AJStrees

That's excellent direction. Thank you David. Ok will work on it. Its always down to being able to spend the time on these things. Though hugely interesting, doing this in between being out on the grounds does make it a bit of a challenge.

Okay. Don't know it. But then I suppose a lot of the big oaks look quite similar. Along with the red brick houses in this area. LOL!

looks like a big oak. Where is it? That tree looks very familiar, I work in West Sussex.

I believe there is a difference with what is called "enriched biochar", this is the product I have heard has great effects. Have had a few companies in to tell me about it as regards improvement with supplementary use of other machines to decompact soil while also using the enriched biochar to improve compaction and nutrition of soil where years of above ground works such as mulch circles had not created the necessary effect towards the health of the tree. But that is also not to say that mulch circles do not help trees, as I have seen results myself. They have also recommended adding "enriched biochar" to the mulch circle and watering it in to make improve the tree health. (Not a new idea in the horticultural world but something that I have started doing with some of the trees where I work). So I think it means there are things that can be done to improve the health of trees whereas earlier the conservation of the tree may not have been seen as possible and would have been potentially differed in structure or removed due to root rot or other such issues. https://www.carbongold.com/250-trees-saved-using-enriched-biochar-and-deep-soil-decompaction/

That looks impressive. Being sweet chestnut do you think it will have a large root plate? Does one have to get down far to determine the extent of any rot on the roots or is is quite visible higher up near the root crown?

Early morning this tree looked particularly good with all the witches broom going on.

I thought about it.

I have been campaigning a little bit for biochar. At the moment it seems not a lot of people believe healing trees with this and other fertilizers is very realistic. However I think the tide is turning and tree conservation is becoming more and more a thing. Its all down to the cost of this stuff I would say. I read your survey. don't think it applies to me too much as I work on an historic estate and up until now chipping has not been the norm. Burning for bonfire night or other such solutions have been the norm. We do own a chipper but its out of action at the moment.

whats the best way to learn all of the different fungi and their qualities/effects on trees? I have seen very similar on some of our beech trees and thought it looked like australe. Obviously there are different ones that are similar. ?

I see okay. Would you recommend a way to find out what the root structure would be like under there? this is a fairly large tree by a pond and steps in an area where quite a few visitors walk. Hope you don't mind me asking for free consultation.

I have recently finished read the Oliver Rackham book on English Countryside and its History. Very very interesting and sounds similar to what you write about. Nicely done by the way. There seems to be a hell of a lot to learn on this subject and seemingly what we all think is the history of our woodlands and pastures as was, is not the case based on this book. Which makes things ever more interesting. I just stumbled across this section of the forum. What a great place.

Is Hypholoma fasciculare a fungus to worry about?

during a walk around we did with the ATF, David informed us that they had had root radar done on some of the oaks near a path in Hampstead Heath woods. It was quite interesting to know this technology is now being used with good results. Has anyone else use this with good results?

Hypholoma fasciculare Thanks David. Looks like it.

indeed and there is a lot of it about. Have yet to see oysters myself, but looking out for them. Some of the dreaded H Fungus at the base of a Sweet Chestnut as of yesterday.

I quite liked the look of this the other week at the back of an old woods where I work.

Yes that too!

I am guessing this is the Fomitopsis betulina (Birch Polypore)? Nice!

Thanks MacD. Yes I have since been in touch with a couple of companies. Looks like I need Picus testing more than root radar. Am based in East Grinstead, West Sussex. Slowly but surely we will prevail!

Sounds good. I work in East Grinstead in West Sussex

Ah okay. Have you had more in depth investigations done on your veterans using the Picus system?

Thanks David. Have seen their website, will contact them. Is it a fairly costly activity?

Hello, anyone know of a company around Sussex that do root radar on trees?

Ah yes, if the bark has not got a shine to it then yes he is probably more right than I.

ah so, I was right! that makes me very very happy. Well at least something I got right. ?