armybloke

Thanks Gerrit, I appreciate your assistance

It is what David said is my guess too! Make some plum and ginger jam ..........

I wonder if Gerrit has any indication of the time of events and also if there is any other indicator (other than the fruiting body) that I can look out for in terms of the onset of decay? Crown dieback and apical dieback along with some low crown desity I agree - but any thing else perhaps?

Thank you David. It is a shame that I could not get some idea of the timing of these events to determine how quick this has happened. I am new in post in my new job but I hope to be able to survey and 'keep and eye' on progress. This post is certainly not closed yet!

As continued evidence of the effects of Phaeolus sp on Larix sp I went back to have a look at one of them we made safe. At the point of 'cut' there is less than 1cm of live wood. The stem was partially hollow and yet the it was still hanging on and attempting to leaf as per pictures. This tree had a stem hazard beam approximately 2m long and was hanging on a Quercus sp nearby hence it did not fail completely. The Larix sp at this site are exposed to south westerly winds as it is one of the highest sites in Southampton.

Happy Birthday trooper!

Thanks David. They are but only just. I have asked the contractor to leave habitat poles of about 5m as the cracks and splits will make excellent habitat for bats etc. (Budget withstanding) I think I will need to clear fell the small amount of Larch only because they are in a shelterbelt of a well used park. I am reluctant but safety of our public is paramount as you know.

I was called out to an emergency in my local area as a resident had said a tree had fallen over in a park near her house. A Larix sp at bud burst had failed and on inspection of the area I found 2 others with stem shears/hazards with desicated FFBs at or near the base. The tree that had failed completely had FFBs on the stem at about 1.5m above ground level.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

An excellent photographic diary of events there mate. I am still learning so keep 'em coming!

This may be a little late, but I hope not. I have just got myself a job as Tree Officer and the interview concentrated on what the council can and can not do in the arb business. I was asked about the law, the processes involved and the fines involved. I was asked about the development process, AIA, ADS, Constraints etc as that would come across the desk. I had an ident test, winter twig, fungi and pest and diseases, followed by 2 exams. One was looking at a development where an arb consultant had not been involved and the other a TPO application and you had to make a decision. All about 2 hours work. I hope you catch this in time for a little brush up!

Thanks for the help ref the website folks. My cousin built this for me in a hurry so it is embryonic. I'd be happy to take any constructive criticism from you. uuurg what is a Meta tag? I will add it to my list of things he needs to sort for me. Is a message box another way of sending me mail or is it like a blog for testimonials? I fancy a testimonial page. You fire away kitnskye - this is tree related....I am an Arb consultant

Hey that is very true Tom, I have a few 'experiences' already!! I will be on my guard for sure...

Nice thread and very useful for me. I am involved with carrying out Woodland Management for the Wildlife Trust and I have taken some tips off this thread for my work at the weekend. I will post some pics of before and after next week.

I'm back after an absence of about 3 months and it is nice to be back nosing through some of the threads and pictures My reason for leaving the site was to concentrate on becoming self-employed. This venture was forced upon me by virtue of the financial misfortune my previous employer experienced. Not a nice thing to happen to anyone I assure you. Redundancy followed so there was a choice I had to make. Quite a lot of soul searching went on from December to January and the decision was to take the plunge. Despite reservations, being scared (never been unemployed since I was 14 years old) and delving in to the unknown I have come out of the other end much better for it. I have attended numerous FREE HMRC (tax people) courses to learn about being self employed (I recommend anyone going on them as they are informative and enlightening) I have attended a FREE course run by Company's House in London to learn how to be a successful Director and earn lots of money too. I have searched the web, picked everyone's brains about the task ahead and what I should do. My cousin built me a website, a friend helped with business cards and folk on here have also offered me help (thank you - you know who you are). I am happy to pass on any knowledge should anyone also be thinking of setting up alone. My website is arbor-eco.co.uk and is in its infant stage if anyone has any constructive remarks to make. Again thanks and those venturing out - good luck!

Found this on an old stump I left for a bird perch earlier this year. Nice!

A weeks holiday in the Forest of Dean in a luxury forest cabin with my family around me relaxing in tranquil surroundings and lots of walking to take in what the countryside had to offer. Stunning stuff and better than any material goods.

And I was thinking I was the only one out on Christmas day looking at fungi. In a remote part of the New Forest with no camera download facilities to show you! Merry Christmas all the same fungi finders!

Hello Forum readers. I know I have been a little quiet of late - lots going on apart from Christmas! I am due to begin trading as an Arboricultural and Ecological Consultant out in the big wide world (self employed) in 2012. I have everything in place, albeit I am toying with a 'trade name', and I wondered if anyone would like to offer any free advice? (except "do not do it!") I am struggling with charges or a 'price-list'. I know what we used to charge when I worked for a consultancy but their charges were set to cover expenses/overheads etc on a grander scale than mine. Your assistance is appreciated and thanks agian ArbTalk

Can't believe I have not been here before thanks for posting this little gem in the landscape. Not more than an hour from my place and have just booked in to my weekend places to visit diary Awesome collection!

Done!

Gutted for you mate, you come with good references so something will turn up. I have friends 'up north' so I will keep my ear to the floor for you

Good point Tony, I think I shall have a wee look at what it says. Good advert for all those people scared of old trees in their gardens (perceived threat)

That is a fabulous tree - lucky owners in my opinion. Needs protection from a well placed TPO

Well done, join the club