Paul Barton

You probably already know that Beech don't like to be pruned hard, but minor crown lifting shouldn't cause a serious issue. See what the app comes back like - if you get your permission then you can happily ignore the other arb!

Thanks for your recent assistance with my CAD work Rob. I would certainly recommend you to others.

Lovely photos David. Shade is often a dirty word in the UK but is SO welcome on weeks like this one!

How do you do that?

So much for all the hippy love and good karma.

Good to hear you're feeling chipper Tony! I gather the AA have asked you to deliver a fungi talk at a show (is it the Arb Show?) this year. Sounds like a great opportunity to share your passion and knowledge with an audience...best of luck for that.

I think Tony Sorenson was there, lucky chap.

I joined on day six (22/07/07) with the gypoclimber crew (misterTee). I guess I must be within the first 50?

Me and colleague Mark cycled 45 miles for a charity ride for the Princes Trust this morning. Look who else was there!

That looks a sweet bit of kit mate. I've never see a bucket with a mini crane in it before. I assume that's all rigged up with sensors so you can't overload it?

Great pics Dave. It's fascinating work isn't it? I'd like to spend more time uncovering roots just to learn how different species form their root structures in different soils.

Quite. I should have said that the mocking came from site managers and supervisors, not just the man with a shovel! Obviously this tool is not a wonder-drug for tree health - it has to applied in the right situation. For sensitive excavation (for laying pipes/repairs etc) around tree roots and utilities it's unbeatable. Whether it is effective or necessary for de-compacting soils depends on the soil type. I have been asked to de-compact soils on development sites as the developer has had a ticking off from a TO as tree fences were breached. However, when I have arrived on site I have discovered a sandy soil with a light structure; it may have been driven over by dumpers and the roots may have been crushed to death but the soil is not highly compacted! I have read that the air-spade is regarded as more effective for de-compaction than a terravent spike, and I gather the likes of Kew favoured the air-spade for this reason. I think it is now agreed that the best method for de-compaction is to lay a natural mulch, introduce earthworms and then fence the area off, letting nature do its thing. However, many urban areas don't allow such a luxury of time so soil remediation with high pressure air may be the next best thing.

The masks in the photos on this document look pretty robust. OPM removal FC.pdf

I have tried a perspex face shield but the gaps around the edge still let too much dust in. Nothing ideal yet Dave. I saw a gas mask style arrangement a while ago that I think Gristwood and Toms use for OPM removal that looks like it might be good. Dave - we get these jobs in fits and starts. I'm trying to push it more as a service I think customers find it hard to see the point and the cost. Most of the work is commissioned begrudgingly by contractors that have had their wrists slapped by a tree officer. That said, we have used it positively for a few councils and estate managers for root investigations on Beech with Meripilus.

There was some minor damage to the bark on the tops of the roots from the airspade - tended to happen when my goggles steamed up and I didn't keep the spade moving quick enough. There appears to be some more severe damage to the third root from the bottom on the trench photo - that root was actually already contorted when I uncovered it. Perhaps it had been scarred before? I am learning every time we use this kit!

Hi Dave, On this job we radiated to the drip line only. We excavated to approx 300mm - most of the roots appeared to be in this level as the soil was quite clayey. The unit you can see is actually not the compressor - that's the air-vac. The compressor was mounted on a trailer about 30 metres away.

Thanks y'all. You are of course right Tony - the opinions of idiots should not interest me but I am a sensitive ol' thing some time, particularly when accused of scamming. Toprotter - it's great for the trees but nasty work for the operator...be careful what you wish for! The dust means I wear a full dust suit, mask and goggles which tend to steam up in a few minutes! Here are a few piccies of the work. NB - the soil vacuum unit was not very effective on the damp soil as it kept getting clogged, so I resorted to loosening the soil in the trench with the air-spade and then shovelling out the spoil.

Cheers Mark! Couple of glasses and I've calmed down now.

Nice one Andy - you are right. I have been a bit stressed of late.

Ha ha, that may be true Carlos. Please tell me from an old-timers perspective how you wouldhave responded. Should have just flicked them the bird perhaps.

.....at least that's what I have been informed of for the last 3 days by every Tom, Dick and Harry that works for a civils or building firm! I have spend 2 days air-spading a trench through a Lime tree's roots in for a new water mains, and a day at a University radial trenching (soil-decompaction) around 9 Silver Maples. (I'll stick some pics up tomorrow). I try and take people as I find them, and not pre-judge......but I really have met some morons this week!! I have been told: my work is a scam and a waste of money (I just provided a service I was asked for!) the trees that have had their roots driven over by dumpers and diggers will be fine (perhaps - but they'll sure do better in de-compacted soil) that the trees should just be cut down anyway (f*%k 'em were the exact words). Geez, I am in danger of coming over all "hamadryad" here, but what is the matter with people? I know that trees are inconvenient for groundworkers and builders but that doesn't mean they have to be so insulting about them (and me!). I don't normally get wound up about this sort of thing but today it just got to me....rant over:biggrin:

I think it would be very unlikely to get planning permission for a log cabin in an urban area surrounded by trad brick houses. All about landscape character etc.

Thanks for sharing your journey. A friend of mine back home in bristol has recently recovered from this. She is in her mid 30s. I gather the treatment was very draining but she's doing great now. Keep us posted.

Thanks. What's your source for the tree ring data?

I hear you dean. Where is that picture from?