Gary Prentice

The houseowners concern is unfounded with regard that the property might subside, due to underground voids that may appear as the roots decay. There is unlikely to be that large a diameter roots 10ft from the tree. The public, at large, have a limited understanding on the affects of vegetation and soils - shrinkable clays with a high plasticity index. The main concern, forgetting rotting roots, is the possibility of a change in the soils volume due to moisture content/removing the tree. With shrinkable soils, water uptake during the summer months leads to a water deficit in the soil, its below its field capacity, and its load bearing capacities are reduced. Re-wetting in the winter months allows for expansion of the soil, hence the seasonal variations and symptoms of cracks in walls opening and closing, windows sticking in the summer etc. When trees are removed, the soil is able to reach its full 'wet' volume-maximum expansion and heave can occur. This may be particurlarly significant when trees are located near the corners of structures, as the volumetric differential is more apparent. Dalgea O'Callahan's written a couple of good articles on this, informations available from the BRE (Buildings Research Establishment) and the TSO's 'Tree roots in the built environment' are all worth reading. Oaks, in particular, as a species, have been included in the high category for water uptake. This is in studies going back to the thirties and more recently by Biddle et al The opening poster would be well advised not to comment on the possibility of soil movement. Arboricultural Consultantents, with their PL insurance, have to work with geologists and structural surveyors to assess these things. Pockets of clay exist even in sandy soils. The geologist calculates the PI of the soil- how much it is able to shrink and expand in relationship to water content. The structural fellow looks at the foundation structure. If the property is on a raft, piled or has sufficient depth below the level of the roots influence, all may well. As I said, its outside our field of knowledge to answer the clients question. At the distance the tree is, it's well within its zone of influence to affect the soil volume. I think O'Callahan reported a case, an estate was built in accordance with NHBC guidelines, where no trees were present. What was taken into account, was that new owners were going to plant trees and hedges. The soil was shrinkable, add a dry summer (seasonal re-wetting didn't occur) = subsidence. Simple answer is not to stick your neck out.

But it might suffer from heave. I think the issue is more, will the house move ( heave or subside). The publics understanding of load bearing capabilities and volumetric changes is a little lacking.

There won't be anything left to monitor if some little toe-rags set light to it:001_tt2: Posted in jest, Jules, but there has been a number of cases of veteran trees that have been targeted.

If anyone gives you a it will/it won't answer, they don't know . Their isn't a consultant in the world who can answer this without advice from a structural engineer and a geological survey. Too many factors involved for us simple arbs to deal with

But it can be useful to prevent arson....

Thats a very recent addition,

I'm curious as to why there is more vigorous growth (arrow) in that area and what affect it is going to have by restricting incremental growth on the left stem.

Stored energy!! We had a walnut butt in a yard, put out growth each spring, for at least eight years. But I don't think it was still alive:001_tt2:

How do you define alive?

The other side

Definitely grafted, not sure it's copper. Interesting reaction wood around the included bark as to the direction of growth.

Old plastic coated washing line, think it has a nylon inner

This is an interesting beech, with lots going on around the union. Comments anyone?

The ES had been hit and the ignition was off, so when it was righted it stopped. The belts weren't actually engaged. We've service/maintenance sheets but.... If I don't personally check stuff who knows if boxes aren't just ticked off:001_rolleyes: Good advice on the Co2 though, never thought of that. TBH with some of our lads I sometimes feel that I need to ask if they've remembered to wipe and washed their hands when they leave the bathroom:lol:

Just to add to my last post, after an interesting telephone conversation with Phil from Spectrum Plant, FSI's only importers and dealers, we've reached the conclusion that there's no fault with the machine, only the operator Dohh!!1 Another brownie point for this site, Phil's very knowledgeable and helpful, he's offered to help our company source some parts for a project were planning and I'd recommend anyone to contact him for advice on both these stumpgrinders or timberwolf chippers. Thanks Phil:thumbup::thumbup:

To answer everyones questions.... Checked the oil level this morning and its way below the minimum level. It tipped away from the air filter so I haven't bothered looking for oil in that. Speaking to a mechanic, he mentioned he'd had two cars recently which had blown turbos, chucking oil into cylinders and revving their nuts off til they blew. Both owners removed the keys and run for cover. Apparently in cars you simply put them in gear and stall them. We reckon that this machine could be choked if rolled by compressing the air intact pipe from the filter, which is a three inch diameter pipe - The operator reckoned it was the drive belts smoking:confused1: but then admitted that the cutters weren't engaged. Doesn't know what colour the smoke was - but there was a lot of it:confused1: It looks as if the solenoid it mounted horizontally so would have turned on the same axis, hence a weak magnetic field shouldn't have made any difference to its operation. It's not out for a few days so I'll dismantle it and have a look anyway. The machine is a FSI ST27D

Its an extreme crown lift if it isn't being felled:001_tt2:

Us 'old school' climbers would have kicked the cambium in to create footholds:001_tt2:

short answer is no. And welcome to the forum:thumbup:

Almost 40 posts on the professionalism of pegs:lol::lol: If you use them- don't fall on them, if you don't-why be critical of those who do..... Me? Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. If I plan to pull the stick over I'll leave a peg for the rope, usually leave pegs on stretched limbs-safer than gaffing and leaning out and something easier to grasp when cutting and chucking timber. Anyway, it's personal choice IMO, everyone develops their own styles and techniques to some degree.

Most of the paramedics I know would have said 'sod the rules' and attended and then faced the consequences. I'm sure others would abide by the H&S criteria and rulebook made by others. I know firemen who, not allowed to enter iced ponds/water, would disregard orders and attempt to save life. It's just different folks. Unfortunately society has become so risk adverse that common sense and doing the right thing doesn't always prevail.

Thankyou Every day's a learning day.

I had to produce my doc's, so whilst at the desk I asked to speak to a senior officer about the conduct of the officer that stopped me. The atmosphere suddenly got decidedly cooler, until I explained I wanted to applaud his initiative. IMO, too many want just want to moan about them. I've met many over the years, as in all sections of society there are some idiots, but most are just trying to make the best of a bad situation. I met probably hundreds whilst in Mountain Rescue, some of our team were in the force, and most aren't happy with the constraints imposed on them that prevent them doing a better job.

I don't blame the police if they're a little over zealous in their initial approach. Who knows what they are going to face. Some crooks have no intention of being apprehended. If they are out and about pulling suspect vehicles that's just great. I got stopped, with someone else's chipper on hire, because the officer realised that my vehicle wasn't the one he was used to seeing. Good policing and I (and the chippers owner) would be happy to be stopped everyday for that. Rescuing cats in the dark, I bet they've never that one before:001_tt2:

The operator didn't report it as running at a zillion rev's, but then again, he probably wouldn't:sneaky2: