Chris at eden

Hi Rina To add to what Gary said, summer branch drop (SBD) has been a red hot issue this year with the extended period of drought. I have inspected at least six trees this summer which have dropped branches consistent with SBD. Some had associated defects such as minor decay and squirrel damage but not all. I agree with Gary though, do the inspections in stages. Start with a VTA survey and then get something more detailed if needed. You should probably also look at treating the leaf miner infection if you want to extend the trees life span.

I suspect they have changed the levels at some point also, wall up or drive down, cant see much root flare. Grade and compact 50% of the RPA for the drive and build a garage on another 25%. I wonder why it has a root issue.

You would think so wouldn't you but I met a solicitor a year or two ago who had been doing property conveyance for over 20 years. He had been stopped from exchanging contracts at the last minute as the vendor had removed some pine trees the year before and not complied with the replacement condition. The buyers solicitor then got twitchy over the issue and said they need to sort that first. I met him on site and came up with a plan to replace the trees over the weekend and get the TPO updated. He said that he had never heard of a protected tree in his 20 years and asked if it was something new. As such, my advice would be never assume.

Thought you said you knew nothing about Arb.

Did you go to appeal? I see repeat works for epicormics as totally reasonable. They cut take liberties with a single cut so that argument would not stack up would it. It would be a contravention surely. When I am doing my TO bit I allow repeat works for epicormic all the time, I actually encourage it. Saves everyone time.

Maintenance is definitely not exempt mate, check the regs and you will see. I know some TOs don't ask for apps to clean epi but I would always get this in writing by email. If it goes pear shaped and fingers start point in his or her direction then there is no guarantee that they wont just cover themselves. I think you are right though, it was probably just 'don't bother us with that nonsense'. Cheers

Hi Gary The guidance says 'trees in a hedge or an old hedge which has become a line of trees of a reasonable height'. A 60' hedge would fit into the second part of that paragraph I would say. Trees within a hedge I would take as say a maintained hedge at 2 or 3m with individual trees sticking out of the top. That is my personal opinion but I would always run it by the TO as its the safest approach. Cheers

The forestry officer around by me says its only the trunk as its a 'felling' licence. He doesn't count the branches. I suppose because topping and lopping is exempt.

The large scale surveys is a price you have to pay when you move into surveying at the start. Bit like dragging brash. I was doing highway surveys for a LA which as you were saying was a bit dull so I agree there. Now I pick and choose what I want to do. I stick to small developments with 10 - 30 trees, QTRA with up to 100 trees, and mortgage and CPR reports. Not boring at all and pays way more than when I was climbing trees. I agree with the other chap, L4 first and then PTI for a start.

Thanks Jon

I get asked for probably one a week. I don't do that many (only 1 this year) as I mainly stick to QTRA and BS5837 as they are regular works. I only really take them on if its for a mortgage advisor or an estate agent as again this could lead to regular works. I could do a lot more though if I had the time so definitely worth the cost of training.

Hi I have done both the Tree Life course and the CAS one which sounds a bit daft but there is definitely value in doing both so I would certainly recommend this approach. In terms of geology as John said start with the BGS viewer and go from there. They are very helpful and don't tend to mind if you email for clarification if you are unsure although I don't suppose they would be happy if you did it constantly. Didn't know they did a risk profile though for a fee - John, do you have a contact for this? Regards Chris.

Thanks David

Thanks David. That is what I was thinking when I said secondary, have you seen bleeding to this extent when Honey Fungus was present? Didn't see any bootlaces but access to most of the trees was restricted by dense shrubberies.

No Worries Jules, no offence taken. I skimmed the post quickly and missed the bit about the extension so my oversight really, apologies to the OP. I wasn't really suggesting cutting roots or causing wilful damage but if the subsidence reoccurred and was shown on the balance of probabilities to be down to the tree then mitigation works would be required whatever they may be, this would be exempt in my view. That is realistically topping or felling, root pruning is a waste of time as the use of root barriers in not recommended by NHBC and the roots will grow back as you say. I still think TPOing a tree with low visibility on a shrinkable soil and adjacent to a 1930s house (with previous subs issues) is just bonkers. There was a claim a few years ago (I forget the ref) where the applicant submitted evidence showing seasonal movement and the LPA refused inviting them the appeal. They took some legal advice and did not bother with the appeal and instead went straight to putting in a claim against the LPA. The LPA used the defence that the appeal route was available. The applicant won the cost of underpinning as the court took the view that the LPA decision was wrong irrespective of the appeal. Basically why should they mess about appealing the LPAs incorrect decision while damage is clearly occurring. I would personally always go for appeal but the PINS can take up to 27 weeks to determine an appeal so that can be an issue if damage is on going so I kind of see the logic. It would probably be worth starting the ball rolling on both. My main point though was get some appropriate professional advice on trees, soils, the underpinning, and the value of the property and how it will be impacted by the underpinning. Its not a straight forward purchase. Cheers

Hi Folks Anyone seen this before? Its a site I looked at in Oxford a few days ago. The foliage is yellowing from the ground up which when I had it described to me I thought Red Band Needle Blight but that doesn't explain the stem bleeding so thought maybe something secondary. When you look closely though they are bleeding from canker like openings which would point to Pine Pitch Canker but according to the FC this is not yet present in the UK. Any thoughts? Cheers

Its a bit odd that the LPA have TPOd the tree. If the tree causes further damage then this is an actionable nuisance and so work to mitigate the impact is most likely exempt from the TPO. Root protection areas are not relevant in this instance as the zone of influence is a very different thing to an RPA. i.e. Zone of influence for Oak is 25m (as per NHBC) whereas RPAs can never be more than 15m if you are following the standard, bit more if you are offsetting I suppose but the drip line comment disappeared with the 2005 standard anyway. TO is talking nonsense when bringing in RPAs though. I would recommend that you get a tree report if you haven't already.

Not to mention, what he is describing doesn't sound like a root barrier anyway!!!

Could be, I've just never seen it with a thick trunk like that before.

Scrap that, didn't see the second pick. I know this but cant think.

Phyladelphus maybe?

Yeah ideally both but they are a pretty rare breed in my experience. I have been off the tools for 12 years so I am neither anymore. I do recommend a few tree surgeons to my clients and I will go with good (quality and safety) over speed every time. But then I suppose I am not paying them.

I think gravity is bigger and louder in America.

I think you are confusing a good climber with a fast climber mate. Admittedly some folk are both though.

If it was an environmental issue such as drought it wouldn't really be targeting Sorbus, unless they are all newly planted I suppose. As a guess possibly Fireblight which as you say is bacterial and is host specific to Rosaceae including Sorbus. Any pics?