Saw-sick Steve

The dreaded Harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis), too well established now to be eradicated so sadly here to stay. Yet another one to add to the long list of unwelcome / undesirable introductions.

That may be, but one things certain - public access will almost certainly be denied, and that will go for any privately owned wood without a statutary right of way. I get an enormous sense of deja vu, it seems a case of selling something off that we already own for the benefit off others. Regardless of the financial value of the timber, can we as a nation really justify the removal of so much potential amenity land from the general public's use, on this small overcrowded island of ours?

Have worn ''Swannis'' for years, far to hot to work in, but great for 'out and about' as you say, and things like watching the match or walking the dog. I've still got 4 ''original'' Kiwi made ones, the only one I've ever actually worn to destruction is the lightweight 'Ranger' shirt type, and that lasted me over 5 years - the heavy weight ones will last for ever. Regarding the Chinese made ones, I'm sure the Kiwis on the board will confirm or deny, but what I've gathered from friends in NZ is that the quality has gone downhill sharpish. Shame really, as they were a good product. An object lesson to many companies about how cost-cutting can devalue a brand.

Because you feel fowl ?

How cool is that? Well, er not 'cool' in one sense of the word, but you know what I mean. To get an opportunity to do something that 99.9% of peeps never could or would - respect!

Think you'll find that its in Penzance, Tom - unless it's longer than I recall and stretches all the way to Truro. ''Marghas Yow'' means Thursday market and is nothing to do with Jews. Skinners' Bottom? On a different subject, have you got a mobile band mill?

It's a church FFS! Been there how many hundred years? Why move there? Countryside is full of people moving in and moaning. Ive heard complaints about poultry, cattle, machinery, mud on roads and ''clutter'', mate of mine even had someone moan about him starting his Series 2 Landy early mornings. If they're ringing Saturday, it's probably for a wedding and means a lot to a couple on their big day. I know, I used to ring regularly, it's a fine old tradition. There's an old saying - if you can't take a joke, you shouldn't have joined. Would seem to apply in this case.

Ditto all the above, 'ol best HK.

Oak I transplant when the first seed leaves appear, (or even when the acorn is germinating), either into a pot or direct to site. Even with a long tap root, I have transplanted into soil rather like you do with leeks - making a hole with a bar and firming after wards.

Firstly, what's the proposed site like - improved or unimproved grassland? Arable? What's the soil like, fertile, stony, damp? I've planted up thousands of new trees and created new woodlands, but would need to know a few basic facts about the site. Using self-seeded trees is an excellent and cheap way of creating new woods, and ensures trees of local provenance are used. A few golden rules that I would follow based on my own experience; i) Don't undercut your seedlings! I've seen this mantra repeated on so many tree planting sites. Yes. it produces a more 'bushy' root, but mother nature knows what she's doing. The idea of a tap root is to anchor the tree and go deep to draw up water in times of drought. Removing it deprives the growing tree of these vital functions - why do you think so many planting schemes have to be staked and watered? ii) Get down to mineral soil if possible, either by spraying, ploughing or grading with a swing shovel. This will remove the competition from weeds for the vital couple of seasons to enable your trees to get of to a flyer. After that, weeding is irrelevant under most conditions and means you can... iii) ...use the smallest seedlings you can! Most transplants suffer from a degree of stress when they're moved. The smaller they are when they are moved, the quicker they get over the stress. That's why you see pit planted standards 'sitting still' for a number of years after planting. I've seen numerous 'woodland expansion' plantings where the natural regeneration has overtaken the serried ranks of tree sheltered planting. Following these basic ground rules, I've achieved over 90% survival rate, and growth rates that far exceed bought in whips. For tree guards, search for the milk container idea here. Gotta go now, feel free to ask anything else.

Theft of Hay increasing according to the news this a.m, due to scarcity and therfore increase in value.

Looks more of an old get to me...!! Oh, sorry - you mean the 'oss?

It's certainly going to get worse before it gets better. Personally, I think the govt. are using the current financial crisis as a once in a lifetime opportunity to drive through a radical right wing agenda, and in the process dismantle some sectors they consider ''superfluous'' by selling off the profitable parts to their friends in the city - reducing to a rump such bodies as the F.C and Nat. Eng. ''Just glad i dont have kit on finance and huge overheads working in this sector. '' Amen to that, Charlieh, glad all my kit is bought and paid for.

Looks to me like impatiens parviflora, or Small Balsam. I believe it is introduced, originally from E.Asia and is quite common in woods. Hope that helps.

Isn't that what Arb work is all about? I'm planning to do the same, fully expecting to have to work part-time into my 60's. I stopped my private pension a few years back (before the crash) as the return, even in those over-optimistic days, didn't justify the expenditure. I invested in land instead, which has had a far better return already. My better half works for the NHS, and her pension (a.t.m) looks OK - providing they don't decide to review it all again in the next 20 years. I'm sort of winding down a bit now, diversified a bit and don't graft as hard as I used to, but with a crook knee, tennis elbow, and the odd bout of arthritis, in 15 or so years time, the only climbing I'll want to do is into bed!

If some of you can justify murder for theft on another thread, then surely this is no more than a proportional response to this mans crime? Good community policing IMO.

No, don't. Honestly, the ''joke''s not worth it...

Every spring a few overshoot their breeding areas during migration and end up in the UK - April is the usual month, my sister had one in her garden a couple of years back. Common in much of Asia, Africa and Europe, they have bred here in small no.s, but are still unusual enough to cause a bit of a stir. I would imagine this must be a juvenile bird that's headed north for a look-see, before eventually turning south to winter in Africa.

Where CJ's from, denim shirt and 'tache is thoroughly modern.

Not married then?

You'd need a fair few panels to cover my chooks' run - it covers 1/4 acre! R.E housing ; I always have the houses at least 18'' off the ground - solves the rat problem every time.

Seems to be two schools of thought here then mate ; You say it's OK to burn green wood - everyone else says it isn't...

I've had a fox climb Heras panels before - 'leccy wire along the top soon solved the problem. Expensive and annoying when they do get in / under / around your defences though...

Dreckly boy, dreckly...

I know they're a bit scary, but don't you think that's a bit of an over-reaction?