stevelucocq

Hi, Thanks for the reply….hi james there was no sign of a resonant failure. There are a few problems with the wall but as far as I am aware the wall is not likely to fail in the near future. The wall is an old Victorian wall so holds a lot of value and needs to be preserved. I think the option of rebuilding walls wider on the pavement is difficult to arrange with highways. So leaving the options of removing and replanting or retaining and carefully rebuilding the wall as required allowing some future growth from the tree. So what I was wondering is that has anyone had any experience of carrying out work repairing walls close to trees and is there any written guidance available? Sorry I too am now rambling! Thanks Steve

Hi, There is a large mature roadside cupressus macrocarpa that is in good health with the main crown being high and grown from a large central main stem (a pretty good looking tree, sorry no photos!). The tree has started to push out a 2 metre high retaining wall. This tree is being considered to be felled and I was wondering what experiences people have on the likelihood of cupressus failing (at base or branches?) and the cost/options for wall stabilizing and repair to keep the tree? Many thanks steve

hi i have read a few bits and pieces on bats and quiet a few species like full contact in a cavity or behind flaking bark. So as David said shaving a few inches is more than enough to provide a little bit of potential bat habitat. Good pictures!

Hi, Today I have been to look at a bigish Oak tree very close to a property. It looked in good health with no major lean, good buttresses etc. What did make me concerned is that it had a long crack running down the main stem which looks like it has been opening and closing and then re-healing for sometime. Also on the other side some minor signs of a similar cracking/re-healing. This is a beauty of a tree so not keen to see it come down. What am after is to learn about if what methods such as resistograpth etc would people use to detect the extend of the crack, if at all possible to do so? Also more importantly how do you interpret and analyses the finding from that equipment used. I am aware that the cracking may be caused by some internal decay and the cracking being the first signs of possible failure but interested on peoples take on this if you get my drift? Will try and get pictures as and when. Thanks Steve

Thanks!

Good job, pictures and videos!....ok I am still getting Rigidoporus and Perennipora confused?? I thought Perenniporia has same colour flesh when cut through...where as Rigidoporus has white flesh with orange/cinnamon coloured spore layer like in your photos?... see my attached pictures of this fungus found on a chestnut 2.5 metres above the ground? Cheers steve

Hi, Hmm I did say to myself I would not get involved with a thread like this as it will bring up some many questions about the Management exercise. On the other hand it may be good to learn from each other’s mistakes but it’s very difficult to say what’s right or wrong on theses assessments as there very subjective. I feel if you explained your logic then this should give weight to your answers. I felt the exercises where tough (but I suppose this is expected from tech cert) and the questions were broken down into more parts than I expected. This made allocating time a little easier but still there never felt like there was enough time. Woodland exercise – I missed the badger set? but as important this is I would not say you would fail for missing this. I did express about conducting an ecological survey before work being carried out and find out on any designations on the woodland. This exercise was mainly about increasing biodiversity of the woodland with some small-scale timber production. This seemed ok to answer with my general answers being about improving native shrubs/hedge species, hazel coppice for timber, building a pond etc. Plant ID – I felt this was as to be expected but did find I was repeating myself on some of the associated features. Good autumn colours etc Tree Conditioning – Found this tricky as I always felt that I may have missed something but generally I felt the first few trees required the most amount of work. P+D was ok which was something like Fomes, Polyporous Sq, Grifola, Goat moth, Cherry canker?? I think the main thing for this assessment was to produce a report and draw up a schedule of work from your findings. I felt I may have specified to much work as they said budgets were tight but I did place a scale of urgency of work required on what I stated. Tree in Environment – This for me was the hardest and where I know I made a good few mistakes. I did not have the right scale ruler (1:250) but produced a scale 1metre : 4mm I think? The marks for this where not as I expected with only 15 for the BS schedule which would mean about 17 minutes to spend on it. I took measurements for the two cedars and the redwood. Where I messed up was where I placed the barrier fencing, I left some areas where contractors could gain access into the RPA (not good!) and did not place it correctly around the development. I found the writtern questions unclear as what was expected. The method statement I wrote down as many different ways to prevent damage to the trees in a long list? The question before this I did not understand it entirely, I think it was about constraints so I mentioned a bit about RPA etc but felt I was not going in the right direction on this one. So yeah a tough day and my head still hurts. I did hear there might be doing resits in the spring? Good luck to you all and fair play to anyone who has passed the Prof Dip!! Cheers Steve

Great post and pictures! Goodwork:thumbup1:

hi, yeah two Oaks with in the space of 25 metres have dropped limbs in the last 3 months. The first limb was very big (no photos sorry) than the one in these photos. This limb as you suggested could have been decayed by Chicken of the woods as it showed extensive signs of white fungal sheets (mycelium). This limb showed signs of some pre-failure with some bark bunching underneath the limb and bark loss on top near to the collar (A good VTA sign?). This limb in the below pictures (From first set of pictures) have some signs of mycelium but far less. But I suppose the limb was much smaller than the larger one. So some brown rot and a dryish few weak may have been the reason? Cheers Steve Ps I surpose for research a upper and lower shot of the limb failure point would be benefical?

Hi here are a few pictures from todays walk around Clyne Gardens (Swansea), always a pleasure. I did not intend to just take pictures of Oak but they are so interesting. I do feel the need for a better Macro camera, anyone know any good deals on Cannon G10s ? 1.) Honey Suckle on Oak 2.) Grifola Fondosa on Oak 3.) Dropped limb from Oak 4.) Joined Oak 5.) Bark on Oak Cheers Steve

Hi, I have attached a link to the syllabus from ABC : (http://www.trees.org.uk/downloads/abcawards.pdf). I would take time to study the list of tree/shrub/Pest and Dieases and any associated features. Also I would read what is required for each module and then try to keep your reading within the topics in the list. I have a few other things I will post you. Cheers Steve

Hi, try contacting andy goddard Cheers Steve

Hi thanks for the replies... Tech Cert Ok the tech cert is a very good course of what I feel is a high standard with a lot to get to grips with.. Going into it I had a background of Science and a good understanding of arb work with a pretty good knowledge of Trees and Fungi. I would say I have not done it the best way as I studied via an online college course for the main information that was so so. It was ok preparation for the written papers but for the management exercise they offered no real preparation. I have attended the 3 day tree life course to prepare for the Management exercises which was a really eye opener of what is expected (The Tree Life course was very well run). I have been trying to gain as much experience to prepare but feel I have still have a fair way to go. I would suggest that a day release type course would offer a better learning experience. Post me and I can give you more information if you are interested. Noble Fir Interesting idea about the lighting. I think the whole tree went pretty quick (Brown needles) and was around 25 metres in height and did have a full healthy crown. They are situated slightly higher than small trees surrounding them. They are a wide group of 4 Noble Firs and the other smaller firs are starting to look like they are in a similar decline. The next time I am down there I will have a good look about and take some pictures. Cheers for the Interest Steve

hi I checked out: AIE - Pest & Disease - Coryneum Canker And I am not sure. It could be but I am not convinced. Cheers as this is one I need to know for the Tech Cert exam!

Hi, it was in a local park (more like a country park) with a broad range of native trees and exotics. It has a past history of Phytophthora infection on Ponticum and has a wide range of Rhodo species. Defra have been notified and it will be interesting to see what the results are. Any info to share?

Hi, I was involved with the dismantling operation of a large Noble fir a few weeks ago. The whole tree was dead with needles turned brown. On breaking down the main stem I noticed a red/brown colouration to the cork cambium. I have read up on types of Phytophthora infecting Noble Firs and alarm bells started to ring. Anyone else with any similar observations or concerns? Cheers Steve

Hi, I have attended the 3-day Tree life preparation courses for the tech cert management exercises. It was a very good training course and made me very aware how doing it online is not the best option for the management exercises. I am looking for any past papers from the management exercises or what anyone can recall. Also any tree conditions reports; BS 5837 surveys/maps or any woodland surveys that any of you have carried out:sneaky2:. Many Thanks Steve

Hi, how can i get in touch with him? if so how much does he sell them for? Cheers Steve

good to hear things are back on track...just has a great 3 hour surf at Rhossili and now recovering with large volumes of food...see u in work tomorrow!ps U do not know anyone selling a top handle MS200T???

Hi, On the off chance anyone selling an Stihl MS200T or wheres the best place to purchase one from for price etc. Cheers Steve

Hi, Just wondering what people are planting as street trees through out the UK. Any reasons why, size, type of stock and aftercare etc would be great Cheers Steve

Hi, Whats the best deals on the Stihl MS 192T at the moment? Cheers Steve

Hi, What would help would be to see any completed tree surveys, tree constraint plans, arboricultural implications assessment, tree protection plan or arboricultural method statements under BS5837:2005 Cheers Steve