nepia

I trimmed a leyland hedge a few years ago that, as told to the client, had brown patches afterwards due to the harshness with which I had been instructed to cut. Sure enough Halfords had the answer in aerosol form.

Alec The Apple - that's really helpful; thank you. I'm helped in this case by the fact that the tree has historically been well maintained so has a balanced and open structure; it's the mass of small stuff that was attached to it that was the problem I hope, caused by lack of management over the last 7 or 8 years I'd guess. I have probed a bit into the recent house occupancy but the place is split into flats so I think the tree's been lucky to have had any management. As far as you can age a garden apple by looking at it (!) I'd say it was 40-70 years old; mature but by no means past it, not in terms of pure age anyway. A-mulching I shall go. Thank you all. Jon

Yeah, that possibility had occurred to me Tony but the density of fruiting spurs could also explain that surely. I think the long and the short of it here is that I'm unlikely to do any harm giving it a go. I'm just glad you didn't come back with 'no way'! Thanks, Jon

Thought I had this brilliant idea (mulching) sorted as a no brainer for a struggling tree but now I'm so konfoosed. I have a mature but small apple in a lawn that's essentially come to a grinding halt: little new growth, stagnant existing growth, some deadwood (until 3 weeks ago) but still very much alive. As well as deadwooding it in mid Feb I quite severely spur-pruned it as the crown was a tangled mass of fruiting spurs - far too many for a less-than-vigorous root system to sustain and indeed I was told that last year the tree produced a huge crop of small fruit, many of which dropped prematurely. So I thought 'mulch it - can't go wrong'. But should I? I still think the tree stands to lose nothing by my doing it but how do I tell if it's the best thing? Does it make a difference what tree species of chip I use? I've got a supply of semi-composted mixed species chip waiting (I wouldn't use fresh chip after February) so I'm thinking I'm good to go. I'm itching to give it a go as I still marvel at that picture of David H's Hampstead Heath pear tree in flower; for me it's one of A/T's finest moments. Thanks, Jon

...saw a dead log...?

Many of the horsey set are dead keen on harrowing their leys; they don't seem to worry so much about hooves poaching the ground! Go to a stables and ask them who they use.

I'd be chuffed if someone used it. Cheers.

...and if anyone's still listening the French connection used is Semences et mélanges de semences gazons et fleurs, engrais, herbicides pour les pelouses, plantes, arbres. Des solutions et produits professionnels TECNIVERT. Ask for Bertrand Peguin or Patrice Jutteau. Well I did promise to supply details.

..same for 262XP?

OK, found where the seed is sourced now and it varies! British Seed Houses in East Anglia have been used, as have Landlife in Warrington (National Wildflower Centre) and somewhere in France that gets used when the exchange rate's favourable. God knows what the cost is but I know that a huge seed rate is used - the field's 6 acres. Jon

Agreed: there's one 8' away outside the window.

Try Tool-Net: Power tools and hand tools suppliers (Bosch, DeWalt, Makita and much more!) of Burgess Hill: they've got 3 or 4 Makita saws listed online.

Good stuff. Lovely area; I've got rellies at Spott.

What you do about it is down to you but taking wild plants etc is theft.

...wasn't taken as criticism at all - thanks. Your points are completely valid. Jon

Yep, that field sure has impact doesn't it. It's in Sussex; if anyone recognises it can I ask you to keep it to yourselves? The owner bought the place for privacy and values that highly. Thanks. Cousin Jack: your point about wildlife friendly vs colour is well made. My example is obviously done for the latter purpose - most of the flowers are Annual - but to be fair does attract a decent number of butterflies and bees. I'll find out the seed supplier. Jon

This field gets reseeded every year (!): not strictly 'wild' but I can find out the source if you like.

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/arb-trucks/32841-hello-loadhandler-uk-pickup-truck-unloader.html?highlight=loadhandler

Try Direct Line - seriously: go online and select 'van insurance' - it's one of two options for a quote.

Know what you mean, which is why I bought a 10m rope for the winch. I hardly ever use the long rope now.

That's what I did when I first bought mine, not realising the cable could be extracted! Jeez it was hard work lugging about the body + 100' of 16mm steel rope.

Not sure if this is what you're doing already but with mine... squeeze both handles together, knock them forwards, then keeping them squeezed knock them back to go into 'free run' mode. Once you've fed the rope through knock just the T-handle forwards to engage the jaws.

Had to think about that for a bit but got there in the end. You have a warped mind my friend!

Here ya go... [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjA7BCKZ1Ag]Five people, one Guitar! - YouTube[/ame]

In case everyone else forgets Steve - thanks!