raafbeard

They were looking for volunteers to help with the Gorillas and I was quite interested until it dawned that you would just be doing all the worst jobs with no actual gorilla time included!! Lol at Gorilla hand ashtray!! Very tasteful Mick!!

I love it when I see people who have planted wellingtonias about 6ft from their house, or in their small terraced house back garden...It amuses me to try and imagine what their actual thought process would have been?? Or how they view the trees future development... They are definately nice trees and so much better than most conifers - If I thought I could squeeze one in somewhere I would

Looks like a great time was had!! Great video work too!! Just to stand in those woodlands would be mind blowing!! How about a global get together?? crazy!

Congratulations Nuggsy!! Let the good times roll!!

Thanks for the suggestions Guys!! Had to google "sphagnum" If I was close and could monitor the tree I may be tempted to try out the bridge grafting - but I can't see my amateur first attempt at this being successful...? The tree is also getting to a size where I think they will want it reducing before long...Already priced to fell - not a particularly special example but would have been nice whilst it had full vigour!!

Fantastic view Sean!! I want to post some pics like that...

Looked at a silver birch today which was apparently dying back from no obvious cause. Initially I was struggling to understand why there was significant dieback on all of the limbs and the top of the crown... Then I saw a chainsaw cut in the butt of the stem...I reckon a year maybe two old - followed said cut completely around the butt and about 8mm into the cambium layer - on further inspection we found two more complete circles cut around the butt. Questioning the owner he advised that he'd had a conifer removed by what seemed to be a professional outfit - sign written van etc etc...He then explained that whilst they were there they had offered to remove some ivy from the silver birch as it would have been "strangling the tree"..The ivy was at best 10mm diameter and not very dense barely warranted a silky to remove it. I can only assume the respectable Tree Surgeons had done this intentionally with a view to dropping by later on to fell the dead birch Maybe this is a common trick but I haven't seen it that bad before and it just reminded me what we are up against and how low some people will stoop to make some fairly easy money...

Finishing cut!! Also very important to get right...

Good Work Joe! Looks like you had a couple of fences to contend with as well..

I think it is in no particular order: inboard/outboard, hand held step, freefall sink, and handheld sink - maybe a directional sink too?? Good luck with that mate - concentrate on getting your cuts right and good work position with appropriate attachment points,

Cheers Justin..A very good effort with this I think!!

I would have been screwed if there was.....15 years of neglect would have shown itself... However with the right attitude I think I am getting there now maybe... Apart from killing my lungs I don't think I have ever been fitter than I am now - even when I did used to do some sort of physical activity

Nice one Justin!! Would be rude not to come.....Maybe its just me but I don't think I saw a date on your website???

Nice work!! Really satisfying doing jobs which have such a dramatic affect!!

Think I just inadvertantly cheated Cerne by seeing the .jpg file names...

Thats Magic!! How does it know what you're thinking ?? Doesn't work if you cheat!!

Would have helped if I could Mick but eyes a bit injured for dragging up at the mo,,,, I don't know anyone who could be of use either - not at short notice. Hope you get something sorted!!

Nuts on the inside back?? Or underneath?? Off the top of my head there are a couple more to undo maybe??

Looks great!! Got any more pics??

Congratulations Big Boss!!

Well another 24 hours then the dressing can come off.....5 more days of antibiotics, but 6 months of lubricating my eye before bed to stop the wound tearing open when I open my eyes in the morning (had that before ...) I can go back to work next week if I am careful....too right i'll be careful!!! So all in all a big load of hassle,pain, inconvenience and no work for a stupid scratch from a stupid shrub....very frustrating, but thankful it wasn't worse!! < thats me in my new safety specs!!

Damn Dean!! I hope thats better soon... well done for sharing!