jfc

Not something I've seen before. Location would help. Re mulching, you need to leave a gap between the mulch and tree stem, ie at least 5cm all around. It looks in one photo like the mulch is piled up around the trunk, might just look like that in the pic?

I'm not going to download any random files from your post. As stere said post images.

I have had both 18v topper and 36v back handle makita chainsaws. Both broke at around 2yslr old with light use. I got the 18v replaced under warranty as Covid delayed getting it fixed. The 36v just stopped working, out of warranty. I won't be buying any more Makita saws!

Re tree surveying. I did the PTI course about 5yr ago, course was intense but enjoyable. All the guys I got to know passed, though I heard some others failed. There is a higher failure rate than most courses. Just do your prep beforehand, if you're interested in tree biology and fungi and read up you should be fine. Think you said you had done level 4 arb course so no worries. I hadn't done any official arb theory courses before but had >5yrs on the tools and knew a few fungi. I have studied to degree level previously in the past as a nurse. So I knew how to study. A mix of years of hands on experience and reading is sufficient prep for most. I now do surveys as a small part of my work, it's a bit of a change and requires different mental skills to tree work. I usually get to do the treework recomendations I suggest. Which kind of completes the circle. I get someone else in to do picus or if it's more than I can manage. I only do hazard inspections, not gone down the bs5387/trees and development route.it doesn't really appeal and I don't have the time to do the learning involved. The reports are often on a quicker turnaround than I can do with my treework being the main job. Hope that helps a bit. Jan.

Following on from old man Mick's advice, I'm a spritely 54 and still climb or groundy 4 days a week. I run my own business and try not to beast myself or the team (barring the odd underpriced job). I use fridays to quote, run the show etc or as a spare day if weather mucks up the diary. I'd use the money from your Ferrari to set yourself up! - I'm assuming you have one as you work 5 days a week climbing (circa £200 a day), plus every other weekend, no mortgage kids or drinking. You are at peak disposable income stage, it only gets tougher from this point. Set yourself up and be you own boss, with the pros and cons of that, or work for others and be prepared to be run ragged during the week, but you get weekends and evenings off which as a boss you'll be working some of. I do a bit of Tree Surveying (on a friday), quite a nice change of pace, but I'd get bored doing it all the time - at least half your time will be in front of a screen writing reports. It ain't very exciting! Dunno if that helps at all. Personally I'd stop working weekends and enjoy my weekends more, or save up for your own show! Jan.

I didn't make the decisions on whether the tree was to stay or go. The picus guy made recommendations. I'm no expert, but feel that sycamore, beech, horse chestnut have little resistance to decay fungi. Trees with heartwood are more resistant I think. But happy to be corrected.

The decayed area was mushyish, you could push a thumb into it if pushed really hard. Loads of targets. Crown had died back a lot in last 2yrs. There was a big cavity at the base, no support from downward growing roots from the bole. It looks to.me to be only 1/6 of the radius unaffected by decay. In a couple of areas it was only 25mm unaffected.

That section was about 3m up the stem. Lower down the decay changed to hollowing, not sure how the roots were. Although gotta go back and grind the stump in a few weeks.

Sycamore. Was decay by dryad's saddle.

Ok, opinions on this stem? On another forum some people felt it was retainable.

My initial thoughts are Cushion Bracket, Phellinus pomaceus. Never seen it on robinia, generally seen on Prunus.

Last week there was snow high up 800m+ (check out Cairngorm Mountain webcams). I saw snow on the Gorms driving north from Perth on Saturday. We've just had loads of rain today here on the coast nr dundee, but it will probs snowed again high up. A few really keen folk were skiing up there a few weeks ago but think it melted after that. It's still at the coming and going stage rather than sustained base layer and top-ups. I'd pack crampons but they might never leave your bag. I assume by climbing you mean hillwalking, not winter climbing?

After my Dad passed away he left me some money, we paid off the mortgage and it made me consider what I wanted to do with the rest of my working life. I changed career at 45 (was an NHS nurse) to go into Arb, the money was rubbish to begin with (even with felling <380mm, climbing and rescue tickets), in fairness there's a lot to learn and teaching/training folk takes time and money. Almost 10yrs on I have my own business and employ a couple of other guys. Still climbing and cutting and have a comfortable life from my work, at no point have I regretted my decision.

Hi, I think Honey Fungus have a flatter cap, even when developing. If you can pick one of them and take a side view that would help. then cut it in half length ways which shows more of the anatomy of the fruiting body. The free TMA Fungi app is a good start for IDing fungi. Hope that helps. Jan.

As Matty said and I have found lots more folk keeping the logs from jobs, even if they don't use it, their brother, uncle, neighbour... etc have asked for it. I will drop conifer off for free or beer money. Decent hardwood I would pass on to folk who help me out or sell a transit load for sensible money.

Diesel can be run on red diesel at £1 a litre. Saving soon adds up compared to petrol costs.

I paid £5.6+vat, at start of 2023. Got a very good trade in on my old b20 at the same time. The new style tooth arrangement is taking some getting used to. Apparently all 8 teeth don't wear equally, 4 wear much quicker than the other 4. Anyone else found this issue? Personally I'm not finding this arrangement is an improvement. J.

If it's got a TPO on it you'll only be allowed to do what the TO (tree officer) agrees to. Depends on the TO if they will be happy with a re-pollard or similar, usually have to be compliant with BS3998 British Standard for Treework. There's a copy of a bs3998 .pdf kicking about somewhere on the net. You are unlikely to be able to write a TPO/Bs3998 compliant application yourself, it will depend if the TO takes pity on you and helps, or asks for a arborist to do one. You might be better asking an arb to do an application on your behalf. I would probably charge 50-100 quid to do this, dependant on how much time it takes and how easy the TO is to work with. Jan.

think you mistyped that - is an eejit!

Very interesting series of Picus, thanks for posting. I can't tell on my phone what is that on the left, is it Meripilus? Cheers, jan

On a job beside a public car park this guy comes out raving about the dust on his car, I tried to offer him a tenner to get it cleaned but he was so aggro and sweary I never got chance to give it him. Next day he's parked in the same spot and we had a repeat performance. I told the groundie to give him the money if he could get him to calm down enough for a conversation. He never got a free car wash as he was such a pr!ck about it.

This looks ominous, as I just sent a battery charger back for repair 3wks ago and haven't heard anything, phones are mysteriously out of order (for over a week now) and email's not been answered. F@£k! They expanded to their midlands depot just as the arse fell out the Arb sector - I've only bought essentials this year and know of lots of firms struggling up here, so can't see anyone buying much at present!

Another vote for Husky extending one. Can reach so far with it, it has speeded up a lot of hedge trimming jobs.

IMO proper tree companies do not knock on doors to get business. That's generally cowboy behaviour! Use them at your own peril! Pricing seems excessive from the photos. As others have said can be pruned at any time of year. If it is a decent sized limb (>15cm diameter) it may be better reduced rather than removed, so preventing creating a large cavity on the main stem. j.

The lager drinkers will be carrying 'man bags'!