Roz

I was sent an e-mail with the work this guy does........AMAZING Home

As you have identified there is nothing wrong with the tree in terms of structural integrity so it is highly likely the appeal will be dismissed. As mentioned above light is not a reason, generally for works to TPO trees, works should be for arboricultural reasons not 'convenience'. I know an area of debate but would thinning the canopy out help ? reduce the density of it and try to let in more light through, or crown lifting to let light in under the canopy? And as for a garden what about shade tolerant plants instead of grass?

Hi Giles there was a thread about this a while ago with varying responses, I have a Vulcan 'Stirling' from gyroscope.com (more expensive end of the market) but it does exactly what I wanted it to which is push the heat up the stairs of my cottage as that was the cold spot stopping the heat getting upstairs. I liked the design of it as it works on air expansion pushing a piston so very little to go wrong and never stops working because its got too hot, very quiet...........AND its British

I think it has been a bad year for aphids, have a young Quince which I have had to spray with a strong soapy solution several times to get rid of the little blighters (not a fan of pesticide unless really required).

Could it be a ladybird beetle larvae...?????

Hear hear........just picked up on this as been away on A/L for a week !?!?!? No I don't see it as a TO bashing just the frustration of contractors needing a response to get on with their job.......we all know of the LA cuts, trees not being seen as important as they don't bring in ££££ blah blah blah. I do agree with TOs having come up through the tools it helps no end with seeing the bigger picture .......the reality of having book jobs in, get the jobs done to get paid by the client and not messing the client about as you are seen as disorganised, rather than waiting for the end of the month...... Mmmm not sure on any one answer but communication by TOs being on the end of the phone - preferably a mobile without voicemail is a start. I am sure we all know of TOs who think they are 'tree gods' and untouchable with others like ducks....................the council I am now with charges for my time under Pre App which makes a bit of a joke as there is no charge for the S211/TPO Apps which once validated and registered activates a site visit anyway........Happy Dayz

It depends what info you are recording for the client, or you. Formats depend if its surveying for development then using BS 5837 2012 headings in section 4.4.2.5 or for visual tree inspection requiring condition, risk and any recommendations. Varies on your criteria. Some aspects will clearly overlap e.g. Species, number, height etc etc.

I made up a strong solution using good old washing up liquid in a pump spray on scale insect that had infested my Yew hedge - worked a treat should work with woolly aphid? although may need to do it a few times

Katsura - Cercidiphyllum has small pink flowers on naked branches March - April

Unless a TPO tree is structurally unsafe, causing direct damage etc etc TOs in general will not let them be felled however close to a building - right or wrong and debate for another thread. This is because works should be for arboricultural reasons not for reasons considered nuisance (although there is no nuisance if you own the tree) as approving such works can set a precedence and you need to be careful. In such a situation even if you apply for a fell and its refused I wouldn't be putting any money down on a appeal being successful as in my experience most appeals are dismissed unless the TOs decision is really crass and the DN issued is poorly worded. Inspectors do enjoy a dig at TOs who word DNs badly but will still dismiss the appeal. I have to say I think its a brick-wall job UNLESS the TO is user friendly.......................

Happy to help and can also promote through the district group(s) I am involved in will contact via the e-mail address

I have been following Arbtalk for sometime and I am surprised how few TOs contribute - unless I am wrong........I know we all have varied views and are generally passionate (if not sometimes to the extreme!!) Would be interesting.................

As already mentioned the devil will be in the detail of the TPO specifying how many of each species, however if it is a listed landscape look at the original landscape plans if available and place the trees in context of that. If the Sycamores are a later edition and weren't originally part of a planned landscape than there is a small lever along with the damage being caused to listed/curtilage listed structures. Clearly subjective as managed/designed landscapes change with fashion and designers. One aspect to also consider is there may be potential compensation payable if a LPA refuse removal (although this is not a dwelling), with the limited info it would seem a common sense approach is required to reach a compromise of retaining/repairing the hard landscape features that are important against the planted landscape which is equally important. Clearly something needs to be done to manage the landscape as it was a man made landscape - have you tried to have a site meeting with the TO before submitting an application ???

Barchams Big Barn Conference earlier this month the speaker (sorry his name escapes me) presenting the i-tree software highlighted some of the applications not yet available in the UK but on there way. One was a landscaping package which would calculate the shading and wind dynamics of certain trees in proximity to buildings to look at different species and their cooling and thermal effects.........watch this space an interesting tool ?

I don't disagree at all but I feel the ideal world is a long way off................................

and there in lies conflict..........you surely cannot deny that there are fantastic trees in private ownership that contribute greatly to the character of an area urban or rural which many people either consciously or subconsciously gain pleasure from that are TPOd? and if removed there would be 'uproar' as trees are both emotive and political - bring back swampy !! As a TO I have been asked why 'we' cant undertake works to a TPO tree in private ownership as 'we' served the TPO and yes in an ideal world wouldn't that be great, once upon a time there was money in the public pot for this but alas long since a distant dusty file. Which is why when considering planning or tree applications TOs should take this into account - we are not the tree police, but we are also human and will therefore at times disagree but do the best for the tree in its situation as each is unique. I concur no solution.

Working for a previous (District) LA with some very large developments between 3000-10,000 units I tried to use S106 to secure planting at the onset to secure appropriate planting within the highway infrastructure at the start whereby the LPA took on the responsibility of the trees with the S106 money for a period of 12 years until a PC or Town Council were established to take on the responsibility. Thereby ensuring they were watered, pruned etc and where required replaced to ensure good establishment............I was not given any support higher up the ladder (highways were supportive). Coming back to the 4 questions looking at why the legislation came about is a starting point, ok trees are not being felled due to timber shortages these days but as already mentioned the conflict of development and other land requirements v’s trees is a problem. Is the legislation appropriate well no law is, we all know the law is an ass in many ways? Used in the right manner for the appropriate reasons yes it is necessary to retain valuable trees for whatever their purpose, enhancing a development, context and character of an area, historic, commemorative?? 2. – confidence in the system depends on the TO or officer not necessarily an arborist dealing with applications and serving of TPOs, and therein lies a problem as we are talking about humans and their characters. I have met TO’s who think they are the tree police and IMO put TO’s in a very bad light. We’re generally meant to be on the same side aren’t we ?? 3. – still thinking on that one……………………………………. 4. – We all know of trees that would disappear if TPO legislation was removed, however can it not be viewed more as a management tool too ? As a LPA can condition replacement trees to ensure the treed character of an area is retained where you have significant trees in private ownership? Which will require management over the years by tree surgeons, consulting arborists?? Touching on the comment about prosecution………….this can be very difficult in respect of what is in the public best interest………..yes it costs money, there are also the hidden costs of officer time with the administrative aspect, interviews under caution etc to bring a prosecution therefore much consideration has to be given as to the alternatives that can be used e.g. replacement planting notice? In going to court the LPA must be 100% + sure. Having moved from a rural district with land being gobbled up by development to a borough council with all the urban joys!! trees mean different things to different people and cultures so surely we should have some kind of mechanism ?? nothing in life is perfect you have to make the best of what you work with ??

Kevin - Yes, I am a TO and I have been tasked to review all TPOs in the Borough - approx 500. I am lucky in that I have great support from both management and the GIS team who fully support using tablets etc so it has taken approx 12 months to set up a robust process and system that can be continued not just a one off project (while clearly carrying on the day job!!) I reckon its going to take 2 possibly 3 years to get through them all as I am having to bring together so much information spread across various paper systems - eventually to be available on -line. and of course the help and support of the legal team (who have their everyday work loads) I think you will find that many a TO would love to review the TPOs on their patch due to ambiguities and ones served which can be difficult to justify or as I inherited in one case a Sycamore with three appeals dismissed (before my time) which was plotted incorrectly and was not actually TPO'd...................what can I say. It aint a perfect world by any stretch and the main problem is resources and the job of a TO (if a LPA has one) being recognised by management............don't get me wrong this is not a moan I enjoy my job but boy some days I loose track of the hats I wear including being a samaritan !!

Could be Polyporus squamosus slightly deformed due to the re-growth from the pruning wound, host on dead wood - depends on the extent of the deadwood in that area, combined with the tight union..............suggest further investigation. As TPO will require good detail to the extent of decay and what is happening at the union to fell - LPA may only allow reduction to alleviate stresses on the area if a very prominent tree.

The LPA have a duty to keep TPOs up to date as the information is in the public domain, if the legal dept are asking to be kept up to date then when consent to fell is granted with a condition to replacement plant stating the species then in the interim e-mail legal so they can make a note on the file. Then when out and about cast an eye to see a) if the tree has been felled b) has it been replaced (the condition should give a time scale so it shouldn't be to difficult) - TO's usually know where TPO's have been felled and replacements conditioned so a swift look see shouldn't be too onerous. Also the TPO is modified not varied (its to do with legal interpretation so I am told - the subtleties of law)

Hi the devil will be in the detail of what was in the condition and why the trees were condemned, you are right in that the condition cant be enforced BUT in the event of non compliance the planning authority can serve a tree replacement notice which can be appealed. Once a notice has been served and comes into effect if all else fails the LA can enter the land and take the necessary action.