Gary Prentice

I learnt long ago to just be pragmatic about all this. In all of the planning process the Arb Method Statement is provided (objectively) to demonstrate that the build can be completed without detriment to retained trees. If it can, the box is ticked and the process moves on. I generally outline the build stages and propose a signing off of each stage, in that the MS has been adhered to. Planning includes a condition that the MS is followed, so technically if it isn't there's a contravention of conditions, exactly the same as changing the brick colour or whatever. I've never had a client object to getting the building stages signed off, but then again I've never been asked to sign off either, so the fault has surely got to lie with planning itself. Maybe it's just that the system has become a box ticking exercise and as long as new housing quotas are being filled that has become the main target. It's frustrating to see AMS's trashed but you just have to get over it, - or start stacking shelves in Tescos, while hoping that somewhere there's a proactive TO, planner and Legal department that'll do their jobs as legislation permits.

Might be worth checking every connection/ground that you can find. Worked on a few different machines in the past, with intermittent faults, that have 'come right' before replacing expensive electronics. Can't remember what it was on now but one issue looked to be a voltage drop caused by a corroded lead on the alternator. Fully charged machine worked as it should, but then acted up as the battery voltage dropped during the day.

Now that's a brew I'd forgotten about

I can appreciate how frustrating this must be, having been involved in similar situations myself - pricing semi-mature replacements after the fact. With the absence of 'evidence' as to the perpetrator there's probably little that you can do, apart from make it plain that you're taking it seriously. It would probably be an uphill battle but have you contacted the police? First job is to get them to take it seriously, but considering the cost of felling, grinding and purchasing and establishing another similar sized tree would be approaching £5K (at a guess) there's enough of a loss to push for some intervention. At best you might just a community officer to ask the neighbours if they saw anything. That way you are least giving notice that you'll pursue (as far as you can) things and not just be a doormat to be walked over.

you do realise Spud that the generation this guy appeals to probably doesn't even recognise anyone you're mentioned. at best they'll recognize Hendrix from the front of a T-shirt.

I might be wrong but I thought Massaria colonised the tension wood to the top of limbs- causing failure of quite big limbs. Some of the dead limbs in the photos I'd just attribute to less competitive branches being over-shaded. (I can't actually see any stabilising. I think that @DavidHumphries has some hands on experience with this.

Hindsight says that there is no difference in any of them. Who could image that when Churchill was talking about fighting on the beaches.....

You could always ask her to move in

Not a good time to be single then!

After market blade?

You could always start a march of 1.

It would be interesting to see more detailed figures. Locally it's been noticeable who does and doesn't (has or hasn't been practicing) practice the distancing and protection regs. We've, wife and I, concluded that because of multiple generational family homes the Asian families almost all were masked outside. (except for an element of younger men) Another consideration is also what jobs people do, lots in nursing and care home - in relation to the overall staffing levels.

Any idea what the cause of decay is? Once you know what fungi it is you can start to hazard a guess at the trees potential longevity. 4m isn't particularly high if the stem is plumb - not much leverage on a good diameter stem. No good carving though if the fungus is decaying the heartwood though, in time the carving will start to deteriorate from the ground up. You've loads of things to consider so I'd be involving the carver and the client as early as possible. You never know, the client may spend the money for a carving with a less than usual life expectancy.

Higher scrap value?

Don't tell anyone, but I'm conducting a social experiment to see how far I can bait misters eggs and Johnson before someone gets offended on their behalves. I have a hypothesis that I'll offend others before I offend them

Though that was going to be infamous porn video that was doing the rounds

What, too old for the act or too old for the consequences of the act, i.e bring up kids?

I'm not sure that would actually make any difference... If you let it grow, I'm sure you'll never be mistaken for a peace loving, eco warrior, hippy type.

So which Uk beach has KK been spotted on?

With more and more things going online, I think that that's the future. I'd just be wary of sinking a load of cash into getting a website at the top of listings, cos you'll find you'll get dozens of companies promising to do that for you. 1st page of Google most list ten thousand entries, judging from the spam I get. Sign writing is good, advertising you even while you're parked in Tesco's. Business cards are cheap, hand them out to customers like confetti. You can have something on Facebook for nothing, run it basic and don't pay for anything but you have to work at it. I think FB reckon you should be adding posts at least 3-4 times a week. Hard work to keep it interesting enough to be shared (whatever the term is) but the analytics are useful to see what's getting looked at, so you can tailor your posts for visibility. Getting your company name out there is a slow process, word of mouth is the best introduction so capitalise on that and don't lose out by being late for appointments, be professional in all your client dealings and you'll get there in the end.

Fascinating, the similarities and differences in successive layers, even in closely situated fruit bodies.

Not much that you do whichever pathogen it is, apart from good hygiene, removing fallen leaves to help re-infection the following year. Officially the threat is a reduction in the photosynthesizing surfaces, but bare in mind that this becomes a greater stressor when it occurs year after year. Reducing the trees energy production and reserves. It wouldn't hurt to improve the trees rooting environment, to allow it to capitalize on the soils available moisture, air and nutrients. So a good mulch using a well rotted wood-chip etc, covering as much of the root area as the surroundings allow. Both of the pathogens currently affecting horse chestnuts seem to come and go, as you said good years with little infection, bad years with lots. A few years ago it was a bad year and Manchester council marked up loads of highway trees for removal. Some didn't get done and now (well last years) the remainders where thriving. So over reacting or rushing to act probably isn't for the best.

I think that they're classed as 'invasive' here and are problematic in many countries. I've seen a few that were forming small copses, but most that I've worked on were singletons.

But it's over now Peter! In many folks mind it's history and things are back to normal. It's ironic that we're talking about closing beaches when Florida are now closing theirs. I went to a supermarket friday, my first outing in three months. All the signs are still there; ,one out/one in,' 'two metre distancing and follow the arrows' I was the only bugger wearing a mask (staff not wearing them at all'. Walk which ever way you want. I just don't get the lack of concern about it now, it's as if none of it ever happened, no-one got ill and no-one died from it. So let's get back to normal.

I tend to have a copy of a 'work to trees' app to hand when composing a '5 day notice', to makes sure that all the pertinent information is included. (cos I can be daft enough to leave something stupid out)