gmanntpo

Aye up John... Was this in Astwood?

Depending on the target, this hazard beam could be stabilized by reducing the end weight... It looks like a sizeable limb, so pruning back to the main stem would no doubt create a wound that would be colonisied by Inonotus hispidus. Nevertheless, if the target value is high then complete removal is a valid option.. Personally I would reduce and monitor the branches reaction to that pruning..

Superb pics!

Absolutely superb pics esp. the fly on the merilipus and the fomes!! Cool!

Guys You can safely rule out coryneum canker as the cause. Even if they can infect noble firs, they mainly cause disfiguement through branch death. Even the highly suspcetible monterery cypress will often survive for many years with the fungus present. It sounds like this noble fir was a large tree. For coryneum canker to kill a species not associated with the disease by girdling a large main stem and killing the entire tree would seem to be unlikely... From what you have described it sounds like a catostrophic root dysfunction by some cause. How long had the tree been dead? Was it recent do you think? If so it could have an abiotic cause such as a lightening strike. Remember a tree can be killed by lightening without showing outside symptoms such as blown out bark etc. I have seen this on a huge oak on a development site when I worked in the south east. None other than Dr Gilies Biddle confirmed the cause!!! Of course the phytophthora theory may very well be the answer. Cheers dudes

Can I come round for tea!!! Lol!

Scuff You are so damm right, there can be abit of an obsession in the tree industry to retain trees that have outlived there useful life! Fell and plant 2 for 1 for so the next generation can enjoy them!! Cheers dude!

Maximum respect for fighting your corner mate!! I hope that scum rot in hell...

Excellent solution mate!

Hi mate This is a fascinating post. I have no experience of such a situation... Nevertheless, if phytophthora is present on the rhodo, then I see no reason why it could not infect a noble fir.... Please keep posting on any further developments.. Cheers dude!

Errr.. didn't realise they were 5 pages of replies... Sorry for covering previous ground!

Dude A section 211 notice is NOT an application ,it is a notification of undertaking tree works in a Conservation Area. LPA has 3 options: 1. Send a no objection to works notice (Note: No planning conditions can for replacement planting can be attached to the notice.) 2. If the LPA considers that the tree must be retained in its current form, then they have to make a TPO, they can advise but cannot dicate work if a TPO is not made. 3. If the 6 week notice of work period expires and you have not had a reply to the sec 211 notice then YOU can undertake the work with no further communication with the LPA. 4. A replacement tree is only required in a CA if it is removed under DDD exemption, which as we no does not require a sec 211 notice to the LPA, although it is useful to give LPA 5 days notice, but this is not statatory but an advisory. Am a TO myself and it really pees me off when other TO's don't understand the legislation. If you have any hassle with it, send me a mesasge and I will tear them a new one for ya!! Cheers Gmann

Make safe and replace!!

Hazard beam formation for sure!

Superb pics!!

Thanks mate! Would be interested to know the outcome... Best wishes Gmann

... also, have seen it on Beech many times, and Hornbeam..

I agree! Ustulina...

Hi mate What were the site conditions like?

Hi guys I supply the following comments: 1. It seems likely that the damage has been caused by a lightening strike. This has exposed the sapwood leaving it open to colonisation by decay fungi. With such extensive wounding on this tree, it is a certainty. 2. The wound wood formation can take many years and possibly, as with this tree, will never occlude the damaged area and as stated above fungal colonisation will have taken place already. 3. Thus the fungi will be merrily decaying the wood. This is also combined with internal defects caused by the damaging agent (lightening/drought crack etc). Such causation often results in radial/transverse cracking, combined with wind stress on a tree with a growth bias (as this one). 4. This can cause a shear crack. Ironically the formation of the wound wood with occluded ribs can mean the that the two surfaces of the seperate wound wood are able to slide against each other freely, making the wound wood formation at best irrelevent and at worst making the tree structurally weaker. This is combined with the bending stresses from the growth bias of the tree. 5. You have provided excellent pics of the damage. Nevertheless, what is happening on the opposite side of the stem? Are bulges forming from localised reaction growth to compensate from the internal stresses? Or is the bark formation looking thin and elongated suggesting the stem is subsiding on the downward side? 6. If the damage is caused by lightening (in my opinion, it is) then don't forget that the tissue damage is often worse at the base of the tree and it decays signicantly at ground level. 7. I'm like a stuck record going on about SULE I know! I bet the SULE of this tree is very low. If, however it has no target then it could be left standing or reduced as previous post state. 8. As a TO, I would allow it to be felled under DDD exemption and go for a lovely new shiny replacement tree! Hope this is off a bit of use to you. Cheers dudes!

I agree with Dean O SULE is very limited by the sounds of it. Using the principles of silviculture in the urban forest I go with fell and replace... Cheers!

Hi SyB Reading my post back it did sound a little judgemental!!! Sorry for that. No offence ment mate and I totally repect you as a fellow professional. Cheers dude!

Hi mate David is spot on I reckon!

Hey Lets not write the tree of yet! If it is TPO tree then the LPA should demand a consultants report giving the SULE (that is of course if they have any idea about trees!!) before they allow it to be felled. What is the replaement going to be if it is DDD exemption? Any A.A registered consultant will be able to provide the info the tree owner needs... Provide the client with the information... As a professional Arborist, you should not just walk away!

Phytophthora is indeed a prolific plant killer! Nevertheless a tree with good vitality can survive an attack!