Gary Prentice

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?

I haven't read that recently but from what I can remember I thought at the time it had a number of flaws (IMO) Firstly, how is a prudent owner meant to investigate? Having a tree growing on a shrinkable clay, what can an owner reasonably do? I can't remember off hand, but I do have a memory of a judge also saying that if owners removed every tree with the potential to cause subsidence it would result in desertification. Not arguing Jules but I think the Judge in KVK overstepped the bounds of reasonableness in the summation and decision and I've a feeling that the precedent created won't last - or rather that I hope it won't. Edit; https://www.ltoa.org.uk/news/170-seeing-the-wood-for-the-trees seems to go against some of the results of KvK

Wow, a consensus between all the posters If you're going to replace it I'd be tempted to try to dig out as much as the root mass as is possible. Some will disagree and say that it isn't necessary but, IMHO, leaving the stump will provide a handy banquet for Honey fungus just when you're planting a new, stressed, tree. I know it's more effort and maybe not entirely necessary, but it would do no harm to carefully dig (or grind) the stump out.

Could it be + Laburnocytisus 'Adamii'? A graft chimera between Laburnum and Broom? I've never seen one myself. Crataegus + Mespilus is another graft chimera that I remember from writing a nomenclature submission.

So the neighbours house is possibly suffering from subsidence and there's an oak nearby on neighbouring land - which must be at fault so the house owner wants it down? Yes, the letter is a bit strong (written by a lawyer?) as an opening gambit. My first action, if the tree owner, would be to contact my insurers. Afaik, liability/responsibility starts once the tree owner is informed that, on the balance of probabilities, the tree is causing subsidence. I.e. after a proper investigation has been carried out.

Was it growing well last summer? The drought conditions affected a lot of smaller trees. It's difficult/well nigh impossible to form a conclusion off of a few photos.

I real arb would have stuck a plaster on it and finished the job before running off to casualty! On the bright side (always look on the bright side) you've no tendon damage and it could of been worse. Flesh heals, you'll mend and get back at it and have now gained an even greater respect for the bloody evil things. Mend well mate

To be fair, from what I can see in the photo his pruning wasn't that heavy at all. I suspect that if the plant is dead it isn't because of the extent or time of pruning. To establish whether it has died or not, try to scrape off a little bit of bark near the bottom of a stem - with your thumb nail. If it's bright and greenish beneath all's good. If its fairly brown it's probably dead. With the absence of visible buds or emerging leaves it's probably had its day I'm afraid.

Titanium reinforced and Spud ported, ya know?