David Humphries

We haven't taken any soil samples from around this tree, mainly because we hadn't thought to do that and it's just a single amenity tree. Where as we have had samples analysed for nutrient levels where there is a wider health issue over a larger population of trees across this set of open spaces. I would say that the condition of the canopy in terms of epicormics, level of shoot extension and chlorosis is pretty even across the canopy Tobias. (taken from a ground perspective that is) We have thought/talked about getting hold of a Fluorometer and getting up into a couple of different levels of the cardinal points of the canopy to have a look at the Chlorophyl fluorescence potential of the leaves. Over all (based only on anecdotal images taken before, during and after) I think there is a small but maintained increase in its vitality which could I guess be debated that its is a sign that the tree has (or is trying to) arrest it's decline. Although looking at the peripheral canopy shoot die back, I'm of a mind to program in a further reduction to lower the stress on the individual branches by reducing the length that the assimilates need to travel up and down from tip to root. It's a all a big interesting learning curve. .

No experience with Green manures Alec Sounds interesting Pm sent .

Nice work Adam, did the vertical 'bat slits' extend up at an angle in to trunk? .

Gymnopus brassicolens saprophytic here on woodchip. .

I was 18 and had just started driving tractors. It was the catylyst that took me into working with trees. 27 years on, some remnants of the great storm can still be seen..... .

I didn't want to damage fine root hairs/root bark and other beneficial soil flora and fauna across the entire RZ in one hit. (although this was just a hunch at that point) The idea was to make this a two phase mulching operation. So far we haven't had the opportunity or inclination (if I'm honest) to do the second phase of mulching. I'm not (and wasn't at the time, based on recollection of conversations with colleagues) convinced that the wood chip mulch depletes nitrogen significantly to be overly concerned about it when weighed against the benefits the mulch would/should give to a situation like this ( I seem to recall I read/heard this from a Glynn Percival paper/seminar presentation type gig) .

Yes Joseph, that's the one .

The first shot from the post above (showing good depth of soil) was taken at No 1 and the second shot (showing compaction) taken at position 2 .

we did a crude compaction test today with me 1970's state off the art probe (someones still borrowing our IML penetrometer ) In the sections where we decompacted with the airspade & added mulch, the probe went in relatively easily to a depth of 45 cms. In the sections where we didn't decompact with the airspade & didn't add mulch, the probe went in (with about the same force applied....honest:biggrin:) to a depth of 20 cms. .

so, 4 years on from the experiment. Tree is still here, but with a stressed canopy, chlorotic leaves & epicormics running down the branches as it tries to retrench. Also Meripilus giganteus in the root collar. .

On the debate regarding the two similar genus.... Rigidoporus ulmarius - David Humphries’s Fungi Directory - Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists British Fungi - record details Perenniporia fraxinea - David Humphries’s Fungi Directory - Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists British Fungi - record details A relatively wide host range for both outside of the Horse chestnut, Elm, Ash usual suspects there are similarities in morphology and tissue, but enough differences to be fairly confident in the field http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/fungi-pictures/6233-perenniporia-fraxinea.html http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/fungi-pictures/6205-rigidoporus-ulmarius.html hope this helps....... .

Pretty well dessicated, but I would think these are Polyporus squamosus - the dryads saddle .

Hornets setting up home in a woodstone House Martin nest .

a pre shaggy polypore ash reduction lunge..... .

few other bits of random fung from me travels today.... last seasons Ganoderma resinaceum fruitbodies on a red oak. Marasmius sp (possibly M. rotula) on a leaf petiole & small twig Collybia fusipes on oak roots This years developing and previous years fallen Innonotus hispidus fruit bodies on this veteran ash .

If you're interested in expanding your knowledge on Fungi, there's lots of good pocket/dash-board resources out there Joseph, including the Arb Associations Fungi on Trees & our very own Arbtalk Tree/Fungi Id App Fungi on Trees ? An Arborists? Field Guide http://arboristapps.co.uk/buy-now/ .

you wait for what seems like ages for a rare pretty fung to turn up........then a whole bus load turn up at once back tomorrow to get some better images.

we use a 1970's London County Council Park Keepers litter stick The wooden handle (probably some rare & illicitly sourced tropical hardwood ) doubles up as a sounding hammer when the thor is out of reach Wielded here with style & aplomb by Agent Arb .

That's pretty cool .

Yes Fred I imagine it was an last attempt over a couple of years to add additional foliage from the edge of the callous before the associated roots died off. .

One of the most total footballing performances I've witnessed since I started watching the game in the Seventies. Doesn't matter how bad the Brazilians were, what the Germans just did was remarkable. Nothing to do with the fact I was born there..........honest

as an experiment to see how long it lasts (and to probably cheese off the custodians of the shrub bed, due to their excessive over application of mulch ) we've removed the dysfunctional canopy to give it back a shred of aesthetic dignity. .

Armillaria the culprit here (rhiozomorphs can be seen at the edges of the functioning vascular tissue), as the mulch is continually topped up. .

Declining Acer in a shrub bed interesting lower epicormic cluster .

I don't really think it matters a jot how old it actually is (but I'm sure the parish do, as its their accolade & 'trophy') It is what it is, just a VERY old tree ! .