David Humphries

Much obliged Peter. .

I am of the pursuasion that there is a small but growing trend afoot, to hold off from immediately felling Beech with Meripilus. The key in my opinion as you quite rightly suggest Andrew, is monitoring and investigation. Appreciate your data posting. The main problem here is that "Return Management" is aspirational but currently largely unrealistic. Of course big land owners, some LA's and possibly a handfull of forward thinking home/tree owners may have and give opportunity to future management of Trees with conditions such as Merip. But It's interaction like this here on the forum where Arbs with the passion and desire of really getting to know about the relationships between a Tree and it's localised environment, is where progression lies. Not to mention sustainability for Arbs to make returning profit rather than one hit felling/topping. We also require balance to the debate from those with the appropriate legal experience to possibly curb over enthusiasm from a situation where an Arb might make the wrong call with out having all the facts. This industry needs to start thinking holistically with regards to Tree management, and redress the phylosophy to just Fire Fight. Too many of our Great Trees that give this country it's natural heritage are prematurely felled. Keep seeing Trees on here and elsewhere, that have evidence of basal decay, quite often very early stage that more than likely do not need felling.

Hello Andrew, thanks for the input, very interesting reading. Great to finally see you on here, the sites just got much much more interesting with both you and Marcus on board. All we need now is to get Neville and Ted involved and to get Colin to up his posting a bit. With you lot duelling we could have ourselves a truly stupendous and thought provoking arena, that is accessable to all the members of our little buggy, choppy type community .

Thought that with all the recent MEWP talk, I'd deflect general discussion to let Tony's thread get back to it's purpose with regards to the Guide, so general MEWP issues could be posted on this old nugget. Was really wondering if any of you north of the border had info on who, how often and how do they trim the "Meikleour Beech Hedge" Must be by Platform. Been past it a few times, but never after any recent work.

Oooohhh, the tension builds. The very best of British to you "Funguys and Gals". .

Too early, will have a peak next spring and update. .

If I get the opportunity, I'll be leaving me oppo alone half way up tommorows Lime reduction, to get that purrfect shot. just kiddin .

Are we talking veteran Trees here Perci? I've seen these left on Tilia, Fraxinus and Fagus. In the case of old Beech pollards, the restoration process is greatly helped with Sap Risers left on. One consideration, would be too much light being introduced to the newly opened top of the Boling, which can lead to failure. This should be accomplished over time, not too suddenly. Weirdly enough, it would appear Oak is more susceptable than Beech to this effect. .

I see from the Met office, it would appear I have a window of an hour and a half of Blue Sky tommorow at 10.00 hrs. Cameras at the ready Mr Colins, quantity plays a weak second fiddle to quality Meine Freund .

Hello Perci, I generally agree with Bundle here. HC appear to get enough energy via spring and early summer photosynthesis to not really panick about the infestation. This is ofcourse unless secondary infections such as Bleeding Canker are present. From my observations, over the last Six years, by itself, Cameraria attack is mainly aesthetic. I was at Kew a few weeks back where I was present at a demo by Peter Boston of Arborjet and Treesunlimited, on inoculating against pests such as Cameraria with intravenous drips and injections. I think the insecticide is Abamectin? Not yet licenced here in the Uk. http://arborjet.com/ http://www.treesunlimited.co.uk/ Alternatively, you could rake up and burn/compost the leaves to rid yourself of any overwintering grubs. Lot of work, unknown success. Do you know if any of your indigenous predators are geting a taste for Cameraria yet? Where part of France are you exactly? Good luck in your management. Ftr, only water was used in the demo in these pictures.

Yeah but with all the hardware you pack when self craning, your svelt elfin like figure wont be far off my middle age spread .

Cheers Gayn. Would love an SLR like John Hancocks Nikon D80 , but budget allowed this Sony Cyber Shot, which I'm very pleased with so far. http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dsc-h-series/dsc-h50 .

I've always considered the extra weight of a climbing rig for self rescue to be a hindrance on the SWL, not to mention the space. There are safety ropes (lightweight & micro diameter) specifically designed for this, that MEWP operators have had access to for years. Will go through my info and try to post something on distributers on the morrow. Btw, ordered two of the guides this morning, no discount - tight so and so's. Tenner each ! Will review and post thoughts in a couple of days. .

Anyone else got blazing Norways??? Got a few, but our Capadocium Maples are simply stunning, hoping to get some blue sky before they all drop. Stay tuned. Btw, fourteen to nine. I'm still up on yer Andy .

Marcus, I can not make Wimpole, but I'm your man, sign me up. I have great access to not only my own site at Hampstead Heath, but also great contacts at Burnham and Epping. I would be very keen to be involved. Got loads of photos and locations. Have many Fagus, Quercus & Acer with Giant Polypore on, particularly this year. No failures as recently though. All the best [email protected]

Very nice shot Welwell. Some more from today - Euonymus europaeus Carpinus betulus Quercus palustris & Catalpa bignonioides

Hell yeah, back when I was greener than the JGG, I put myself underneath a rigged, hung up big latteral. Tried to dislodge with three poles , just saw the movement in time, jumped clear only for 8' x 8" diam lump of Oak hit the ground then bounce straight on to me back. Resulted in two weeks unable to move in bed with a haematoma the size of a grapefruit on the base of my spine YEOUCH.....still wince thinking back. Two months of ultra sound physio & lesson well and truly learnt. .

It would be Ash My personal favourite is the Cappadocian maple in the pot. forth pic. Relocated it as an almost rootless sucker 5 years ago. .

What we talking here Andy. Broadside or something a tad more exotic? .

Colour from today. Some roadside and some from me garden

First and foremost, my sympathies to all concerned. But I'm compelled to look into the HSE stats, because it appears to me that this year has seen a dramatic rise in this sad situation. Hope I'm wrong, but trends need to be identified and actioned against here. I believe too many students are flooding the Arb training industry, which in turn possibly dilutes the training provision, which may be leading to a short fall in graduation with competance. .

Andy, Leaving the RQ incident aside, do we know where these older/failing MEWPS are being sourced from ? are they registered, are they 6 monthly LOLERed by certified personel. Admitedly my bills are payed for, so I don't posses the same financial constraints as many on here possibly have, I would however go nowhere near a machine with out either of the above, as minimum. .

We've also gone two up at times, but depends on size and SWL of the cage, plus ammount of work. If you have a history, training and complete faith in you co worker, you can produce very efficient and ergonomic output.

You must be an imposter, I'm Dave. Welcome to the site Gents Btw, I'm Dave too .

But is this clever use of Man and Machine cost effective? Don't recall this technique being taught on me Cs 47