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Hello my fellow tree enthusiasts! I’ve been growing an oak sapling for several months and its leaves are discolored and I’m not sure what the cause is. I think it gets enough water, light and nutrients. Would appreciate some advice if someone can spare some! P.s. where I live a certain bird often hides many acorns all over the city but forgets where they have stored them. Then on rooftops and balconies little oak saplings start growing from plant pots and containers. This sapling comes from such an acorn :)

As part of a lockdown project for my daughters I've turned a tree in our garden into a climbing wall. However I have a few concerns as I want to be sure I'm not harming the tree, and would really appreciate some help. The tree is a false acacia. I've put a top rope high up in the tree, and a series of climbing holds up the tree for my daughters to climb up. The holds are a secured with straps tightened with a ratchet. I had 2 concerns or questions. 1) What is the root structure of a tree like this normally like? Can I be confident that I'm not going to affect the stability of the tree. I don't want to increase any risk of it toppling over. 2) I don't want to strangle the tree which I've read about. How do I prevent that? If they're tightened, do I need to loosen them occasionally? if so how often? Daily? Monthly? If something is tightened round the tree, how quickly might it affect transport of nutrients etc? They don't seem to cut into the tree, but what would you suggest I do to ensure the tree isn't damaged? Or am I being overcautious and it should be fine?

Naturaculture - a for profit Arboricultural business (Australia & Vanuatu based) that specialises in working for not-for-profit Social Justice organisations seeks an Arboricultural Consultant to work with our team in Vanuatu. We are seeking a full time consulting level arboriculturist with the capacity to be trained to work at a senior level, though will take a senior level consultant who ticks our boxes. The successful candidate is to be a team player that practises inclusivity for all staff, our preferred consultant is to be more interested in giving than receiving - though we will provide a healthy remuneration package to the right candidate, as well as professional development opportunity (predominantly the greatest growth opportunity within our business relates to plant health care – soil food web science and experience with commercial compost facility management). Our team is made up of highly experienced arboricultural managers, consultants and contractors, run by an arboricultural Director (with 30 years industry experience) and an Executive Officer. Your role will involve co-managing a range of diverse arboricultural initiatives – involving vegetation pruning/clearing/processing (4*4 Isuzu trucks, Bandit 12” & 15”chippers) compost facility management, veteran/ancient tree management (part of our community engagement) program, re-vegetation of mining sites, plant nutrient analysis, as well as assisting with staff mentoring & training. Your role is fundamental to our joint progress, so we need a very sharp mind. Selection criteria - · Minimum Level 5 Diploma in Arboriculture · City & Guilds Certificate 4 in Delivering Training - 6258 (or AUS Cert 4 in Training & Assessment) · QTRA or VALID certified with demonstrated risk assessment experience. · Minimum 5 years consulting experience – post graduation. · Minimum 5 years contractual experience – must be fit enough to assist contractual staff with field work & cyclone response work, as well as be capable of carrying out aerial climbing inspections on ancient/veteran trees. · Proven ability to apply academic knowledge and concepts to practical situations · Experience of AutoCAD software systems, or equivalent · Excellent report writing skills · Solid botanical skills for identifying vegetation · Experience in identifying organisms with a predisposition to impact on tree vitality or tree biomechanics. · Experience in tree planting or re-vegetation projects. · Proven ability to carry out planning, research & to network. · Proven ability to assess & hypothesise on tree body language in the context of VTA. · Laboratory experience is a benefit (training will be given). · High level of personal & professional integrity · Willingness to commit to up to 5 years with a base in Vanuatu & a willingness to participate in Australian/UK projects · Commitment to participate in Naturaculture security program · Commitment to follow staff code of conduct (HSE values) · Drivers license essential, MR lorry license attractive to have. What we will offer to the right recipient based on qualifications & experience – · £44,300 to £50,000 · 10% paid into super/pension fund · Bonus system based on achieving client milestones · Rostered Day Off (RDO) every fortnight · SFW training & further professional development support (RDO sacrifice for PD maybe required) · Paid 8-hour day for 8.5 hrs per day with 1 hours break time, over time rates are paid · Return flights home paid once per year, plus 4 recreational flights to Australia · Resort level accommodation provided · 4 weeks paid holiday per year, with the option to take a further 4 weeks unpaid leave. · Organic food supplied with staff labour contribution to staff community garden. · Company vehicle supplied for work hours. Project start – due September/October 2018, our full time consultant will be needed to join us in Vanuatu soon after our depot is established (we will hold space until January/February for the right candidate) though preference will be given to parties willing to come on board at project commencement. For interested parties please draft a background on yourself, respond to the selection criteria as best you can, provide scanned copies of qualifications & provide a CV. Please email response to Cassian Humphreys – [email protected] Short listed parties will be interviewed on line.