Paul Barton

This looks great, thanks arborowen. I have been looking for a good Android data collection app for a while and this seems to fit the bill. I've just downloaded it so haven't had time to work out how to configure a survey template with drop down lists yet, but it seems to be possible. I like the GPS data entry with Google maps, very nice.

Glad the seller was decent about it. For future reference, Google the 'sales of goods act'. Regardless of warranties, all buyers have statutory rights when buying goods such as a chipper. The item must be fit for purpose, and for the first 6 months after purchase the onus is on the seller to prove that it was fit for purpose at the time of sale. I recently had to quote this at a second hand car garage that sold me a car that broke down twice in the first month I had it!

Wow, great video and great achievement!

I've never seen K. deusta affecting limbs/branches?

The 'show' at Capel Manor is on again this year, although I think in a different format from previous years. The Consulting Arborist Society are running some technical seminars on both days which may be of interest to you - see attached pdf for details. CAS_TechSem2014.pdf

Someone has gone and parked a car in your fence Tony!

I did a plan for a site today that has lots of large diameter trees in a very tight space, between retaining walls on two sides and a building on the other. I could not plot any RPAs large enough to accommodate the area calculated according to the BS! ...yet they don't fall over..! Reminded me how limited our estimations - and representations on a 2D plan are.

I can understand your frustration at losing a good lad Chris - they are hard to come by and you have obviously invested in him which is great. Hopefully you'll find another good guy to fill his place. However, in my opinion, discussing his decision to leave on the forum seems a bit unfair on him. Clearly some people think he has made a mistake - but it is his decision and may be based on private issues that he doesn't want to discuss with an online community. Posting pictures and updates of your company's work is all good but this isn't the place to post about relationships or staffing issues.

I think the key point here is "modifications to the shape of the RPA should reflect a soundly based arboricultural assessment of the likely root distribution" (BS5837 - 4.6.2) Same here Scott. I trim RPAs where they intersect with buildings and walls etc but have found road surfaces more problematic. Recently a tree officer insisted that I showed RPAs as having no roots at all under an adjacent road - therefore enlarging the RPA on the opposite side where there was unsurfaced ground. Fair enough you might think, but that doesn't explain how street trees survive surrounded by tarmac! I am inclined to slightly offset RPAs away from roads - to show that although some roots may be present they are likely to be fewer. Generally I show the altered shapes as circles trimmed on one site - my CAD program automatically enlarges the remaining circular shape to maintain the overall area. It saves a lot of time adjusting a polygon to achieve the right area. Very true - have you ever submitted a plan showing a really oddly shaped RPA? I have a site at the moment where the trees grow in a narrow grass verge with tarmac on one side and a compacted track on the other side. In my opinion the RPA is likely to be a long thin oblong which includes the whole verge - which would be handy for my client but I expect the tree officer would query this!

My understanding is that an increment bore is really intended for use with a fractometer to assess wood strength (although I've never got a good or consistent reading from a fractometer). Good idea to inspect the roots if possible, particularly if there has been disturbance during the driveway construction. Can they be reduced? What's the exposure like?

After a couple of weeks with hardly any refined sugar I had a slab of chocolate cake today! Yummy, but I really felt the sugar rush for an hour or so after. I was really buzzing! I'm taking a fairly relaxed approach to the paleo diet, just eating more whole foods and less grains. Feeling pretty good.

Agreed. Buildings or heritage sites don't need a test for expedience as far as I know, so why should trees? Chatting to a developer yesterday who wanted confirmation of the penalties for unlawful felling of a tree with a TPO. He considered a £20k fine a worthwhile investment to make a site work

"If answer appears overly complex (wordy) its probably wrong"- Einstein ...you may well be right Tony I just couldn't resist.

A big thanks from us too Ian. We haven't given it to Laurie yet (thinking about saving it for when he moves in to his new room) but we love it!

I have just been made aware of Quickfile -it looks really good and appears to be free! I am considering moving all my accounts from FreeAgent across to it...Free Online Accounting Software in the UK | Quick File

I haven't used it, but this is specifically designed for arb companies: Arb Pro Tree Contracting Software, Tree Management software from Digital Green Solutions

Go to: My Richmond - London Borough of Richmond upon Thames Enter the address and the map will tell you whether it is in a conservation area or not. If it is, you need to give written notice to the council detailing what you intend to do to the tree. You don't have to use the standard application form - a letter with a sketch plan will do - but you're less likely to miss some information off if you use the application form. The council website doesn't give details about TPOs though, so you are best off phoning the council to ask about that.

The digital/active stylus - it is hopeless if the screen gets wet. It seemed odd to make a 'rugged' tablet that you can't write on!

That's great! Do you know how the tree was assessed this time in particular to come to the different conclusion than the 3 previous assessments?

Thanks Kevin - yes, they are worth considering if they can double up with GPS. I used the Motion CL900 at my last job but didn't rate it very highly - that was about £900. The thing is I can get an ipad mini for £220 plus a case for £20-50....

For BS5837 surveys, I am using a tablet to enter the information straight in to the spreadsheet that goes in to the appendix of my reports. It saves time cutting and pasting on the PC, and it's easier to type in to my tablet than it is on my handheld GPS. I'm just annoyed that none of the tablet case manufacturers make a sturdy case for my Sony tablet - I'm probably going to end up buying an Ipad just so I can get a decent waterproof bump case for it, grrrr.

I would have thought an eco warrior like you would drive a smart car or a prius?!

A statement from the National Trust about this tree: National Trust's South West Blog – Duke of Wellington?s tree at Kingston Lacy

Sorry to hear that Rik - sounds rough. As far as I am aware, the paleo diet isn't really about weight loss - more just a healthy way of eating that our bodies are better at digesting than grains etc. However, none of us are in a position to advise you how to approach this - you obviously need specialist advice to address your condition. Perhaps make an appointment with a nutritionist if the advice from traditional doctors isn't helpful enough.

You offering to pay then?!