Gary Prentice

The beech must be T5, the only one in the row. (Assuming that the tpo plan was correct originally?) I'm not sure now how accurately I've plotted the trees, I just chucked them on to post, but as there's only two trees in the garden it's a bit immaterial. Can you see where I'm coming from in the LAs persistence. And outdated maps?

But seconds after the threat was neutralised, he didn't shoot at everyone else in sight. I'm doubt if armed teachers would prevent a few deaths, but would almost certainly reduce the total killed. Some of the rural schools may wait 20-30 minutes before officers arrive.

Surely a student like that is a high risk to everyone anyway? That’s like saying disarm their police in case a nutcase feels challenged into a gunfight. I can’t decide if it’s a good or bad idea, but something needs to be done. Apparently there’s several states where state law allows concealed carry in schools, but I haven’t seen any statistics indicating that that is beneficial or not.

And the applicant can't differentiate between a lime and a beech... But they have the TPO and must use the corresponding numbers I suspect that the order was made just prior to the residential development and was probably confirmed, 18 months later, after the houses were built. I know everyone's claiming short staffing and budgets constraints, but has this been the position for the last twenty years? There's going to have to come a time when these orders come under review and get updated.

Arm teachers in the USA - Discuss!

I did get a response from my response, to the invalid application letter, so I rang the officer. She was adamant that there was a requirement to use corresponding numbers, which since I now had a copy of the TPO would have been petty to continue to argue about. If the authority will email one, I'll comply - I can't do with the aggravation and time involved to argue the point. Besides, It's interesting to read the orders I do still believe that it must be difficult for the householder, with little tree identification experience, to comply even with the schedule plan. I've attached the TPO plan, from '95 and the current trees in the area cobered by the plan. TPO Schedule for arbtalk.pdf

I wish, I wish, I wish that more information was online. I can ring, and do, ring our local planning department several times before I get an answer - probably waste an average couple of hrs a week reaching the answer phone. Anytime that I think there may be doubt in either the identification (trees within groups) or the work specification, I'll attach labelled photos -identifying individual trees/limbs to removed etc. I don't want a TO ringing me up on his site visit asking questions, because that means I haven't done my job properly. I'll even tag trees if it's really difficult, which helps the lads when they arrive on site too. The only reason that I've had the phone put down is because I've been politely pedantic, explaining which paragraphs of which act/regulation prove my point. Thinking about it though, that particular had sent me a letter that seemed to have been written by a ten year old, barely readable and full of spelling mistakes. If my recollection is correct, I sent it back with a request that they got someone who had a basic knowledge of the English language to reissue it.

Better than the crappy chicken from Tunisia that they normally use! I bet his manager will be pleased

Paul, I know you weren't being flippant, it's not your way! Sometimes, it's worth the time and effort to push for change, to save time and effort in the long term. Anyway we all learn, or should, by doing things wrong, but if no one tells us we carry on. Ignorance is often bliss

Did you get any joy out of the axe wounds on the beech a few years back, to encourage/initiate epi’s?

I’m too old to be conscripted, but I can nag or bore them to death

Ive no problem doing that, where it’s available, but too often it isn’t, or it is at an exorbitant cost (£25+) Can’t! They shouldn’t but do! I really should dig out that case and post it to some parties who seem unaware of it I think some LAs are still some way from getting everything into an electronic format, even for their own use. Im not being pedantic, well a little bit, about this planning department. I’ll post up their plan later and the current map, to illustrate how nonsensical it is to expect a homeowner, in particular, to work out what’s what.

Sorry Paul, but stamping & screaming does help, as long as you can find the right person to direct your (my ) ire to. I have managed to make our LA make changes in some of their more ‘unreasonable’ demands and expectations over the years, just by perseverance and knowing the laws and regs better than they often do. As long as the public believe it must be right because the LA ‘know what they’re doing’, the LA will continue to do it, even when it’s unreasonable, causes loss/hardship or additional work for applicants/agents. Client doesn’t have a copy of the TPO

Clown reductions? I’ve seen much worse! Nice job!

I did have some second thoughts on the KD after posting, (post in haste/repent at leasure) but as Mr H didn't correct me I've had a nice warm contented feeling all day about my positive contribution to the forum You've now rained on my parade i think youre right! Not KD

Wrong area! You’d know if it was you because you’d get a phone call/email pedantically telling you that you’re wrongly applying the guidance and legislation and I want it sorted now! Would you invalid an application that clearly identifies the trees but used different ref no’s to the TPO plan?

Has anyone tried scattering Ganoderma spores in the hope of drumming up felling work

Onan planted all his seed on the ground Stubby

An interesting hypothesis, if you choose to ignore the mechanical properties of wood and everything we understand about how trees grow.

You'll be my second port of call

And another informative link on tree age calculations (Oaks), posted today on UKTC http://www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/DBA72893-65D2-40FE-812D-BBA54FFF8FAE/0/EstimatingtheAgeofAncientOakscorrected.pdf for anyone who isn't already an expert on the subject

That Stubby smells of Fish?

I think you're confusing Mark with Onan! At least I hope you are....

A TO told me a few weeks ago that Highways charged his department three grand recently to close a narrow B road while they removed some dead and dangerous trees. He also said he had to jump through hoops and ended up in a stand up row in the office due to the lack of inter- departmental co-operation Made me feel a bit better about some of the dealings I've had with certain departments.

The ballache would/should be plannings, actually trying to identify the correct trees from a twenty year old plan themselves and backtracking through two decades of applications and decision notices to work out what was there, what is there now and if anything absent was felled illegally. But, if they're willing to supply a copy of the TPO promptly and free of charge, I wouldn't really object, in the spirit of cooperation, to using the schedule numbers. I just object when they misapply the process and blame the applicant. Some councils seem to be going backwards over the last few years, removing online maps of TPOs and CAs which then results in telephone or email searches taking up even more officer time and resources.