AJStrees

just a question. How does lime do in milling? Is it worth planking up or not? Had a pretty big one fall last week and wondering if it is worth keeping.

Looks like potentially been damaged by works around the base of the tree some time ago, looks like the ground levels around it have changed, if there is too much soil over the root crown then the roots will be having a hard time breathing and they need oxygen, furthermore if the ground around it is compacted then the roots will also be struggling to take up water and nutrients. Willow like a lot of water generally. The grass looks pretty brown is it dead or dried out? If you have the space, I would plant some more trees in your garden and then let the willow get on with it. As others have mentioned mulching around the drip line and giving it a good trim will persuade it to boost itself and that might make him happier. A good mix of woodchip/compost well rotted should help it. Improvements can take time with a tree as do things that go wrong with a tree, its not an overnight problem, it has probably been a problem for some time. Baring in mind the main living tissue is just under the bark and it looks like the heartwood is exposed. Potentially the bark is rotting because the original base height of the tree is under grass and soil. Rootzone area looks like priority to me.

Another day of wind and rain. fairly gusty in these parts.

Nice tree by the way. Could well be Honey Fungus, but are there any rings on the stipe or stem of the mushroom? My initial thought was scally cap of some sort, others with more experience than I would probably be able to give you a more definite answer. Try looking at the stem to see if it has a ring and also have a good look at the underside of the mushroom to see what its like

Similar to Silver Princess but leaves might not be right. Wouldn't be able to guess with Euclypt, so many species.

Now you might be asking a lot. Looks a little like Photinia, but also looks like red stem willow

Nice! Crikey mate. You've been on the tools a long time then. Good job.

Nice and posh looking job there.

Indeed! Yes I think the brackets were fairly old and quite tough by the time I got to seeing em.

Thanks David Okay, did wonder, just wasn’t too sure due to the red colouring on the top of the bracket

Saw this a couple of weeks back in one of the woodlands I work at on a wind thrown Birch. Potentially old lacquered brackets, but up for some suggestions.

The colours on the bracket inside the trunk of the beech look like Southern bracket, quite common on beech I believe. The sort of dull brown and white underside. Better pics and of underside or cross section always help for ID, I appreciate its up a tree and not very easy to get to.

whats the prize? 3.25

Might be a common one, but can't really look without photos of underside, what tree was it on?

Great work you are doing over there. Your lucky to have such a big woodland area to look after.

As you say though, you don't know how compacted the soil is.

A couple of posts here that I have read in the past. If you have a search more on here, you will find a lot of info. Mulching with the correct mulch (i,e. well rotted woodchip/compost mix), woodchip not rotted will take nitrogen out of the soil and lessen the efficacy of the mulching concept. and use of biochar can help greatly to decompact the soil around rootzone area and the biochar and mulch get the worms really working that soil over. Potentially introduction of worms into the soil as well in case there is little or no action, numbers of worms in the soil are a big factor when you consider how few worms are in the soil these days, having been killed off in great quantity through mechanical soil creation, along with pesticides and other toxic substances in our water . In urban space unfortunately if all of the leaves are removed then there is little hope of the soil getting sugars back from the leaf mulch from the autumn fall.

Could be one of the bonnets. Couldn't tell from the pics.

Living on deadwood by the look of your pics. So saprobe would be a good place to start I would reckon. Though cannot confirm. What size were they looking quite small? Any idea of smells? Any photos of the fungi pulled away to see its base? There are a lot of fungi to chose from. I am not expert but might be able to work it out somewhat with more information.

Yeah probably a good idea. when I get going I will take photos as we progress.

Hope so, yes. Will investigate. I agree take some weight off and see how it is. Bracing might be the way as the tree is in a very frequented area, so don't want any hazards.

Thanks. will have a look

I am about to start looking after a small woodland and meadow area of about 40 acres on one of the estates sites. It hasn't really had any management for decades. Stuff everywhere. Getting started is going to be interesting. Mostly mixed broadleaf, not an old plantation of conifers, just semi-ancient woodland untouched and old meadow area that has turned into woodland due to no management. Wildlife levels seem to be quite high which is nice. But lots of laurel and rhodo at the edges, old rocks in there too and pretty steep slopes, maybe it was an old quarry or something, its quite a level change between new and old. One of the old rides has been cleared as a dog walkers route, but that is about it. Will have to research what the area used to be.

Fantastic to see coppice products becoming more and more used again, regeneration of woodlands is vital to improving our environment. Great job there.

Nice tractor there by the way. Guess she does a good job up and down the slopes, etc.... Alpine?