Strap everything down -- it might get a bit bumpy

[Curly green finger's]

I've had a few nucs blown about, an interesting observation of those where the frames had left the box was that there was no brood visible at all, so I'm commencing the last round of vapes.

I had too put a few back together today and no brood at all so I’m doing the same this week.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

that Madeira Penderyn is rather nice isn't it.

yes - was given a bottle last year by the producer of an a short black comedy film I helped with supplying the chapel and facilitating the production during the pandemic, talking of malt - a colleague slipped a small Jura gift set into the secret santa we had at our planning meeting. It had a tasting glass, a miniature of Jura and some 'whisky stones' - four granite ice cube size stones to use instead of icecubes to avoid polluting the whisky. I think it was meant for the American market as it had a warning 'do not chew' on it.

Just had the electrickery restored, it's been out since 0600 Saturday. To be honest, it's been rather pleasant, nearly three days without 'tinternet and only the occasional dip into social media to see if everyone was OK.
Lost one of my oldest apple trees on Saturday evening - My grandfather remembers stealing apples of it in 1918. I'd just gone up the garden to lock the hens up, and as I walked under it I thought that some of the branches were nearer to my head, I'd just popped into the bee shed to bring some more candles to the house when a big gust slammed the door behind me, when I went back into the garden, it was down on the path

so the only surviving tree from that era is the bramley which is in the vegetable garden to the right and further up the garden, that is an even bigger tree and I'm glad the wind was from the north or it would have flattened the shelter where the supers are stored

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

yes - was given a bottle last year by the producer of an a short black comedy film I helped with supplying the chapel and facilitating the production during the pandemic, talking of malt - a colleague slipped a small Jura gift set into the secret santa we had at our planning meeting. It had a tasting glass, a miniature of Jura and some 'whisky stones' - four granite ice cube size stones to use instead of icecubes to avoid polluting the whisky. I think it was meant for the American market as it had a warning 'do not chew' on it.

Just had the electrickery restored, it's been out since 0600 Saturday. To be honest, it's been rather pleasant, nearly three days without 'tinternet and only the occasional dip into social media to see if everyone was OK.
Lost one of my oldest apple trees on Saturday evening - My grandfather remembers stealing apples of it in 1918. I'd just gone up the garden to lock the hens up, and as I walked under it I thought that some of the branches were nearer to my head, I'd just popped into the bee shed to bring some more candles to the house when a big gust slammed the door behind me, when I went back into the garden, it was down on the path
View attachment 41741
so the only surviving tree from that era is the bramley which is in the vegetable garden to the right and further up the garden, that is an even bigger tree and I'm glad the wind was from the north or it would have flattened the shelter where the supers are stored

Dreading going up to the range apiary, quite a few trees down on the track I hear but hopefully on the approach to the range as the apiary is another few hundred yards above it if there are trees down I may have to invest in a new (battery this time I think) chainsaw as my Husky 65 is now getting too heavy for me and I'm struggling to even start it.

 

[JamezF]

There are a few places around here that are still without power (since 2:30am on Saturday) and the quoted repair time is 8pm tomorrow, so I gather. Perhaps I should buy shares in generator manufacturers...

It would be sad to lose that tree though. No chance of giving it a hefty prune and pulling it back upright to see if it will regrow?

James

 

[Penninetrader]

I took a bit of a round trip into work today and visited all my hives to check they were ok. Everything was still upright, so I'm happy enough about that. Nor did there appear to be any further damage to nearby trees other than what I saw on Friday which did surprise me a little given that there was plenty of evidence of other trees having come down.

James

I think the gods have given you your fair share already what with FiL and crackered door locks. Onwards and upwards.

 

[Penninetrader]

Dreading going up to the range apiary, quite a few trees down on the track I hear but hopefully on the approach to the range as the apiary is another few hundred yards above it if there are trees down I may have to invest in a new (battery this time I think) chainsaw as my Husky 65 is now getting too heavy for me and I'm struggling to even start it.

Is there any chance you could reroot that apple or even cover until better times. I bought a 14" lightweight husky which is easy enough to start and doesn't mind working hard. Anyways, best of luck with it all, you are quite the custodian so again best of luck.

 

[Penninetrader]

yes - was given a bottle last year by the producer of an a short black comedy film I helped with supplying the chapel and facilitating the production during the pandemic, talking of malt - a colleague slipped a small Jura gift set into the secret santa we had at our planning meeting. It had a tasting glass, a miniature of Jura and some 'whisky stones' - four granite ice cube size stones to use instead of icecubes to avoid polluting the whisky. I think it was meant for the American market as it had a warning 'do not chew' on it.

Just had the electrickery restored, it's been out since 0600 Saturday. To be honest, it's been rather pleasant, nearly three days without 'tinternet and only the occasional dip into social media to see if everyone was OK.
Lost one of my oldest apple trees on Saturday evening - My grandfather remembers stealing apples of it in 1918. I'd just gone up the garden to lock the hens up, and as I walked under it I thought that some of the branches were nearer to my head, I'd just popped into the bee shed to bring some more candles to the house when a big gust slammed the door behind me, when I went back into the garden, it was down on the path
View attachment 41741
so the only surviving tree from that era is the bramley which is in the vegetable garden to the right and further up the garden, that is an even bigger tree and I'm glad the wind was from the north or it would have flattened the shelter where the supers are stored

If that is the tree in the pic get the saw on those branches to lose the weight and right the tree and tie off, do not give up on it.

 

[pargyle]

If that is the tree in the pic get the saw on those branches to lose the weight and right the tree and tie off, do not give up on it.

Yes, there's a chestnut tree where we walk the dog in the woods that was partially uprooted by the wind a couple of years ago, it's leaning at a fairly jaunty angle but was stopped from going over completely as it fell against a dead tree next to it. About half its roots are out of the soil but it still lives and new branches are forming on its new upper side. It's just been left as it is - too awkward to get in and pull it upright and I assume the forestry commission took pity on it. It's surprising what nature can put up with and still survive. I'd certainly give the apple tree a go ... get the local rugby team on the end of a rope and then wedge a couple of stakes in to keep it near upright until the roots take hold again.

I would also be taking a few cuttings and get them started - perhaps not for this generation to eat the fruit in any quantity but the next generation. With cuttings you will have a true clone. If it is as old as that then it may not have been a grafted tree originally so it will produce a clone - or, once you have the cuttings established, in a year or two, you could graft them on to a good rootstock.

Growing fruit trees from scions is a long game - the roots could take several months to establish and not all of them take - I get about 25% of apples and pears to root but it's worth a try. The tree will be pretty much dormant at present so it's a good time to take cuttings.

 

[Jimmy]

Regarding the fallen tree, you could get hold of some rootstocks and have a go at grafting yourself ( not that hard, lots of advice online) or pay someone to do it for you.
Walcot Organic nursery near Pershore used to offer that service
Walcot Nursery

 

[Erichalfbee]

If that is the tree in the pic get the saw on those branches to lose the weight and right the tree and tie off, do not give up on it.

Might that work? How wonderful if it did?

 

[Karol]

Dreading going up to the range apiary, quite a few trees down on the track I hear but hopefully on the approach to the range as the apiary is another few hundred yards above it if there are trees down I may have to invest in a new (battery this time I think) chainsaw as my Husky 65 is now getting too heavy for me and I'm struggling to even start it.

Electric is okay for pruning but the run time dramatically drops when cutting through thicker timber especially when it's not seasoned. If you do go battery it might be an idea to buy plenty of spare batteries and be liberal with the oil and keep the teeth sharp. I went battery and quickly reverted to petrol.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

Electric is okay for pruning but the run time dramatically drops when cutting through thicker timber especially when it's not seasoned. If you do go battery it might be an idea to buy plenty of spare batteries and be liberal with the oil and keep the teeth sharp. I went battery and quickly reverted to petrol.

i was tempted to go battery when my stihl kept packing up on me.....a friend has one and the battery packing up seems to coincide with his need for a rest, but, good point Karol as i think he mainly cuts up smaller bits than i do...spark plug and service later and stihl back up and running

 

[Newbeeneil]

Good job this one was strapped to the paving slab it’s sitting on.


Probably not surprising as it’s situated on the highest hill in Sussex. And quite exposed.

 

[Murox]

Dreading going up to the range apiary, quite a few trees down on the track I hear but hopefully on the approach to the range as the apiary is another few hundred yards above it if there are trees down I may have to invest in a new (battery this time I think) chainsaw as my Husky 65 is now getting too heavy for me and I'm struggling to even start it.

Im guessing that Husky is the older heavy beast, around 10kg; there's a good range of saws these days that are less than 5kg for "occasional" use. I don't need one now but up until 8 years ago I regularly used a light cheap and cheerful petrol one. Kept a couple of chains sharpened, one designed for dirty work the other for 'clean' wood using a 14" bar which was enough for most tasks.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

It would be sad to lose that tree though. No chance of giving it a hefty prune and pulling it back upright to see if it will regrow?

most of the weight is in the multiple trunks, and I know from the last time I tried to restyle it, it did not like it at all. I had it identified years ago and it's a pretty common variety anyway, even if I can't source one I may go for another Prince Albert, but a semi standard as the one I bought to replace the Prince Albert turned out to be a dwarf!
I think it was on the way out anyway, a few times since lockdown I've noticed it's cropping poorly.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Im guessing that Husky is the older heavy beast, around 10kg

yes and it has a wicked compression and with the way my energy vlevels are nowadays, even if I manage to get it going I'm too knackered to use it.
Then this morning, I remembered I received a hefty 'recognition reward' from work for a radio upgrade and audit system i'd done, was a bit embarrassed by it really and didn't know what to spend it on, in the end I converted it all to M&S vouchers and traded them with my sister. Anyway - long story short, there's a Stihl 14" bar battery chainsaw (with spare battery) on it's way, and the bonus is, the same batteries will power a strimmer which may be next on the shopping list as I have no excuse not to buy it now!!

 

[The Poot]

Good job this one was strapped to the paving slab it’s sitting on.
View attachment 41742

Probably not surprising as it’s situated on the highest hill in Sussex. And quite exposed.
View attachment 41743

That’s a great view!

 

[The Poot]

yes - was given a bottle last year by the producer of an a short black comedy film I helped with supplying the chapel and facilitating the production during the pandemic, talking of malt - a colleague slipped a small Jura gift set into the secret santa we had at our planning meeting. It had a tasting glass, a miniature of Jura and some 'whisky stones' - four granite ice cube size stones to use instead of icecubes to avoid polluting the whisky. I think it was meant for the American market as it had a warning 'do not chew' on it.

Just had the electrickery restored, it's been out since 0600 Saturday. To be honest, it's been rather pleasant, nearly three days without 'tinternet and only the occasional dip into social media to see if everyone was OK.
Lost one of my oldest apple trees on Saturday evening - My grandfather remembers stealing apples of it in 1918. I'd just gone up the garden to lock the hens up, and as I walked under it I thought that some of the branches were nearer to my head, I'd just popped into the bee shed to bring some more candles to the house when a big gust slammed the door behind me, when I went back into the garden, it was down on the path
View attachment 41741
so the only surviving tree from that era is the bramley which is in the vegetable garden to the right and further up the garden, that is an even bigger tree and I'm glad the wind was from the north or it would have flattened the shelter where the supers are stored

That’s a shame. My neighbour has a large apple that’s too tall to pick much fruit from, so mostly he gets windfalls that go bad quickly.
A tree on a shorter rootstock might prove to be a better option.
I bet that tree looked great when in flower though.

 

[JamezF]

I discovered this afternoon that since Monday morning, when the wind actually started dying down, a single pane of glass in Frankenstein's greenhouse has been smashed. A touch irritating given that it had made it through the worst of the weekend's weather. There's no sign of what caused the breakage so I'm wondering if it might perhaps have been a bird rather than falling bits of tree. Fortunately I have a stash of spare greenhouse glass so at the weekend I'll cut a replacement piece to fit.

James