Paul Barton

Hi Sloth, These are really good questions, and neighbouring trees are something that I have struggled with, and still do. I tend to agree that it is more or less pointless assigning a 'retention category' for a tree on 3rd party land (perhaps unless the neighbouring tree is clearly a U category tree). I recently wrote a report for a slippery client that wished to build right up to the boundaries on 2 sides of a site. On one side in a neighbour's garden were a row of pollarded Limes that were of moderate quality, on the other an informal group of shrubs and small trees of low-moderate quality. I categorised the Limes as 'B' and the group the other side as 'C'. I also advised in my report that the RPA's should not be impinged on either side, as this could lead to the decline of trees belonging to neighbours. To say my client was unhappy with this advice would be an understatement - he is currently trying to find someone else to write the report that he wants, but it won't be me! Regarding question 2 - yes, the damaged tree can be retained but I would advise the owner/developer of the failure potential of retaining the tree if it's that bad.

what a shmuck! Hope you find one soon Steve.

I'm not familiar with the species and typical form but I wouldn't have said they were top class nursery stock. With some good formative pruning you could improve their structure. I've attached a useful guide in case you find it of interest. RPG Tree Pruning Cue Card[1].pdf

I know someone who has recently worked for Bartletts. He negotiated a good wage as he is a good climber.

Yes, I was there today. It was interesting in parts. Highlights were Scott Cullen's talk on tree valuation systems, Glynn Percival on improving tree resilience (although I got lost in some of the chemistry of it). The real highlight was shaking the hand of the legend Graeme McMahon!! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFyVJFIohkI&list=UU-BosNzq26vWEg1RJPND9Uw&index=13&feature=plcp]Tahune 2 (Part 1 of 2) - YouTube[/ame]

Oops, sorry!

Have you asked Carl (High Scale)?

Telephone 0800 0933893 and ask for Kevin O'Rourke or Mark Cattell.

For a simple overview only, the AA guidance note is helpful: Guidance Note 7 ? Tree Surveys: A Guide to Good Practice

Grizzly bear sanctuary.

Arb Pro, Tree Contracting Software for Arborists, Tree Contractors, Tree Surgeons

Precisely! Silky Fox - if you can relocate to Sheffield we have lots of jobs available at the moment?

The trees may be particularly affected by fungal leaf blotch aesculus guignardia plus the leaf miner - leading to brown shrivelled leaves and early defoliation.

Looks like a Field Maple (Acer campestre) to me.

Great effort and attitude Mr Fox!

Like I said, it might not be the TO's fault. He could have sent an instruction to legal weeks ago but they only served it recently. We don't know the facts Give the tree officer a ring, talk it over and object in writing if you don't feel the TPO is warranted.

It's my understanding that trees on steep slopes tend to have longer roots on the upward side - these roots are acting as tension ropes to effectively cling to the slope. Conversely on the downward slope the roots may be under compression so be shorter and thicker. Mattheck's 'Body Language of Trees' book has some brief information on this p.89. If this tree is an issue I'd suggest hand-digging or air-spading carefully around the slope to visually inspect the root morphology. Just be careful to not to remove too much soil around the tension side in case the tree loses cohesion with the soil totally!

Ah, I see your point now. That's annoying. Bear in mind it may have been drawn up by the legal dept so the tree officer may have been waiting weeks for it to get done. Annoying either way though.

Of course they can do that, that's the point of tree protection officers! If you disagree with the TPO for any reason you can object to it in writing.

Hi Rich, I remember working with you when you started out straight from the army (you subbed a bit for Danners at Redland Tree Services). Glad to hear your business is going well. If you ever need surveys or reports undertaken around Bristol or the southwest please give me a shout. Cheers, Paul

Do you mean you dismantled them, or just topped 'em?

without generalising too much I doubt most 360 drivers give a toss about the nitty gritty of tree roots and.TPO regs. Just KEEP OUT! will do!

I would think a simple sign is better - large and bright and lots of 'em.

I'd like to hear you say that to their faces!

Lee, out of interest do you revisit these trees to re-apply more compost tea a year or 2 later? I am wondering if the new flush of foliage is a temporary response to the treatment or whether it can have long lasting results.