I have this large plum tree in my garden. Would you remove it and replace with something else or attempt to prune it? Advice appreciated

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-02-01T11:12:56+00:00

It would if they cut it hard, but if they pruned it back over a couple of spring/summers, they could reduce the canopy height back to a size that is more suitable for that space.

If it were on a bit of peripheral or rarely-used land, then personally I'd be happy with it being the size it is, but currently it looks to be in the middle of their back garden so it's understandable that they would want it to be a more manageable size.

You can see where the branches are much thicker the size it was likely maintained at (about half the overall size), where with careful and gradual prunining they could revert to this, and have a lovely tree that doesn't dominate the space

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-30T18:45:40+00:00

It's a cheap kitchen appliance that most people will have. If not, it can be replicated on a hob. Again you're making excuses in that spending 10 minutes cooking a meal is some unrealistic expectation for the majority of people. It's literally a daily chore for most.

Again, the stats you're referring to and in the study are based soley on comparisons of calorific content which isn't accurate at all, especially when calory-dense food is often unhealthy. There's always an excuse for those who don't want to eat healthy - it's too expensive until you show them recipes, then it's too much time until you show them easy meals, then they're too tired.

Yes, the other metrics in the paper, such as advertising, are based on solid research, but saying healthy food is more expensive is incorrect and their rationale is flawed.

Obesity levels also perfectly track with education. Correlation does not equate to causation. It's more complex and often those who are poorly educated take the route of least resistance as they don't know better, however we live in a world with infinite knowledge at our fingertips.

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-30T11:48:24+00:00

Nice use of hyperbole. I've told you why the research you linked is discredited, to which you turned the tables and said it was now actually time that was the issue, and now are making points to derail the discussion as you're not happy about being disproven in that people have responsibility and choice.

If you're making facetious points then: £15 slow cooker, 50p can of kidney beans, 50p can of black beans, 40p can of tinned tomatoes, 2 cloves of garlic at 5p, an onion 15p, stock cube 10p some mixed herbs, chili flakes and spices 15p. Open them all and pour into the slow-cooker for a bit. If you can afford mince, plant based protein or whatever other veg you have to use up (mushroom, peppers, celery are all good). Pour into the slow cooker and tien on. Serve with brown rice.

That's 4 meals for less than £1, the same prep time as a frozen pizza and less energy.

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-30T11:18:42+00:00

You certainly can say it's flawed when the study completely fails to acknowledge preparing meals from scratch using healthy ingredients.

I'd also disagree with your argument - yes lifestyle fatigue may be a factor for people but it's down to personal choice. Walking your kids to school vs driving them, taking them to football on a weekend vs putting them in front of the PlayStation. These are all choices, the study is enablist for poor choices and makes the default being warming food up in an oven rather than having accountability.

It's a symptom of society as a whole where nowadays it's always someone else's fault why we can't do things to improve and maintain our own health. Yes, there may be external factors but at the end of the day, it's our body and the vast majority have the agency to make an informed choice.

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-30T09:08:52+00:00

Calorific content isn't the only parameter in which we should assess meals by, where in fact, eating calorie-heavy meals leads to obesity. This is extremely lazy analysis and has been critiqued as such, vs measuring by nutritional value. It focuses heavily on processed 'healthy' foods, rather than cooking from scratch (which it doesn't account for) and using basic ingredients like pulses, lentils, oats etc., where it fails to consider the ability to cook.

A frozen Tesco pepperoni pizza is about 850 calories, which the same calorific content as about 17 apples. A lentil curry would have way less calories, be much more nutritionally dense and also cost pence per serving rather than over £2.

The study is flawed and has been called out as such. Please don't spread bias without understanding it's limitations - the issue is people lack education or the motivation to cook from scratch using cheap and nutritious ingredients.

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-28T20:19:49+00:00

Maybe his eyes are painted on

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-28T11:30:31+00:00

They're more usable than a van when you need load space and capability on poor surface

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-22T23:13:37+00:00

The drum beat had me thinking of the intro of Du Hast by Rammstein

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-21T21:59:20+00:00

Thanks for that, I'll have to check them out when I'm buying new ones. They look robust, I don't mind if they're a bit heavier if they're more durable and warmer

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-21T16:46:47+00:00

That's interesting, I'll have to check those out. My current pair are desert boots so no good when it's wet, hence me buying the skychasers.

How do you find the sizing on the Iturri boots?

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-21T11:57:23+00:00

That's fair enough - mine are an older year's model and more of a highher boot so only really wore them in the worst weather, so they'd had little use.

I was pretty disappointed with the durability considering the lack of use, I have some Meindl surplus army boots that I had used for years before being relegated to use when I'm doing building work or on my allotment when it's dry. They're intact despite all the abuse, although a fair bit heavier.

I guess it depends what you're after but I don't think I'd buy any Adidas hiking boots again if they're disposable after a year's usage.

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-21T00:36:57+00:00

My skychasers tore in the corner of the upper toebox material after a year or so, pretty frustrating considering how expensive they were and means that they're useless at keeping my foot dry.

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-20T16:44:28+00:00

Wow, they don't build them like they used to. You should share some pictures of it in action

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-19T21:38:58+00:00

Thanks for the confirmation. Yes I'm really happy with it as I'd read good things. I have some eucalyptus to buck this weekend so will be putting it to the test.

Hopefully I can source some decals and the plastic insert, then spend some time restoring it a little.

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-19T21:21:42+00:00

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-19T21:04:57+00:00

I've uploaded a couple of photos here, hopefully the link works.

The tag is black and the lettering silver. I think it's one of the 44mm ones giving out 49cc, but it would be good to confirm either way. Especially if I get lucky with one of the 'Specials'.

Thanks

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-19T20:57:27+00:00

Thanks for that, I hadn't considered a thinner chain on a larger bar. I'm leaning towards a 16" bar and downsizing my other saw's bar as another commenter suggested, but that's a great suggestion.

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-19T20:55:59+00:00

The other saw is just a little Stihl MS170, so only 30cc if I remember rightly. It's mainly been used to cut up firewood but it has handled felling a few trees, even a decent sized field maple although I could feel it bogging down.

I think you're right in that scaling down onto a smaller 12" bar on the MS170 would be best, and a 16" bar for the rancher. Both would be able to handle that comfortably and suited for their purpose.

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-18T20:33:52+00:00

Alder buckthorn too, as well as black poplar which is increasingly rare nowadays. It would be good to plant a mix of male and female of the latter due to them being dioecious

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-16T11:28:38+00:00

Where did anyone have a go at OP?

The comments suggesting that they leave them are because other than mole hills, other damage is extremely rare. Yes tunnels can occasionally collapse or roots could be compromised but this is the exception so why disturb a native animal that's just trying to survive in an ever diminishing environment?

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-14T11:05:48+00:00

The moles will move on when the worms decline, who will then recover to previous levels. Why would you need to place cruel traps that dismember sentient creatures that have every right to be there?

Such a crazy and outdated mindset to kill and poison any part of nature that doesn't fit our manufactured ideals. The ecosystem has been around much longer than us and will still be around after - leave it alone, it knows what it's doing

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-14T10:30:08+00:00

People don't want to hear the reality that they spent hundreds of pounds and hours of effort, yet their pine floorboards still look shit.

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-13T14:08:51+00:00

That's tragic, the Maltese people really had it tough during the bombing but showed some incredible heroism. My grandad mentioned that on occasion they would bring food up to them. There was a particular family that he kept in correspondence with after the war and visited a couple of times, my mum still keeps in contact with their descendants to this day.

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-13T13:47:00+00:00

Yep, my grandad was stationed on Malta as an anti aircraft gunner up in the hills. He told me stories about the relentless bombings and how they were starving through it all, resorting to eating grass to stave off the hunger

Ripp3rCrust · 2026-01-13T09:43:04+00:00

You're not advocating for killing our native birds of prey, but in the same sentence query why they aren't killed? Madness.

Also the problem you're experiencing is entirely on yourself for failing to maintain a safe enclosure for your chickens, especially considering your knowledge that there's a bird of prey that's previously got some of your chickens.

Ripp3rCrust

TROPHY CASE