Paul Barton

No, but it's a good idea!

I worked on the tree survey that Amey procured in 2012 at the beginning of the PFI contract. What a great city with a lot of mature trees. As I was involved in the data collection, rather than analysis, I can't say a lot about whether the felling is appropriate. There certainly seemed to be alot of fully mature trees across the city, but that's the case in many historic cities in the UK. A long-term strategy to selectively fell and replant trees isn't necessarily a bad one if well planned. But from what I have read, much of the felling seems to be about preventing damage to paths and roads, rather than because the tree is in poor condition or unsuitable - simply implying that trees are not considered to be a priority highway asset. I wonder, if Sheffield had had an urban forest evaluation using iTree to demonstrate the financial value of the ecosystem services that the trees provide, would this be happening? Or at least, would it give the communities that oppose the felling more of an evidence base to argue from?

Ha! Thanks for the un-enlightening discussion chaps!

They were just hypotheticals to illustrate my question Jules. How do you calculate and show woodland RPAs?

No worries! Following on from your question, how do you (and others) calculate and show the RPA of groups and woodlands? Offset from the stems by the average diameter/largest diameter? Estimated offset from crown edge? Measure stem diameter of every edge tree and plot umpteen circular RPAs?

No need to survey every tree. Here's an extract from the BS: 4.4.2.3 Trees growing as groups or woodland should be identified and assessed as such where the arboriculturist determines that this is appropriate. However, an assessment of individuals within any group should still be undertaken if there is a need to differentiate between them, e.g. in order to highlight significant variation in attributes (including physiological or structural condition). NOTE The term “group” is intended to identify trees that form cohesive arboricultural features either aerodynamically (e.g. trees that provide companion shelter), visually (e.g. avenues or screens) or culturally, including for biodiversity (e.g. parkland or wood pasture), in respect of each of the three subcategories (see 4.5). 4.4.2.4 The categorization of a group or woodland can reflect a future potential that is contingent on appropriate management being undertaken to promote the development of the better specimens, based upon established arboricultural and silvicultural principles. Such management requirements should be noted under “general observations” within the schedule and included within the post-development management plan (see 8.8.3). NOTE Typically, the works will need to be phased over a number of years so as to maintain the necessary degree of companion shelter.

A fiver says Steve was joking about starting a petition. Why doesn't Mendiplogs start one as it was his idea?

Nice shots Sean. You manage to make some otherwise pretty mundane scenes look cool!

What a post in a monumental thread about your journey. You're clearly made of some special stuff Sean, and I have no doubt that 2016 will be a momentous year for you. Blessings and best wishes to you and your family.

Once again, that wasn't what was posted! If you don't understand the concept, don't knock it!

He didn't say they were. Often there's a choice involved though...e.g long hours, stress vs family time, leisure time.

Have you tried the Arb Association website? I'm pretty sure you can download some word document templates.

Photos are a bit blurry on my phone, but looks like good ol' Leyland Cypress to me.

Apparently these are good as you don't need to replace the ink cartridges. https://www.epson.co.uk/gb/en/viewcon/corporatesite/products/mainunits/consumables/16265

Was that 27k council owned trees? There were probably at least the same again on private land.

This thread is going nowhere so I'm closing it. Sort out your differences somewhere else!

Isn't this thread 9 days early?! Happy mid-December everyone!

I did a job at a school recently where an old student rang up one day to offer £2 million for a new sports centre! Good on you mendiplogs - hope you can find a few like minded and deep pocketed parents.

Absolutely right. Sounds like it would be a valuable learning experience for both parties!

Just checked, they're turned on. Which makes sense cos every night Google automatically tells me that the traffic for my journey home is 'unusually heavy'.

Yes but it didn't work?! Maybe my location services are turned off.

Alright you got me - my puny arms were getting tired holding the yellow Trimble brick!

I've got a smaller, sleeker one that will fit in my pocket more easily!

You can get waterproof and shockproof covers for smartphones and tablets - that's what I would use. A ruggedised GPS device will will set you back around £800 and upwards, and most are Windows mobile based so have fairly limited functionality meaning you'd need to buy GIS software to load on to it.... I have a Trimble Geo XT that I would sell if you're interested...

iPhone!