David Humphries

The Lady doth still frequent our happy little ship, though from the depths of the shadows it would seem. .

Restricted access and underground services, can and do play a big part in the decision to not opt for a MEWP. The big one for me though, particularly with regards to Veteran Trees, is .....................root plate compaction. FTR, from my perspective the above is not seen as a "get out clause" I hail from the school of thought that arming oneself with all the tools to tackle each and every situation is where we should be aiming. Two Mules for Sister Sara oiow's Horses for courses . .

Sure is Mr B. I twernt there the next day, but I'd imagine the birthday boy had the shades a little lower, covering over the duel pits of hell. .

Thought the first two were both from last year, but just checked and the first one is June 06, second is June 07. Last two are Capel last year. Do ya recognise the fella in the last shot. It was taken just before he took up residence in the Pied Bull for the night .

My inlaws use to live across the road from there. Nice park, loads of mistletoe in the limes, like in the last shot. Did you meet the Park manager, (Ray Brody) ? I use to play footy with him in another life. .

Imagine I'll be at both AA and Capel again this year. Not sure which days yet. .

The problem with winching, is you have absolutely no idea or control on the impact the pull is having on the tension and compression roots of the plate. Ok if you're in the middle of a wood, but as the target Tree in question is, or is nearly always dead and/or possibly decayed, then the pressure your potentially causing to the stability of the Tree in a public place is unquantifiable and you end up potentialy increasing the hazard and ergo, risk of failure. This would not be defensable in my opinion. But damn good fun to try all the same .

Monolith, is a loosely described term for a reduced dead standing Tree. The purpose of which is to enhance the localised bio diversity and help toward addressing the balance of lost standing habitat, from 20/30 years of urban woodland sanitzation. Certain endangered Red Data Book species will only habitat within this specific type of environment.

looks like an old Ganoderma bracket, either adspersum or applanatum. Last one looks like spent puff balls of some desciption, possibly one of the Lycoperdons. .

Pm sent .

Dave, I'm reflecting on my specific situation, not other LA's. Our Tree works are carried out inhouse. .

Nice work Highland. Just a thought from a conservationally biased Arborist........... In this instance, where aesthetics are not particular high on the agenda, It is my opinion (based upon experience and observation) that leaving a stub of a meter or so, would be an altenative to natural target prunning. Can't tell from your distance shot, and I am in no way suggesting your last cut is not bang on the collar, but man can never hope to exactly replicate the closing/healing of a natural major wound ( ie; branch failure/ removal ) What a Tree needs is time, not perfect angles of cut. How often do we see prunning wounds not callous over and lead to localised disfunction and decay. Even with the best skill and attention the perfect cut is not always attainable, possibly due to localised adaptive growth, access etc...... More wood may = more chance for codit to initiate succesfully. Not suggesting the late great Alex Shigo was barking up the wrong tree, but I think his decades of experimentation was designed specifically for the ideal urban specimen, where the above mentioned aesthetics does come in to play. The best callousing I ever see is always in woodland, where branches have failed, leaving a branch stub, which enables the Trees natural time scale to adapt and develope callous tissue in the most efficient and proportional way possible. Of course Mr & Mrs Smith living on Accacia avenue, does not want to see there lovely Tree left with unatural flush cut stubs, so this is where fracture and coronet pruning comes to the fore I remember reading some research from Germany on flush cuts, stubs and target pruning back at Merrist wood 10 years ago, would love to get my hands on this again. If anyone does know of it, I would really appreciate a nod in it's direction. Just a thought.................. .

Unless your fortunate enough to work for an LA, that doesn't work contract/bonus, then it's all about the quality not the quantity. .

Looks impressive Reg. Looking forward to you making a vid of the Volvo drop test on it Hope it goes as well as the BD for ya .

About bleedin time David Was starting to think you were day dreaming the Tree thing and actually worked on the fifteenth floor of an office block or something. Nice shot Better get your self down to costcos and stock up on batteries. You got some serious catching up to do compadre .

Here's a curious one. Well maybe not, as I guess it's probably just a case of grafted roots. Mono'd this dead as a Do Do Beech the other day. Died about 18mnths ago. No shots , but the root plate was covered in Meripilus giganteus. This regen was approx 6 meters from the dead tree, and some twenty plus meters from the next available live Beech. I'm summising that the roots from these pair of trees are grafted probably somewhere towards the middle distance between the two, with the live tree helping to form this regen from what should be dead root stock. .

Wouldn't question your ability to advocate for the great horned one for a single minute What's your thoughts on the bracket Tony? .

Btw, you need a bit of spit and polish on the old Tree roots me old china. How very shoddy ! .

Look forward to the dismantle shots. Don't forget to take a shot of the cross section from the tomograph. From this top angle it does look like, as Paul suggests, either G. adspersum or applanatum. Looks too flat for Fomes. Is there a front on shot? .

Thanks Justin .

Nice one Carl. Do you recall the diameter from the test point? We all make mistakes with spelling sometimes, but the "Consultant" needs to tweek his latin a tad "Fomis fementeris "= Fomes fomentarius - Hoof Fungus/Tinder Bracket. Did anyone sound this trunk with a nylon hammer? The blue & white looks to show an extensive cavity .

It has an annual service, last one was a few weeks ago. Petrols always emptied for the winter. Should be a good buy for someone. I think she may be contemplating a part exchange with a local dealer for a new Electric. Cheers for the info fellas. .

I believe you are misled Sir, apparantly Anne was a dab hand with a felling Axe .

A fine and subtle spirit dwells In every little flower, Each one its own sweet feeling breathes With more or less of power. There is a silent eloquence In every wild bluebell That fills my softened heart with bliss That words could never tell. Yet I recall not long ago A bright and sunny day, 'Twas when I led a toilsome life So many leagues away; That day along a sunny road All carelessly I strayed, Between two banks where smiling flowers Their varied hues displayed. Before me rose a lofty hill, Behind me lay the sea, My heart was not so heavy then As it was wont to be. Less harassed than at other times I saw the scene was fair, And spoke and laughed to those around, As if I knew no care. But when I looked upon the bank My wandering glances fell Upon a little trembling flower, A single sweet bluebell. Whence came that rising in my throat, That dimness in my eye? Why did those burning drops distil -- Those bitter feelings rise? O, that lone flower recalled to me My happy childhood's hours When bluebells seemed like fairy gifts A prize among the flowers, Those sunny days of merriment When heart and soul were free, And when I dwelt with kindred hearts That loved and cared for me. I had not then mid heartless crowds To spend a thankless life In seeking after others' weal With anxious toil and strife. 'Sad wanderer, weep those blissful times That never may return!' The lovely floweret seemed to say, And thus it made me mourn. Anne Bronte .