Kveldssanger

I only meant I'd not post for the day - I'll have something later haha! Darren Blunt is my tutor. Good guy - should be a good year of learning. He did the Basic Tree Inspection course at Writtle I attended around a year ago, so going by how that went and how the first day went at Parndon Wood, I'm sure it'll be enjoyable and enlightening.

Lactarius = lactate?

Started the Lvl 4 Diploma today so won't be posting anything.

15/09/15. Fact #33. No text today, but a video! The guy actually has a great playlist on plant biology. [ame] [/ame]

It you mean wetwood, I actually haven't read anything on how saproxylic species interact with bacterial wetwood. Given invertebrates are aerobic (I am taking an educated guess; correct me if I am wrong), I doubt the anaerobic conditions of wetwood are desirable. However, for the most part, varied internal wood properties will provide for the best conditions. Different stages of decay, and sometimes in different species, and in different micro-climates. Some species will obviously prefer shadier conditions, though by-and-large the incubation effect of wood exposed to the sunlight enables higher breeding rates. I would also note that lots of the species don't ever leave the tree, and those that do require nectar for food. Therefore, trees in open landscape where there are herbaceous species are much more preferable, as there is otherwise no food source for particular species. Where fungi break down wood, particularly the brown heart rots, the moisture created during the decay process is probably sufficient enough for the saproxylic species (I do assume here, however). If there are few openings, humidity created by the incubation will likely also be of aid. Direct sun exposure to the wood is likely not desirable, though exposure to the outer bark surface thereby heating the internal structure is. Hope this makes sense - just wrote as thoughts came into my head.

I asked Alice Holt Lodge directly, and Forest Research replied and provided me with some of the PDFs.

I wouldn't say trees are needed because of climate change; at least, exclusively. If I am honest, climate change wouldn't rank in the top 2-3. Ultimately it depends how you view climate change. Watched this interesting video today on the topic - [ame] [/ame]

Most of it, yes. I do prefer the RFAT4 however - it's set out brilliantly and more formally.

Few things associated with learning: 1. The Research for Amenity Trees 4 - The Body Language of Trees: A Handbook for Failure Analysis by Mattheck will not be reprinted - ever. 2. The Arboricultural Practice Notes are going to feature in the digitisation process the Forestry Commission are going through with regards to their publications. They should therefore be available online at some point in the future.

13/09/15. Fact #32. This one is paraphrased from my notes for my upcoming course, so if it reads a little 'note-like', it's because they are from my notes! Saproxylic species are species which are involved in or are (to varying degrees, and at varying stages) dependent on the process of decay of the wood structure by microorganisms (principally due to saproxylic species lacking the necessary gut enzymes to digest sound wood), or on the products of that decay. Such species are associated with living as well as dead trees, and will include include beetles most notably (which make up, on their own, 22% of a woodland ecosystem on average), though also ants and other insects. Many species are reliant upon particular stages of the wood decay process. Those species that require fresh phloem tissue will only be able to colonise briefly in the first summer post-death. Other species require significantly-decayed wood of a particular micro-climate, and even of a particular tree species. Oak is a particularly crucial species that supports saproxylic species, because it generally lives for much longer than other species and thus provides a wider array of different micro-habitats through its greater internal complexity created by different stages of decay that are present throughout the structure. The species are found particularly on older, veteran trees, including within cavities that possess wood mould, water-filled rot holes, dead bark, exposed wood, sap flows, fruiting bodies / mycelia of fungi, dead branches and dead roots. To illustrate this, 75% of saproxylic beetles are reliant upon coarse woody debris of 7.5cm-12.5cm diameter. Big trees ultimately provide habitat for a greater number of species of a greater number of sizes, all whilst supporting greater potential population sizes - and if healthy the trees live for long periods of time, sustaining such habitat for decades (if not centuries?), and continue to provide well beyond the point of ultimate death as well. It is important to note that veteran trees within wood pasture, or other open area, are best for saproxylic species. The warmer conditions brought about by direct sunlight reaching the tree, increasing internal temperatures that in essence incubate the larvae within the tree, hasten generational turnover. Trees in cooler conditions within old high forest stands may experience fewer generations within the same time frame in comparison. Trees across all contexts are necessary however, and it is important for all veteran trees in all environments to be conserved for their value to such saproxylic species. Such 'deadwood' species will also create entire 'necromass' sub-systems within an ecosystem (from mold fungi, to species that feed on mold fungi and the conditions created, to species that predate on lower-tier species within the food web, and scavengers that feed on dead organisms). A prime example of a saproxylic beetle is the ecological 'engineer' Carambyx cerdo (Capricorn beetle), which creates viable habitat for many other species. The larval stage of the beetle bores into the wood, in turn causing localised expansion and altered wood properties (which are attractive for later successional species), and its exit holes are used by solitary bees and wasps as nesting holes that they otherwise would be unable to create themselves. Other saproxylic species also rely on such exit tunnels for entry into the wood. As one can hopefully ascertain from the above, dead wood and associated saproxylic species, particularly beetles (Coleoptera), in forests, woodlands, parklands or open pasture-woodland, are indicative of high quality habitat. Let us not just focus on the macro, but the micro! Sources: Alexander, K. (2008) Tree biology and saproxylic Coleoptera: issues of definitions and conservation language. Rev Écol (Terre Vie). 63 (1). p1-5. Alexander, K. (2013) Ancient trees, grazing landscapes and the conservation of deadwood and wood decay invertebrates. In Rotherham, I. (ed.) Trees, Forested Landscapes and Grazing Animals: A European Perspective on Woodlands and Grazed Treescapes. UK: Routledge. Buckley, P. & Mills, J. (2015) The Flora of Fauna of Coppice Woods: Winners and Losers or Active Management or Neglect?. In Kirby, K. & Watkins, C. (eds.) Europe's Changing Woods and Forests: From Wildwood to Managed Landscapes. UK: CABI. Davies, Z., Tyler, C., Stewart, G., & Pullin, A. (2008) Are current management recommendations for saproxylic invertebrates effective? A systematic review. Biodiversity and Conservation. 17 (1). p209-234. Hammond, H., Langor, D., & Spence, J. (2001) Early colonization of Populus wood by saproxylic beetles (Coleoptera). Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 31 (7). p1175-1183. Hermy, M. (2015) Evolution and Changes in the Understorey of Deciduous Forests: Lagging Behind Drivers of Change. In Kirby, K. & Watkins, C. (eds.) Europe's Changing Woods and Forests: From Wildwood to Managed Landscapes. UK: CABI. Macagno, A., Hardersen, S., Nardi, G., Lo Giudice, G., & Mason, F. (2015) Measuring saproxylic beetle diversity in small and medium diameter dead wood: The “grab-and-go” method. European Journal of Entomology. 112 (3). p510-519. Siitonen, J. & Ranius, T. (2015) The Importance of Veteran Trees for Saproxylic Insects. In Kirby, K. & Watkins, C. (eds.) Europe's Changing Woods and Forests: From Wildwood to Managed Landscapes. UK: CABI. Stokland, J., Siitonen, J., & Jonsson, B (2012) Biodiversity in Dead Wood. USA: Cambridge University Press. Volney, W. & Hirsch, K. (2005) Disturbing forest disturbances. The Forestry Chronicle. 81 (5). p662-668.

Very nice! One was found nearby last week by some lucky dog walker - Michael and the giant mushroom (From Southend Standard)

Not pushing an agenda here; simply quoting Shigo's A New Tree Biology (p419): "Flush cuts and cuts that leave stubs are major starting points for many tree problems: discoloured wood, decayed wood, cavities, resin pockets that do not accept preservatives in wood products, circumferential cracks (ring shakes), radial cracks and seams (frost and sun cracks), wetwood, a host of different cankers, energy depletion about the wound that invites insects, and dead strips on the trunk that may continue downward to roots." Of course, wound size also plays a factor. It's ultimately a case of assessing which is the lesser of two evils.

Glad you like it, mate. And by all means share any links or interesting bits of info here - news articles of scientific advances are also greatly appreciated.

12/09/15. Fact #31. Interesting one here from Shigo on Armillaria spp. Perhaps more of a hypothesis by Shigo than a proven fact (unless there are more recent articles?), he suggests that spores of Armillaria species may have to pass through the digestive system of insects (gnats, predominantly) associated with the genus' sporophores before the spores can germinate. Such gnats end their life-cycle in the soil, so spores may be deposited during the gnat's later stages of life Therefore, if his theory is correct, assuming the insects are not present, then perhaps sporal germination simply cannot occur. Source: Shigo, A. (1986) A New Tree Biology. USA: Shigo and Trees, Associates.

As for the fork: Some included bark (looks like some bulging there), though it seems as if the the wood fibres at the junction are growing in an upside-down 'v' shape. Is this correct?

It looks too uniform in distribution to be a canker. My first thought was thermal cracking. If it has been pruned before, did the previous climber use spikes? Would that have lead to the potential freeze-thaw cracking that has lead to this uniform distribution of cracks throughout the stem? Just brainstorming aloud. Potential vascular dysfunction, otherwise?

Anyone know of any articles assessing the potential for utilising selective white rotting fungi for delignifcation purposes within the commercial wood pulping industry?

Poor things won't know what has hit 'em!

11/09/15. Fact #30. Work undertaken in Manchester, UK, recognised that the disparity between surface temperatures recorded within the shade of trees and out in the open were vastly different. Peak surface temperature covered in concrete and in full sun were 40 degrees Celsius (17 degrees Celsius above air temperature), whereas peak tree shade temperature in a concrete environment was 28 degrees Celsius (4 degrees Celsius above air temperature). Plots surfaced with grass however were 23 degrees Celsius (1 degree Celsius below air temperature) when the area was purely grass and the site in full sun, and 19 degrees Celsius (4 degrees Celsius below air temperature) where a tree cast shade over the grassed area. Differences become more distinct at higher temperatures - where days are milder, there will be less variation between any of the surfaces. Sources: Armson, D., Stringer, P., & Ennos, A. (2012) The effect of tree shade and grass on surface and globe temperatures in an urban area. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. 11 (3). p245-255. Dover, J. (2015) Green Infrastructure: Incorporating plants and enhancing biodiversity in buildings and urban environments. UK: Routledge.

Absolutely, though I will also add that wound occlusion has little significant relevance to successful compartmentalisation of invading pathogens. As in, a wound that occludes very quickly doesn't mean that it has resisted decay well - there could be a huge decay column.

Largely, no - to my understanding. You prune to the collar so that callus can form and subsequently woundwood can also form. By leaving a stub, not only are you not enabling wound closure, though you're also allowing in pathogens that can utilise the now dying branch for future attach purposes - they may lie dormant within the trunk collar and then attack as the branch dies back. Branch removal should, in a manner of speaking, mimic the natural branch-shedding process. A branch would not shed itself to leave a stub - it would shed at the collar and the wound would then occlude. The branch protection zone is pretty good at resisting decay, so where pruning is done properly (to the collar), there's reduced risk of infection and better occlusion. Otherwise, the tree will have to shed the stub at some point anyway, too. Bit of a raw explanation, but hopefully you get what I mean.

Great point you make and the comparison to with the apple rings true. If one were to see a lot of fruiting bodies one of two scenarios (off the top of my head) can be expected to have lead to the situation: 1. the mycelium has developed so well that not only has it reached to, or near to, the boundary on multiple sides of the tree in multiple places, but it has a significant amount of excess energy it can utilise for sporophore creation as well - all whilst continuing its ascent / descent and radial spread within the tree. or... 2. the mycelium is using all the energy it feasibly can utilise for sporophore creation, as the progression within the tree has reached a stand-still (due to effective compartmentalisation of the fourth wall or because of other mycelial networks that have established within the wood), thereby inducing a response from the mycelium to begin 'exiting' the tree and colonisation is, long-term, untenable.

I spoke to Mark Iley and he has put me in touch with someone who was involved with a project of collecting local black poplar cuttings, though he isn't aware of any large-scale project of collecting genotypes country-wide and planting them together.

Wrong - it does. Depletes energy reserves year-on-year, like any defoliating insect would do. It will not usually kill the tree outright (if at all?), but it will facilitate secondary infection (or be part of a cumulative and continued infection that leads to death via 'starvation', when compiled with leaf blotch, bacterial canker, etc).

Absolutely gutted