jwade

I've been shooting with a Canon 400D for the past 5 years on a 17-40L lens (for wide angle tree shots) and a 100-400L for shooting wildlife and arborists aloft, it's a good little camera thats been with me all over the place - the rubber grip is falling off and I've never cleaned the sensor or innards... But in my experience it's the lens that really takes the shot at least in SLR terms. Can't really comment on compacts, but I'm guessing the way manufacturers are pushing things it's going towards smaller micro 4/3 sensors. I'm drooling over the new Canon 5d Mark III . Really wanting the HD movie capacity.

whilst on the topic of decent books.. I should recommend 'In the footsteps of Augustine Henry' by Seamus O brian And one thats new to me which I'll be picking up at some point is 'Seeing Trees' by Nancy Ross Hugo, the photography by Robert Llewellyn.. And it's the photography that is part of the wow factor - lots of fine detail gained through focus compositions.

Yeah It probably has. I noticed it at the Treesource stand and thought it interesting. It's listed on Amazon under two listings.. One cheaper and an earlier edition.. I'm guessing the latest one is the one to go for...

I noticed a nice book at the arb trade fair (and also in waterstones last week). A book illustrating 600 differnt leaf shapes. The book of leaves I think.

The pollarding would probably have contributed to the larger foliage perhaps -akin to getting larger lusher foliage on Catalpa/ Paulownia when pollarded... Would be gutting if it was a davidia though... there should be a law against working on them trees.. lol beauties...

Just a stab in the dark - Thinking along the large leaf sorta line. Populus lasiocarpa - Necklace poplar.. Lovely large leaved poplar completely unlike our native.

Any chance of a better picture? Doesn't look like Paulownia sp. Where did you find it? Normal street tree? Park? specialist garden/arboretum?

I don't think it's Quercus semecarpifolia as thats a very slow growing, often scrubby asian oak, not often seen.

On the subject of Arbutus. Arbutus menziesii, what a beauty... Such a pain in the arse to establish and keep thriving - anyone know of any nice big ones that aren't in arboreta?...

Yep I know of them, particularly through another forum I frequent related to growing hardy tropicals and 'unusuals' and have wanted to go there for a while- I like the whole wild collected thing, however they know thier stuff is good and therefore they charge a hefty premium. Good on them I say. Just goes to show that modern day plant hunting is still valid, especially in terms of ex situ conservation They have also championed the schefflera sp. and other nice temperate plants especially those from Ullung do and North Vietnam etc.. I personally wouldnt want to shell out lots of money for something that is most likely to peg it, especially given last winter. I have often drooled over thier Sorbus and that Aesculus wangii at a whopping 80 pounds! Nick Macer of Pan Global plants is also very good, nice chap and great nursery in a charming locale. Just outta interest what have you got? The schefflera macrophylla is a beauty. thats my guess.. and probably tetrapanax?

I can't remember the exact price but I seem to remember it being around 80 quid. I'm in year 2 of an fdsc (still debating the 3rd year top up) and would like to work in an arboretum sort of role - but am open to many options at the moment.

manage to find it for under 80 quid at all? It has some interesting reference in there.. it describes many new species to cultivation, although it tends to focus on areas in the US (climate wise). It also a good reference for arboreta to visit, and the importance of wild collections/conservation etc.

Cheers for the welcome, have been a longtime lurker, first time poster..What am I letting myself in for!? My background is general plant and tree nut -emphasis on trees of temperate climates, have a particular interest in asiatic species and love the more unusual species capable of growing in these isles.. However I love geeking out about trees and tend to go around looking for large/ancient trees for fun. In the past more into grounds maintenance and gardening but with more of an affinity for trees, hence interest in arboriculture. Studying arboriculture at Pershore (fdsc) currently.

That particular species is Sorbus megalocarpa. One of those nice whole leaved asiatic species that has fruits that look like partridge eggs. Theres a nice one at Spetchley and a group planting at Hergest croft. I'm guessing Robarb has got the ID knack when it comes to trees... If people are into interesting and unusual trees then hergest croft is one place to visit. Also New Trees by john grimshaw is a valuable reference text for the unusual sp. quite costly though. Happy ID'ing. Maybe i'll chime in with some unusuals at some stage...