GreenGui

I didn't think of that Do you think that by reducing the willow where it crowds the spruce and by taking the top off, the spruce will re-grow on that side? Or is it more like Landi where once dead its always dead?

Yes, thats it. It's not applicable to all, but the majority. That said, to a lesser or greater degree, I think we could produce an equivalent for every country looking towards the rest of the world:001_rolleyes:

Hope some of you better qualified than me people can help. I have put this on this section as I am more of a tree planter and coppicer and would appreciate some advice. We have this blue spruce planted (by previous owner) right next to a large weeping willow. The willow has clearly grown faster than the spruce and therefore encroached on its space causing dieback on the spruce and a lean partly due to the willow but I suspect also due to the prevailing wind. To make matters worse the spruce is close to the house, no worries re the roots but if it went over it would likely damage our house. I need to perform a light reduction on the willow this winter as it is simply too big an I am worried it will leave the spruce at the mercy of the wind and our winter storms. What do you think? Remove it now or can I wire it in some way to the willow giving it some additional support? I really like the tree and would prefer to keep it if possible. Thanks

For me it was not a case of him not liking Brits, it was more that typical often heard arrogant (sadly) american tone of 'no other way is right, only the american way'. The one that always sticks in my mind is 'your either with us, or against us' and look where that has got us all. I really wish the americans could broaden their minds a little more about the world out side of north america. However, that said nothing personal Mr Easy Lift, I've worked for too many American companies and know the attitude too well...

If he owns the trees and they are on his land, providing there are no protection orders on them he should just be able to go ahead and do the works. If they border roads then the usual warning signs etc are required but thats about it. I am in the north but I doubt it is any different in 'Dordoneshire' than Brittany. If any any doubt get him to ask at the Mairie first, the secretary will know - she will likely say "Non" and give him a funny look for asking

3rd that for the UK. And if your in the system, it works here in France too.

slow boiling frogs...

Nah, Not Arbtalk. That song refers to the EU

As a follow up and to answer my own original question. I decided to go a head and coppice 2 of my Ash trees at knee hight back in Feb. I am pleased to report that the results are positive; whilst there is a bit of light re-growth lower down at the base the main strong 6 ft re-growth has developed from just below the coppice cut. I know this is only 2 of the 80 trees but based on what I have observed I am confident enough to adopt this method when I come to coppice the lot in a couple of years time rather than down at the base. Might go a tad higher in future in fact.

You miss the point, Surprise!! Its not about people judging me. I could not care less what people think of me. You have already judged me, that is clear, do I care? NO. I'm not going to be drawn into a situation where you either call me an anti-semite or infer it. I can see what you believe from your previous post history. There is no point engaging you directly, in any debate, because your mind is already made up. In summary, I do not believe you to be engaging in 'good faith'.

No Mr mortimer I am not going to do that. Why? Because it is a trap. What ever I write about my 8 years of visits will simply be picked apart and poo poo'ed because the biggest influence on everyones life is the media. What ever I say, regardless of being first hand experience will be laughed off at best, and at worst I will be accused of anti-semitism, it's a standard formula and I am not so naive to put my self in that position. However I am equally not going to participate in a forum and read things that are totally opposite to my real world experience and not comment if the thread is about that subject.

Having had to work there on and off for 8 years I can tell you now that Israel is anything but a "beacon for democracy and respect". It might be if your jewish. IMO it is as bad, if not worse than South Africa was during apartheid, the western media generally works in its favor when it should be calling for strong sanctions like it did with SA. Double standards abound. Go and work there for a period, get first hand experience, then make an informed judgement.

What border are you referring to? It has changed so much over the years...

For some strange reason you seem to be stuck on the idea of homosexuals, no idea why. The original post made NO mention of them. Are YOU capable of moving on??

First class post. Many people agree with you and the numbers are growing by the day. The problem for many, particularly ex forces people is that to believe even the slightest part of what you, me and many others know to be the truth means that they feel that they have lived a lie. The idea that the ideals they signed up for might not be the truth is so abhorrent, how do you deal with it? You deny it and then use all the preprogrammed terms to define others. The problem now is that even some of these people are seeing through this and seeing the world for how it really is, hence the now expanded definition of "domestic extremist".

That may well be the case. I think it is also the case that different forums have different natures, their natures seem to be driven largely by Google rankings as others have alluded to previously. Nevertheless a pity

Agreed. Your point has been missed I think. There are a few really good threads worth reading but it does seem to of lost its vibrancy. I lurked for a good few years before posting and miss the posts of some of the members who no longer post.

"Lies, Damn lies and Statistics" To be fair there is always work if one is prepared to graft, keep hearing that one here anyway... But living in France I would agree that the language is key. Go for a period of time but don't burn your bridges in the UK i.e. if you own a house rent it out! There's nothing like learning the language 'in country' its a world apart from the language lessons in the UK. Life's short, good luck

Exactly. So a 235/85 is 10% (ish) bigger than a 235/75. You can play tunes with the width vs aspect ratio to achieve a certain size. I used to just fit the standard Avons, I've forgotten the size now

I've bought sets from Lidl and Aldi in the past, TUV standard and pretty cheap. Would buy again if needs be.

I think Mr Kennedy would understand your point Mick, below is a cut and paste from his Twitter account. CHARLES KENNEDY Follow Charles KennedyVerified account ‏@charles_kennedy Jimmy Savile was a true and long-standing friend to the West Highlands over decades of diligence and decency. A sad loss indeed.

The bloke who empties our septic tank gets it all up his arms - no gloves etc. and thinks nothing of it. Drives off without even a thought of a basic hose down let alone a wash with soap and water. I just wave him off now rather than shaking his hand:laugh1: We are moving over to dry toilets so I can keep the 'solids', compost them down and put them on the veg plot. Small holders long ago used to do this, in the UK it was called "dark earth". So long as it does not go anaerobic during the compost phase and is left for a year it can go straight on the plot and has no bad pong. We've become a bit soft really IMO, afraid of our own waste, so long as we follow basic hygiene and the scientific compost process what's the bother. I will admit however I would not like to do it for joe public, just my own family, double standards on my part??

Deffo, found a used "jonny" (excuse the spelling, not that it matters here though) in one sack we bought. So long as its been heat treated for long enough it should be fine, just think of those spuds... (not the ones that used the jonny obviously)

Love it! Agree that the wings are a bit small but who cares, it looks great especially the 'feet'