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Gary Prentice

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Everything posted by Gary Prentice

  1. You've got Spud ported saws? Well that's news No idea why but I always imagine you as something like this fellow, albeit with a couple of saws instead of axes.
  2. Any evidence of insect predation such as shot holes where eggs may have been deposited? Is the browning widespread or just at low levels? It could be as simple as frost damage/windburn, salt spray if near the road. Could do with more photos and you having a good look to see what you can see yourself, before even beginning to hazard a diagnosis. Where are you situated, if it's North America first thoughts would be the spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) which kills millions of trees annually, but I don't think that's a problem in the UK. We just have this little beauty which unless you're next to a lot of spruce woodland is probably unlikely. WWW.WOODLANDTRUST.ORG.UK
  3. EDIT. realised that I'm stupid in thinking that you were applying to remove the tree, if you read my original mutterings, ignore it. First off, does a replacement drive actually require planning permission? If it does, somewhere it's stated that for minor development the LA should refrain from demanding a reports on everything but the kitchen sink. Id KISS. Provide a plan identifying the RPA, if your not set up with CAD you can purchase an OS map in PDF, and then use a drawing program to scale that on. Measure the highway/drive width whatever to get the RPA reasonably accurate. You can also use that plan as a base for an AMS and TPP I wouldn't provide an engineers report. The RPA and drive clash, cellweb is an accepted no-dig solution so there shouldn't be any need for another expert report - unless the planning department are just bloody awkward but if they are you just remind them about reasonableness. I don't know how your LA works, mine normally sends out a pre-determination letter outlining the TOs comments/support or not and their concerns. So you've an opportunity to address issues or provide more information before determination. I'd avoid saying that you'd improve the rooting environment. It'll probably be conditioned and then the owner is committed to more costs. If the TO thinks that it's necessary for the trees health he can always say it's needed. The cellweb site has some information on it's use and successful tree retention recorded over a lot of years, maybe note that to suggest improvement isn't even considered necessary, unless you think that it is. In all probability the new drive with cell web will provide a better (more permeable) environment than the existing anyway. Don't forget any grade level changes if the drive meets the footpath. Include how it will be dealt with in the AMS. Regarding SUDs. I'd try to find other successful applications for replacement drives to see if reports were included in those applications. If they weren't don't bother. Again if needed they can always request them. Just be aware, if you're not aware that some LAs are so backlogged with planning apps that they wait until near the determination date and then request more info and then delay the determination (sneaky buggers) The frustrating thing with planning is the bloody mindedness, requesting so much information that reporting costs almost as much as the final works on minor projects. If you're the only pro working for the applicant I'd state that due to the size you're not providing engineers reports, Suds and whatever is unreasonable. Make your case clear as to why you aren't providing numerous expert reports, at the outset. Don't let them run the game but demonstrate you've considered what they may want and have covered it sufficient detail yourself. They don't care what their demands mean to the applicants pocket, applicants hard earned.not their concern. I'll think of other things later and will probably add more.
  4. I reported that Highways were installing a cycle path on a grass verge immediately adjacent to the stems of the councils own trees. No no-dig base - just dig, hardcore and tarmac. The excavated soils piles alongside were something to behold, topped with roots up to and above 50-75mm diameter. The lack of interdepartmental communications in some LAs has to be experienced to be believed. The TO often doesn't even get consulted but tends to take the initial flak once someone reports it.
  5. Can go one better than that. Local hospital now has a 'greeter' at the door to ensure that enyone entering disinfects their hands. Problem is, this staff member who comes into close contact with every member of the public who enters doesn't wear a mask. Most of the staff in the hallways are unmasked. While I was an impatient, at the height of the epidemic, in a single room due to being immuno suppressed (chemotherapy) and thought to be suffering with an airborne contagious virus had to ask why a couple of support staff had entered without any PPE at all. "Too hot and uncomfortable" was the reply. It's getting to the stage now where it's difficult to work out what we are supposed to be doing and businesses and organisations are interpretting things in different ways.
  6. Would be interesting to find out a little more. My post was based on Big J's comment, so if I'm wrong it's his fault Importing from the Baltic states is hardly local though and their sustainability rules, protection of virgin/ancient woodland is nothing to write home about.
  7. Lots of 'used to be' in your post Comment, not criticism. I'd like to believe that I have a reasonable level of intelligence but no matter how I look at it I just can't see the environmental benefit of shipping woodchip from the other side of the world. Or destroying ancient woodland in the less advanced countries of Europe for chip or kiln dried logs? Or destroying the Amazon rain forests to plant a monoculture of palm oil producing trees. It just beggars belief! We're a pretty ignorant species when all is said and done.
  8. According to their website they use locally sourced supplies. Maybe their definition is a bit different to mine. Kent Combined Heat and Power Plant is now officially open – Kent Renewable Energy Ltd WWW.KENTRENEWABLELTD.COM
  9. Thanks for this, I suspected that although other applications have been provided there may have been no obligation to do so. Leaves me no further forward, my LA don't provide anything at all on line. At one time I could go to the Civic Centre and just ask for the file for an address and be given it. after reading a couple of inter-department memos revealing some serious legal failings that option somehow disappeared. I guess that I even want to see the register I'll have to make an appointment. Apparently all records are secured somewhere in the building and the officer that 'protects' them only works part time. Arguing with the receptionist about 'available at all reasonable times' just draws a blank look and a repeat of you need an appointment!
  10. The species native to this country are the species which support birds, insects & various mammals because they have coexisted on this island for thousands of years (and in neighbouring Europe), and all these organisms have evolved together to coexist and benefit each other. I follow your reasoning but the point that I am trying to make is that that little thing called evolution occurs. Where do you draw the line? Only take into account the animals, birds and insects that are native to this country or what. Everything adapts (or dies). It seems illogical, to me, to pedantically cast in stone that only 'native' species should be planted. Something that the FC and forest owners appear to totally ignore with the glaring absence of plantations of Scots pine and juniper. My post was aimed towards urban/peri-urban planting and wasn't intended to address woodlands/semi-ancient woodland. I'd never advocate introducing ormentals into established woods, as we still have a number of native species available that don't have any serious pathogenic threats on the horizon. (If you exclude ALB) My argument is that we have to except change, it's part of the evolutionary process. We must recognise that we are rapidly creating change to the world that we exist in. A decade or more ago, I read a paper discussing climate change affects on the natural range of beech trees. The woodland trust identifies common beech as a native, other sources state that it was introduced in Neolithic times. (Interesting map below). If you believe that climate change is real, if you are planning for the future then beech would probably be a poor choice in Northern climes. If we slavishly continue, in the urban environment, to stick to native species we're setting ourselves up for failure. Maybe not in the next decade or even the next fifty years, but we are. I do a lot of work with TPO applications as well as BS5837 surveys and I despair. Local authorities push for native replacements that have known serious threats to their longevity and Landscape architects generally limit large species to one or two species. Just great when something like ADD suddenly appears and wipes out every large tree species on the development/road/whatever. And yet we don't seem to take our experiences onboard and learn from them. There's something about them which just fits in perfectly, and because we've ****************ed up most of our ancient woodland, barely any of us can appreciate how amazing the trees which naturally grow here really are. I'm in total agreement here. My ecological knowledge increased so much more attending veteran tree events after I stopped climbing and started to study. It's a shame that our environmental ministers are so poorly educated and/or informed. As an interesting aside and in preparation for writing this I did a little research. The Violet Click Beetle is only known at three sites within the UK, veteran oak trees providing the habitat. To maintain a sustinable niche habitat (and a conundrum) but do you replant only with one of our two native oaks (low species diversity) or do you include Turkey oak? Q cerris is a known habitat for the beetle in Hungary. Q cerris is a known habitat for the beetle in Hungary. Or another option is to improve the overall diversity of the site to include Acers (maybe stick to native A campestre) ash ( no can't do them anymore) and native Tilia species. Do you choose shorter lived species that may become veterans within a shorter period of time or quick growing species that attain a large size and may be veteranised at a younger age? These are the sort of questions that keep me awake at night Santamour.pdf
  11. Can't argue wih P&Ds on inported plants, although I believe that dunnage is actually one of the biggest culprits. (ALB - Paddock Wood). Maybe if the government actually remember that we're an island, the nursery trade adopted the quarantine measures that Barchams apparently use and we employ a few more plant inspectors etc that risk could be reduced? Thanks for the good wishes, I'm doing my best. 4th cycle next week and the paraprotein level continues downward.
  12. Don't be daft man, everyone knows it's coming from the 5G towers! Edit. I wonder why the toddler doesn't get the benefit of a mask?
  13. Last week I asked my local TO for a copy of another agents tree works application, in the belief that these were a matter of public record. His emailed response was, as follows; I don’t think that WTAs are considered a public document. It is my understanding that we are required to keep a register of applications and this shall include ‘details of every application under an order and of the authority’s decision (if any) in relation to each such application’ and, ‘Every register kept under this regulation shall be available for inspection by the public at all reasonable hours’. To this end I believe the ‘register’ is required to be publicly available and not the applications themselves. What is meant by ‘details of every application’ is definitely vague and could be debated. I'm now perplexed, as I've been supplied with applications submitted by others previously - normally with personal information redacted. The only reason I would like to see the original application is that the specification of works on the consent letter is so poorly worded it's difficult to establish with any degree of certainty what is being allowed. It looks like the agreed works have just been cut and copied from the application. What caught my eye was 'reduce canopy by 2-3 metres'- no mention of the residual crown spread after pruning, and 'reduce from property' - there are dwellings to both sides of the trees! BTW, a contractor submitted, as agent, not a householder. Can anyone clarify this?
  14. Going to rattle your chain with this There is a long established belief that we should stick to natives. Why is that? I'm not disputing that at one time there were reasons for this but looking forward I question whether this still holds true. With globalisation we live in an altogether different world and sticking to the old doctrines doesn't make much sense. Rather than adhering to the small palate of native trees shouldn't we be looking to what will grow well here? The only way to future proof against climate change and pathogens is to increase the diversity of our planting. I suspect that a barrier to change is a belief that evolution is a linear process, failing to recognise that nature is evolving at a faster clip than at any other time in history. We disparage trees like sycamore (introduced, not native) in the mistaken belief that they don't provide much in the way of ecological habitat for birds and beasties, while in truth they are only surpassed by oaks and one other native species (which I can't remember off hand) I admit that a small percentage of our native fauna has very specific niche habitat requirements but the remainder are pretty adaptable, taking advantage of whatever trees are providing in the way of shelter, pollen, fruit/seeds/nuts etc.
  15. I once had an interesting conversation with a farmer erecting new post and barbed wire fencing, thanks to some grant scheme or other. He was using old posts, instead of the brand new softwood posts evident elsewhere on the farm. He explained that the old posts were oak and had been salvaged from an old fence line that had been replaced (another grantscheme) over ten years previously and chucked aside. He reckoned that they'd been in the ground for 10-15 years, put aside for around another ten exposed to the elements but would still outlast anything that he could buy
  16. Well, two people - one in Oz and one in Ireland, know about it anyway according to that thread. Do you reckon that's enough for an immediate recall? Jokes aside, I'm feeling left out as I've never had a bar stud pull out on any saw that I've used. Guess I'm just lucky. I lost a few air filter covers on an early MS200, when you unscrewed the securing bolt by hand. They fell off for fun but the dealer claimed it wasn't a fault, it was just me. Stihl then changed the design for some reason.
  17. Maybe click the 'Poll' button on the 'Create new topic' page?
  18. Speak for yourself, you're talking to the technologically challenged here.
  19. I'm in no way a conspiracy theorist but this does kind of make me uneasy. Being told, on the news this AM, that it was a duty to download raised my hackles somewhat. Overall I'm reluctant to, unless someone can convince me otherwise.
  20. Glad that you're enlightened I just found it worrying that she's eligible to vote.
  21. This post needs to go around the colleges and training centres, just so that new climbers understand what's needed/expected of them.
  22. Buy an expensive one, it'll last and out perform a cheaper version. Cheap multi-tools and knives are seldom worth the effort of carrying cos when you need them they won't do what you need them to do, because of poor quality steels and/or design. Just my experience.

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