arb culture

We've had some seriously wet and windy weather since December, and I'm guessing you have too. So with regard to tree stability, if the tree is still standing and it's not rocking on its roots, then I'd be tempted to leave it be. In terms of tree health, if there is sufficient alternative rooting area, then the tree will almost certainly pull through. So again, I'd leave it alone. Cheers,

Just wondering... At 7.7.2 in BS3998 it says, "NOTE 1 Specifications for a percentage reduction are imprecise and unsatisfactory without reference to length, height, spread etc." Presumably, this means that if there is a reference to length, height or spread etc., then specifications can be considered precise? eg, I wish to reduce the tree by 10% of its total height. The tree report shows that the tree is currently 20m tall. or, I wish to reduce my tree by 15% of its total spread. At the moment, the tree has a total spread of 16m. Cheers

What you say is very true - If a tender or job specifies something, then not having that qualification or training will put you at a disadvantage - even if the system/qualification specified is pseudoscience, and everyone is free to use it with or without training or license anyway... http://www.homeopathy-soh.org/images/vacancies/ResearchConsultantpersonspesonfication.pdf A person will not get an honest opinion about certain training providers on a public internet forum because of a long history of certain individuals bullying, badgering, and eventually silencing anyone who disagrees with them. So I would suggest that Dilz (and anyone else considering training) finds actual real-life people who have done various training courses and talk with them about the options available. Training can be expensive and it pays to get it right. I have found that a whole range of very knowledgeable and experienced people are readily approachable at conferences and seminars etc. Good luck with it - whatever you decide to do

Woo Hoo!!!! I am not alone

I know it's in common usage, and I'm not criticising anyone for using it, but doesn't the word 'monolith' refer to stones? From the Greek monos - single, and lithos - stone? I always feel it a bit strange to use this word in reference to a tree.

That is very sad. From the picture it looks like the tree had plenty of life left in it.

Hi Jacquemontii, I agree with you that it is unlikely that major roots will be growing under the car park, but I also agree with others who have pointed out that nothing is certain. So in the absence of further information I'd leave the RPA's circular if I was doing the constraints plan. Would you be willing to tell us what you are wanting to do in the car park area? I ask because there might be above ground constraints which would prevent construction in that area anyway - irrespective of the RPA's. Cheers

That is very cool indeed! Thanks for the link :-)

I took the kids (and a dog) to Formby Point this weekend - lovely place. We stumbled upon your carvings and we were really impressed with your work Simon, my daughter especially loved the tiny horse on the bench.

Thanks guys :-)

I'm wanting to make transverse flutes out of wood. I've seen some really lovely ones which play well, and want to have a go myself. Does anyone know of an easy to use guide/calculator for bore diameter, length, hole position etc? Cheers Arb

Thanks :-)

That's an opportunity missed - I wish I'd thought of blagging free beer as part of the job... hmm next time :-)

I hope this picture thingy has worked. I'm trying to show you a picture of a chainsaw carved owl that I made for a town centre bar front. My friend is in the piccie to show scale. The bar is now open for business, and the client and customers are really happy. It's good fun carving stuff, I can't wait to do more. Cheers

I was starting to get a bit concerned by some of the responses on here, so I thought I'd add: "Examples of trees with a high risk of this type of failure include various species of willow and poplar, horse chestnut, beech, ash and true cedars." Taken from, http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcpg13.pdf/$file/fcpg13.pdf Just in the last two weeks I've been to see and prepare reports on three different beech trees which have failed, and which I suspect looked similar to the second example tree in this thread before they did fail. I can't really comment on the first tree, because I can't tell what's going on just from the photo. The other thing that strikes me about this thread is this: What does the client want? Maybe they are loaded, love the tree and are willing to spend money on it, but perhaps they hate the tree and just want it gone, or perhaps they are (like most clients) somewhere in the middle. As for how this relates to the PTI assessment - from my experience they are more interested in your observation skills and reasoning than in any specific set of recommendations. You seem to be on the right tracks Jacquemontii, so even if I don't necessarily agree with your recommendations, I'd suggest that if it's something you want to do, you are probably ready to do the PTI assessment. Good luck with it