Gary Prentice

Why? Does Stubby wear his trousers around his neck?

Bit stuck on the reason for the decline of this Pine(?) I saw today. Most of the lower limbs are dead, it's an edge tree with no over-shading of the lower crown . Currently all the foliage is to the top of the tree, but what's remaining is browning off. What's odd is the discoloured patches on the stem where the cambium is dead or dying. It's noticeable that the cambium death continues from the large lower lateral limbs into the stem below. I'm not that up on forest conifer species pathogens but would have thought a needle pathogen would affect the needles, lead to branch death which the tree would compartmentalise at the collar etc. This seems to be extending further. There's no FFB's or any evident of root issues present.

Read that somewhere previously. Something else that my missus remarked on is that when sizing trousers (for waist size) many men of Asian descent measure them against their neck !! Trousers are buttoned up and then the waistband is put up to the neck. I've no idea on the reasoning of doing this, but you can ponder on it for the rest of the day

Appropriate tends to whatever the local authority ask for as a replacement for the contravention. In my limited experience its normally a heavy standard sized tree rather than a semi-mature (£1000's) specimen.

Never taught that at school, but me and the missus spent five minutes working out if we were in compliance.... Simple things please simple minds

You don't know how lucky you are, in that respect

Chalara springs to mind, although admittedly there is some speculation that it just blew across the channel to our fair isle. DED has been imported twice. I know, on elm timber with bark. Xylella fastidiosa, seems to be one of the greatest threats currently and ,iirc, there's a ban on a number of herbaceous plants and shrubs atm Remembering that we do live on an island, do you think that it is a good idea to import pots and containers of soil, carrying who knows what?

Do try to keep up mate...

Shouldn't this be a practice that we actively discourage? After all we've enough imported pathogens already killing our native tree population.

And on the plus side, I read yesterday that PINs are advertising for Arb inspectors.

Brain fart!

They don't really help themselves sometimes do they? your client's going to have to understand that if you resubmit to fell the procedure is going to involve some lengthy delays. By the time PINs gets involved the tree might be showing symptoms of chalara and everything will be mute anyway.

I did say that it wasn't easy but it's quite satisfying working through keys and reaching a conclusion that you're confident with.

I like your thinking Paul I'm not surprised that the pruning app is regarded as a new app, with a new timeline. You could have kept the original application in play (open to appeal on refusal) and submitted a pruning spec at the same time. I.e had two applications in play at the same time and allowing the LA to determine both. I've done this myself when I didn't feel that there was any real justification to fell but that was the clients main desire. Looking at the Defra site, Chalara was first confirmed in that area around 2015/2016 so personally I think any pruning app isn't a great idea. Talking to clients I'm raising the suggestion that ash should be left alone except for pruning works necessary for safety reasons. I don't see any point in doing work now and then the tree gets infected in a few years and being removed. If I was a tree owner I'd be disgruntled paying out twice. I think it's time to be pragmatic about ash as a species, 95% are likely to die so we have a responsibility to make clients aware of this in the tree management process. If the client can afford or wants to work towards short term gains involving pruning it's their decision but they should come to that decision in full knowledge of the facts. I'll get off my soapbox now

Have you tried working through the key I posted? It's unlikely you'll get a positive ident. without doing so because the distinguishing features will be pretty minor.

I get a bit of a sinking feeling every time that I'm notified that you have replied to one of my posts! My ignorance, lack of knowledge or misunderstanding is going to be revealed. But thank you Jon. I'd forgotten or wasn't aware previously of the Tree Root Agreement. Back to the books!

I stand to be corrected, but I think that Elm is considered to be unsuitable for cutting boards as it taints foods that it comes into contact with, beech and sycamore being preferred.

Don't they spark well?

They'll be a disgruntled chainsaw owner somewhere...

It's the same with some new staff in contracting Rob. They damage one side of the chain and just keep cutting. Only stopping when they're cutting in circles and the saw's binding and impossible to use. They'll finally sharpen the chain, but by then they've worn one rail down. Cut again with same result. Put a new chain on with same result because of the lower rail. But they'll persist with the new chain until the shoulder on that wears down i.e brand new chain fit for the bin. It's not rocket science is it?

I'd go for it Ian if you can make the time to attend the classroom sessions. It's a lot of work and effort but you'll learn a lot. And if I can help at all with lending reference books etc just ask.

That's made me think! While we're on the subject, have you a tip for the best answer in the chemists, when the pharmacist asks "Have you used this ointment before?" "Yes", acknowledging that you've had piles previously, or, "No", and have to listen to an explanation in front of all the other customers. A question to ponder on for the rest of the day.

They never mention that in the adverts.

Sorry Eggs but it was a serious question. Being as the thread is about tips I wanted to find out if, in the event you run out of toothpaste 'Preparation H' is a suitable substitute. Should you happen to have it to hand, so to speak.

Did it make them nice and shiny?