Mazzoo

I like that approach because it would be great for creating a habitat for saproxylic insects, could be a good justification for my conclusion.

Thanks for your input. and everyone else's 👍 It does seems a bit of a conundrum to me if it needs some kind of management but not drastic pruning. Would removing weight further up help? I have to say I like the fencing off idea and leaving it, as it's one of my favourite trees where I go walking!

Yes it is on a playing field but the part with the split is not directly over the pitch. Dog walkers do go underneath though, so that's why I thought it would be medium risk at least.

Thanks for that.

Hi, I'm doing visual hazard evaluations on my level 4 course. One of the trees is this mature Quercus Robur near playing fields which has a large split on the south side and a crack that has developed in the main fork of the tree (circled in the second photo). There are a couple of small hanging branches in the canopy coming from the split stem side but the leaf size, new shoots and foliage all look pretty normal. From the split part of the trunk to just above the roots seems hollow and has a small amount of decay fungus (possibly Stereum rugosum?) and small insect holes. There looks to be old pruning further up the tree from the split, I'm guessing the severe split was caused by a large pruning wound? The roots look OK and no sign of decay there. I'm thinking in terms of risk it's moderate to high as in my (quite novice) opinion the crack is huge and that stem is leaning quite a bit, it's not a constant use area but people do walk under it. I'm thinking the course of action would be to monitor more than annually or maybe remove the stem that is splitting to stop the strain on the main fork? I'm looking for some other opinions on what I may have overlooked if anyone would care to add any.

Yes point taken, I certainly wouldn't get rid of the foxgloves that's for sure!

Thanks for the replies on this 👍

Not really up to me, being a poor student I'm not in charge of the budget ( yet!) 😄 I will let the council know though.

Thanks, not sure if I have photos of the crown. I will update if I have any.

Hi everyone I'm studying Arboriculture level 4 online. I don't work in the Industry specifically but have studied horticulture level 2 and worked in garden maintenance. I also volunteer (to get more experience with trees/ woodland management) and have seen this fungus in the garden where I'm volunteering on a Cherry tree. As I'm doing risk assessments and method statements at the moment on the course, I thought I'd choose this tree for my hypothetical subject. First of all could I ask for your thoughts on identifying the fungus? I was thinking some sort of Ganoderma. Secondly what type of action would be required (I was thinking tree removal?) and what hazards would be present. Could this tree be badly damaged enough to make it unstable when working on it etc? Would disposal have to be very specific as the tree is infected? It's close to a pedestrianised area so I'm thinking that would also be a site specific consideration. Thanks for any input!