jwade

This tree could be a species of Cladrastis? Most commonly grown one in this country is Cladrastis kentuckea, but there is also Cladrastis sinensis (American/Chinese Yellow Wood) but then of course the wood would be markedly yellow in colour... Otherwise this one has stumped me and I would have suggested the usual suspects as previous posts.

Previous mention of Mulberry is correct, its likely to be a weeping/compact form of Morus nigra. I can see differing leaf shapes.

Nope that one is not Sorbus sargentiana as the fruit clusters and leaf is different. Looks like the commonly sold clone of sorbus commixta known as 'Olympic Flame' or perhaps 'Dodong', either way a lovely tree with great autumn colour.

The work on Sorbus by Hugh Mccallister is an excellent book on Rowans and describes s. sargentiana very well, it also shows you how many lovely small species there are. It says that the leaves in this sp. are larger than any other except perhaps Sorbus harrowiana (lovely small shrubby tree). A good read if you are into Rowans.

Second image in Dalton trees also shows, the basal leaflets, which is characteristic in s. sargentiana and other related Rowans. If original poster can take shot of these then it could be more diagnostic.

Yep, foliage seems to match, although the buds on this one appear green I'm still positive the original picture is of s. sargentiana, there are a few related species eg. s wilsoniana and s. insignis, but it doesnt fit. This species is typically grafted onto s. aucuparia rootstock.

Which further strenghthens the case for s. sargentiana. I know it's shocking to see a rowan species that has nice bold foliage. I think its the lack of close up of buds and no fruit corymbs which would give it away. The general 'stout' appearance of the twigs and tree absolutely give it away as sorbus sargentiana. What context is this tree in? arboretum? park?

Still convinced it's a S. sargentiana. The description matches what I see in Flora of China - Sorbus sargentiana in Flora of China @ efloras.org. The leaflets are starting to turn the classic yellow/red autumn colour of s. sargentiana, starting from the edge and that reddish sticky bud is a give away. Leaf veins match, and it has large leaves for a Sorbus. Stout twigs/branchina and a small to medium size tree. This particular individual obviously didn't fruit well this year, because if there was fruit cluster that would be a key diagnostic feature also: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=sorbus+sargentiana&espv=2&biw=1517&bih=714&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChMIjceUiszlyAIVS9gaCh2Pgw0R&dpr=0.9#imgrc=_

This tree looks to be Sorgus sargentiana, large pinnate leaves and what look like sticky reddish terminal buds. Lovely species, one of the nicest in the genus.

I grow seeds of both native and non native tree species, often 'nabbing' seed from nice specimens. Recently I set out on a project to grow acorns from veteran oak trees from in and around Great Malvern (Malvern Chase). Needless to say they came up like mustard and cress and have spent much of the summer potting them on -it was a proper mast year last autumn. I find that many of the seeds just benefit from an autumn sowing, that period of stratification and often they germinate the following spring. The trick is to plant into seed trays or deep pots to minimise the transplant, I'd also recommend protecting them in a cold frame or something 'squirrel proof'. Maples - they require the outer casing removed/ or chipped slightly to allow the ingress of water. I have some experience of growing wild service/true service tree also, they require cleaning carefully and then a period of cold treatment. On a side note I also plan on taking cuttings from nearby Populus nigra subsp. betulifolia and growing them on to plant in floodmeadow. I know of a great population of these charismatic trees and intend on exploiting them.

Interesting David, nice to build up a picture of where this fungus gnat is present. The larvae can pupate in the silk cocoons on the bark and the fungus apparently. A quick search for Sciophila ochracea (a syn) comes up with some images of the gnat. My email correspondance with various people have stated that the only way to tell is to rear them to mature gnats for an ID. https://data.nbn.org.uk/Taxa/NBNSYS0100018006/Grid_Map - distribution.

Those webs look like something have seen here in the UK before, a fungus gnat Sciophila pomonae, which produces curious webbing with holes on Phellinus pomaceus. This fungus clearly has a few associates with it! ref my post: http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/ecology/49772-hamadryad-trees-ecology-fungi-22.html#post940187

Becuase I'm a complete sucker for the 'beauty' of trees it'll have to be.. In no particular order for a smallish garden. 1. Davidia involucrata 2. Liriodendro chinense (daintier and smaller cousin of tulipifera) 3 Dracanea draco (not growable outside in UK winters, but mature trees are most distinctive)

The subsp is apparently hardier - but Scotland is pushing it, maybe somewhere fairly sheltered or with wall protection sheltered from buffeting winds.

Yep looks about right. Is probably the Catalan ironwood - Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp aspleniifolius. I was puzzled over the identity of a fairly large specimen of this in a front garden near Hampton, London Borough of Richmond... Nice to put a name to it.

This is quite a well known and publicised Oak (Rob Mcbride). Just thought I'd share my shots of the Witley Oak. Great Witley, nr Stourport on Severn. Landowner was approached about management but has refused it, or just doesn't want to pay for it. He stated he'd chop it up for firewood when it gives up the ghost. Field has clearly been turned over to agriculture at some point, which may have involved ploughing in vicinity of rhizosphere. Old chap showed me round it, photographed the engraving inside it also... Attached is a PDF I put together of my experience of this tree. File should read Witley Oak - apologies for spelling error. Whitley Oak.pdf

I think fair enough if people want to pay for the course, then thats fine. I think infact it would benefit a group of ecologists or interested parties that want field experience of surveying veteran tree habitats. IMO I'd just attend a ATF meeting, where you get these sorts of skills, and the banter for free. BUT I'm just saying all this because I have experience of using this survey methodology.

This is of use if you geek out on ancient/veteran trees, as I know alot of people that frequent here do....(myself included) But I don't think it really needs a 'proper' specialised course - a bunch of arb mates could get togethor in the field one day and do a survey. it's fun! It is interesting conducting this sort of survey, as it picks up on habitat niches and also means you can calculate a habitat score, it basically looks more in depth at associated flora eg bryophytes, invertebrate activity, previous management, tree context and can be used to inform future tree and site management. Have you seen some of the example studies that treeworks have conducted abroad? Highly recommended reading and really interesting if you like Oak woodland.

For my third year dissertation project in arb i did a SSM on veteran trees in Blackmore Park nr Malvern and used this survey form. It's really easy and you can assess all sorts of detail such as sap runs, dead wood units, scars/tears etc. But the pro forma has different levels of expertise, if in doubt just use a slightly simpler version of the form, the 'tree form' category is illustrated so you can't really go wrong in assessing even basic info (in my particular study i was mainly recording lapsed pollard or maiden oaks. You can do allsorts of fancy stats afterward by entering it digitally... I really like this form, the way that even laypersons can use it and I think it should become more standardised in recording of veteran tree populations. It's definitely a good idea to digitise the findings, as eventually the paper copies either get lost or tatty. I laminated a set of these (pages 7-15) for use in the field. Good stuff all round.

Liquidambar styraciflua (I'm assuming it's this species) does respond well to pollarding, it naturally breaks dormant buds freely and also suckers quite considerably from the parent tree. I've seen mature examples at RHS wisley that have had branches fail and the epicormic shoots are fairly vigorous near the wound.

I'm sorry but I don't understand all the fuss. Is this a training course on how to use the VTI Specalist Survey pro formas - and what to look for features of 'veteran trees'. I may be sounding a little ignorant - but whats it for? enlighten me. There are notes with the survey form. I used this (the SSM) in a recent study I conducted and it is quite straight forward and anyone with a keen eye and some survey equipment can use this methodology.

This is an interesting thread, stimulating the debate around managing heritage trees, it also demonstrates how a Picus tomogram isn't always that accurate! Just thought I'd mention whilst on the subject of rot and conifers in general... A fenced (for safety reasons) Pinus x holfordiana at Wisley (a champoin tree) recently failed catastrophically because of dyers polypore. Just illustrates what this decay pathogen is capable of and also suggests that a tree of size and merit can be retained until the inevitable happens. I'm not sure how long ago the decision was made, and fence erected though.