Bunzena

We bought and planted a range of Apple, Pear and Plum trees around 12 years ago. All came from a well-know UK nursery as 2-3 year old maidens and bushes. We had a lot of issues with the order and would never use that particular nursery ever again. Just one of the problems is that most of the trees were supplied on the wrong rootstocks - something we only discovered after a few years and they started exceeding their maximum sizes. I have just got around to removing some suckers from the base of one of the Pears. I have left this late [my fault] - and some of the suckers are 1-2 feet high. But what amazed me is that on one particular Pear is that the suckers are covered in thorns. Long - like a Hawthorn or Blackthorn. Does anyone have an idea on why this might be? The suckers are unquestionably coming from the rootstock - below the graft union - but above the level of the soil. Thanks in advance.

Perfect! Thank you.

Perfect - thank you. Any makes, brands that are any better? Are all they all much the same?

We run a couple of Shindaiwa strimmer/brushcutters. Both 10+ years old - but they just keep going on and on - so no plans to replace them soon. We've always used Shindaiwa OEM blades - but they are nearly impossible to find now. Looking for any recommendations on alternatives. We're normally dealing with grass and brambles - occasionally land with saplings. Thank you.

Couldn't agree more. Was at a Timber Merchants a few years back - making an order with one of 'the old boys' in the yard. He had a young trainee working with him. He offered the lad something "he'd grown in his garden" from a paper bag he was carrying. "What's this?" he said - wrinkling his nose suspiciously. "Never seen one of those before". "A plum" said the older guy. We're too worried about teaching kids it's okay to identify as a cat than the things that really matter in life. Now where's my soapbox? 🤐

I had a lot of Makita battery tools - so adding a few extra - like a chainsaw, brushcutter/strimmer and hedge trimmer - made sense. All are 2 x 18v versions. None are quite as powerful as their 'equivalent' Stihl 2-stroke products [which I also have] - but they do have other virtues. Lighter, low maintenance, quieter, cheaper to run. So get used for different jobs. Hedge trimmer much less pressure on the arms at height, brushcutter/strimmer quieter to use when close to neighbours, chainsaw quieter and easier for more people to use. In truth - they work for 90% of the jobs I do. Using two 5 ah batteries and they last almost as long as a tank of Aspen. Also in nearly 10 years of use - had to replace none of the batteries - yet. [I always keep them charged-up - never let them run completely flat]. On balance - I'm very happy. Likely that dedicated Stihl or Husky battery products are better [?] - but had already bought into the Makita system. Do I think that the difference between Makita and Stihl will be night and day? Doubtful. I also have a Makita mains electric chainsaw - and that never gets used anymore. It's more powerful [and really torquey] - but it's surprising heavy and I just hate the cord. I wouldn't bother with a Makita battery blower as it does eat batteries [when I borrowed one - this is what I found too]. Not convinced by any of the Makita battery mowers yet, either. But then I don't cut grass every week so my mowers have to tackle longer grass. But that may change in time. With the Makita brushcutter/strimmer I experimented with replacement heads and different grades and brands of cord until I found one that worked really well. That also makes a difference. I also noticed a difference between the brushed and brushless versions of the tools. So that's worth thinking about if buying and if have a choice - go brushless.

Wow.

Seem to have accumulated a 'fleet' of different sanders over the years. Half-sheet, detail, belt etc. Use a Bosch Orbital sander - GEX 150AC that is brilliant. Built like a tank. With Mirka sanding discs it's very effective. The GEX 125 might be a better bet for more detailed work?

A compressor was never top of my tool list - until I got one. Amazing how useful they are. Have a 'silent' one from Toolstation. They occasionally put them on offer at a price closer to £150. Not the cheapest out there - but genuinely very quiet. 24 litres is about as small as I would go - otherwise it's constantly re-filling. Budget for an in-line oiler if you plan to use it with air-tools that have moving parts. Einhell 24L 1hp Silent Upright Air Compressor 230V | Toolstation WWW.TOOLSTATION.COM • 1hp oil free silent motor • 24 litre air receiver • Air displacement: 4.8 cfm • Max operating pressure 8 bar • Includes: Carry handle The Einhell TE-AC 24 Silent compressor...

I think it's very difficult to get a hard and fast answer to this question. I recently saw a small test run by a UK motorcycle magazine, where they tested E5, E10 and 'no ethanol' fuels - with and without stabiliser. At the end they concluded that there was no clear differences in how the engines ran or started across the sample. I switched to Aspen a few years ago - and I had one piece of kit [a Stihl Auger] start third pull after sitting for three plus years with the same fuel in the tank. I did once use fuel stabiliser in a petrol mower over the winter and that was a *&%$£ to start in the spring. So who knows. I do wonder if there's a correlation between careful owners that are more likely to use a stabiliser - and it's that that gives a false impression?

Mick - that's a very good shout. Did wonder if it might be something else as the shape is a bit more 'irregular' and a bit more conical.

Hi Been lucky enough to spend a few days in the Italian Dolomites and came across this tree - planted in a town setting. About 12 metres tall, with a very slim conical habit. Anyone point me towards an ID? Thank you.

Thanks Nepia - very helpful. Which Maples?

Need some advice. There's a large Beech hedge [5-6 m tall] that I normally cut in August. The aim is to ensure it holds leaf throughout the winter. Is it too late to cut it now? [Top and sides]. Or will it simply drop it's leaves? Thank you.

That last offcut would grace the wall of a top London art gallery. It's beautiful.

Our 16 year old HRX Honda has a plastic/composite deck. No rust, no cracks - despite some real punishment throwing up hidden chunks of stone and gravel when mowing.

New or secondhand? Will it be garaged or have to live outside? I had a little play with a Yamaha XSR125 not long ago. It was a really nice bike - with a slightly retro feel. Not too heavy, could easily flat foot it at a standstill and handled pretty well too. Good dealer network and they seem to hold their value well secondhand as they are in demand. I got the equivalent of 130 to the gallon on a short test ride - but the engine was remarkably perky, given the low horsepower. Could definitely keep up with the traffic in town and not bad out of it. The Chinese 125s are getting better but I think they still have a little way to come. Lots of extras - but the durability of parts and fixings can be a problematic if the bike has to live outside and be used in all weathers. Keep in mind the cost of decent kit [helmet, jacket, boots, gloves] - as part of the costs - unless you already have them. And you'll definitely need a decent lock and/or security chain. That could easily add another few hundred pounds to the bill. Agree that the KTM Duke is a lovely bike - but the purchase price and smaller dealer network might count against it. Thing is to try a few - most dealers are pretty helpful.

Gorgeous colours. However it does remind me of what happens when I slightly overdo it with the expanding foam...

Maurice Wilks will be spinning...

Bought one of these last year. Einhell 24L 1hp Silent Upright Air Compressor 230V | Toolstation WWW.TOOLSTATION.COM • 1hp oil free silent motor • 24 litre air receiver • Air displacement: 4.8 cfm • Max operating pressure 8 bar • Includes: Carry handle The Einhell TE-AC 24 Silent... Works very well and is genuinely quiet. Okay at 24 litres it won't run the more powerful air-tools for long without cutting-in to refill. But does everything I want. Worth a look. It does come up on offer on a regular basis. Think I paid £140 for it.

Lubrication.

The jaws are cleverly designed. They have two 'teeth' that just point outwards and as you close the jaws around the top of the staple they dig in. So if any of the head of the staple is visible - it seems to work. If the head of the staple is below or level with the surface of the post - then I just wiggle the jaws until they start to get underneath the staple. However if the staple is over the wire - they are never below the surface. With a little bit of practice - I can't remember the last time they didn't work. I'm sure you seen the video - but if not it's a very genuine review of the tool's capability. I did see a second-hand one on eBay a month or two ago - and it was sold for £67. That's only a small saving on retail and probably reflects how good they are.

Yep - £80-90. Mine have been used and abused and still in perfect working order...

Crikey - what a series of events. Glad it wasn't worse. Do Euromillions this weekend - your luck has to change.

I have the Priory Nail puller - but not for pulling staples. It does work but it can hard to get into the top of the staple. The Strainrite Staple Tool is utterly brilliant. Have had one for a few years and it never, ever fails. There are other staple removal tools I've tried - but nothing comes close this. It gets into tight gaps, is quick, simple and efficient to use. Staples removed in a few seconds every time. No need to resort to spikes or hammers - just rolls them out. It is expensive but worth every penny if you're repairing fencing. I think it was developed/designed by a New Zealand farmer who was fed-up with tools that didn't work. I see them used on eBay for not much more than new - so you'll get most of your money back if/when you sell it.