The oak-to-shark ratio

For quite some time I despaired at the public’s lack of knowledge of trees. I failed to understand why they couldn’t tell one tree from the other. Just the common ones, I didn’t want everyone to be a closet dendrologist. I felt that it was reasonable for most people...

Ethics and advocates of fear

For many years now I have been teaching a tree risk assessment course. It’s a structured course with modules and sections laid out in a logical teaching order that is not my own. It’s a great course and I have fun teaching it. Each time I start, I give the class a...

The purpose of pets

It may surprise you because it definitely surprised me, that there are dozens of scientific studies on the differences between cat people and dog people. As in, actual peer-reviewed studies from reputable universities with articles published in credible magazines and...

The Enchanting Symphony of Autumn Leaf Fall

I’ve just used ChatGPT to write an article in the style of my own blog. I asked and it did. Option b) was to hang the washing out – but now, 20 seconds later I have an article and I still have to hang the washing out. So much for time wasting… Have a read...

Biological resilience – planting for the future

I’m not sure who first said, ‘the only constant, is change’, but whoever said it may have based the idea on plants. Plants, long-lived plants at least (trees) exist in a constant state of change. They can’t migrate or move, they sit where they have always sat, rooted...