David Humphries

Good news Thanks for the heads up Alex .

Been reviewing the last year or so and thinking about the training/development I've had. It's been a pretty full 12 months with both ones provided by work and the ones I've undertaken in my own time. I make no apologies that I'm very fortunate to be in a position where my job opens up opportunities. Its taken many years of persuasion to get succesive Chief Officers & Managers to see the merit in attending a wide variety of training and then share it. I like to think that the majority of what I pick up is shared both here at the 'Talk that is Arb' and also back with my colleagues. I often take notes and pass these around to a wide mailing list when I get back. I've been inspired, motivated, bored, galvanised & enthused in equal measures I put together this list to remind myself of what I've actually acheived and the places & people I've been lucky enough to have met and listened to in the last year. Forestry Commission update on P&D at Ickworth Threats to Londons trees seminar at the Guildhall in the City of London - Jan London Tree Officers Association seminar on P&D at Camden - Apr OPM field training in Richmond Park - May Ancient Tree Forum field visit to Ashtead Common - June Tree/Risk workshop at Epping Forest - July Arb & Forestry show seminars Kent - July A day at the AA Conference in Exeter - Sep LTOA seminar on subsidence in Brent - Oct Forest Fungal Ecology in Oxford - Oct Visual Tree Assessment hosted at work - Oct Arb Aid Casualty Rescue hosted at work - Nov LTOA Veteran Tree seminar in Southwalk - Jan I plumb forgot some of these, must be an age thing I think it would be interesting to get a snap shot of who's been to what, where and to see who over the last year? Is CPD important to you? Do you get a chance? Is it too time consuming, too expensive? There's loads of development opportunities out there just waiting to be seized ! .

We still regularly use our 5m one as primary base anchor after 6 months. Not yet managed to clip into between the stiches. The design gives us confidence in the event of a shock loading (anchor point failure) situation. (however unlikely that would occur) .

Interesting snap shot Kev, though disappointing that the poll only had 38 voters from nearly 750 views to the thread. As long as you got what you wanted from it .

I don't know Geoff. Just came across it this morning. There's a construction going on next door, but not much sign of life at the oak property. I'll update it if it gets felled .

We're finding hispidus more and more in association with London Plane here in the Capital and across East Anglia. Where we have carried out climbing inspections, there have often been cavities within the core of the trees. The outer volumes appear to be able hold off the decay apart from where the wound interface is. Be that from pruning or storm damage. .

Reported in HortWeek Police called to scene to break up a scuffle between contractor and a local resident over the removal of 'unsafe' trees Scuffle breaks out as trees felled in popular memorial garden | Horticulture Week Sounds as if more consultation and site security could have been improved upon. .

an old oak pollard that had been storm damaged in 1987, re-grew a canopy but succumbed to the weekends blow. Laetiporus brown rot in the trunk. Looks like the house pretty much got away without too much damage. .

Hello Andrew welcome on board Having finished the lower graded Dip 4 18 months ago, I can just about appreciate how full on the Level 6 must be. What are you finding most rewarding and most soul destroying? good luck with the run in how many members are there of the SE AA branch? .

I didn't have binos at hand, but I thought it was fruiting from an old pruning wound Jules .

out doing a perimeter drive by after the storms of the weekend and came across a neighbouring LA's London Plane with what appears to be a dessicated Inonotus hispidus bracket on a major scaffold at height. Have informed them, as they may wan't to take a closer look. .

Look like applanatum What do you think Marco? Anywhere nice for your break? .

Fantastic ! Though a serious lack of work signs in place .

Tea for the discerning Arborists .

Hello Kevin We've had Denka DL28 for about 8 years It was used about 5/6 times a year Couple of years ago we realised that due to its design it wasn't being utilised as often as it could have been. As such, we have now gone down the route of hiring in more suitable machines when required. Regards. David .

Thanks for taking the time Owen. Think its Perenniporia also. .

Jeez Louise, Is that at the back of the property on Ingram Avenue where I saw you guys working on Tuesday? No idea that was there if it is. Was the spec really in % or in meters? .

Just another tree Adam

No bally excuse, call yourself an art lover If its still at Wimpole Hall I may take a trip over to see them. Thanks for the heads up. Bumped in to Gillian recently, she says hello. .

fallen red oak clearance from a couple of days ago .

Have you been to see them? .

Ideal opportunity for someone to practice Log Rolling for the next Olympics .

Update on this issue....... English heritage have decided after public consultation, 'not' to remove the three copper beeches. The Head of Historic Properties in London for English Heritage has written an article in the local paper (the Hampstead & Highgate Express) In it he states, that after a couple of meetings with the Kenwood Landscape Forum & an open public meeting, a decision has been made to leave these three trees. They will however, continue with the removal of a further 23 other trees on the site in relation to the principal view from the dairy cottage and also other views & landscape issues. The removal of these other trees have not been contested. Due to the period of consultation, EH received 189 individual responses as well as formal responses from various local friends groups, societies, committees & trusts. The power of consultation (or not?) .

Thanks for posting. Looks like (but the orientation of the image may be decieving) that it could do with more halo release from the domineering softwood canopies. Do you know if it has had any work around it along these lines? .

Very sad news, I wish you and your wife all the very best .