janey

Even a few weeks of Jeremy is a slightly better proposition:thumbdown:. But offer to pay for my travel and something towards my chocolate addiction and if something doesn't turn up soon, I might be tempted to be your volunteer

I've always been lead to believe, by people with considerably more letters after their name than me, that there are no major predators of HC leaf miners. But to my way of thinking, if bats can feed on large amounts of midges, then 'miners must be forming part of their diet too, even though they don't tend to be strong flyers? The reducton in this years infestation may be due the unusually cold winter killing off more than normal amounts of overwintering ' miners.

Can't wait to see how how young Rossi gets on with the Ducati . Other than riding backwards or somethin, that's got to be about the only challenge left to him in GP. And it should make for great watching for us armchair racers

It's great to know I can always count on the Artalk folk for their ongoing support

I've only seen it on Ash and Plane, and with considerably larger brackets, which is why seeing it on a Rowan threw me a bit. Unfortunately for the tree, it's in a residential area so it's down for a fell. No chance of leaving it for habitat or future interest for arbs'.

I thought that initially, it's the ginger colouring, but then I thought noooo, not on a Sorbus. Well well well. Cheers hon.

I came across this on a Sorbus auc' - Rowan - on my latest stint of walking the streets and it's not one I could instantly identify . There is a large amount of bark necrosis and crown decay and some more muture, dark coloured brackets in the upper scaffolds. I'm not sure whether they are perenial or not. So, fungi peeps, am I being a bit fick and not able to recogonnise something really common?

LB Ealing uses Woodplan. As the name suggests, this is an application solely dedicated to tree use, not like Confirm, for example. I have used this for nearly a year and out of all the systems I have used (Stems, Confirm, Ezytree, Proactive and Woodplan) I think it has got the best balance between on site and managerial applications. The on site mapping is really good and the aerials are invaluable for plotting trees accurately. It's not the speediest way to survey trees, but it makes up for it with the amount of information that can be collected and the reports that can be generated. As for costs, who knows? I just use the thing and let people pay me

Mmmm, that's going to be some impressive conifer rash you go home with

Yet more none OPM found when out surveying for them. I'm so easily distracted . Inonotus dryaedus on Quercus ilex - Holm oak. The close ups show the gutation which helps dry out the wood and provides a better growing enviroment. I haven't been able to find much information about it's signifigance, so perhaps someone here can educate me?

Them and Glendales (sorry Pommie ) are the two companies I'd be more wary of working for, casting no nasturtiums of course! They are both predominently landscaping companies with arb' thrown in as an afterthought. Again, I can't comment on employees' pay and conditions, but the office side of their operations is a bit, umm.. chaotic.

I've just finished a year long stint as Tree Inspector for Ealing where, as you say, G&T are the fixed term Contractor. I can't comment about the pay rates and employee conditions etc, but from a client's perspective they are very good (obviously, I have only dealt with the Ealing team). The area manager and contract manager are genuinely passionate about the arb' industry and their work and H&S standards are very good. If you do decide to work for one of the big firms, then you could do a lot worse than G&T. Also worth considering, are City Suburban (although the way that the bonus scheme used to work meant H&S standards sometimes left a bit to be desired) and Connick's (I haven't used them much, but the work that they done for me was always pretty good). PM me if you want anything more specific about Ealing. C'est MY Borough

They do that anyway if it's within visual distance of their foundations! I've been vaguely aware of the existance of this, but it looks like I've got some bed time reading to do now. Oh, and Bundle 2, when you say you're free, does that mean you are £FREE£ ? That's the kinda price I likes.

I've never seen anything similar to that amount of gunk (technical term!) from a tree. It's really hard to make a suggestion without actually having a good poke around on site, even though the piccies are pretty good. Further to my slightly flippant response above , when I saw the picture showing the base of the tree my instant thought was that it might be some sort of midden / latrine (badger?) and the grubs were feeding from that and not anything to do with the tree. Just an idea

Arghhh!!! Haven't had to do one of these since my Tec Cert!!! A lot depnds on what the client is actually asking you for. One thing you might try to include is zoning the woodland depending on the adjacent hazards and depth / time scale of inpections. Eg, trees bordering a road or footway will need a more frequent and thorough inspection than trees in the heart of the woodland. Sorry, I wish I had a handy template to send you, but I don't (I'd be using it myself if I did!!!).

So I don't have to go dissecting every Plane tree, what are the symptoms and significance of said nasty?

You might be interested in this: Arboriculture jobs, arb consultancy positions, job opportunities for tree climbers and land management recruitment Good luck

Nice bit of fasciation. I've never seen it in Ligustrum before.

Next door's dog over enthusiastically marking it's territory?

From the AA 'site: Exemptions Exemptions allow certain works to a tree to be carried out without notice or application to either the Local Authority or the Forestry Commission. These may be based upon size or condition. Works to a tree that is dead, dying or dangerous are exempt from the requirement to apply or notify the relevant authority, although it is recognised as good practice to inform the authority. Where a protected tree is imminently dangerous, the minimum work necessary to abate the danger may be undertaken without reference to the relevant authority, any further work requiring an application or notification as appropriate. A protected fruit tree may be pruned without consent where the pruning is undertaken for the benefit of fruit production and is in accordance with good horticultural practice. Felling under an exemption normally requires the planting of a replacement tree of the same type and in the same place unless the relevant authority formally waives this requirement. Any person undertaking work to a protected tree under an exemption should carefully ensure that the exemption applies: if challenged by the relevant authority the evidential burden is upon the tree worker to demonstrate why the exemption applies. This could be done, for example, by providing evidence of the size and/or condition of the tree in the form of photographs, an expert’s report, or other documentation. If an exemption does not apply it is the tree worker’s responsibility to show that the necessary consents have been obtained: failure to be able to do so could lead to criminal prosecution. In some circumstances authorities will prosecute others (as well as the tree worker) such as the tree worker’s employer, agent or the land owner.

Ooo look, he wants to share his toys now . As Sean says. I'll be anticipating a shed load of piccies from you when/if you get yourself down there, but hopefully not a single shot of OPM.

A 5 day DDD notification to the LA is only a suggested curtesy - it is not a legal obligation. However, if you choose to go ahead with the tree work without notifying the LA, then it will be down to you and the tree owner to prove that the tree was indeed DD or D if there are any queries in the future. Photos, photos and more photos .

Hey, you have survey work. Fantastic . I've only seen Fomes in the wild a few times, and these brackets are corkers. If you get to RP, the tree is just to the south of the Roehampton Entrance carpark. It's fairly unmissable.

Quite possibly . I'm just helping out with the general surveying in London on a voluntary basis for the FC while I'm twiddling my thumbs, on the dole, awaiting that miracle job offer... If I get pointed in that direction, I shall duly go. 'Tis not a bad place to spend the day. LoL. Unless you get caught up in a swarm of cyclists, that is!