armybloke

Cheers David, but ask yourself why the stalk and why shape it like a fungal fruiting body? A fasciation repeated twice up the stem no less my friend? Why would a tree put so much energy in to replication? This is not a test of your knowledge but to find out what I was looking at? I have no idea, as I jhave searched the net for similar objects and so far turned up nothing. Oh and Rob, switch the tv mute button on and have a little think mate - you know you'll come up with an answer! No gold medals up for grabs you two!

Further to Paul's very sound advice I had to determine (similar to you) this from a 1949 area order. A dendrochronolgy study of a small diameter tree measured at 1.5m above ground level was felled at ground level with the annual rings then counted (use a magnifying glass and a felt tip pen as it makes the count easier). I wrote a report to the LA TO identifying those trees I believed not to be covered by the area order. He came out to site, trusted my opinion and we went round the whole site marking those trees NOT covered by the order. Job done, very grateful TO and client chuffed to bits we'd sorted out a very old order. Since then a new TPO has been written to identify precisely those now under the TPO. Proactive business. Happy days.

This series of photographs are of what looked like a fungal fruiting body on Sequoiadendron giganteum but only when a ladder inspection was carried out did it reveal that which is on the photos. There were 2 now only one remains as I needed a close up and further inspection. It has been looked after and I have no idea what it is. It sounds, feels and weighs like wood. The same woody bark of the tree. It has a stalk that attached it to the tree hence when I inspected the tree I thought it was fungus. I suspected Heterobasidium or Phaeolus sp. I read up on both species and they have both been associated with the Sequoia sp. So if you have an answer please fire them over - I am at a loss! David, Gerrit and Tony I have money on you answering this for me!

If you go on the British Geological Survey website punch in the postcode you have a free sample sufficient to satisfy a mortgage company IMO - I have done this in conjunction with MAGICMAPS (on line and free). Speak to the mortgage company - what do they want? In my experience all they asked me was is it on clay - if not that satisfies their curiosity (in my experience) Most money lenders know about clay and subsidence and they need a reassurance. I would ALWAYS caveat that statement/letter with a line stating that this report does not guarantee structural damage in the future from acts of God or shifting subterranean bedrock. Should anyone be in any doubt underpin or use foundation designed by a suitably qualified structural engineer. By the way I dug 3 x 1m square pits to a depth of 1m (within the garden and 1 at building level to foundation cap level.) taking photographs of each soil horizon to match this with the GEO and MAGIC information and wrote my report around that. I am no expert (done a bit at college and attained top marks which either meant I listened or had a good memory) but indeed common sense can prevail. Look at local history and visit properties with similar foundations etc - ask a local! Whatever you do...... good luck!

Ooooh I recognise that piece of ....huhum.... 'art'!

A good post - as an a ecologist for the Wildlife Trust we get in to a variety of discussions about our raptor poulations. Whilst it is apparent that Buzzard populations have enjoyed a period of success there are mixed opinions on this thread that would possibly see a dip due to public pressure. A number of issues have been highlighted in the media spotlight of late (foxes by way of example). Human populations have risen to a 'worrying' (for who) level. Food resources are being stretched, water is a sacred commodity and so the list goes on. Where are our animals supposed to live if we as a race take up large areas of land that once they hunted within? This is rhetorical and I do not expect an answer merely to promote discussion and thought. Whilst we shoot other birds for pleasure (and I have seen catastriphic waste of bird kill buried in the ground after a shoot because no one wanted to take them home) and keep some to fly and contain and call our own we seem to forget that we are all part of a free ecological cycle. The planet rebells in its own way (freak weather events, turbulent land masses causing natural disasters) and will cull the human population to an acceptable level over time to 'balance' nature once again. That has got you thinking eh?! In the meantime as the scientists get to the bottom of our Buzzard scenraio my own experiences of Buzzards have been worming, taking small rabbits, enjoying carrion and bothering murders of crows. If they look for an easy lunch then I say 'good luck' because we humans do too - I'm off to enjoy a free one myself tomorrow!! Enjoy the debate......I will.

From tree to pan and it tasted delicious!

Neat!

Hi mate, put a search on Arbtalk and you will see there are a number of really useful threads discussing tree survey capture kits.

Rob, there are Lucombe Oaks in oak avenue and they did not share the characteristics of this tree. However that is not to say that this isn't. It is starting to pain me so I will write to them and ask for the definitive. I tried to narrow it down to a tree with catkins (hence the currant galls) so looked at the Quercus canariensis as the leaf form is similar and also Quercus castaneifolia. I like your Fulham Oak suggestion but like I said it is time to talk to Bicton!

If you are going in the very near future look at my http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/tree-identification-pictures/44361-help-tree-id-please.html as I need help with a tree ID and you can put us out of our misery!

What about a Zelkova? By the way thanks for the posts everyone - David those galls tricked me big time!! Very embarrassing indeed to miss that!!!!!! I have no more pictures but if anyone is going to Bicton I can tell you exactly where it is. Through the stone entrance from the Italian Garden to the Fernery. It is a massive and very impressive tree! I looked at Sorbus too Tony but the leaves did not convince me. Good stabs tho!. Come on Rob you can't be beaten - not on this one. I live too far away for a revisit....

Hi Rob, I wondered if you'd be on-line. They are berries almost blackcurrant like. the tree was massive probably 24m with a 2.5m [email protected]. The leaves are serrated and the berries look so like a blackcurrant it is surreal. I thought of a Tupelo but the leaves are smooth on those if my memory serves me right. It's definitely NOT a Lucombe as there were lots of those in an avenue of oaks of many species. I thought a species of Nettle tree but again the leaves look wrong UNLESS these are immature and they get smoother as time progresses?

What are these trees saying?

I think many people sought the tree under which they could rest and cool down today! Nice pictures David

Nice day out after a family wedding in the West Country

Having a very blank moment and it's doing my head in thinking of what this is so over to the experts.....

A few pics from Bicton Gardens today - lovely day for it too!

Brilliant example -it looks like someone has fitted that tree with a replacement 'part'. Nice!

This may just be a long-shot but do you think that exposure to sunlight may affect the colouration of these brackets? With no other plausible answer right now this is just something to throw in to the mix.

Kew weekend booked with the family on tow! The pictures posted have persuaded me to go earlier than planned! Thanks for the pictures and reminders!!

I'm making a pilgramage that way soon so I will make use of my free entry card and pay a visit. Do love a bit of 'art in the park'. Thanks for posting the pics.

Found this beaut'! Covered this willow from head to toe. I could not access the rear as she stood in a pond and I had not brought a towel Enough on there for a banquet!

Modest man is David! Tell them what you see ........

Definitely speak to the Tree Officer concerned to clarify the content of the granted application AND the conditions attached. AND yes you will be more liable than your client when it comes to prosecution (in my experience) if you wade in without due consideration.