bjam1964

Hi, Just visited a Quercus robur after being called out by its owner. It's one of several roadside trees. Another nearby Oak recently fell over after failing just above the ground. The roots and buttresses were in an advanced state of decay with the remaining wood being rubbery and very flexible. This had all of the hallmarks of preferential delignification/white rot as caused by a Ganoderma species. The owner of the tree I was looking at mentioned a bracket fungi that appeared on an annual basis. He pointed to where it had been and sure enough there were tell tale signs of where the bracket was attached and a rather slimy, decayed remnant of the fungi itself. So, over to you I guess. I cut the remains in half and took a picture as attached. Any guesses . . . Many thanks, Brian

This mature Copper Beech tree is next to a busy lane. A sensitive site with many visitors, the trees contribute huge amenity value but never at the visitors expense. Would you take it out?

Hi there, I do hope these pictures are posted on the correct thread - forgive me if not. These fungi are present at the bottom of a Horse Chestnut. The tree is next to a tennis court on a private estate which is used on a regular basis. The tree is completely defoliated (pictures taken this evening - 5th October) and the side where the fungi is present has significant die back. When the tree was in leaf the canopy could best be described as sparse (which is quite an achievement for a Horse Chestnut!). It looks like Ganoderma sp. but I don't feel brave enough to state which species Now for the interesting bit - how would you choose to advise your client? Many thanks, Brian

Thank you for your response - I am aware of the normal 150mm sand but, in this case due to archeology, the depth is restricted hence the question. The formula for tree sand looks like it will work ok . . . ?

Hi, I have a unique BS:5837 situation involving archeology, building and remedial works for tree roots. Has anyone seen, used, or heard of cobbles and bricks being laid directly into tree sand? Many thanks, Brian

Do you know the Latin for that?

Hi, does anyone know what critter or disease causes this on Willows? I have seen it exclusively on Crack Willow but that's not to say it appears there in isolation. Thank you for taking a look.

Try to stay cool, stop swearing as much and invoice all jobs immediately upon completion.

The missus had a good idea - Happy New Year folks . . .

Time to bring the chipper home!

We spend several weeks a year pollarding Willows for the Environment Agency so end up with lots of cord wood. Leave a good season for drying and it processes extremely well, burns strongly but quickly. I rate it highly for wood burning stoves.

I challenge anyone who works professionally in trees to say they have not had a similar near miss I know for certain that, especially when I have a new groundie, things may not drop as planned or swing around - it has taken a few near misses to perfect the art of thinking several steps ahead and I am sure that there will be one or two more. Sometimes there is no way of doing something without an extended element of risk involved. Of course you could stop and use a MEWP or crane but who would pick up the cost? His leg looks very painful - not a very nice way to learn - hope he fully recovers and becomes an ambassador for the rest of us.

There doesn't appear to be any unwanted Stihl professional chainsaws - bah humbug. Happy Christmas everyone.

Conifer, chain throwing, tell me about it:cursing: A subject worthy of its own rant thread. My Echo top handle has a narrow nosed bar as standard and will throw the chain through conifer. But, my 200T with the standard bar, will also throw the chain so not so sure if this is due to the narrow bar:confused1: Plunge cutting with the nose wears the bar out very quickly - especially if any dirt is involved:001_rolleyes:

I will pay £35 per tonne for decent cord wood + VAT if registered. ;-)