Colin Bashford

Anja from Switzerland won the womens. Jo hedger won the head to head footlock again.

Steve you are too modest, yes contributors are rather essential but it would be nothing without your enormous committment and workload that often goes un-noticed. Thank you seems some how rather understated. Take care and climb safely. Colin

I sincerely hope not. That is why you will find me assisting at most Tree Climbing Competions. I firmly believe that as a profession we do not do enough to recognise arborists who are the largest percentage in our profession.

Sorry to hear the sad news guys, but look forward to seeing you at Guildford at the English tree Climbing Championships.

I understand your view and respect your opinion, but having considered and reassessed I still stick with my expressed opinion. Cheers.

As most on this forum know I do a lot of lurking and say little. However in this case which I have followed closely I feel that I have to speak up in support of Skyhuck over this case! He sets out my thoughts exactly over the first fallen oak. It does spoil the line of the other oaks which I suspect were part of an avenue. If that is the case then the 'group' effect of the avenue must in my opinion is a much stronger reason to look after them as a whole than pay so much attention to a fallen tree. It is the siting of the fallen tree that reduces it's visual amenity value and my personal advice based on the evidence so far given would be to remove it and replace at least with a Extra heavy standard stock sized oak tree, to help ensure that the beauty of the line of trees is ensured and so that it can be enjoyed by this and future generations. There is of course support for veteran trees, but we must also consider the well established landscape settings that are designed and are so much part of our green heritage. They also must be retained and preserved. Ok thats my two pennyworth. Colin

I would just like to say a big thank you to all present who helped make Julie's and my special weekend, extra special. You are all an incredible bunch. Climb safely and see you all at Guildford for the English TCC 4th and 5th July. Colin

Whoops it is catching?????? dates are 29th, 30th and 31st MAY.. Colin :blushing:

OK. I have just noticed the typing error in the headline of Alex first email. The date is confirmed as Friday 29th for starting kit check, competition is over the weekend 30th/31st JUNE and not July. Colin

A big thank you has to go to JO Hedger who has taken on the task of managing this years UK/I TCC finals and has worked so hard to make it a success. If the list of sponsors is anything to go by then it's going to be a great weekend. Even the weather is forecast to be good!! Well done Jo. Colin Bashford ISA International President Elect.

Thank you gentlemen. David I could never forget where it all started from and where my heart is. That is why I was at the UK/I Students TCC this last weekend and why I will be at the UK/I TCC championship down in the New Forest the weekend after next. I will also be at Cirencester, talking with those that make up the greatest percentage of our industry but who I consider are in general under represented. Justin thanks for your support and sponsorship of the Students TCC, we will formally thank you later. All take care and climb safely. Colin

Thanks Steve I will give it a try. Tried Explorer this am and it still threw me out !!!!

Yes on aol browser and up till now all has bneen fine with logging on to Arbtalk. Guess I better set up to use Explorer or Firefox. Damn need to gain more IT knowledge.

Thats the one in the Sherrill catalogue. Brilliant.

Sorry Steve still no change when I tried to get in this evening.

David What we dont know yet is the speed of progression of the decay from Ust.Kretz. What we do know is that most often the infection is likely via the roots and that the ripe wood is attacked long before it reaches the sap wood. I strongly lean towards the concept that it is almost always mainly parasitic and have seen far too many trees that have failed where Ust/Kretz is the only identified fungal infection. That tends to rule out it being saprophytic on most occasions. By contrast I have seen numerous trees infected by other pathogens and decay inducing fungi, where Armillaria has clearly come in as a secondary decay fungi attacking an already weakened tree. For reasons of current Court cases I would not wish and indeed should not say more on this matter. I do however stress the recognised propensity of trees infected by Ust/Kretz being most likely to fail perhaps in adverse weather conditions, before any external symptoms occur. This includes all symptoms of VTA and dieback in the aerial parts of the tree. The perceived acceptable risk of 1 in 10,000 of a failed tree killing someone is no comfort to those who suffer in such circumstances. Thus I advise Hannah to be careful and respectful of her infected Beech. Colin

Hannah I would be most interested to know what the bud cover and then leaf cover is like this year on your Beech. Please also be aware that trees infected with this fungus are noted for most likely failing before any visible symptoms are known. Colin

Still took two goes to get in today. Could it be to do with our service provider? I do not know anything about these things but I am on aol and forever seem to have problems in one form or another.

This is still happening with me last night and this morning even after clearing out all cookies etc.

Steve sorry mate but still having the same trouble this morning.

Renewablejohn. That is exactly what is happening now to me, when I try to log in.

Have been having trouble for the last two or three days and still am. Steve said he is looking into it but clearly not sorted yet as it took me three goes and several minutes of waiting to get into unread messages. Kept throwing me out with an error page.

What an appalling tragedy. My condolences and best wishes to his family and work mates.

Send my best to Scotty. I expect to see him in Providence this year at the World finals.