sloth

Thanks all, will check them out; is it the same as what is commonly on Apple trees in orchards by any chance?

Anyone know what causes the orange rust like bark common on ash? Can't find it in any of my books I have on site with me or a search of the site, thanks in advance as I'm sure someone will help!

What's a purge?

The heri's are like works of art

Cheers hama, didn't think it was anything to worry about; just wondered if it was something specific to the smaller branches/twigs, or a more widespread fung

Yup, was wondering about the actual rot. It seems to completely degrade the wood leaving the bark alone. It's on many many (if not all) oaks round here (east anglia). Didn't know if it something than can affect larger diameter wood/trunks. Sorry, no pics; someone on here may have though

Does anyone know what causes the intense rot of naturally abcised oak twigs while still on the tree? You know the sort I mean, generally not more than or 2 inch diameter stuff...

In my defence tapatalk doesn't show post dates!

Also, this site is wealth of information with great teachers! Im always lurking in the shadows absorbing others knowledge, pondering on others opinions; well done arbtalk and all on here!

Somewhere between. Trees are magnificent organisms, and can't protect themselves. Id like to help protect them, or at least retain not remove 'dangerous' rotten trees. I have a shed load and more to learn and always will, but I will continue to learn so I can try and educate the client. To steer them toward retention and its countless benefits. I suffered some dark time and depression at the start of my climbing days; as a result of learning more about them, their interactions with so many other organisms, and seeing so much unnecessary/bad tree work and removals- and being responsible for a lot myself, at the instruction of my boss for the benefit of the uneducated customer it took seeing that bad tree work (looping topping etc) creates fungal habitats, hollows and other niches of benefit to many beings to justify doing the work myself. That, and a need to earn for my family! Much of the work I do now for my boss is really not needed; the client talked into work to furnish our log pile, or due to a lack of understanding as what constitutes a danger (a few moths ago we cut down a mature oak which was in decline, as he thought the boletes under it were honey fungus! It still came down, as that is what he'd told the customer) He doesn't really care, though he says he does, as long as his wallet is full! I am learning and going in the direction of consultant so I may save as many trees as possible, in the mean time I muddle along doing what I can educating those who are willing to listen.

I'll try my luck

Ditto

I'm no expert on bracing, especially without pics, but is rod bracing another option to look at?

Your wife moans at you all the time for looking at trees, not other women

Might be of interest: in the aerial rescue thread, I mention a friend of mine who cut his arm badly- he was using a 200t one handed, followed the cut through into the crease of his elbow. It should never have happened, he was inexperienced, tired and stressed with the wysteria. I have no problem using them one handed when necessary or easier, as long as its done safely/carefully and with forethought. I do very often, and have never come close. Also, we covered one handed use when I did my chainsaw use from a rope and harness course with treevolution.

A friend of mine was up a wysteria covered pine and cut inside his elbow 80% through according to the hospital, luckily missed the major artery by a fraction but still lost a lot of blood. He was only about 30 feet up so I managed to talk him down far as he could while I put the ladder up (which was quicker than putting my climbing gear on!) Got him down on his own system from there. He's back climbing now does that count?

Wow, not sure I've seen them so densely spread on a trunk before!

All off the top of your head? Surely not!

I may well be wrong, and looking at the photos on a tiny phone screen doesn't help! But the trunk looks like calls growth at old pruning wounds, it looks like there may also be progressive downwards bending and a crack forming on the lowest limb. typical oak

What do you do if you think your neighbour stole your gate? Nothing, they may take a fence!

While we're on the subject, can I upload pics to the forums from my HTC desire Android phone? Would be very good if anyone knows a way, many thanks

Good advice. Might I also suggest if you don't have much climbing experience (which I assume from what you have written, sorry if I am wrong) you try and sub in more experienced persons to help out when needed, or do work with other companies that know what's what. As said, sorry if you have this experience; I'd worry about inexperienced people taking on more than they can chew. A new climber I worked with last year had his ticket nearly two years, within a fortnight working with us he made a silly mistake up a 30 foot pine and nearly went right through his arm. I was the only other person on site, pretty scary, made think and now see things a bit differently/more clearly. Good luck whatever you do, know your limits, don't be afraid to ask questions and of course, be safe

That'll be the one, felling a row of 50 aspen, about 30-40 feet tall along a road, several gone over in that very fashion already in the last few years. On closer inspection they all have it, and associated rot, with what look old armillaria on a few of the worst. Tricky to spot, right in/below the grass. Thank you

I have been told in the past but since forgotten; I have found bore holes in the butt of a row of poplars, all holes about 10mm, at ground level. Only as deep as the cambium, then going down through the inner bark. There are quite a lot on the trees which are affected. Anyone care to put a name to the critters responsible?

Hi Giles, I think I have pm'd you, but not sure if it went through ok.