HCR

Sycamore, still causing debate after all these years 1 - it's absolutely not native. Irrespective of pollen records, the fact that it's range is still expanding places a limit on how long it has been here. If it had been here long enough to count as a native it would already be present evrywhere where conditions allow. 2 - there is an accepted definition of 'native'; things that arrived here under their own steam before the sea separated England from France are native. Those that didn't aren't. 3 - sycamore supports a huge amount of biomass (measured in grams/cubic metre of crown volume) but this tends to be a pretty undiverse biomass. Whilst it can very important for some insectivorous birds, its value is limited beyond this. Host specific insects/fungi/etc that require a native species won't be helped by sycamore. 4 - left to its own devices, sycamore displaces other species in a woodland environment, usually to the overall detriment of woodland biodiversity (further suggestion that it is not in ecological equilibrium, and hence a relatively recent arrival) 5 - it burns well, grows quickly, turns nicely, makes nice kitchen implements and isn't very fussy about its environment.

A Homelite!

It's still genetic:001_smile:

Occupiers' liability - if the person was a trespasser you'd have a much stronger defence, but once they're invited in you have to be careful. I fully agree that it's ridiculous by the way, but on the flip side you can get round it by showing that you had taken all reasonable steps to warn the person of the danger. That tends to be where the common sense part falls down

I've got family in Cork, I could put a word in...

Asking the right questions is the route to knowledge, so you should go far

The common sense of that approach goes without saying. Then some pillock goes and injures themselves whilst dragging a whacking great log away and is advised (quite correctly) by a solicitor that they have a case for a claim.

It could be a messed up phototropic response (also genetic) as new shoots grow upward as the result of a geotropic response; phototropism takes over only after the initial growth phase.

They're all clones though (as far as I know) which suggests that it's genetic. If it was an infection non corkscrew hazels would catch it and suddenly start twisting.

I've worked for a council and it's very rarely viable to remove the timber once felled. It's rarely of sufficient quality to be any use other than firewood, and the cost of extracting it is more than the roadside value. I worked on various 'value added' schemes and the parameters need to be just right to make it worthwhile. Sometimes it's viable, but usually it isn't.

Only a guess, but it could be that the gene contolling growth (i.e. ensuring that it is even on both sides of a growing shoot) is faulty, so one side randomly grows faster than the other.

Interesting read this, but I have to that as someone who has just started a new business and and is weighing up the pros and cons of incorporation, I'm none the wiser! Other than for the need to talk to an accountant about it...

Algon for slippery slimy moss off flags: Algon

Yeah, bring back the 1-tonner, eh?

My regiment out in Afghan. I've always loved Pinzgauers, but have to say the new ones don't have the same charm as the originals. Haflingers weren't bad either, in an off-road milk-float kind of way.

Harley?! Each to their own I suppose... Backside-less leather chaps next? Seriously though, nice one.