Gary Prentice

Okay. Just to check, is the tree owner and the garage owner the same person?

Thinking a bit more about this. I think that there is a couple of possible scenarios as to how this will go forward. 1. If the garage was rebuilt and didn't require any official planning department input, I'd guess that the LA would argue that the build was undertaken without consideration of the protected tree. So the owners actions have basically created a situation where a conflict is arising which potentially could lead to loss of the tree. I stand to be corrected, but there may even be grounds for the LA to pursue a contravention if the tree eventually has to go. 2. If a planning application was required to rebuild the garage it may be a whole different story and the LA will probably go through everything with a fine to comb to ascertain that both the plans were sufficient to identify the potential for conflict, current or future, between the building and the protected tree. Further from that, is the construction exactly as illustrated by the plans ( is the exterior wall closer to the tree than shown by the plans?) With the information, about the history, provided it's impossible to draw conclusions. If the planning department have messed up (not unknown) by not identifying the conflict while consenting the build, in my experience they'll probably cave and consent removal. But, if the finger of blame can be pointed elsewhere, then it's going to get messy.

The candy floss conservatory?

Did any of this rebuilding go through planning or was it done on the original foundation without any planning department involvement?

usual practice is to use the most suitable height for the known grazers from the start. guards provide some benefits to increase growth rates and there's nothing wrong with a small tree in a tall guard. Generally the shortest guard suitable for protection is used due to cost

Did I ever post that story about the elm stump, excessive explosive and the E type?

So you gave up paragliding and crocodile wrestling then?

The most important thing is that the cuts are in the right position in relation to the bark branch collar. Thinking is that that the bleeding rinses the exposed wood and prevents fungal spores becoming established on it, so leave it be.

Nicely put?But knowing Mark I'm sure he was casting aspersions. (Otherwise known as taking the pi## ?)

??

And people still think that they're 'lucky' The wealthiest person I know (well past pension age) works longer hours than any of the managers and company officers that he employs. I phoned him him one Saturday morning with a query about an urgent survey I was doing, he answered my questions, chatted about other things for a minute or two before he said that he was actually in France on holiday. My respect for him went up a notch after that.

I thought roundup would scorch shrubs if it drifted, although the plants usually recover?

I've a couple at home which I bought for the same reason, I'll have a look and post up. Having done biology o level at school thirty five years ago I'd forgotten most things.

Only in America!

What about valuable Black Walnut?

Cos they're just to busy?

Just a 'cultural' difference Mark.

Keep away from the big trees then.

Hawthorn ( a smallish one) Probably caused more injuries than all the other tree species combined.

So I can't entice you on a trip to the PNW to look at some Redwoods?

This key may help, but it is fairly heavy going, particularly on the botanical terminology. Key_Pinus_JDL.pdf

''Tis a strange one. Someone specified the work, unless the job sheet said to 'prune tree', leaving it up to the climber to do as he/she saw fit Maybe someone local to it wants to bell the TO to enquire at the reasoning behind it. There may be a perfectly justifiable reason, although I'm struggling to think of one unless there is no local TO and a planner with a two day tree course under his/her belt is managing the authorities tree stock

Yeah, bet it was waiting for someone to walk underneath it. All trees are evil and must be 'trimmed' cos they get so big Why isn't there a tongue in cheek emoticon?

Have you seen what they're paying for scrap cars now!

http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/PAS 100_2011.pdf plenty of info here