforward enough, requiring a sterile sample jar and a suitable specimen?

 

3) Naturally, it would need to be cost-effective. As I mentioned above, we're already testing the client's credulity by saying a tree with a fungal bracket is worth saving, the cost would need to not discourage them further.

 

There are some fairly handy mycologist types at my local University (Bangor), so I'll make some inquiries with top mushroom man there and report back.

[Fungus]

For a service like the one you describe for work for me (and, I suspect, other contractors and consultants out there), it would need to satisfy the following:

1) It would need to be reactive: an ID would need to be turned around as quickly as possible, 2-3 days max;

2) It would need to be simple to take and provide a sample: I presume this would be straightforward enough, requiring a sterile sample jar and a suitable specimen?

3) Naturally, it would need to be cost-effective. As I mentioned above, we're already testing the client's credulity by saying a tree with a fungal bracket is worth saving, the cost would need to not discourage them further.

 

Scott,

4) And you need a protocol summing up the information (description, photo's, Picus, resistograph) needed on the specimen and the tree to identify the species, to avoid delay by extra communication, to facilitate a prognosis on the stability and condition of the tree and to make an advice on the management of the tree possible.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Scott,

As you will have understood from my threads, for evidence of either G.australe or G. lipsiense being the pathogen, in quite a few cases microscopical identification is necessary.

Couldn't there be an identification service by a mycologist or institute like the service I rendered, organised by the AA and/or ISA for their members ?

 

there is gerrit it is a charitable endevour too, the tree trust, for a joining fee of i think 120 pounds you get your first five diagnosis, specimen idents for that fee then extras after that are charged at fifty pounds per sample. I will go and find the link again as i intend to sign up very soon myself.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Tree Advice Trust

 

New Service Available

 

We are introducing an enhanced Tree Damage Diagnostic Service for clients.

The High-level Damage Diagnosis service enables clients to purchase a package of reduced fee diagnostic enquiries that we will answer and give an initial response within 7 days.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

An Enhanced Damage Diagnostic Service is now available in addition to our standard service

 

 

• The standard service:

 

One-off enquiries for £30.00 + VAT (cost per enquiry is £36)

Where an enquiry is made on a pay as you go basis we will respond within three weeks from receipt of the enquiry.

 

 

• The new High-Level Damage Diagnosis Subscription Service:

 

Five diagnostic enquiries for £100 + VAT (£120.00 inclusive)

We will answer five diagnostic enquiries.

Subscribers to this service will receive preferential treatment – we will always aim to give an initial response in 7 days.

 

Subscribe to the High-Level Damage Diagnosis Subscription

[ScottF]

Cheers for posting this, Tony. I reckon the subscription-based service sounds pretty good from a cost and turnaround point of view. I might give them a try in the new year.