Tony Croft aka hamadryad

me too cos its an ash!

thats like the spiderjack ones, thanks for that, shall be having a dozen or so for the kit bag, easy item to lose s need a few, bit like those pins in the art coccoon!

I do! the first time I arrived at clifton Suspension brdge I ran up to the edge and leaped up on the side (i was 23 and insane) on looking down I relaised just how big a drop there was! my girlfriend screamed and the security ran out screaming, he thought i was a jumper! they get a lot apparently! shame about all the needles in the treed parts of the gorge sides, big problem in Bristol. least back then. 17 years ago:blushing:

something has killed it, but what is the question.

Well that makes a lot of sense, been calling this merulius but finding out its a phlebia makes a whole load more sense. Phlebia tremellosa (MushroomExpert.Com)

Thats a good idea, those rubbers you get with the spiderjack would suit this! great tip, ta:thumbup:

hence my reply! theres no need to knot slings? I proved a need, explained the need and suggested what constitutes a bad practice rather than the knot itself.

Bad practice? i must be a BAD arb then! overloading gear is bad practice, a knotted sling has a breaking limit too you know! i use the larks foot to grip slings all the time, unless im doing heavy gear

I googled my house and it sent me to the wrong address! so google maps does NOT give you accurate results at all, had to track back down the crescent for my real house.

I will add that if using them to cut and hold a knot will NOT reduce their strength enough to be a worry, youll pull your arm out of your socket before the sling snaps due to the knots! so "ever" is a little over cautious.

or basket mode with two revolvers for a conventional rope technique:thumbup1:

Indeed, Dr David Lonsdales knowledge and more importantly his ability to express it is legendary! His book principles of hazard assesment and management is till one of my favourite books. even now 14 years after print its still in my top three books. I believe most of the effects (as suggested to) by fungi are as a result of structural issues, the works by Boddy and Rayner regarding the gas pipes and water pipes also highlights the very limited potential of the fungi to live in functional sapwood. It is obvious that decay leads to mechanical issues and that T/R ratios are the result of fungal and sometimes bacterial action, and entomological often playing a role in the trio of activity in dysfunctional wood volumes. I am acutely aware of the body languages caused by these organisms all of which revolves around hollowing and therefore T/R ratios and mechanical properties of wood altered by fungi i.e selective delignification/ pure cavitation=brown heart rots principally. I find it all rather fascinating and especially how individual species of fungi effect the cell walls differently. causing effects at a cellular/micro level. We are only just opening the lid on pandoras box, and we have much to learn as to the role and lifestyles of the fifth Kingdom. If there is one thing I would be certain of it is that fungi are the most diverse range and longest evolved species next to the cyanobacteria, and will as a consequence have the most diverse range of skills and qualities for survival and exploration of all life on earth. Why I even dare to suggest that some fungi have even mastered the art of stimulating growth for their benifits in hosts, Co evolutionary adaptation, and even Dr Alan Rayner said "I do not see why not, look at the Ergot" anyway I waffle, the point is that IMO, this book enables a very much deeper level of understanding of the dynamics of tree ecology and as such is probably to date the best all round book on the subject.

and i shouldnt have said a lesser arb, that was out of order. Just a different view and method.

Sounds to me like in the reality, this whole area needs a re think on a landscape basis, working to a native scheme, with low scrub species to the front with a few larger native trees in good locations. This Oak could be saved, BUT, sounds to me like it is (like many non natives here) more a burden of managment and risk. I have always been of the view that we should work WITH our native habitat rather than against it, this just highlights many of the reasons why it makes sense. Much of what we do is often on trees that where planted in the giddy days of massive plant hunting and collecting, your Oak no doubt one such planting. It maybe worth taking the modern view, and just starting over with a new landscape perspective working with your native habitat species. That old chestnut, right tree right place?

I know, its a stunning country, I should have done the round the world thing while I was in my prime working my way round. I took on the care of an elderly uncle at the age of 21 and looked after him for 10 years till he died in 2003. That put a damper on my first trip I saved and planned for to the amazon, had four k and was ready to go but just couldnt leave for weeks on end. It is still to this day my greatest regret. now ive a mortgage and all that tie, I sometimes consider walking away with just a backpack but what the hell do you do when you get back!

so am I!

If for no other reason than to cause a shift in thinking and appreciation that trees are incredibly complex, as is the life that needs them. we traditionally treat all "others" as pests and diseases, and this forums posts highlight that to the enth degree, but this view is far from the reality, it is a far more complex and fascinating ecology.

thats my point though it isnt JUST about the ecology, there is the whole defence and damage subject, and the sennesence of trees theres just so much juicy info that would really round off an arbs education IMO:thumbup1:

a man I can really relate to. what an idea. Brewster Kahle builds a free digital library | Video on TED.com

didnt know there was one?:blushing:

I bought a book recently and although I am still to really get through it Im becoming very very interested in all the information within that is highly relevent to arboriculture as a whole. The book is called the biodiversity in deadwood ISBN 978-0-521-71703-8 and I bought mine from summerfield books. Now I understand the title may sound of little relevence to many of you but do NOT be put off by the title, it denies you the depth and wealth of information that is held within this simply epic book. Of real value is the descriptive manner in which tree age and ecology are explained and the ecology of trees how they live and die and all the life that has evolved to take advantage of trees as keystone species within the global systems. It covers in great depth defence biologies wounding and decay, natural forest dynamics overall there is as much "other" info of benefit as there is saproxylic info, which is due to this book being a comprehensive overview of the habitat that is deadwood from right at the beginning of a wounded tree. And for researchers looking for potential avenues of work it reveals and explains many areas of the science that are yet to be explored, if you wanted ideas for study theres enough hints here to keep you busy for the rest of your natural and in areas that have been little discussed in the field. In my opinion this book should become an essential reference and reading on the subject of arboriculture and silviculture, it really is THAT good, it is a worthy if not priceless addition to ones library. I will add a copy or two to bookclub as soon as I am able, but take my word for it this is not to be missed, get it now, it will open your mind to a whole new perspective on tree ecology and biology:thumbup1:

I wouldnt worry too much about those holes, while roots may have been severed the un consolidated soil within will now offer a new space to developing roots. there is in this compacted situation a 50/50 detriment/benefit scenario. Going on the amount of growth internaly low down this tree could easily be rounded over and allowed to re develop. If I could I would fly over and do the reduction for ya!

is this tree also knackered then? Taupo's Quercus rubra has a few issues but overall biologicaly speaking its healthy, its only problems are man made, its still a fine landscape feature.

I put the smiley in to keep it chilled! was just teasing after you 3 x's insisted about the myco situation! dont believe everything your told. The fungi are there, you just need to be there when they have sex to see them, thats all. after long wet periods get out there and find them.

It took me a while to find a free paper on the subject but this one (havent read anything bar the summary) will be of interest taupo myco thesis.pdf