Warren Stirling

Cant you convince him that a nice mixed hedge of native species would be both good for the landscape visually as well as habitat creation for wildlife we're losing. Good aftercare would keep the growth not that much slower than the 'L' word. Cost him less to manage in years to come as well.

If you want plants as well the Hilliers gardeners guide to trees and shrubs is very good, all species and sub species are in there with pictures. Selection and phurchase, care and propogation and plant selection for different properties can be a very good reference guide for choosing trees for coloured foliage or winter bark etc. But not really a pocket guide!

I have to agree with Hama, why have you not cut to growth all round?

Her dreadlocks would make good rigging straps.

Found the FB of the above 20ft up the stem of a birch today so took the top half off in one. Glad I did after looking at the cross section of rot with the remains of the fb still attached. But whats on this piece of chestnut? W

Glad that to be of service and help to spread awareness of this little critter, as they said at the talk, its the equivalant of foot and mouth to trees. Drove past on Monday and see they are already felling along the road. I feel sorry for the home next to the small industrial site. 'Hello, we're going to remove all the trees that screen your house and garden from the ugly buildings and noisy lorries next door and there's nothing you can do about it. Sure they'll understand. Lets hope they are right in being confident that they've contained it. Waz

Great idea to have one company to oversee ther whole project like that. I was talking to someone at the Eden Project last year about how they had just been given permission to start drilling for their geothermal heat extraction, like the idea of harnessing that source of energy and definately the way forward. Good luck

Good for you mate, like the name as well but what services will we be seeing undertaken by Roots Environmental Ltd? Waz

Have you thought about wide angle props for the lift, might be straining the uj's with standard ones? Waz

Even Britpart should last longer than that, are you sure the grease is getting in. Somethings not right.

Just come across this thread so thought I'd stick a pic of mine up, its not always that shiny! Waz

As Arbmark says, a degree will be usefull, with the cuts in funding to government agencies this filters down the charities and wildlife trusts so it is a buyers market and you'll be amazed at the numbers of applicants for these type of jobs. Volunteering is a must for experience, doesnt mean you have to give up a day or more a week. Get in touch with your local wildlife trusts and any wildlife charities nearby. They are always doing surveys of some kind. For example I do the adders in decline down here in Kent as well as the Great Crested Newt monitoring. Only takes a few hours every couple of weeks. It shows your willing and passionate about it! And yes getting to know people from different companies will be a bonus when jobs come up.

If you need directions let me know W

Thanks Paul Just about to put the deposit down for the level 4 diploma which is the replacement for the tech cert as I understand. Waz

Thanks for the input guys. I held a lighter over it and nothing to report there other than it made me want a fag again after giving up 3 days ago! That was my second choice, G. australe but the position inbetween buttresses and general colours pulled me towards G. p. Not sure why I hav'nt seen this before as I walk past this tree every day and admire it, but judging by the dark chocolate centre of the small sample I took and the general condition it is perrenial. The tree is in good shape and limited work has been carried out to it. Hama it is in a public park so your more than welcome to come and have a look. Waz

Ganoderma pfeifferi ? Found on red oak

Your right, it is a lot of money and dept for something your not sure that you even want to do. Maybe cut your losses, see where your life takes you for a few years and then think again. Best of luck whatever you choose, sure you'll make the right decision.

Looks like theres some quality stump removal coming up!

I agree, if your looking at management a degree is a must these days as well as experience doing the job your applying for as there's not a lot out there at the moment. I'm still working for myself and off to do level 4 in arb this year, my degree is in Landscape management as I'm interested in the rural and urban landscape as a whole. so arb, management plans, eia's, ecology, soil and plant science etc. It enables me to offer a wider and more specialist service, and some customers are quite impressed with the degree:blushing: Maybe next year the modules will become more interesting and you'll enjoy it more. I joined the forces when I left school and would say that I would'nt have done as well an uni back then. It will only benefit you having a degree.

Yes very pleased I did it, was never the most academic at school due to staring out the window in class wishing I was outside. Came out with a 2.1 so it showed that if you enjoy what your learning it makes it so much easier. We did have very good lecturers most of the time which helped.

Try Adrian Flux or NFU Mutual

Recieved this today, may be of interest to local Arbtalkers. Arboricultural Association ASIAN LONGHORNED BEETLE Many of you will be aware that the first recorded infestation of ALB in the UK has recently been discovered at a site north of Paddock Wood in Kent. This non-native insect poses a significant threat to the health of broadleaved trees in the UK and the Forestry Commission and Fera (Food and Environment Research Agency) are currently working on site to determine the extent of the infestation and plan necessary measures to eradicate the pest. It is possible that this pest may be more widespread and we need to enlist the help of professionals who are regularly working with trees in urban, garden or woodland situations in the South East to be vigilant and alert us immediately of further suspect outbreaks. There is a growing amount of information about ALB on government websites but there is no substitute for observing the symptoms of attack first hand. The FC is therefore giving an open invitation to any tree surgeons,tree officers or tree wardens to visit the infected site at 6pm on Thursday 12th April for a briefing on the pest and to see the infestation symptoms before felling and destruction work commences. FC/Fera officers and Forest Research entomologisits will be on hand to answer questions. The meeting point for the evening is a field (Grid Ref: TQ 674 469) adjacent and west of the B2160 (Maidstone Road) about 1.5km north of Paddock Wood, and approximately 150m south of the roundabout where the B2160 meets the A228. There is a small industrial yard on the opposite side of the road utilised by the ice-cream maker Taywells and their post code is TN12 6PY. Bruce Rothnie Plant Health Team Manager, Forestry Commission. See you there!