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Umm...45* to what? 45* infact. Not 45* to the shear plane. Along the shear plane? Guess I was thinking it "shear failure" as you rightly point out. I could argue with my shadow and win twice.... Compression forces but not compression failure, shear failure along shear planes ( not at 45* to anything (except o*)) This has me looking up a good explanation!

My understanding is that fibres are failing "along" the shear plane by a slipping of fibre over fibre. Buckling suggests compression but I think this is not compression. Sorry if this what you trying to say Hama. Im not sure that I did find your explanation that easy to understand. Ill read it again old chap!!

Its been more than a while in the pipeline as it goes....

Ha Ha...can probably live without the mans lecture on how to be a decent human being but he makes a leap of comedy I think....! On a more serious note he made a point of asking me ( & others variously) whether I thought it all bullshit! I was gobsmacked Unsure as to the reason for the inquisition I felt somehow compelled to reassure the man of the significance of what he has achieved in the name of arboriculture...as if I know. Personally I am very happy() to witness the progress to which you refer. VTA is a system. It needs to be applied methodically. The simple obstruction that the unknown quantity presents to the well detailed and historical explanations the prof has made to date through the very animated and amusing books, aswell as more serious tomes, dealing with the formulaic constructions and mathematics is not to be passed over in this regard. This is addressed head on as I see it. The system is truly a tool for the arboricuturist. It may well have unsettled the complacent intellect, those that rely and reside in an "all knowing" but I think Mattheck is trying to strip his insight to the bare bones and fles by the seat of his pants in an attempt to impart an invaluable insight to arborists the world over. I applaud the strides he makes in this direction. Great seminar...

I would just like to add that I would suggest contacting the RSPB concerned about the level of cover they require. Having contracted to the wildlife trusts and the like in the past, I might not be surprised to find an insistence from them that their contractors have a minimum of £5milion public liability. Dont let this put you off however.

Looking at the image of the origin of the branch in the first post, I am not atall convinced that the fat git theory is entirely righteous tbh. The fact that we see this phenomenom in a few places on the same tree suggests something else may be going on. Consider that a pigeon will not likely chose to rest on a vertical branch.......

Cant say Ive read this thread right thru' and probably should not do politics....but I cannot get my head around how the electorate managed to vote in a tory prime minister....IM VERY DEPRESSED.... One point...If this "coalition" government with their "new" politics start talking the "blame the previous government" game I think it will signify that politics has infact not moved on atall. Tough election for us. How could anyone be expected to make a choice when none of them had the balls to swing a big stick when the the scale of expenses became clear....( & Im not talking about the deficit!) Very disappointed in the voting public....I fear for the future, I really do!

Brighton Open House...- what a great idea. I trapsed around a couple at the bank holiday.... I understand this concept has been adopted in other cities also?

Some interesting observations....Thanks for posting.

That just does not look like oak somehow...? Some cracking pics...the turkey tail looks stunning!

I used the term very loosely-sorry about that. I mean structural soils...Again, very loosely tying structural soils in with free draining issues...I am perhaps wrong to draw conclusions of similarity between these mediums .....

Not too sure what the consensus on hydroponic growing mediums is tbh. The last paper I read seemed to throw up statistics that would suggest the sandy/gravel soils, certainly in urban environments, and there were at least 5 "environment categories" as a basis for conclusions...overview pointed at these type soils as least good for trees and lead to increased stress. (In comparison ) Depth of pit, distance from curb etc, all factors; none ignored. Ill look up a link if anyone interested. "Do street trees have a future?" From the reading and research I made into this area of infrastructure design, I am certain tree managers should be at the forefront promoting the use of an increased canopy cover and sustainable urban forestry management. It would seem to have much to offer urban development in the future.

Ditto that.....Are we to be linguistically challenged also?

Looks like gaffs were being used in the first post images...? Nice! "The cut is only visable from a couple of angles,I think I would make the Coronet more dramatic next time.The cut still has a straight profile,I think it couød do without. " Looks a bit squared off but you gotta start somewhere and everyones a critic eh?

It depends how long it takes to get like that...and in what conditions it is being worked...I dont mean upside down either! They will get like that if you ignore the maintenence . You dont want it to get like either. Frankly, to be like that, the filter should outta have been chokka and so you'd notice the saw running like a dog! They will get so bad they cant run. Anything that gets thru the filter will damage the bore/barrel/rings etc. Check the filter for spilts and so on...you can guess the rest but check for decent seal as it may not be a knackered filter so much as inlet body...?

Yale-Magma & Slime......

Definitely Fomes....some great pics in there!

Ditto that. So far so good....

Registration for delegates attending...9-30am...Commences 10-00am (12/may/2010)

Boring colours ...its all been done before, orange/green- where did i see that recently...?

Incredible. Irresponsible. Incomprehensible.

Ha ha ha ....

Ive seen ( and reduced ) oak with fistulina...Was quite alarmed to see such extensive decay...At the same time, I was quite surprised to see such structural and residual strength in the host despite the infection....

fistulina...saprobic/saprox........whatever!

Sulphur tuft-saproxylic/saprobic/saprotrophic...its all good. No cause for alarm looking at that. Oak is rock hard-especially heartwood. Heratwood exposed = strategy. Seriously..responsible for what?