sloth

A little fairytale magic in all stages of development under this fine birch

This probably doesn't help Actually it does, thanks

A fair few records at Knole Park and with bamboo at Kew Gardens, might be worth a visit even if you don't find any...

You think too much! However, Clathrus = claws thrust and archeri = arch right over. Be interesting to know where the name actually comes from. I find that helps me to remember scientific names.

I think it's as much experience as 'qualifications', and only doing surveys within your limitations, eg. Knowing when to pass a job on. And of course having current professional indemnity insurance for the type of survey/report you arr providing. That said, there is always the THREATS pro forma on Julian Forbes-Lairds website. I used to print a load off as double sided a4 sheets, one per tree. It's a bit slow, but tried, tested and thorough. There is also a guide to its use, which you really need to read and understand before using it. Fine on small scale surveys

Here too, I've never seen such large fruiting bodies and numbers of honey fungus. I understand that some people say when cooked it is edible, has anyone here tried it?

Ta very much

I did have a quick frdbi check, and wanted to record it but didn't know how! It looks from their map like other than one record on the suffolk/norfolk coast, this would be the furthest east find, and a first for essex. Mostly being found in Cornwall or by the same person around Knole Park in Kent. Do you happen to have contact details for Martyn? And should I have taken a sample?

...well, just his fingers! Clathrus archeri, absolutely chuffed to bits found by the lakes at Colchester zoo, in mulch under bamboo, willow and birch within rooting distance. There were about 10-15 open ones, and another 10-15 eggs emerging, as can be seen in the pics. The brown stuff is the spore mass, similar to stink horn, although these didn't seem to have an odour.

Have a look under the affected bark for fans of white mycelium or bootlaces (also in the soil at the base) of honey fungus. Could have got in through strimmer or other damage. That would eliminate or confirm my first suspicions. How is the crown of the tree?

Hi all considering whether to sell my ms290 in almost new condition and getting a tophandled saw. What do you reckon I could get for it? Its around 6 years old (I think, without checking the sticker) and needs a new chain, which will only be its 3rd from new. Other option is can I get a little bit more power from it without much bother? After being used to 260's and 361's it seems very heavy for what poke it has.

Oak spangle galls, seen a lot of heavily infested trees this year.

I reckon so, it was directly after the Clitocybes in both books.

I'd contact whoever carried out the survey and ask them for confirmation they even saw it. Show them the pictures too. If it's a genuine mistake they should rectify it, if they are happy with with it as is then it's down to you and your client to go with their advice or remove anyway; which begs the question what did the survey achieve? Was there ever discussion and agreement about the surveys aims and management objectives?

Right, following actually getting off my arse and looking in Collins and Phillips I'm sure it's Leucopaxillus giganteus. A pretty impressive fungi, would have been nice to see it in its prime...

These found roadside. Hawthorn hedge and an oak nearby if it is of relevance. Fairly maggot eaten stem, white flesh, gills do not run down the stem. I reckon this is fairly easy if you know what it is, unfortunately I don't! Couldn't find it in the fungi app, which is all I have to hand, but maybe not a species associated with trees. Any ideas?

Certainly looks like it...

Poor guy, hope he gets it back. He must be a very chilled and generally happy go lucky guy to offer a free carving course to the thief if he returns it. An almost pleasant change from the usual 'if I catch the git who stole this I would' approach. Although not an approach I think I could go with! Fingers crossed for him. ..

Not the clearest of pics on my phone screen, but could be Hypholoma fasicular or Armillaria...

I've been reading this thread and wondering whether or not to post. I shan't bother with a long post as those who may benefit from it most probably wouldn't read it! This forum is more than just a few tree surgeons/foresters, it's a valuable and serious resource with intelligent and thoughtful contributions. But it is also a social platform for semi serious or casual chit chat, like at the pub, or sitting in the truck having lunch while it pees it down. And just like some things shouldn't be said in those situations and some things would deserve a punch on the nose or being fired, people ought to think about what they say here too. Many times I don't bother adding to threads because all it would do is fan flames unnecessarily. If you dont like what someone says report it to the mods, or put across your annoyance in a constructive post so it might not happen again. It's not just about 'scaring off' other members/would be members with nitpicking or pointlessly offensive posts; it's about being a respectful human being! If your local pub/workplace was breaking out in slanging matches and fist fights over 'what ppe to wear', 'why do it like that ya poof' or 'why shouldn't I keep this hoover' would you stay there or find somewhere else to go?

Hi back atcha hope you can glean what info you need, and help out where you can. We aren't all a bad bunch!!!

There are many oak and sweet chestnut in and around the car park, all of them old woodland trees. Im guessing there was all kinds of ground level change and trenching etc. Just seemed odd to me that it's the only tree of many to show these symptoms.

These leaves are from a tesco car park oak tree, around 10m tall, so a fair bit older than the car park and soils likely disturbed around 15-20 years ago. For at least the last three years, before the other oaks start to get their autumn colour, the whole tree takes on this interveinal chlorosis with necrotic patches before getting its proper colours or dropping prematurely. These leaves were picked a couple of days ago, on the tree the greens were 'greener', if you know what I mean. Tree seems fine the rest of the time, as do all the others. Any clues as to the cause? I thought a nutrient deficiency, but wouldn't that be likely to affect the other trees too?

I think that is a fairly unfair post. Hundreds of people use aspen with no problems. Certainly, as far as I'm aware, no 'conversion' is needed. Sure in some cases rubber parts will show their weaknesses, but if they are replaced and it's an occasional use machine it's probably beneficial in the long run. A few weeks ago I used Aspen in my ms290, it's 5 or 6 years old but had very little use (as in it's only on its second chain and the paint is just starting to wear off the bar). I had problems with idling and dipping high revs as the pump fuel I was using was getting stale due to the little work I use 2stroke engines for. I emptied the tank, filled with Aspen now it runs good as new. No conversion and no carb retune/rubber replacement, I'd be questioning your dealer and what his conversion consists of...

The European Union commissioners have announced that agreement has been reached to adopt English as the preferred language for European communications, rather than German, which was the other possibility.As part of the negotiations, the British government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a five-year phased plan for what will be known as EuroEnglish (Euro for short).In the first year, "s" will be used instead of the soft "c". Sertainly, sivil servants will resieve this news with joy.Also, the hard "c" will be replaced with "k". Not only will this klear up konfusion, but typewriters kan have one less letter.There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year, when the troublesome "ph" will be replaced by "f". This will make words like "fotograf" 20 per sent shorter.In the third year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.Governments will enkorage the removal of double letters, which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling. Also, al wil agre that the horible mes of silent "e"s in the languag is disgrasful, and they would go.By the fourth year, peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th" by "z" and "w" by " v".During ze fifz year, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou", and similar changes vud of kors be aplid to ozer kombinations of leters.Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst place....