Tom Mabbutt

Absolutely spot on sir! I said it was pretty special.

Good work mate, onwards and upwards!

It's in Collins Tree Guide - the black one with the gold font on the front. Crackin' book.

Right then, if you get this one I will be well impressed. Once again, quality is not great as it from my phone, apologies... It's pretty special this...

A couple from my Blackberry perhaps, quality won't be great but they will be ok I guess, hang on a sec...

Nice one Rob, another winner. It is Sorbus alnifolia, very nice tree and a rare one too.

Incorrect I'm afraid. Good try though.

First one to get it gets a thumbs up.

Theres looooooaaaaaaaads of funky trees in the estate mate...I've got my camera with me all the time so I'll snap some tricky idents whenever I can and then post em up. I love id'ing trees too

Fair play mate, you win a smiley face..... It IS C. kentukea!! Nice one

Not Fraxinus or Tetradium either.....amazingly! I would also have gone for Juglandaceae or Oleaceae when I first saw the species, but it isn't in either of those families! A few more macros of the cutting are attached. The cutting's not the best really I'm afraid, so as I'm working tomorrow so I will see if I can find a spare 5 mins to go and get some better shots of the actual tree inc. bud, form, bark, etc. Hats down to anyone who gets it. Rob, I've taken a shot of the transverse snip across the twig, just to show that theres no pith!

Fraid not guys! Not Ailanthus or Juglanaceae....it's a tricky one this! I'll get some macros in a sec.

Can anyone get this one?? Right answer wins a smiley face!

I did the online RFS Cert Arb with Myerscough a couple of years ago at the same time as holding down a full time job (in another industry). The course was great, I loved it, even though at times it was hard to keep at it because in the evenings when i studied I was often tired. But my interest in the subject grew as my knowledge grew. I ended up getting a good grade, Myerscough then persuaded me to move from Manc. to Preston to start the full-time FdSc (just finished the first year of it this summer). I'm now on a gap year until next september 2012 working with the arb team at RHS Wisley in Surrey and I'm loving it. So basically what I'm saying is that the online RFS Cert course did exactly what I wanted it to do, it was great, interesting and set me on the right path for work in the arb industry and for further arb study. The past year studying arb at myerscough, working in commercial arb over the summer in Manc and starting my gap year at RHS Wisley has been the best of my life. If you do the online rfs cert arb you will get out what you put in, if you work hard it will almost certainly get you on the right track, and perhaps above and beyond your expectations about what you might end up doing in the arb industry (like it did with me - i didn't think any arb firm would give an ex office-dweller a chance, let alone the RHS!), it was well worth it. So to answer your question - yes, the rfs cert arb is very dooable with no experience of the arb industry. But i must warn you, it will create an obsession inside you and you will have to look at every tree, shrub and fungus you pass....be warned. Good luck mate!

Malus hupehensis ?

Climber wanted, immediate start, Manchester area. Ring Chris Allen on 07812151046. P.s. I worked for Chris over the summer, he's a sound chap and it was great working with him. Get involved.

Whenever leaves are present on the tree I guess as thats the part of the tree thats covered in the little hairs. Based on that I'd say winter pruning would be easier on the old lungs? The seeds are covered in the hairs too I think.

GREAT! Nice one Hama.

I would love you to do the foray next year, or even another this year! Unfortunately I only noticed this thread Saturday afternoon, I could have made it too if I'd noticed earlier because I've just moved from Manchester to Wisley - so it would only have been a short stint up the M25 for me. Ah well, can't win em all eh! I'll deffo be there if you do another one. Looks like you had a great day.

Same here too, but HC w/ a distel. Love it.

Distel all the way.

The Oregon Waipoua Type C are pretty nice, light and well priced. My previous boss had a pair. Didn't wear them myself but worth a try perhaps? I won't be getting high flexes again...every time I climbed a conifer I got a new hole torn.

I was just about to say....you got there before me!! Glad to hear yours is going strong mate.

Alright mate. I've just gone one of these through the post today, obviously I've not put it too the test yet, but its got great reviews and I'm practically bowled over by its quality. 37m rope, helmet, boots, trousers, krabs + gadgets, 2 x silkys, slings, harness +lanyard all fit in the 90L version with room for more. I'm actually considering buying another one for general travel/holidays/weekends away, etc. Well nice bags. [ame=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-RUC572-Expedition-Cargo-Black/dp/B001NPD080/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315860499&sr=8-1]Gelert RUC572 Expedition 90L Cargo Bag Red / Black: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure[/ame]

I know that theres that arbtalker 'new_fella' eagerly looking for work still. He's based in Benfleet?? Maybe a bit far?? Might be worth messaging him? Sounds like a perfect opportunity for someone looking to break into the industry, good luck in finding the right person. Funnily enough I'm moving from Manchester to Woking on Tuesday but I've got a job lined up I'm afraid.