Adam M

Hi, One of my sites is the Hartley Wintney Commons in north Hampshire. They were planted in response to a request for landowners to plant oak for ship building, after the Battle of Trafalgar. Consequently they are not especially old, dating back to the early 1800's. They were planted in a regimented, plantation fashion in straight rows, across common land around the village. It appears they have the same genetic background and it seems as though this was quite poor as there is a high failure rate among them. There is little else on these commons, they are basically a monoculture. There has been some replacement planting although this is from acorns gathered on site, consequently I do not hold out much hope of this being successful. I've purposely spent very little time here so far as I envisaged carrying out a comprehensive survey this summer. From my view so far, it is apparent that while there is a high failure rate, this is allowing the formation of a substantial veteran population. The commons are subject to high levels of foot traffic in places, with established desire lines criss-crossing between a church, a primary school amongst other features. The purpose of my survey will be to make an attempt at risk-zoning the site then to do as little as possible safety works as possible. All trees will be mapped and numbered, including missing trees. Crown spread and DBH on every tree. I'm going to try and identify the trees with the highest veteran value and carry out more in depth surveys on these. There's plenty of hollow stems, big lumps of deadwood, decay, bats, woodpeckers, inverts, retrenching trees and more. By themselves they would barely register on anyones radar but the amount on this site make it quite interesting. One of the striking features of this site is the regimented plantings but the problem is that in 100-200 years, this feature will be lost. Should the site be managed into the ground or should replanting occur? I look at it like an avenue planting, and having looked at other organisations approaches to avenue management, I think this will be beyond tricky. Does anyone know of similar oak plantings? How are they managed? Any works beyond essential safety works would be highly controversial with the locals so would need to be well reasoned, researched and presented. For instance, some of the better trees would really benefit from being released from their competitors but this would make a big dent in landscape. This is going to be a long-term project resulting in a long term plan. I'm looking forward to carrying out the preliminary investigation this summer. I'll update this thread with pics and any notes of interest.

I love sycamores. Got a big one out back of mine. I think it needs some sort of anti-tree racism campaign.

Not noticed any leaf miners but have seen a few pea galls this year.

oi oi, not all the questions are answerable, i.e. no.6+7. I own a copy therefore I cannot answer those 2 questions.

Hi, I've been looking over tree survey software and can't help thinking that they all essentially a MS Access database glued into a map editor. While I don't think I can make a link between mapping software and Access, I think that Access could be used to make inspection records while showing survey history etc. There is a template available online here: Search results for vehicle - Templates It's a vehicle maintenance record/planner which I'm going to have a go at adapting. If I get anything worthwhile out of it, I'll gladly share it. If successful, I anticipate using this on tablets out and about. I'm scratching my head about how to deal with the mapping side although I think Google Maps could be used. I have ArcGIS available which I understand might entitle my organisation to a mobile version which may or may not be user friendly in this circumstance. I've spoken with a few of you about specific recording systems and I rather hoped we would be able to fund at least an entry level system but I've been tasked with looking at what I already have available to see if I can adapt it. Does anyone use Access for this purpose? Does anyone use Access? In my experience whenever the programme is mentioned in any circumstance, people facepalm.

A pucka old magnolia: A pucka old camellia: The camellia was tucked up in a mass of overgrown laurel, forgotten about for years. I painstakingly handcut and released it from all the growth growing through it. Seemed good for it though. Might go back and make an attempt at some small-scale bracing at some point.

I'm off to the Hatfield one

You'll cope without it.

Looks like it. And yes, rowan for the other.

Hi, I'm looking for survey work in Hants/Dorset. I already work full time with a weekend rota. I'm trying to fill odd days out in the week as well as weekends by doing safety surveys. I estimate I'd be available 6-7 days a month. When I do work weekends it's most often to just check cattle so so long as I can fit that in first thing in the morning I can still put in a full day after. For weekend work, I can actually mobilise at very short notice, i.e. the night before. For weekday work I will need more notice. I'm based just outside Winchester so can travel anywhere in Hants/East Dorset, even Berks/W.Sussex. I have the L4 Diploma in Arb, PTI and QTRA. My full time job is dealing with council-owned trees for a district council, so loads of surveying, speccing work for contractors and loads of customer service. I take all the calls not relating to TPO/Cons Area works. Aside from safety surveys I also have experience in veteran tree surveys and am particularly interested in getting more involved in this although that would probably be wishful thinking!! I'm probably no good 'off the shelf' for 5837 surveys as have not dabbled in them since college but I'm willing to learn either on small scale sites or assisting someone more experienced, even willing to work with someone for experience rather than for money. I'm covered under a friends PI insurance policy for surveying but this would not include surveys relating to mortgages. My friend would also be interested if the work was available. I'm trying to fund doing the L6 Diploma but on current wage this isn't going to happen so any offers of work would be much appreciated. If I could be of use to anyone or if you have any questions, please private message me and I'll get back to you asap. Many thanks, AdamM

Yeah could you make a temp brace to hold it in its current position, then once Kes has buggered off crack on with the job? Contact Natural England's licensing department though, at least call them.

good idea.

not really feeling the Paulownia tormentosa tip, yo.

What conditions did the branches break out in? Could pollarding wait until end of July/August? (not that poplars care about when you cut them too much).

Are the branches hollow?

Stihl 024, 026, MS240, MS260 Parts - Stihl 024, 026 Oil Pump I believe this is the one you want.

different strategies. think about differences between oak and willow. which one relies more upon codit? what advantages does each species have over the other?

Hi, Any news on the progress of this in the UK? Specifically, any news on the train the trainer workshops? Nice one thank you! AdamM

i reckon angry shouty man has a soft spot for him too.

I wouldn't say they get ignored, rather an attempt is made to educate them depending on their particular points of issue, they get told they were surveyed on X date and will be surveyed again by Y date and we won't act for their reasons.

Story of my life. I deal with tree safety for a council in a fairly rural area. Quite a lot of money floating around, loads of London commuters. There's some small woodlands towards the edge of one of the main town, on a housing estate of around 30 years old. One such wood occupies a great deal of my time. It separates 2 blocks of housing in a roughly east-west orientation. The amount of people who live on the north face of this woodland and who complain about the trees is ridiculous. You have to question their willingness to move to a rural area on the north face of a woodland. "Can't you just take some off the top, I have a mossy lawn", "If we pay to fell them it's okay as it will save you money, how could you argue with that?" "I don't get any light on that side of my house" "If they fall they could kill my grandchildren" "My kids can't play in the garden because of the bird poo" "We've lived here for 10 years and you haven't trimmed the trees once, why do I pay my council tax?" People want to live in woodland settings but expect horrific pruning to be carried out on any tree that they can see. They want to live in a beautiful area but they fly tip all their lawn clippings/hedge cuttings/old fences over their fence.

+1 for that

I can't find reference to this coville vs finch overhanging apple tree case, nor does it ring any bells for something I've heard of. Can anyone confirm the names please as I think one or both are misspelled (did I just mispel mispelt then???).

I would hope I'd be getting the branches laid in the back of a Transit and thrashed up with a saw to be dumped at a nature reserve for that price.

Lad!!!