Will Hinchliffe

Looks good I could see myself using a similar set-up when lowering. We have a large Lebanese cedar to remove soon and most of the lowering of the laterals will require the pieces to be balanced. Generally we use a 5m length of rope with caribeeners tied to each end and a prussik in the middle that is clipped to the lowering lines. The balance is attached to the limb by choking using the caribeeners which is not Ideal. It seems that having two dead eyes as stabilisers would be much more versitile. I love the idea of having one attachment point and stabilisers rather than just spreading the load on the legs it really makes sense . Its seems a well thought out product and system. Well done.

Cheers

On big trees I climb an access line then use a seperate working line to work from. We usually leave a set of kongs clipped to the access line. I have done the first aid at work ticket twice now and 2 of my workmates also have it. I have a couple of extra bits and bobs in my kit bag specificly for rescue. I agree with the above comments that more emphasis should be put on being prepared to get yourself down if you have an accident. Im defiantly guilty of working some trees with a rope thats to short. However i always set myself up nicely on the spikes by choking my climbing line to the stem. The most common room for improvement in safety I see in others climbing is the way they attach there lifeline to the stem when spiking. I have never practised Ariel rescue but I am confidant I could perform one. Im also confidant my workmates would get me down If I messed up. Some locations in trees/ hedges would be nearly impossible to rescue from. Climbers should be aware of this and perhaps go a bit steady when in these locations.

Who sells Klein spikes in the UK?

Really? application deadline is not up yet

I wouldn't stand for it. If he wants to cancel because of the weather he should pay you.

Dont know Dave but it sounds like he stuck it to the man, man.

Cool Did you see the cross section of the oak on the ceiling in the room behind ?

If treebah gardens are open they are worth a visit

Pass the work on to someone who knows what they are doing and work with them.

I use one at work. The Blades are easy to change and they can chuck chip miles. They drag in forked stuff very well but are not megga quick.

346 is king

Should have got a 372:001_tt2:

I think an Id guide with the fungis arboricutlural significance would be fantastic. Perhaps you could have a limited number of photos in the book but have a website with further image galleries and articles that enthusiasts could add to. You could try to get together with one of the authors of a fungi book already in print and create a new edition with a more complete Species list and information of particular interest to Arbs?

LOL :001_tt2:All my work mates are very good with the rigging. They all climb to so have a good understanding of it all.

Mozza if you come down and want to meet up for a walk on the estate and a pint let me know nearer the time. I can show you some wicked trees. Brokerswood Country Park - Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset borders Is a good campsite. They have a 200 year old saw pit there and some quite nice woodland. We do a bit of tree work there when they have the money for it. Here is the address for the closest campsite (also v.good): Seven Acres West Woodlands, Frome, Somerset, BA11 5EQ 01373 464 222 If your down for a while Stourhead is also very close. They have some great trees and its really worth the entrance fee. Cheddar is not to far either. Top pubs in the area are: Horse and groom (East woodlands) Bath arms (Horningsham) Red Lion (Kilmington) near stourhead. Oh......... and if your travelling down the M5 you should plan a 1/2 hour break at the Tortworth Chestnut its only 5 minutes off the motorway at J14. One of the best veteran trees you will ever see.

Cool. I can borrow an increment borer and go and give that a go.

Following a brief google trip. I now believe hamdryad to be correct. The white stuff probably is mycelium as Inonotus dryadeus can brake down cellulose and lignin at the same time.

Fruiting body was very small for an inonotus only about 15cm. If im passing the tree I might grab some to look at again before I make up my mind.

I dont think its mycelium the structure of the woody tissue was still there.

I was hopping to see a video of your truck flying down a zip line.

An Oak we felled on Friday some climbing to minimise the ground damage and to allow the tree to be felled. Poor photos from my phone show some of the decay caused by Inonotus Dryadeus. The white wood is just pure cellulose that the fungi is not able to degrade. Hard black barrier zones are visible. The area around right hand hinge also shows some decay by Ganoderma applanatum. I doubt the decay extends much further up the stem but I imagine you would see more decay if you cut the stump lower to the ground. The tree had a heavy front lean to it so was felled using a hold and release cut (dainish pie) thats what the big lump of step cut on the top of the butt is.

Spindleshank fungus question? - Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists The above link is to another thread which contains further discussion on Collybia fussipies (posted to help people who may stumble upon this thread from outside the forum)

Sounds good if your using it for a long period. See if you can take a picture next time you set it up.

The Collybia will be more than likely on the toes of the buttress (attached to the tree it has colonised). I totally agree with you (hamad) that it is unacceptable to fell every tree that has a nasty rotter fungi present. However thorough investigation is costly and in many instances the money can be better spent. In certain instances it will be a wise decision to fell without further investigation to protect liability and allow the money budgeted to tree works to go further and pay for pro active tree care. Do you have any thoughts on the aggressiveness of Collybia? Does it kill the tissue or degrade already dead or weakened tissue? What are the best papers/references with information on Collybia? How would you further investigate the strategies of Collybia? Please anyone feel free to comment.