sloth

It's my understanding that cis only applies to construction industry related jobs, as has been said. So site clearance maybe, is about the only arb related activity. And even that's questionable, as if the site is cleared before it becomes a construction site... Well.... Have a look at the list of cis applicable activities online (Google is your friend here) and if you aren't involved in them then why is your employer looking to deduct payments from you? I think you need to ask them a few questions!

No, not burnt, although that might improve the flavour! Grown some rainbow chard this year, great to grow and looks lovely. I just can't get over the taste - soil. It all tastes like mud, no matter how I cook it. Should it taste like this, or have I grown a lemon?

Looks more like a burr in the second pic...

Tulip tree is so called because the leaves are shaped like tulip flowers. And should I be able to see a picture in this thread?

No worries...

Any idea what or who DOC is?

Echium plantagineum it is then. I knew I could count on the varied collective expertise of arbtalk members, cheers guys. I don't feel so bad for not knowing it now either!

Does look a little like phacelia, but I reckon eggs is on the money. Linseed, or flax, after a quick Google fits the bit. Lovely looking crop, I wonder how I've not noticed it around before now!

Driving down the A12 between Kelvedon and Witham, ish. There were several large fields of it, as striking as the rape is earlier in the year but a different colour. Smells nice to walk through too...

Awesome looking galls! Never come across them before, my first thought was they must be called artichoke or hops galls too...

Anyone able to id this crop for me? I feel like I ought to know it, but don't... [ATTACH]222517[/ATTACH][ATTACH]222518[/ATTACH]

Just finished read Etymologicon, by Mark Forsyth. Pretty light hearted compared to Forgotten Highlander, but still a good read on the origins of words. He takes one word and it's history, then leads it on to the next word in a somehow related way, very easy reading and interesting too...

Something I've pondered my self too. I came to the conclusion that any pathogens or pests etc would be adapted to a life on a living/dying tree, once that tree (and pathogen) is chipped up the 'whole tree' environment which it benefitted from becomes drastically changed. Then the pile gets really rather hot as it decays, which would kill of a lot of nasties in itself. Certain dead wood specialist fungi (saprophytes - only able to live with on the dead and decaying wood) then take over the chip pile, turning it into a kind of compost and releasing and recycling the nutrients from the woodchip as they devour it. By this time any pathogens from the original tree are long gone, as they cannot survive in the new environment within the well rotted chip. Worms etc also love it at this point, and will naturally incorporate it into the soil, producing a healthy happy soil. So I'm firmly in the mulch is good camp, you can't keep taking from the soil without giving back! Re a root issue, I wondered this too as the soil sat quite wet during the spring and early summer. I've had a good look and a small dig around the roots/planting area and can see nothing unusual. I'm well and truly stumped...

It is spreading daily to affect the whole tree. Older leaves more affected than younger ones, and dropping generally without wilting or fully dying first. I've checked lots of nutrient deficiency charts etc, and nothing quite fits. I think some fish blood and bone might be worth a try; not sure how my wife would feel about me wanting to spread more woodchip mulch around the garden!

Even this companies most expensive fake grass at £23.99 per square metre would be less than £770. They have different grades down to about a fiver a square metre, or less than £200. Was it a swanky posh one, or a cheaper one? https://www.expressgrass.com/

No signs of Pseudomonas, thank goodness. Nutrient deficiency is looking likely, though no other plants/trees in the vicinity are suffering and it had slow release fert balls in the pot with it when I planted it - maybe mulberry are just a bit more sensitive than others. Hopefully it'll struggle on through and pick up next year... Cheers

At least your outside in nice places, doing something you enjoy. There's a lot more to life than money!

Ingenious! And a lot more controlled than my method...

Chain it to a tree and drive

I don't know Mr Girdle, none that I've noticed but I'll have a closer look when the rain stops...

Can't really offer anything meaningful based on those pics I'm afraid. Any exudate on the stem, are you able to check back late summer or early autumn (after rain) for new fungal fruiting bodies?

"One resident went to the extreme lengths of placing his electric toothbrush charger on top of binoculars to trick the attacker into believing it was a security camera." Genius!

Is that girl taking the p, or are some people really that dim...

Is that the big thing that cuts and welds the tracks underneath it? Impressive if so...

Good ideas, and have had a good look, no aphids or insect pests of any sort are visible, nor evidence of (holes etc)....