Eric Frei's pics

Eric Frei · 7th September 2008, 02:19 PM

Don Waters is well ... a pretty famous artist.

I've been doing various tree work for him for years now.

His works are displayed in Australia's Parliament House and Buckingham Palace!

Tegan, my oldest has a little artistic flair, Lindsay not far behind her, and they were absolutely thrilled to visit Don on my recent tree work mission.

Don has a passion for trees, and the large ficus tree by the entrance to his studio he planted 20 years ago.

This is the entrance you walk through.

The entrance to his creative studio, the ficus tree is on the left and his two friendly dogs down the bottom.

This is Tegan with a little face paint and Don, both kids made a small contribution to the painting in the background.

Lindsay my younger one was more interested in giving Don's pinball machine a workout. These days it's a big deal for kids to play pinball, in my day it was 5 cents a go!

Here's another of his creative works, how many dinner table pieces can you see?

Thanks Don for a great afternoon, it will never be forgotten and Tegan hasn't stopped talking about yet.

newguy18 · 7th September 2008, 02:35 PM

looks like the kids had fun.

Jeff Darby · 7th September 2008, 02:57 PM

Great photo's no doubt Tegan looks like mum,cause little Lindsay is the spit of your mouth,(but much better looking of course)..LOL.Looks like a great time had by all.

phill ellison · 7th September 2008, 04:38 PM

awesome pics. eric, I like the base of that tree next to the studio. Do they get any boigger than that

Eric Frei · 7th September 2008, 07:14 PM

You bet they do, it's dropping aerial roots and he's making sure they stay where positioned well, so eventually you'll walk through the tree.

phill ellison · 7th September 2008, 07:43 PM

what a cool idea, that good thinking

yooper · 13th September 2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

Don Waters is well ... a pretty famous artist.

I've been doing various tree work for him for years now.

His works are displayed in Australia's Parliament House and Buckingham Palace!

Tegan, my oldest has a little artistic flair, Lindsay not far behind her, and they were absolutely thrilled to visit Don on my recent tree work mission.

Don has a passion for trees, and the large ficus tree by the entrance to his studio he planted 20 years ago.

This is the entrance you walk through.

The entrance to his creative studio, the ficus tree is on the left and his two friendly dogs down the bottom.

This is Tegan with a little face paint and Don, both kids made a small contribution to the painting in the background.

Lindsay my younger one was more interested in giving Don's pinball machine a workout. These days it's a big deal for kids to play pinball, in my day it was 5 cents a go!

Here's another of his creative works, how many dinner table pieces can you see?

Thanks Don for a great afternoon, it will never be forgotten and Tegan hasn't stopped talking about yet.

cool photos...wow cool artist....showed my wife the photo of his painting and she was intersted to see more (she also does alot of painting..just not that good) tried a search, but no luck. does he have a gallery on line?

Eric Frei · 13th September 2008, 05:09 PM

Sure, it's a flash file site so give time for things to load.

:: Donald James Waters - Gallery :: and pics here :: DJW - GALLERY ::

Can you see the kangaroo in this one?
DON WATERS

Garry Brockley · 13th September 2008, 05:39 PM

That pic is incredible i love it, it takes a while for the roo to come through but once you see it it stands out a mile, lokks like you guys had a great time

Sunraysia Tree Solutions · 29th September 2008, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

LOL, no more pics coz it was starting to get dark, the groundy was leaving, I had stumps to grind, load to dump and pick the kids up from after school care before 6 (it's dark here at 5pm these days you know)

However, here's the deal.

The hinge was nice and parallel, maybe 3/4" hingewood, text book stuff. (had to be due to potential insurance claim)

The entire cambium (sapwood) was compromised, like honeycomb ... however the heartwood was 100% good.

So, it wasn't like the typical scene of termite but rather some borer infestation feeding on the cambium.

Stump grinding, roots were good, I'd say 100% in tact.

So from a VTA point of view it was really UGLY

From a structural engineers point of view, OK

Moral of the story ... well there's two.

1/ Better to be safe than sorry.

2/ Never assume more than you can see, a drill test would have confirmed integrity. Just think if this were some significant tree and you felled it, no hollow, no decay, no termites..... Ooops, egg on your face.

I have mentioned this a lot before but I will say in a consulting capacity I'm starting to drill them all where there's any VTA that tells me possible decay.

Ekka do you use a resistograph or just use a drill to see how it feels, if so what diameter drill and does an odinary 18 volt drill do the job ?

Sunraysia Tree Solutions · 29th September 2008, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Freeman

It would be more effective to have the specs for cleancutting before the excavator makes its presence felt. Once the roots are torn and fractured it is very hard to find sound timber to clean cut....hydrovac along the outermost line of the excavation then clean cut (if it retains sufficient root and soil volume for the tree)...then all excavation inside that line can continue as normal, you won't get the fractured roots.
Also I would most definately be applying Trichoderma in solution or better still in a water saving gel and sugar solution.

Sean can you direct me to some reading of the benefits of sugar solutions to trees, I seem to have missed the boat with this one, a mob I know in adelaide uses molassis in solution to promote health in older trees, any help greatly appreciated

Sean Freeman · 29th September 2008, 11:49 PM

Hi Fatkoala, remember that anyone who lays claim to "feeding trees" by adding anything to the soil either doesn't understand plant biology, or is trying to sell you snake oil.
The ideas behind applying simple dilute sugar solutions in specific circumstances comes from the increasing understanding we have about the relationship between mychorrizal fungi and plants (trees included). The sugars do nothing to the tree at all (directly) they are however an essential requirerment for a great many mycorrhizal fungi (see the work done by Mike Brundrett at the CSIRO). In fact studies done here in Australia have shown the exudates from various Eucalypt species being taken up by ectomycorrhizas, those exudates principally contain simple carbohydrates (glucose), growth stimulators (volatile terpenes) and vitamins.

The application of dilute solutions of molasses is aimed at rapidly improving the environment of the rhizosphere in situations where urgent improvements are required in the capacity of the tree to take up water and elements from the soil. (Transplantation would be such an instance)

You can do your own backyard experiment if you like (if you have a compost heap) try pouring a dilute sugar solution over your compost heap after it has been turned over a month (say four treatments) and observe what develops....I would suspect (if your compost heap is working...balance of C:N correct)you will see rapid increases in the activity of all kinds of living organisms.

Its not magic and its not the answer to all the trees ills, however it can be a brilliant addition to the tools we have to rapidly improve the environment of the rhizosphere.

Eric Frei · 8th October 2008, 09:01 PM

By fluke a decent excavator was working next door, had a yack and he said, "it's in the back of me truck for $20" ...

Drouin Tree Service · 8th October 2008, 09:27 PM

Id be keeping his number handy!!

Eric Frei · 18th January 2009, 05:51 PM

Last Thursday gone had some help and visitors. Here's a pic of us out for some nice Indian tucker that night.

From left to right, Darren (Sunshine trees), JayD, Phil (D's inlaw) and me.

JohN Dee · 18th January 2009, 05:56 PM

Haha, that's a great picture hey. Hope Dad and Phil gave you a good days work.

Eric Frei · 18th January 2009, 06:16 PM

JayD just loves the Kanga.

JohN Dee · 18th January 2009, 06:32 PM

Hahaha! Yeah he would, we have one at work too, they're great.

Eric Frei · 28th January 2009, 12:28 PM

Some careful stump excavation.

Beneath the edge of the footpath, 600mm deep is a 200mm dia high pressure water main.

Stump grind and cut roots along there then carefully pop out the stump.

Jeff Darby · 28th January 2009, 12:34 PM

Nice bit of precision stump grinding, this is where your training pays off, Imagine the dramas caused by an 8" main letting rip or tearing a fibre optics cable.... I shudder when I think about it..Good work..

Eric Frei · 24th February 2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

That was November 2007.

This is what it looked like last week (15 months later) when I pruned it again.

And it's always great to see the feedback the tree gives you on your pruning cuts.

Some nice doughnuts here.

TrevMcRev · 24th February 2009, 07:27 PM

Good, accurate cuts

Rewarding to see, hey.

Sure beats going back to see that your stump grindings mound has settled down nicely

Jeff Darby · 25th February 2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevMcRev

Good, accurate cuts

Rewarding to see, hey.

Sure beats going back to see that your stump grindings mound has settled down nicely

The tree does not care who you are in 15 months time, It tells the truth! Good work.

treevet · 25th February 2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

Last Thursday gone had some help and visitors. Here's a pic of us out for some nice Indian tucker that night.

From left to right, Darren (Sunshine trees), JayD, Phil (D's inlaw) and me.

That is one handsome dignified looking crew there.

Eric Frei · 2nd June 2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

The leopard trees were topped 2 years ago, every single leader was cut midstream and resulted in lots of erratic growth.

Customer wanted them re-topped as too bushy now and lawn not doing to good beneath.

After much explanation (and asking him to visit a nearby leopard I pruned) I suggested crown lifting and then down the track to try to thin out those epicormics and restore some type of crown.

The trees were lopped by some old guy (60's+) who was working in the units behind him. The client was never informed of the consequences and now understands the damage done. The treelopper said he's been doing it for years and they'll bush up real nice.

The first couple of pics show you the ferocity of the epicormics and mess in the crown ... we'll deal with that when they're bare for summer (yes, they drop all leaves just before Christmas for 2 weeks they're bare).

The bottom 2 pics show the before and afters from 2 different angles. The alien antenna look of the crown is courtesy of Mr Tree Lopper and his ignorance. Re lopping or cutting those antennas mid length will only exacerbate the problem. I would dearly love to sue these bastids asses for their BS! Two juvenile beautiful specimen trees destroyed by ignorance.

You can take a horse to water .....

Drove past today and hello, this is BRISBANE alright! I did not do it.

letigre · 2nd June 2009, 05:57 PM

ouch!

my sympathies mate! and you've got a nice little doughnut coming along there as well.

Eric Frei · 8th June 2009, 04:35 PM

The Golden pendas have put on a spectacular show around Brisbane this winter due to the heavy rains.

This beauty is near the lake at Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens.

Leif Raukleiv · 9th June 2009, 07:38 AM

Wood is wondeful, but where are the bees?
Do these flowers give honey? If I were a bee, I would have checked these flowers!
Leif.

Eric Frei · 9th June 2009, 09:17 PM

LOL,

There were bees about alright .... I frigged around to get a shot in without one disturbing the scene!

The rainbow lorikeets love the flowers too.

jim1nz · 10th June 2009, 03:04 AM

Hey Ekka, how does ya next door neighbor Eucalyptus tree look like today, any more die back in the top?

7th September 2008, 02:19 PM	#91
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Ekka's pics Don Waters is well ... a pretty famous artist. I've been doing various tree work for him for years now. His works are displayed in Australia's Parliament House and Buckingham Palace! Tegan, my oldest has a little artistic flair, Lindsay not far behind her, and they were absolutely thrilled to visit Don on my recent tree work mission. Don has a passion for trees, and the large ficus tree by the entrance to his studio he planted 20 years ago. This is the entrance you walk through. The entrance to his creative studio, the ficus tree is on the left and his two friendly dogs down the bottom. This is Tegan with a little face paint and Don, both kids made a small contribution to the painting in the background. Lindsay my younger one was more interested in giving Don's pinball machine a workout. These days it's a big deal for kids to play pinball, in my day it was 5 cents a go! Here's another of his creative works, how many dinner table pieces can you see? Thanks Don for a great afternoon, it will never be forgotten and Tegan hasn't stopped talking about yet. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

7th September 2008, 02:35 PM	#92
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,948	Re: Ekka's pics looks like the kids had fun. __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

7th September 2008, 02:57 PM	#93
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,059	Re: Ekka's pics Great photo's no doubt Tegan looks like mum,cause little Lindsay is the spit of your mouth,(but much better looking of course)..LOL.Looks like a great time had by all. __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011

7th September 2008, 04:38 PM	#94
phill ellison Mature tree Join Date: May 2008 Location: new zealand Posts: 450	Re: Ekka's pics awesome pics. eric, I like the base of that tree next to the studio. Do they get any boigger than that

7th September 2008, 07:14 PM	#95
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Ekka's pics You bet they do, it's dropping aerial roots and he's making sure they stay where positioned well, so eventually you'll walk through the tree. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

7th September 2008, 07:43 PM	#96
phill ellison Mature tree Join Date: May 2008 Location: new zealand Posts: 450	Re: Ekka's pics what a cool idea, that good thinking

13th September 2008, 05:09 PM	#98
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Ekka's pics Sure, it's a flash file site so give time for things to load. :: Donald James Waters - Gallery :: and pics here :: DJW - GALLERY :: Can you see the kangaroo in this one? DON WATERS __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

13th September 2008, 05:39 PM	#99
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: Ekka's pics That pic is incredible i love it, it takes a while for the roo to come through but once you see it it stands out a mile, lokks like you guys had a great time __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

29th September 2008, 11:49 PM	#102
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Re: Ekka's pics Hi Fatkoala, remember that anyone who lays claim to "feeding trees" by adding anything to the soil either doesn't understand plant biology, or is trying to sell you snake oil. The ideas behind applying simple dilute sugar solutions in specific circumstances comes from the increasing understanding we have about the relationship between mychorrizal fungi and plants (trees included). The sugars do nothing to the tree at all (directly) they are however an essential requirerment for a great many mycorrhizal fungi (see the work done by Mike Brundrett at the CSIRO). In fact studies done here in Australia have shown the exudates from various Eucalypt species being taken up by ectomycorrhizas, those exudates principally contain simple carbohydrates (glucose), growth stimulators (volatile terpenes) and vitamins. The application of dilute solutions of molasses is aimed at rapidly improving the environment of the rhizosphere in situations where urgent improvements are required in the capacity of the tree to take up water and elements from the soil. (Transplantation would be such an instance) You can do your own backyard experiment if you like (if you have a compost heap) try pouring a dilute sugar solution over your compost heap after it has been turned over a month (say four treatments) and observe what develops....I would suspect (if your compost heap is working...balance of C:N correct)you will see rapid increases in the activity of all kinds of living organisms. Its not magic and its not the answer to all the trees ills, however it can be a brilliant addition to the tools we have to rapidly improve the environment of the rhizosphere.

8th October 2008, 09:01 PM	#103
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Ekka's pics By fluke a decent excavator was working next door, had a yack and he said, "it's in the back of me truck for $20" ... Attached Thumbnails __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

8th October 2008, 09:27 PM	#104
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,727	Re: Ekka's pics Id be keeping his number handy!! __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

18th January 2009, 05:51 PM	#105
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Ekka's pics Last Thursday gone had some help and visitors. Here's a pic of us out for some nice Indian tucker that night. From left to right, Darren (Sunshine trees), JayD, Phil (D's inlaw) and me. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

18th January 2009, 05:56 PM	#106
JohN Dee Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Climbing around the world Posts: 848	Mmmmmmmmmmm! Indian Haha, that's a great picture hey. Hope Dad and Phil gave you a good days work. __________________ We are what we repeatedly do... Excellence then, is not an act, but HABIT... Red : Green : Blue

18th January 2009, 06:16 PM	#107
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Ekka's pics JayD just loves the Kanga. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

18th January 2009, 06:32 PM	#108
JohN Dee Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Climbing around the world Posts: 848	Re: Ekka's pics Hahaha! Yeah he would, we have one at work too, they're great. __________________ We are what we repeatedly do... Excellence then, is not an act, but HABIT... Red : Green : Blue

28th January 2009, 12:28 PM	#109
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Ekka's pics Some careful stump excavation. Beneath the edge of the footpath, 600mm deep is a 200mm dia high pressure water main. Stump grind and cut roots along there then carefully pop out the stump. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

28th January 2009, 12:34 PM	#110
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,059	Re: Ekka's pics Nice bit of precision stump grinding, this is where your training pays off, Imagine the dramas caused by an 8" main letting rip or tearing a fibre optics cable.... I shudder when I think about it..Good work.. __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011

24th February 2009, 07:27 PM	#112
TrevMcRev Mature Tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,594	Re: Ekka's pics Good, accurate cuts Rewarding to see, hey. Sure beats going back to see that your stump grindings mound has settled down nicely

2nd June 2009, 05:57 PM	#116
letigre Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 157	Re: Ekka's pics ouch! my sympathies mate! and you've got a nice little doughnut coming along there as well. __________________ sticks before chicks

8th June 2009, 04:35 PM	#117
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Ekka's pics The Golden pendas have put on a spectacular show around Brisbane this winter due to the heavy rains. This beauty is near the lake at Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

9th June 2009, 07:38 AM	#118
Leif Raukleiv Mature tree Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Norway Posts: 288	Re: Ekka's pics Wood is wondeful, but where are the bees? Do these flowers give honey? If I were a bee, I would have checked these flowers! Leif. __________________ My place - Bjørndalen. http://www.youtube.com/user/MultiVoff

9th June 2009, 09:17 PM	#119
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Ekka's pics LOL, There were bees about alright .... I frigged around to get a shot in without one disturbing the scene! The rainbow lorikeets love the flowers too. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

10th June 2009, 03:04 AM	#120
jim1nz Mature tree Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: International, Germany Posts: 473	Re: Ekka's pics Hey Ekka, how does ya next door neighbor Eucalyptus tree look like today, any more die back in the top?

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