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David...your pics say "Richmond Park"......-)

Yeah...unfortunately I got quite a cooling down. It was damp and cold by about midnight! Lynne Boddy was indeed quite entertaining which makes a huge difference to the experience for me. I guess she has developed a style and technique over the years not to mention a wealth of reliable and considered information on her subject. This means she seems well able to vocalise her knowledge whilst keeping it accessible & pertinent to other disciplines. As an arbo, I found it very interesting. Sure, there were a number of astonishing revelations throughout the presentation . Quote of the evening.... " Tree's are just thick!!"

Good to run into you David....I suspect I may never have made it to the venue lecture room otherwise...! Happy trails on your way to Newmarket. I was turned off the M11/A11 last night...Got most lost I can tell ya. Norwich finally arrived @ 2.00am!! Now that's sad!!?

Perhaps there should be a limit to the extension at which they can still be "driven"....Having used a similar type recently, I find their "driven" capability a significant attribute. It adds to the positional flexibility. Horrific!

Thanx 4 posting....!

Sorry...I dont mean volva...I was referring to the ring, present under the cap in some species, at the top of the stem....aka, ring....my bad!

Look for volva as they mature..... Look like typical Pholiota to me... ref: "Manual of Wood Decays" Weber & Mattheck pgs 60 & 62

Sorry to jack the thread...a link to the recommended website...cheers. NYC.gov

More from Hortweek... http://offlinehbpl.hbpl.co.uk/NewsAttachments/WOH/Matthew%20Wells%20interview.%20Music%20by%20The%20Leisure%20Society41.mp3

Fall out from the AA conference ...I have not yet read the article but thought it might be of interest to some of you Trees in Towns II author Mark Johnston slams Arboricultural Association for missing 'heaven-sent opportunity' | Arboriculture News | Horticulture Week cheers.

"I agree, but not everyone has your level of knowledge to produce a concise report such as the example you gave..." All the more reason to ensure that the process is not abused.This would have to include not taking advantage of those affected by it without as clear understanding of it. My point tony is that it may be not be pertinent because the order has already been inappropriately applied (imo) and clearly, what you regard as "agreement" is sadly not universal as illustrated by the orders existence in the first place FTR..I believe I said "without knowing the situation more intimately...etc"

Its all very nice that you can discuss the various takes on the legal implications and interpretations of the legislation and indeed the guidance offered in the blue book but ultimately it is not pertinent. I refer you to the opening post in which it was claimed that when notification (211) was sent to the LA advising of works to the tree...it was at this point that the T.O. is reported to have placed a tpo on the tree. ( apparently with further restrictions allowing only a minimal reduction of 15%) If the order is confirmed then the owner is almost certainly likely to be required to provide a report, at some cost to themselves, in addition to any contractual costs that may arise from maintenence and ownership. It does seem as if it is something of a matter of opinion. I am asking myself why a tree in this condition has become the subject of an order atall under these circumstances and certainly feel that the TPO has not really been in the wider interests....Im glad I dont own it. Without knowing the situation more intimately I wont comment further but again, I would expect this situation to be resolved with minimum expense in time and money for all concerned.

By the time the fruiting bodies of M. giganteus appear , it is likely that a high chance of windthrow exists. Crown symptoms may be preset by this stage, but by no means always.. M. giganteus is one of the most dangerous decay fungi to be found on Fagus sylvatica (Beech) (2001. Lonsdale, Principles of Tree Hazard Assessment and Management)” I have also heard D.Lonsdale making the point that the excerpt you quote has been either repeatedly taken out of context or that he anyways no longer regards the situation in such black & white terms....

Regardless of whether the `T.O. is a good bloke or not....there must be something missing from this "saga" thus far? There is no way that the council should be placing a confirmed TPO on a tree like this. Certainly not so that they then can put pressure on the owners to produce a report, at some cost. It is a process used by some officers I am sure. Not one to be condoned. Perhaps the tree officer is not an arbo, has never been an arbo and is attempting to hide behind the legislation. This episode , on the face of it, is the seemingly sloppy application of the legal procedures ( NB. not illegal ) that leads to tree owners fostering a negative view of tree ownership and our industry. I hope you manage to sort it out without incurring unnecessary cost or drama!

Nice looking tree there.....a bit of a worry though looking at the necrosis and fungi. Doesnt seem to be much in the way of target from the pics?

Good decision mate! It is worth investing in heated handle bars aswell....

Dean said: "it's a total nightmare with residents constantly asking him to maintain trees/ cut down trees or remove overhanging branches etc...." B2- a bit like being an arb then! Catweazle said:"...thankfully now cured by the simple addition of signs and a few strategically placed fences.... B2- Doesnt sound as if the solution was of particularly disproportionate effort or expense from this frankly! You may find info of value here..... Public Liability insurance for tree owners Good luck bro.

"cheak on your certs see what they say" I have indeed "cheeked" on my certs and they say nowt about the level at which it is graded... it wouldnt surprise me to learn that the level has been downgraded perhaps...I admit it was taken from my understanding from the AA guide to quals etc but as we know, that is not specific and so misleading...but as we also know, there may well be plans to upgrade the AATech Cert to a level 4...Perhaps they just do what they like! I am starting to lose interest in the minutiae of it all any way... Its a generational thing.

You make my point for me mate....you dont hold an arb to blame for pruning a tree against failure..you say you have mitigated the risk with remedial pruning. It may never be safe...so what are you worried about regards these legal repurcusions... if you have done what you know to be right....ie, sound bracing....reduction of lever arm whu... Its just as easy to talk alot of **** on forums aswell!

Mate,....National Award right...NA...same thing..Level three. Pays your money and get your rights..... I am not against the AA myself.....

Stuart...did you not read my post earlier in this thread cos i have listed all those qualifications regarded as level3 and so elligible for Techical membership... With respect the place an NA (?) ...please see here for a list (the AA's own ) of what means what... Leaflet "A Guide to Qualifications & Careers in Arboriculture 2006" Page Selector They list NCH as level3 but then you discover , only certain awarding bodies..the reason? I am yet none the wiser despite this thread!! Perhaps you should look at the AA website or request an info pack from them.... Arboricultural Association Website - Home Page

I dont get to make the decisions about who's employed....period. i have though sat through numerous examples of very poor management recommendations from educated and experienced arborists.whom I would expect to make more suitable decisions.... We are not really discussing very much here....it is an extensive subject affected by many factors...It is regrettable that umbridge has been taken as it derails the thread but beyond that I start to lose patience with the endless tit for tat maybe, ifs and buts. Take responsibility for what you do and dont be surprised if others are critical of your work. MrT will make whatever decision he thinks right...part of the learning process however is being able to accept criticism and move on. No, its not about post count. Learn a little something about the people you are making comments towards before banging off a rant in retaliation....or picking up others battles for them sir!

"- I may not be as clever (or arrogant) as you..." Fair go mate....! "You may apologise to me in writing below..." You asked for opinions mate...you got one..I am sorry you didnt like it.

Hang on Marc...i thought Mr Tee's opening comment was that because of the nature of the target he felt he should err on the side of caution....Judging from his last post...... "I agree that the 'safest' and most risk free course of action is to fell and replant, but I am trying to steer away from over-cautious knee jerk reactions..." He wants to play with other options now.... Now I see the pics...at last. Fell and replant. Its not a good tree.Its not well placed. Its not gonna be worth the repeated "high maintenence" involved....It will be nothing but trouble in the future..I would say it really should have no future. Why even consider this as an example for bracing and faffing about... I dont get it...If you cant see that Mr Tee, I gotta wonder why you got the job...or do you just want to shoot the breeze on forum space? I d recommend removal and replace...Good stock, right tree, right place...good form. A tree with a decent SULE. Please dont miss opportunities like this to use your work to influence the way our amenity trees are managed. Not from a misplaced passion for trees . Do the right thing! Had my say...

Im sorry but this really wasnt intended as an AA bashing thread....