David Humphries

We're looking at the Motion J3600 at work to replace our old Samsung Q1 tablets to run Arbortrack J3600 Tablet PC - The rugged, all-in-one device that is the ideal productivity tool Not had it in hand yet but one of our departments has, and I'm hoping to get to see it in the field shortly. .

Hi Paul, very interesting take on a real time issue for many Arbs of a certain age who I'd imagine for one reason or another have not had the opportunity or time to undertake a journey into the appropriate academic stream. Good to see the situation being addressed On an ever so slightly different training tangent (and I know it wasn't your specific area, but....) what happened to the AALGO scheme? Is it buried in a do to list or likely to be reborn out of the ashes like a phoenix? ta muchly .

Hear, hear you would of thought we would be leading by example with this kind of scenario .

Lynne Boddy has its mode of establishment down as 'latently present' in the roots .

I hope this is the case too Tom, but would also add 'ecological' aspect to the above list of significances. I've considered my NT membership over this episode, but think it would serve no point in not renewing as the vast majority of visiting members will not be overly affected by the physical loss of this one tree and in the short term my children would suffer through the lack of access to these sites. I doubt penning my individual concerns to the trust would also serve any real purpose (unless of course a nation wide petition arose) Perhaps better to casually engage & talk with members & employees at the various sites around the country as and when opportunity arises. Would be such a shame to lose any more of these mature heritage specimens (like the ones below from Ickworth) earlier than they need to or should be removed. .

Hello I can't really tell from these images what crust species the fungi is, but it is more than likely a secondary issue on the tree. I would think that this is a saprophytic species taking advantage of the vascular tissue that has possibly become dysfunctional due to another issue. You haven't really shown or told us what's going on at the base of the tree where the roots interface with the trunk. Perhaps take some more shots and have a careful investigation at the base of the tree with a trowel to see if there is a root issue. .

Don't really speak Mandarin, well, at all tbh but the images tie it all together No 'occidental' references cited beyond 2000 ? Do you know when this was published Guy? .

Taken from the RFS web page on sycamore [I]"Characteristics Bark is dark grey and smooth when young; becoming cracked with age. Cracks may peel at the edges and the bark may become scaly and take on a pinkish-brown colour in older trees"[/i] Sycamore | RFS .

Probably been posted before, loads of views. Thought some who haven't seen it before, may appreciate it. .

This is an FC pdf on ancient WP but there is a suggested reading list about woodpasture may open some avenues of investigation http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/ancient.pdf/$FILE/ancient.pdf have a look at pages 48-50 for glossary of technical terms and the reading list .

Ther NT's statement on why they took the decision to remove the tree....... National Trust's South West Blog – Duke of Wellington?s tree at Kingston Lacy posted on uktc by David Evans and here by Tommy Hutchinson, but thought it should go in this thread also. The most interesting part below, where it appears the 'aesthetics' were the overiding factor, rather than the 'decay' "....we accept that we may not have explained fully that the felling was because of concerns of the tree’s appearance as part of the historic landscape garden at Kingston Lacy if it underwent extensive surgery. It was a difficult decision which involved contributions from many experts both within the Trust and externally and different opinions regarding the long term potential of the tree were proposed. While not everybody was in agreement, it was felt that the major surgery needed would have spoilt the appearance of the tree and therefore the garden in which it was a feature." .

Think Sloth is leaing in the right direction with slime mould. I would have a look at Cribraria species Perhaps C. argillacea Cribraria argillacea (Pers ex J. F Gmel) Pers -- Discover Life .

Agreed that the presence of a couple of brackets should not really be the catalyst for removal without further examination..........but, P. ignarius (if that's what the above are) can be fairly aggresive particularly in Salix species .

Hi Paul totaly agree with you here regarding the use of a static load test & feel that the expense in cases like these are completely justifiable as a large percentage of the very people who fund the trust go to the properties to enjoy the trees as much as houses. .

Mr Barrells briefing note from his website. http://www.barrelltreecare.co.uk/pdfs/BTC88-BriefingNote-Complete-080114.pdf .

Fine looking stumps Jerry, where are the first ones? Is the bottom one Yew? .

Thanks Paul, great addition to the thread. Very interesting in that such a high profile British Arb has taken this unique & instantaneous way to tackle the decision to remove this tree. I take my hat off to Mr Barrell, and to be honest have learnt something new about his interest in heritage trees. Should never judge a book I suppose. I guess cynics will find his personal experience with the cedar gives a biased view of the situation. But personally I believe that ownership and working historical knowledge of a tree should (where ever possible) be sought when a report of a tree is commissioned. This has been one of the most fascinating threads (from my perspective) that has been posted here for a while (interestingly unposed at uktc by Mr Barrells peers) I think this has the potential to have lasting repercussions on how similar heritage trees will be managed in the future. .

Great set of shots, nicely worked Stump 'looked' like it still had some life in it yet in terms of evident decay and residual wall. Like the decision to reduce the lime, think that's a good call. .

Wow, phantasmagorical .

A very fair and salient point and one that has been considered at every point of the operation from concept through to transportation & installation. These stumps are from sites that have regular and in depth ecological surveys. .

Pictures please Mr Collins .

They are all old (out of the woods) stumps from here at work and one of our sister sites Stevie. I think they were washed of excess soil to bring out the sharp edges of the roots. They are a mix of sweet chestnut and oak. .

thanks to the heads up on yesterdays Great British Garden Revival show on BBC2 about the Stumpery at Highgrove. Reminded me about updating this thread on how the horts at work are getting on with their Stumpery. Coming along nicely .

Hello Ted, I supply a friend with a small amount of oak wood chip who smokes (Norwegian) Salmon in his garden in an old converted freezer Tastes fantastic .

I think the owner is spot on with his desire to maintain as much of this tree as possible at the same time as meeting his duty of care to the highway users & visitors to his land. They seem to have a good handle on their responsibility as a tree owner and also the benefits surrounding a tree like this. If you look at the Senario 2 on page 62 of the National Tree Safety Groups Common Sense Risk Management of Trees, the situation described is pretty much exactly what you are describing above. The owner knows that this tree requires some level of management, he has instructed an Arb to advise, and (hopefully) will be keeping some form of record on file as to the survey and any remedial works carried out. This should be enough to be able to demonstrate "the conduct to be expected from a resonable and prudent landowner" Personally I would be looking (based on a couple of photos ofcourse) to reduce the end weight on the lower extended limb over the road, by a some meters back to suitable growth points, and to be only removing the significant dead wood that poses a risk on the roadside of the tree. I would also be looking for any signs of old fruitbody attachment in the canopy of Inonotus hispidus and for signs of fruiting at the base of the trunk for Ganoderma sp and or Perenniporia fraxinia and be tapping the trunk to listen for sounds of decay. Hi Alec, I think a tree like this, in this situation, apparant condition and environment, only really requires the first option at this point in time. .