Island Lescure

I was always under the impression that the growth of increments within forks was slowly adding more compressive force in the fork, in effect with a chance of pushing the fork apart.

No idea. He briefly mentioned bracing at the end but I was busy handing out certificates, as I was there as a facilitator, so I didn't hear what he said.

I am not a photo connoisseur of any sort but I have an old Canon Powershot that takes great macros. I imagine this would be great and it is cheap: Buy Canon Powershot SX420 20MP 42x Zoom Bridge Camera - Red at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for Bridge digital cameras.

Arcto: I find the more I learn about trees, the more questions I have. Whether that is a good thing or not is up to the individual to decide. It was definitely easier making decisions about trees 10 years ago. But I will definitely look twice at forks now before dismissing them as being a risk and that, for me, is a good thing. Goaty: Cheers for the clarification. Yes, I have seen a fair few trees knackered once half of the tree pulls out due to a bad junction, though to be fair, I have also seen others that fared well for a while despite this.

Yeah, I definitely have more questions and I need to read through the notes and I need to make observations. Goaty, what do you mean by "could create a heavy lean"? Yes, I don't know many trees that actually fuse and if those stabilizing branches go then the system is compromised, but, apparently, maybe only temporarily. I would have always pruned out small branches with inclusions before but now I would like to observe if they reinforce themselves as they are exposed to more stress. There are definitely some trees that have genetic tendencies to make poor forks. Some forks with tight unions have a branch bark ridge but it is indeed rare. I really don't think a wider angle makes a stronger branch if that branch has a well formed branch bark ridge and bulging at the fork base, but I will be keeping an eye out and doing some tests with trees we take down.

Cool, How did you find it? It was at Askham Bryan, York

Today I attended an Arboricultural Association workshop presented by Dr. Duncan Slater entitled Assessment of Tree Forks. I thought I should share my take on it as I find it very important for people in my industry to consider these things. The workshop is based on research by the above doctor and his associates. There were many points raised, but what I found most relevant to myself and I believe to anyone inspecting and/climbing trees in a commercial manner, are the uses of terms such as compression forks and tight unions to denote high risk of failure unions. It was proven that there is no compressive force pushing forks with included bark apart and that a fork with an acute angle does not necessarily mean that it is weak or without a branch bark ridge/with bark inclusion. Weak forks are most often formed when little or no pressure is exerted on their apex/top but this is usually because they are supported higher up in the canopy by crossing/rubbing branches or/and actually fused branches. A weak fork will not fail if it is supported. What this means in practical terms is that one should think twice about crown cleaning crossing branches despite the commonly accepted practice to remove crossing branches because they can lead to branch failure. This also means that if supporting branches decay, the fork must build sufficient reaction wood before it is subjected to a force strong enough to make it fail. The period before it has done this is when such forks are at the highest risk of failing. Some forks with included bark will never be able to reinforce themselves sufficiently, but these types of forks can be identified. It is important to know your forks when working with trees and this has helped me be more confidant in my tree assessments. For all the references, you will need to attend the workshop as there are too many for me to site here at this time

Mine are over a year old, looking ok. 4 days or less a week of ground or climbing use. Not very waterproof despite Nikwax coats. Warm in summer and winter. Lacing lock is pointless imo. I found them not very comfortable in the beginning as one side was rubbing on my ankle bone. Sturdy feel when walking around due to good sole. Basically, I am hoping that they fall apart within the two year warranty period so I can return them and get some airstreams (which also fall apart but are better in general I think)

Well the RPA is overlapping their plans quite a bit and it turns out it is not only an extension being built but the demolition of the existing garage, as it has no foundations really, and then rebuilding. They are now looking at other options. One of which is a wooden structure on the other side of the garden which makes me wonder; how much could you put over an RPA before needing to lay Geoweb or similar?

You might want to get a laser range finder which can be bought off amazon.

Ideally you will be looking to learn to climb if not already. A good variety of work. Give Paul a call for an informal chat Contact - Paul Johnson Tree Management ltd

Thanks for contributing everyone. I will be going on Monday so will update once I have surveyed tree(s) and spoken to client on site.

Cheers!

There is supposed to be a Monterrey cypress here. Would you have and not mind showing details of the cantilevered construction? That could be an idea if the foundations only just go into the RPA. Cheers!

I have not been to site yet so I am just looking at my options. It is in a conservation area in a prominent location so it can only been done conforming to the area's style under so and so conditions.

Thanks Chris. Just googled Abby Pynford system and it turns out the method statement is indeed theirs. I will ask what the architect or engineer has in mind first as I think they already had this as an option. It is for a 2.7 meter single storey extension so there should not be too many piles and as such not much digging.

I may be getting a job that requires the installation of foundations within an RPA. This will obviously require a method statement. I will probably go for the pile and beam design as on the attachment. Questions: 1: Any idea whose document this is? I found it online and would like to include it into the method statement. There is no copyright that I can find. I do not want to impinge upon copyright issues. Is this a generic method statement with free use or does someone know of another? 2: Hand digging with pole augers is specified in this attachment, to discover roots and subsequently decide pile placements. I have seen that air spades are also used but this would obviously be more costly and not necessarily more effective, in my view. Would there be any reason to use an air spade? Any other comments or suggestions welcome. Thanks, Island foundation within RPA.pdf

Not too sure where to post this especially as it is not an action video but thought it would be better here than the general tab. I found it interesting. Trees that surfed on a landslide by the river | Island Lescure, Arboriculturist

Seen a few like that around here just recently.

Nice one thanks!

Can anyone give me the id of this please? Looked in my tree apps but no luck. https://goo.gl/photos/S46pPxDjk939gzj8A Cheers Island

Hi, You have exceeded your message limit so I will put this on here. I am in Sheffield and can undertake tree surveys. I am insured up to £1mil, have the level 4 in Arb and the PTI certificate, along with some experience of doing surveys. If interested, please send me some info: [email protected] Thanks, Island

Edible mushroom inoculation sounds good but the area is quite grubby. I would not want to eat mushrooms from there. Can't really heap woodchips sky high there as one is by a ledge, another by a verge. I think I will just tell them that grinding is the only viable option really. Cheers for the suggestions!