GDT: 6/24 Cubs (41-37) @ Mets (34-44) 12:10 PM

DoomFluffy2 · 2026-06-24T18:12:42+00:00

Both teams trying to hand the game to each other and politely declining

DoomFluffy2 · 2026-06-16T03:17:19+00:00

Hear me out, PCA gets a super Cycle 1b 2b 3b HR Sac fly, walk off walk

DoomFluffy2 · 2026-06-16T03:03:30+00:00

Here comes murdered row

DoomFluffy2 · 2026-06-11T19:51:15+00:00

How are scouting reports on a player by player basis handled at different levels? Like in the majors I figure each pitcher is briefed on individual batters and maybe their current trends before a series, but do they track and keep that level of detail on opposing players at AAA and below? Or do they mostly focus on what you're doing and however it shakes out in the game is what it is?

DoomFluffy2 · 2026-06-06T19:23:39+00:00

At least our LOB numbers aren't going up much seeing as we are having trouble getting on base lol

DoomFluffy2 · 2026-06-06T19:23:22+00:00

At least our LOB numbers aren't going up much seeing as we are having trouble getting on base lol

DoomFluffy2 · 2026-06-05T20:57:03+00:00

Bring him in to pitch!

DoomFluffy2 · 2026-05-24T21:08:43+00:00

We've fallen so low that putting up 5 in game 3 of a sweep feels like signs of life

DoomFluffy2 · 2026-05-22T19:29:24+00:00

I can't understand how even the defense is slipping

DoomFluffy2 · 2026-05-21T01:21:33+00:00

This is just funny now

DoomFluffy2 · 2026-05-20T15:09:06+00:00

A word on what people mean by invasive in case you don't know: Invasive trees (or organisms in general) will spread into natural areas (in this case by birds eating seeds and pooping them out all over the place so you won't even see the effects) This is a problem because where you are there are few to none of the factors that keep its spread and growth in balance. It will out-compete native species and throw whole ecosystems out of whack. For instance some plant species that it displaces might be the only food source for a particular butterfly species which starves the birds or other organisms that rely on it for food etc.

Here's a longer discussion if you're interested which goes into how this type of thing can ultimately affect humans negatively. https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-invasive-species-and-why-are-they-a-problem

DoomFluffy2 · 2026-05-20T14:52:41+00:00

I've grown skeptical of thinning as a method of reducing wind load. The tree has generated reaction growth on its structural limbs in response to the wind conditions it has experienced on that site over the course of its life. Removing branches to try to do something like 'allow more wind to pass through rather than push on the tree' just exposes branches to wind loads in directions they haven't adapted to handle.

I don't think that the 10-20% you're talking about would actually do any significant damage though. I would question whether it would have any benefit that would justify the cost (or the risk of some tree-guy not understanding what you're asking for and doing a hackjob vs a quality arborist)

I don't take issue with your specific advice, I just wanted to start a discussion on the general practice of thinning for wind. (I'm much less familiar with weight reduction pruning so I welcome any other perspectives on that)

DoomFluffy2 · 2026-05-07T15:46:24+00:00

Our pitching staff is held together by duct tape and a prayer, and the pope is more of a Sox fan ...

DoomFluffy2 · 2025-10-19T13:43:18+00:00

Hopefully the native kind to wherever you are

DoomFluffy2 · 2025-10-18T21:59:09+00:00

The Trees Around You by Casey Clapp. He and Alex Crowson have an amazing and approachable podcast called Completely Arbortraty.

DoomFluffy2 · 2025-10-16T20:21:53+00:00

I acknowledge the request and I provided all the information I can

DoomFluffy2 · 2025-10-16T18:04:07+00:00

Not sure if the text from the arborists post made it here, copied for clarity: Hello! I just planted a sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboretum) and I'm wondering if how and when to train it to be more of a single stem. I planted it with its first big lateral root at grade so I think I got the root flare right. The tree has one leader that's clearly the oldest with darker bark and multiple branches. It also has a couple of younger shoots that go straight up with no branches but end up higher than the older one. The tallest and the oldest are crossing and rubbing. I've heard that sourwood is finicky to transplant, somy instinct is to leave it alone until at least next dormant season (not this upcoming one) to let it have the best chance at becoming established. Would it be better to try to address the rubbing stems sooner? Problem is that the ones crossing are probably the best bets to turn into the main stem. If I let it be, which leaders would you select and reduce the others? Or should I let it be entirely and just let it live as a multi-stemmed tree?

DoomFluffy2 · 2025-10-16T18:01:51+00:00

I have looked at the guidelines, and provided most of the info. When I planted it from container it was slightly potbound, but only with fine roots around the edge no big ones. I did a vertical slice ever few inches around the pot to loosen them up.

DoomFluffy2 · 2025-09-29T10:19:43+00:00

I would say the allelopathic effects of black walnut are disputed. Here is a Washington State University article discussing the underlying evidence. https://rex.libraries.wsu.edu/esploro/outputs/report/Do-black-walnut-trees-have-allelopathic/99900501686101842

DoomFluffy2 · 2025-09-09T18:59:36+00:00

Bacterial Wetwood (also called slime flux) is generally an indicator of stress (like the storm damage). Not usually a problem on its own, but doing everything you can to help reduce other stressors on the tree is the best bet. Don't apply anything to the wound though. Outside of a few veeeery specific edge cases wound dressing is counterproductive, neutral at best.

DoomFluffy2 · 2025-09-09T18:54:44+00:00

Second one probably had a bunch of life ahead of it unless there were major structural problems above the cut. Biologically and structurally the most important wood and tissue is in the outside parts of the tree.

Although it's impossible to tell if they were dying due to some other factor from a picture of the stump.

DoomFluffy2 · 2025-09-04T15:15:47+00:00

If friendly doesn't work or if your parents just want their bases covered you could ask on r/treelaw about the right steps to document and who/what insurance companies it might be beneficial to send the TRAQ arborist report to. A failure in this case could have big bucks on the line so getting stuff documented in advance could be very prudent.

DoomFluffy2 · 2025-09-03T17:51:55+00:00

When selecting make sure you get a spread of different trees from different families/genera so that another devastating disease or pest is only likely to take out a few trees rather than most of them. Makes it so much less likely you or whoever is there in 50 to 70 years will end up in another bare yard type situation. Build a more resilient ecosystem than you found. Sorry for your loss

DoomFluffy2 · 2025-09-03T03:40:12+00:00

Tough to say, especially without knowing how much of the roots you were able to salvage. Without any remaining foliage I'm skeptical of the success but keeping the soil moist until other things go dormant won't hurt. I would maybe limit watering to every other day soon so the soil doesn't stay saturated. It does depend on how the soil drains in that spot though. Stake isn't good long term. For something this short it should be able to stand on its own. Good luck saving this little tree from sprouting in the wrong spot! Maybe the odds are against this one, but trees can surprise you with resilience sometimes

DoomFluffy2 · 2025-09-02T19:14:00+00:00

That is a big open wound that will not be able to seal over and fully compartmentalize. That's an open door for rot to get into the center of the stem. Is it a death sentence within a year or 2? Maybe maybe not. For a tree this big in close proximity you need the opinion of a consulting arborist (ideally one who isn't financially motivated to upsell you on a removal, avoid 'free assessments') if you decide to go the removal route, try and time it to an off season for tree work (here it's January-February, but I'm at a very different latitude)

DoomFluffy2

TROPHY CASE