James

I've got very fond memories of Houghall. And I also remember having very similar doubts about going to Uni... I'm bloomin glad I did it though - it was definitely the right thing for me to do. Good luck with it

Sorry to go off topic, but this sounds interesting - what is wavelength blocking, and how does that prevent insect pests?

After the good reviews - it's now on my 'to visit' list.

Ha ha - I'll look out for those wumps next time I see a hag ;-)

I understand the frustration at psuedoscience and 'guesswork posed as evidence' based decision making (both pet peeves of mine). I also understand the frustration at misguided fear of legislation (but I don't know the subtleties of US or Australian legislation).

I just don't want to be all about the negative, there's a lot of good people doing good stuff out there (and having read your articles - you are one of them tree seer) :-)

I think Guy was merely conveying his annoyance at not attaching the article to the previous post.

 

I cannot believe it has been seven years since that piece was published...what the heck have I've been doing all this time (not much it appears!!!)

 

It is incredibly hard to pull Arbs kicking and screaming from their comfortable position as hazard detectors, even harder to get them to realize it is NOT our role to minimize risk...something some find impossible to get their heads around...if that were the task then the action would be the same every time - remove the tree.

 

Our role should (IMO) be to provide qualified advice to enable the reasonable and proportionate management of the assessed risk in the trees we inspect.

 

Way too many in our industry focus on managing the secondary risk - nothing to do with the tree but focused on imagined future litigation if and when failure occurs.

Thanks Sean, I thought 'hagwumps' might be some text-talk that I'd not come across before.

I don't share your opinion that arboriculture hasn't moved on much in the last seven years though - there's been a massive shift in tree related risk perception and management. A lot of very sincere and intelligent people have invested an awful lot of time and effort into this issue. We have seen paper after paper, research on risk and the perception of risk, analysis on the legal implications of tree risk assessment, seminars, workshops, and even a couple of new nationally recognized qualifications on tree risk and hazard assessment... Actually, the last seven years have been an exciting and interesting time to be curious about the issues surrounding the risk of harm from trees. :-)

I'm just editing quickly because I've just realised how international this forum is. I'm talking about the UK in my post, is it very different in your part of the world?

I like the article, it is clear, concise and contains good advice for the target audience, but what does 'hagwumps' mean?

A very interesting thread indeed, thanks David.

That's interesting David. What happened next? Did you prune any roots?

Thanks guys

Sorry, I should have said. They are growing in a radiating pattern in an area where there used to be an ash tree. The tree was felled and the stump ground out two or three years ago.

I hope the pictures are attached...

The slightly more mature one at the bottom is about 6cm tall.

Many thanks

I don't partake of any illegal substances whatsoever, and apart from a few teenage experiments I never have (this is a personal choice - I'm not being moralistic in any way).

I was once offered a job where compulsory drug testing was in place. When I questioned this I was made to feel that maybe I had something to hide in not feeling comfortable with it.

I felt that there was a breakdown of trust, and I refused the job. Again, it was a personal choice - there's good arguments both for and against compulsory testing, but I don't like it.

Have you got a scientific name for that Tony? There seems to be three or four separate species with that common name.

Hey ups Dean, check for water logging, if it's ok, then I'd just go for some organic mulching. I've seen partially rotted (not fresh) woodchip work wonders at quite a few site in our parts of the world...

Deano, what's the adjacent land use? Its looks like a field, but I can't quite tell what's in it.

Dean, is that new tarmac under the trees?

Attached is some of these dealings; soon to be in the ANSI Standard. The author's a loony but many in the US do the same basic steps. first is the pop piece; 2nd peer reviewed for ISA.

Thought provoking pieces... thank you.

Dom, I'm just wondering.... have you ever tried to have a friendly chat with your TO about these issue? It sometimes helps if you can

Yes, periodic inspections are called for. I'll invite them to email me a picture once a year, and propose on the invoice to return in 3 years for an aerial inspection, when pruning needs will also be assessed.

Cool

"I guess we don't really know within what context the 'other' arb made that statement... "

Very true Paul - and this is always worth remembering before criticizing another person's work.

It seems like that sentence, no matter the context, is undefendable, and careless at best. Trusting that Dom quoted accurately of course.

 

Without conditionals or qualifiers, it seems false in any context. Unless I am missing something?

Treeseer, I have no idea what you are getting at, sorry. If you care to tell me why you feel my statement is careless and undefendable, I'll be happy to defend it.

Dom, this is an interesting thread, and I understand your frustration. I obviously agree with many others on here that the comment "Beech are intolerant of any work" is clearly incorrect. But I'm not going to second guess why it was said.

I suspect that, from what you have told us, your application will be accepted with no problem, irrespective of the letter your client has received. I'd suggest just waiting to see what comes back on your application, and then take it from there. Good luck with it btw

I promise I'm no tree hugger! But please can alternatives to felling be considered in this case? I'm happy to offer my services if required - this tree sounds like it's on its way to veteran if it's not there already, and if the only concern is one of potential failure I bet we could find a way to retain it at no extra cost to the owner :-)

Will you be recommending future inspections of the tree and the cabling?

"I guess we don't really know within what context the 'other' arb made that statement... "

Very true Paul - and this is always worth remembering before criticizing another person's work.

I've booked a place on this and I just wondered if anyone else who's planning on going wanted a lift from Hudds to York.

It is definitely a big deal. Having done the exam myself, I know it's one of the better ones out there.

Well done!