Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

From Mr Google: The Giant Sequoia The giant sequoia grows in groves along the western slopes of the Sierra Nevadas at altitudes of about 4,500 to 8,000 feet (1,370 to 2,440 m). These trees grow at higher altitudes and in cooler areas than the redwoods. They have deep-green foliage and their leaves, which are small and scalelike, overlap one another. The woody oval cones are yellowish-brown and from two to three inches (5 to 7.5 cm) in length. The giant sequoia is not used as a timber tree; its wood is lightweight and brittle. One of the most famous giant sequoia trees is the General Sherman tree in Sequoia National Park. Borings taken from the tree showed it to be about 3,500 years old. It is about 275 feet (84 m) tall and at ground level is 103 feet (31 m) in circumference. Some of the other national parks and national forests in which giant sequoia groves are preserved are Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Sierra National Forest. The Redwood The redwood is the state tree of California. It requires a cool climate of high humidity, and is found only in the narrow fog belt along the Pacific coast from southern Oregon to Monterey, California. Some of the tallest redwoods have been discovered in Redwood Creek Grove in Humboldt County, California. The tallest tree there measures about 370 feet (113 m) in height. Some areas have been established as state and national parks to preserve the largest and the most beautiful redwood groves. One of the most famous of these parks is Muir Woods National Monument. Redwood trees have narrow, yellow-green leaves that are stiff, flat, and sharply pointed. The cones are egg-shaped and about one inch (2.5 cm) long. The redwoods are named for the reddish-brown lumber that is obtained from them. This lumber is very durable and is used for such things as shingles, fences, posts, and furniture. Redwood is heavier and stronger than the wood of the giant sequoia. The redwood is Sequoia sempervirens; the giant sequoia, Sequoiadendron giganteum. The sequoia genus belongs to the pine family, Pinaceae. Some botanists classify the sequoia genus in the bald cypress family, Taxodiaceae.

Nice photos eddy. Whereabouts is that tree? Any pictures of the whole thing?

Probably by looking at the needles. The "Big Tree" has awl type needles and the coast redwood has flat foliage similar to that of hemlock. A blind man could tell them apart just by feel. The bark of the coast redwood is exactly like Wellingtonia but the foliage is like hemlock. I doubt yours are Coast redwoods but if they are the timber is very useful. If as I suspect that they are giant redwood then the timber is next to useless. Hope this helps.

Precisely. If everyone used scientific names then perhaps people could then answer the OPs question rather than discussing names!

err eh?

Could be Phytophthora possibly austrocedrae

Whereabouts in the country is it?

Hmm. I can't seem to get the slideshow to work......but I like what little I do see.

Is the client one Mr David Lloyd Jones - by any chance?

Marcus I like your style. Especially your choice of footwear!

Is it made from salvaged parts? Sorry did I say that out loud.

Thats better! Pholiota squarrosa I would say. But then....what do I know.

Basically the fungi that have actually been identified so far are either beneficial or not causing any harm. I would actually wait until you can confirm what is at work here. Have you no other clue as to what may have caused the stem to appear the way it does? Do you have rabbits, deer, or sap sucking insects (beech scale) or similar? It is very difficult to diagnose accurately from photographs. Although you may end up with someone's best guess. Do you know anyone local to you who might be better equipped to diagnose it for you? Removing it because their are some fruiting bodies around the base seems a bit drastic at this stage especially with a relatively young and vigorous tree. Can you post some photos of the tree in its entirety before it is condemned please?

I hate working in Sitka! hope you are getting well paid. As has already been said: Don the spikes and flip lines and take the branches off on the way up and section the stem on the way down. Tips: Do employ a groundy to dray away the dropped material. Don't leave any stubs as they will only catch branches etc. Do wear gloves and you mankiest clothing as it will get trashed. Be prepared to get very sticky and very tired. Please post some pictures so we can all sympathise! Be safe

A bit early to condemn it is it not? Is the crown still healthy? Has the bark ever been damaged by a mower/strimmer/tree stake/deer etc.? Sorry to be a killjoy, but I like hornbeam and it would be a shame to see it go if it is not in imminent danger.

Is that another Mel Gibson statue?

Damn! Does that mean I can't use it with my three ply?

Its not your eyes its the photos that are blurred. OP - Could be anything mate!

Looks familiar:001_tongue:

Congratulations!

thought i'd cleared that up!

Sorry to burst your bubble, but its not a cone! Botanically speaking the fruit of alder comprises a small nutlet borne in a persistent semi-woody ament. Hope this helps.

Not related to Imelda Marcos are you?

Here are a couple more: