RobRainford

Thats a good report, very informative. However, as k.deusta is a but rotter, would it not have shown a better perspective of the trees structural integrity by having the picus a lot lower, at 200mm or even 100mm from the base? Ive seen a failed ash that had k. deusta all in the base, and a picus at 800mm wouldnt have picked up anything to condemn the tree, but one at 300mm would have had it down yesterday

I understand that completely I am trying to usher towards a removal, without trying to strike fear into him, as thats never the aim, he did ask whats the worst case scenario, which is failure. I did say its not in a dangerous stage where failure is imminent (but we dont know without getting a cross section from the base!), but the risk is increased because of the fungi present. He is confident in my judgement and although reluctant to accept it may have to come out, it looks like its the only option. Thank you Gerrit, your opinion has cleared a lot up for me

Very informative thank you. Is there any way to increase the longevity of this tree? Heavy reductions will do as much good as bad IMO. And having targets like these is getting close to being a fell. Although the client wants the tree kept if possible. Im unsure whether he will get what he wants and that I would sleep at night afterwards!

Hi Gerrit Sorry to repost, I thought I would save hijacking the k-k-kretz thread completely from matt I went back to visit the tree, more fruiting bodies, i can confirm, the circled areas in previous pictures ARE mature fruiting bodies, and i found a few more with a larger amount of white/grey telemorphic stages (if thats right) of the fungus. had a bit of a dig, noticed an old wound at the base which may have been the site of initial infection? There are also some tips that are without leaf, as mentioned earlier this would indicate a restriction/blockage of the cambium. Something tells me that his neighbour will be lonely in the coming month or two. I'm going to speak to the council and arrange a meeting with the tree officer to discuss this tree and what they want to do. I would assume, in light of finding more than I thought was there, they would maybe lean towards removal because of targets. Secondly, the photo showing the lower stem, there are lots of bulges and lumps all over the lower 2m of stem, do these have any relation to kretz? Sorry for some blurred pics, couldnt see my phone properly when i took the photo! Your replies are much appreciated

Had the last few models on contracts. Currently paying £20/m for iPhone with unlimited texts, roaming package, 1gb data usage per month and 600 mins. Not a bad deal! Kev: I bought an otter box from eBay as you mentioned. £18, bargain. Their website says it DOESN'T work with White iPhone as they have relocated the light sensor a bit. Your phone will think it's living in a box! I don't doubt a new iPhone in the next few months. I think it will be august when it comes out. There are usually strong rumors around now and possibly word from apple.

every time i see this thread title i think poor duck! haha Looks good that, needs some head detail and it will look real cool! paint it ducky colours too

very intriguing, i think its ace being able to tell a story about a fungus, knowing how it works, what it causes and how its dealt with. I like to tell customers about phantom honey fungus that eats all their grass then will eventually get them if they stand in the garden long eonugh

I got stuff right woohoo Sorry to hijack your thread RangerMatt, but its not being derailed completely! I went back to visit the tree, more fruiting bodies, i can confirm, the circled areas in previous pictures ARE mature fruiting bodies, and i found a few more with a larger amount of white/grey telemorphic stages (if thats right) of our little friend. had a bit of a dig, noticed an old wound at the base which may have been the site of initial infection? There are also some tips that are without leaf, as mentioned earlier this would indicate a restriction/blockage of the cambium. Something tells me that his neighbour will be lonely in the coming month or two. Sorry for some blurred pics, couldnt see my phone properly when i took the photo!

Use your hands to push stuff and not your face then! Well a new mesh visor is about the same as a clear or smoked one. But a mesh one may last a lot longer.

That's like asking stihl or husky! Get whichever fits right. I have a stein with peltor/stihl fittings and mesh visor. Can't get on with the solid one as it scratches up and is awful in the rain! I have tried a petzl for a day and honestly noticed no real difference.

Sorry for not clarifying TPO . It is tree preservation order. As mentioned above! Looking at these fruiting bodies, the White parts, in the centre they are grey. This would be on top of previous crusts? The grey parts being the asexual stage? From what I've read here and what I know, would you say the decay is at early stages judging by crown condition? Although kretz doesn't always show strong signs in the crown? If that is correct? Change the host to a sycamore with kretz, found in a cavity at the base approximately fist size, black crusts found a few inches long and 1cm thick, is this a cause for alarm? It's an old lapsed pollard I viewed back in late January this year. I've read sycamore degrades fairly quickly? Sorry to ask so many questions!

When looking up with a standard ground helmet there is an easier chance if it tipping off and it's even easier to be knocked off. Agreed your muffs hold it in place but a hard enough knock would still bring it off. I always use a climbing lid. Much comfier than standard ones and I feel the ear defenders have a softer and comfier surround I don't think I could go back to a ground lid!

Thank you Gerrit. That is a very much appreciated insight. However, looking at the photo more closely, in the red circles, could they be mature fruiting bodies? This tree has a TPO, as does it's neighbour. The tree next to it has no signs of any disease. The client does not want to fell any trees unless absolutely necessary, this tree will be discussed with the tree officer to see his view. The road is a main commuter route and there is a school next door, i myself use this road at least 4 times a day.

In light of what's been said here. Should this beech have a similar destiny? Seeing as where it is, there's lots of targets. It has since come into full leaf. And I will call the client so I can insect the base again and see how it's doing. There are no signs of dieback in the canopy, typical for kretz.

That's right kev. I understand it, I was pretty sure on most of that anyway. Payload of 1110 is right. Wi a box maybe coming in less than 100kg and two blokes and gear maybe most of another 200, leaves me with about 700 to be safe. And 700 in there would be spilling over! All this trailer malarky is a headache at times. I do understand it, I know that filling a 2.6t gross trailer with mesh sides with freshly felled logs then dragging them home at 35mph is overweight. So does the clutch! But that's for elsewhere I can then put 300kg in the trailer and that would total that to 700, leaving me all legal. Which is surprising. I'll have you know I'm technically not a student from 27th may to 6th June! Watch out! Test cricket: where did those boards come from? The 38 sounds a lot. Mine were 21.80 each for 5. They are 12mm though and WBP boards. 18 just seemed too thick!

Kev: I weighed the truck with only chip. No other kit. I know the weight of trailer and chipper. My licence means my gross train weight is reduced and adds onto the trucks mgw of 3210 to give me a total train weight of 3960. I could be mistaking my bonnet plate for axle weights. 1 was 1100 and 2 was 1700. I'm assuming 2 is rear axle. If so and assuming all the chip weight is on the back then I would still be under. Unless I am confusing something but that's how I understand it

there are LANTRA courses which offer the same level of training, not as expensive and would probably suit you more, i did my CS30 training at croxteth park in liverpool

rear axle max 1100, truck max 3210. with my post 97 licence i can have a total train weight of (3210+750) 3960, trailer and chipper weigh less than 500kg. i had 560KG conifer chip in this picture, and i could get more in, thinking of a small board at the tailgate to allow a little more. I was still within my limits. With the chip but no equipment was 2740 full and 2180 empty.

tell the police your kit has been stolen, but track it yourself with this Mobile Phone Spy - Cell Phone Recon Spy Only £89.99! FREE UK Delivery we had a Minorplanet tracking system on all our vans when we had them, it was linked to a website that you could access anytime and from anywhere with a username and password, it was accurate to within meters and saved a number of quad bikes! unsure of the cost of this but it paid for itself in saving stuff.

condolences Mark, it sure does hurt to lose a four legged friend!

they are like natures beastie helicopters! when i was doing CS32 up in penrith there were a lot of wood wasps around, when i saw the first one land on another guys crotch i thought it was going to bite his knackers off! never had the pleasure of seeing or dealing with a hornet, stinging buzzy things arent my forte

Unfourtunately no it's a weigh bridge designed for bin wagons and tractor trailers so it'll have to be the hole thing. Shame really as I'd like to see how it stands.

I'll keep it mind for the next one. Used it today. And got a good amount of conifer in. Travelling at 60mph and there is only slight drag from the box. But nothing dramatic. Had it almost full to a reasonable level. I'll put a pic on tomorrow and I'll take it for a go on the weigh bridge to see the loading

But then he would have been sacked for saying that he could have got the trolley preventing an accident but didn't! Bar stewards those guys in suits!

Dont eat a chilli pepper and spicy pepperoni pizza and wake up in the morning expecting pain free repercussions.