John Hancock

Good first post - From what I remember your the master at riding the hook! Welcome to the forum mate.

Mine was a Mk1 Mini Cooper with a 1380cc. Twin 1.3/4 SU Carburettors and the now rare 10 inch Dunlop alloy wheels. Tartan Red with a white roof – happy memories!

Habby Birthday mate - Here’s hoping you get lots of Honda bits and pieces to stick on that car!

I need 2 x Stein helmets with full blue-tooth 2way radio, preferably with husky fittings. Jonesie - price please mate.

Hello chap, what do you mean by the term ‘pollard’? Are we talking about complete crown removal, reduction or topping? Cheers, John.

No 2's Tony.

That’s a beautiful picture, well done!

Cheers fella, I must admit I’m a little concerned – looks like I’m beginning to lose a little hair!

Entry number 1 - Titled Despair!

Just got back, nearly 400 miles and I’m knackered! The day was strongly biased towards tree officers and planners. It wasn’t so much about climate change, more the importance of choosing the right trees for the right locations. It seems most of out towns and cities have a high % of mature tree stock and not much up and coming stock to replace it. It was also alarming to hear that only a small number of local authorities have a formal tree strategy written up to help ensure longevity of our urban forests. Architects, planners and tree officers need to work together more (at the planning stage) to ensure the right trees go in the right locations, and the right aftercare is given, (if any!) One interesting thing is that Barchams are developing ‘Well’ard’ trees. They have grown some Silver Birch in field conditions in order to develop a stronger taper on the stem. We went to have a look at them and I was well-impressed. The taper is twice as pronounced as a normal ‘nursery tree’ (the tree is also shorter) which results in a much stronger tree which will be less reliant on stem support. (I also liked them because little Jonny wont be able to snap them in two!) Apparently Barchams are going to sell them at the same price as a normal tree. There’s probably loads more interesting stuff which will come to me once I’ve had a snooze! Oh, and yes.....I stuffed myself!

Jeremy Barrell and Dave Cashman are talking about the dramatic changes predicted for the future, the way we design, plan and manage our urban trees, including future tree selection.

Looks like Hancock gets to eat all the cake then!

I'm off to Barcham Trees tomorrow for the 'Climate Change' seminar. Anyone else going??

Excellent idea! They can carry on watering it once its been snapped in half.

If your mate had taken two steps to the left it would have been perfect! Well done.

I wouldnt trust him as a grounds-man then.

What was that with ref. to

No targets David (unless you count the odd L/A Arb) There’s a lot going on around the base – I’ll get some pics when I’m passing next. Just a nice old tree living out its life.

Ha, ha – you’ve come out of the closet, well done brother!

I think they are rather attractive!

When I was younger I used to take the ---- out of people with motor homes, but as I’m getting older I can see the attraction! Is that sad…?

There you go David -

Just been out and a bout and spotted this lovely old beech. The old pruning wound to the left of the F/B is host to a bees nest (I think you can just spot them in the pics) waiting to catch an un-suspecting Arb out no-doubt!

I’ll paint pink spots all over them if I’m paid enough!