David Humphries

Interesting video. Weather looked a bit depressing for the latter part of the job. Nice array of machinery at hand to carry out the dismantle Do you know whether there was any mitigation for the tree hosting bats prior to the removal, it 'looked' like it had prime potential as a habitat tree. Was there any specific fungal colonisation associated with the hollowing? Do you know whether there's been any consideration on the additional wind load placed on the grafted copper beech next to it, any plans for canopy reduction on that and any of its neighbouring trees? cheers David .

You da bug man Bourney .

An interesting looking bug on the Landy wheel this morning, took a while to track it down but fairly certain that it's one of the 'burying beetles' (which bury dead mice and small birds for their larvae to feed on) - Nicrophorus vespillo .

Well played Jay .

That's what I would think it is. Small walnut outside my office has them every year with no ill effects on photosynthesis or seed production. .

an elevated chestnut lunge from agent arb...... .

I thought they looked like they have the remnants of gills rather than pores .

With that level of desiccation I think it will be hard to provide anything other than a guess at the species. The stems don't look to have any rings. The gills appear to be brown rather than white. I can't really tell if the top of the caps had squamules (shaggy scales) When you say base of Poplar, do you mean coming off the roots or the base of the trunk? .

His '93 Journal Paper? 'New avenues for understanding processes of tree decay' .

Thanks for the confirmation .

Hello Island As with the AA Fungi Guide, the Arbtalk Tree Fungi App has all the principal decay fungi that are likely to come up in the assessment. When I did the course 7 years ago you were allowed to undertake the fungi section as an open book test, meaning you had access to resource material. Worth checking if this is still the case. .

Another potential disease (future but probably soon to be here) to throw in to the mix with reference to HC, would be the Guignardia aesculi lookalike 'Xylella fastidiosa' (aka bacteria leaf scorch) which is reaking havoc across a huge range of plant and tree species across the globe. Predominantly affecting grape vines in California and across central and South America, it's now taken a strangle hold on Olives in Italy in the Lecce region which is significantly affecting the olive industry there. Transmitted by xylem feeding insects Symptoms on amenity trees present as a leaf scorch Marginal leaf edges drying brown Halo'd by a yellow zone The above is how it may become misdiagnosed as Guignardia. Forest research are on the lookout for this potentially serious disease spreading here to the UK. There are reports of it (I think unconfirmed) in Northern Europe. .

Interesting Kev, not seen this before either .

There's obviously a lot of epicormic shoots, I was expecting to see more extension growth. A percentage of the epi's toward the top appear to have died off, which is not a surprise. I suspect some of the upper scaffolds won't remain functional for long and decay will colonise them. Great to see old threads (even contentious ones) resurrected. Cheers Pete .

Looks a bit like one of the Ichneumons, perhaps Ophion obscuratus .

wonderful image sean .

It was Very pleasant surroundings and the talk was pitched across the levels so all in the audience could get bits out of it. Peter talked broadly about trees dwelling on why and how trees grow tall and old Nice couple of jars of ale afterwards in a hidden Chelsea boozer. Back there next week to hear a talk on ancient trees. http://chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/ancient-trees-anna-lewington-ed-parker/ .

Did you ever do any nest removal in your London years Paul? .

A slightly different slant on the issue in terms of how people may have less access to (oak) trees and their shade in London over the coming years. The trees below are regularly used by school groups and the general public whilst listening to the bands on the bandstand over the months of May to August. Unfortunately this coincides with the life span of the Oak Processionary Moth who's caterpillars have decided to take up residency in the trees. For anyone unfamiliar with these hirsute little demons they're not something you or your dog would really want to meet up close and personal. Although we can remove the nests once discovered, (which isn't particularly easy) we're now having to look at how we manage this situation in terms of public access to trees like these during hot sunny periods. The ones below have been fenced off over the weekend until we could get the nests removed, but we can't do this to every tree with a nest in so education will have to be the way forward. Trees and their benefits are a natural inalienable right but when nature rocks up with caterpillars that were designed by old nick himself those rights are found to be challenged. So if your in London over the summer months worth looking for something other than an oak to find some shade under ! Oak Processionary Moth - Health Risks - Gristwood & Toms - 08458 731500 .

Like your writing style Tom. When ever discussed the subject always seems to divide opinion and generate interesting debate on variation of job title, description and meaning. Even in the Tree Officer field the titles variy from Local Authority borough to borough. I read one the other day that was listed as Urban Forester. Thought that was a good one that was both descriptive and understandable from a public perspective. Here's what the website 'A-Z of tree terms A COMPANION TO BRITISH ARBORICULTURE' briefly states for a few of the main job titles....... tree surgeon - definitions of arboricultural terms arborist - definitions of arboricultural terms tree officer - definitions of arboricultural terms arboriculturist - definitions of arboricultural terms .

Aspal close nature reserve at Beck Row near Mildenhall. The Ancient Tree Forum recently held their summer field trip there. 200 or so oak pollards, some around 800 years old. .

infection is usually through wounds or branch stubs. I would think that the pathogen that causes ash canker would be a different one than the one on your sweet chestnuts. .

All the best, heal well and soon ! Good heads up .

Perennial canker for the first image. Not technically a target canker as you would see concentric annual incraments like the one below http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/tree-health-care/70372-perennial-target-other-cankers.html .

last years Inonotus dryadeus fb on an oak with an OPM nest .