sean freeman

This a good descriptor of what too many of us have seen/read and (yes if we're honest) even engaged in ourselves in the past. It is so hard to avoid hostilities with other consultants when inevitable constructive criticism results from having to reference previous reporting on a tree you have been asked to assess...I think you did a good job in that regard - sadly I have been less successful in that regard. Very, very true one of the most frustrating things is to find a report which does not clearly define the scope and limitations nor the methodology...making it almost impossible to determine why the previous author reached the conclusions they did. I hope so too, but of course many tree owners/managers will have a sense of what they hope/want their tree to provide in the way of aesthetic value and this can often be to the detriment of the tree itself - over fertilizing comes to mind. Equally frustrating is the fact that here in Oz (well the sub-tropics anyway) there is so very little reliable information regarding that relationship between decay fungi and host tree:thumbdown:...some of us are trying to make headway in redressing this but without solid research it is mostly anecdotal (not without merit) and very diffuse (in many ways!!!). However we have to make a start and try to move our industry away from that witch hunt.

Nice pics and pretty thoughtful notes, thanks for posting Guy..plenty of food for thought for those who are (hopefully) beginning to recognise balanced proportionate tree management...IMO some very good pointers to the reconsideration of 'decline' in a particular tree.

I can see you in a tutu David...very nice... On the presentation...great delivery by Frank, I always try (when it works) to break out of the powerpoint cage..great use of vegetables to get an important point across. Our mental models, analogies and simplifications are important when trying to convey the essence of a complicated message, but they have (IMO) proved to be a double edged sword...it seems it will take some years to break down two of my least favorites; canopies as sails, and decay being a disease. Looked like a great conference lively audience and some intelligent questions.

Tony, it certainly is (I think) amongst one of the best books I have read in terms of drawing together disperate threads of the many patterned tapestry that is woodland/forest ecology. As to how much relevance 'anyone' might find for their daily life...well that will depend on the person. Some of us (I think) feel at times that we are on a path of broadening/deepening our understanding about the world, or aspects of the world around us not just at work but definately not excluding work. This book is certainly helping me enjoy the bit of that journey I'm on right now. For Arbs I can no better (and have no desire to do better) than to advise they read the Preface 'Fungi on Trees' by a friend and scientist Dr David Lonsdale in . If you can get your head around what David has written then you will be (IMO) well on the way to being a better Arb and have a better grasp of what you see around you. Here is a key snippet...

Its a good link Tony, TED presetntations are nearly always worth taking time to listen to. I also really like the idea of it being held in Dubbo. Shame he tripped on claiming trees have the same biomass in the ground as bove..not the way I have come to understand healthy woodlands and forests...but its only a nit pick I guess. Also disappointing that he chose not to mention the massive grassland ecosystems native to Oz..would have liked that even if only in passing...but hwe had a lot to get across and personally I think he did a good job if cramped for time and as a result had to rush through some demanding thought exercises. The comparative examples warrent greater detail and hopefully some kind of published papers for others to digest, pictures and statements are great but the devil is really in the details. Great link thanks for posting it.

How very very very sad....

The lighter variety...

Very nice pics David , saw a lot of this combo action in young birch woodland around Calke in Feb/March, but did not get to see the inside story.

Really well done on getting this together Cilla (et al), it is such an important topic and you have managed to pull together a very interesting cross-section of speakers I am very jealous of those who are close enough to get there and benefit from the presentations and the interaction. In reference to the opposition I know you have had in the preparation for this conference remember what Gandhi is quoted as saying “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” All the best

I would agree with Tony, further without knowing how well the resi was calibrated before the drilling nor the experience of the operator I would be questioning what useful interpretation anyone else (other than the original company that carried out the drilling) could give. Personally if the trees are valuable and there is doubt about the resi results/interpretation take core samples alongside the resi sites..this has always helped (me) clarify what may or may not have been claimed for those particular points of examination on the stem.

I have no pics (thank the gods) of me struggling not to wash the inside of single with the water from the River Derwent in the late 1970's:lol:...it is fun to see the pics put up by others. To the topic of the OP, as I have a foot in two camps (past club sportsman, and activist quite wiling to protest creating discomfort to those targetted - and others collaterally) I feel obliged to make the following points - with the caveat that I do not know exactly what this chap was protesting against annoyed at not getting in his opinion a fair chance to be in the eight pehaps? It is IMO the right (and in some senses a responsibility) in a democracy for any citizen so motivated against what they percieve to be injustice to protest against that injustice... Should that protest break the existing laws of the democracy in which they are living then they should expect to face the legal consequences for their actions. Having said all that if I had been personally part of either crew and in the flotilla I suspect I would have vetured over to the swimmer only to have him stay immersed for just that bit longer whislt we confirmed he was no threat to the rescue craft or its occupants...the conversation might go.... "Whats your name mate...Trent-on? How do you spell that?...Not a very Australian name mate your parents from the UK?...Where you from mate...no not here in the UK...where in Oz....Sydney?...where abouts in Sydney?...Paddington?...funny how there is a Paddington here too...I like Paddington Bear how about you...etc...." Seriously though he was probably just trying out the London Olympic triathalon course and got lost.

Its a good suggestion Gerrit, cannot remember what the spore colour was (if indeed any was evident) was it white or yellow hmmm...perhaps Jon's pic (which was much better definition and clarity) might help, I'll be going back there later this year so I'll be sure and check. We get both Ramaria sp and Clavicorona sp so its certainly possible - I did not fancy tasting the F/B but that might have given a clue too; I believe piperata is a commonly occuring species. At the time I had thought it was Ramaria gracilus

Yes its been a while for sure glad to see things are still going well for you (I really liked your proposal in a post above to travel to London to do some moves for them!) Hopefully we might be involved in a very short move 20/30m of a Ficus (30-40Tonnes) coming up in a few months, but as I know you know its almost impossible to get the proper (required) prep done here - we don't get contacted until it is a month or so before the trees have to be moved...on this project however the aftercare should be covered.

A long way IMO...over here you'd burn more than 20K just on the craneage and trucks.

As always fascinating to see your work shots Willem. Lifting frames/slings?..assuming they did not have go too far on those trucks or you would have lost most of the soil around the roots, and you would have wrapped them. Thanks again for posting.

Trust you...coincidentally Jon was staying with me last week whilst he carried out survey work along feeders down my way for the utility company he works for...he showed me his pics from that day back in Feb (I was suitably put out by the quality of the pics...) I saw his shot of the log with Ramaria sp and realised just how out of focus my shot was. I had thought Pleurotus sp of some sort but now I'm not so sure..sorry

Just some pics that fit the thread...Jonathan Cowan on a walk in the rainforest in Feb 2012, I do have camera envy but since I have broken three cameras I resist both the purchase and even touching someone elses equipment (NO don't even think about going there!!!!). We were photographing Ramaria sp, the pic of the fruiting body is one of mine Jon's was far better.

Me too mate...next time will hopefully be next year sometime - under better circumstances..my shout for the first ale :>)

Thankyou David, it was only three weeks ago..seems unbelievable to me now...I love that park it has many happy and sad memories (mostly happy) used to jog through it before it was an NT property.

IMO...a most appropriate use of 'corenet cutting' to create a much more naturalistic look to the cuts..nicely done David...btw have always been bemused at what appears to be a photoshopped dog in that back cover.

A very beautiful short video Tony, which includes some fabulous footage of the bird life.

That is very true David, but sometimes you don't get the chance to choose, as always these threads are a very welcome distraction from the weight of life. ;>)

Brilliant pics David, and obviously very rewarding to be envolved in such long term management approaches I suspect those younger guys in your team don't realise just how privileged they are (and yes I am jealous) btw based on my notoriuosly poor observation skills :>P....were the trees spiked in the past?...seems a bit odd for such high value assets.

Hmmm....its quite a large continent with a varied climate and very different vegetation communities in the different regions...I think you need to be more specific about where you might be going.

Try "merkin" instead ;>)