philipwilson

Over 3,000 terms altogether I think (I haven't actually counted), so with a bit of luck your interest in the book will ramify and ramify! Thanks for buying the book and I hope you learn as much reading it as I learnt writing it...

Hello David, thanks for this message because I also wondered about the exclusiveness to white rots, and I've now weakened that wording. My preferred reference is Schwarze et al 'Fungal strategies of wood decay in trees', but a few others contributed including Lonsdale (2006).

Rob, what do you think of this: fasciation A growth abnormality in which an apical meristem becomes elongated crosswise to the apex of a shoot, flower or root to give a row of growing points instead of just one. A fasciated shoot consists of several shoots fused side by side which appear ribbon-like and are often curved or contorted. Affected flowers may be misshapen or abnormally numerous. The occurrence of fasciation is unpredictable and usually infrequent, while some taxa are propagated to perpetuate the abnormality, creating cultivars of curious appearance (with cultivar names like ‘monstrosa’). No causes have been conclusively identified (Strouts & Winter, 1994), although several have been suggested: genetic abnormality (see sport), damage (due to frost, animals, chemicals or injury), or infection by a virus or bacterium. The term ‘fasciation’ comes from ‘fasicle’, meaning ‘a bundle or bunch’. The needles of pines occur in fascicles of from two to five depending on the species.

Nice word but just means 'branching'. I'll find an opportunity to make that clear somewhere, and will probably add the entry 'ramify: See branch' or something like that... Thanks.

Quite a list there, Perkins, and those are just the 'A's! apoplast and acuminate: Have a look at my response to Matt (for carpel, stamen). You can persuade me to include them if you can give me some sort of practical significance. apex: There are a couple of entries under 'apical' that should cover it. anti-gibb: Mentioned under 'growth retardant' I think. ascender: I steer clear of climbing equipment because it's outside my area of competence. Also there's an ISA glossary that includes quite a few such terms. Actinomycetes and abscisic acid: Ditto apoplast etc. Having said all that, I'm open to influence...

You're right Matt, but even 'flower' isn't included! I've already rectified this (but not posted the revision on the treeterms website yet), while remaining conservative about including botanical nomenclature generally (there are hundreds of such terms). My guiding principle is whether a certain term might ever be used in practice in arb.

David, following your suggestion here is my draft mention of 'pseudosclerotic layer' in the A-Z demarcation line (zone line) In the cross-section of a decaying woody stem, a thin and relatively dark line separating different colonies of decay fungi, or separating infected wood from non-infected wood. The hyphae balloon out into the affected wood cells like tyloses. Demarcation lines are made actively by white rot fungi to protect their substrate from invasion by other fungi, and to control wood moisture content (since white-rotted wood is relatively water-absorbent). The lines may also be survival structures from which the fungus can regenerate after a period of adverse conditions (Schwarze et al., 2000). The demarcation line is also known as a pseudosclerotic layer, meaning ‘falsely hard’. In fact it has a rubbery texture (while some fungi have genuinely hard resting structures called sclerotia). I hope you're happy with that ...

I think you'll find that 'layer' is there already. Have another go, Graham!

Some pretty high-class terms there, Tony! I'm not sure what context you have in mind, but in the context of natural grafts I'm not sure they add much to the plain English. However, I was led by your suggestions to look into tree training for artistic purposes or to make furniture - amazing! I've definitely got to put something in about that, and your terms will find a place there. So many thanks!

Good one, Rob, thanks a lot. I've written a draft entry (and another including David's 'pseudosclerotic layer') but can't upload them to the treeterms website for the moment - some kind of access problem my IT guy has to fix.

Thanks Rob, I'll add 'fasciation' shortly. Got any other good ones up your sleeve?

Thanks Rob, that's a good one. I'll be adding it shortly. Got any more up your sleeve?

Good, David, I'll add 'pseudosclerotic layer', possibly within the entry 'demarcation zone' or possibly on its own depending on how the rewriting turns out. You've earnt yourself a mention in the acknowledgments of the second edition (if there is one), so please let me have your attribution: DH of the City of London ... ?? Thanks again, Philip

Thanks for the welcome, David. I'm flattered to be a junior member - most people think I'm getting on a bit. If you do buy the book I suggest you get it direct from the treeterms website - no booksellers commission there.

You may like to know about Tree Terms - arboricultural definitions, which gives the definitions of about 3,000 terms used in British arboriculture. Having developed it recently I would welcome feedback, especially suggestions to make it better. If you look up a term and it isn't there - please let me know!