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The Future is Fungi

The Future is Fungi by Michael Lim and Yun Shu 

How Fungi Can Feed Us, Heal Us, Free Us and Save Our World

The Future is Fungi is a complete introduction to the hidden kingdom of fungi. Exploring their past, present and potential future impact in four key areas – food, medicine, psychedelics and mental health, and environmental remediation – this book not only reveals how fungi have formed the foundations of modern life but how they might help shape our future.

Rich with informative texts, awe-inspiring 3D digital art and tips on how to immerse yourself in the world of fungi, this is a manifesto for the future, an invitation into a deeper awareness of our relationship with the natural world, each other, and ourselves.

Published 22 February 2022      ISBN 9781760761608     Price $49.00

Read more HERE

About the authors

Beginning his career building technology and consumer start ups, Sydney-born Michael Lim co-founded an online eyewear brand at the age of twenty-one, which is now one of Australia’s largest eyewear chains. However, early transformational experiences with psychedelics inspired his fascination with the fungi kingdom and prompted a career change. He now dedicates his time to researching fungi, psychedelics, ecology and anthropology. His exploration of the psyche and how nature gives rise to altered states of consciousness has led him on a path of self enquiry and integration of his shift in worldviews. Through his writing, Michael seeks to empower a deeper understanding of the human experience through art and science.

A gifted researcher, Yun Shu is dedicated to the study of consciousness and uses language and culture as tools for connection and healing. Born in Shanghai, she was exposed to the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine and fungi from a young age. After a successful career in corporate strategy in the banking sector in both Sydney and London, she turned to spiritual enquiries through Vinyasa yoga teacher training. Concurrently, her early psychedelic experiences shaped her holistic inquiry into the human experience. Now, Yun seeks to share the wisdom and knowledge she has acquired through years of practical research.

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Autumn is Fungi Season

Did you get our latest newsletter “How do you like your mushrooms?

Mushrooms for breakfast?

Or a tummy ache?
What’s for breakfast?

So I found this little Fun Guy in my garden this morning. I got excited thinking I could have mushroom with my bacon and eggs for breakfast.
Then I thought hmmmm…is it safe to eat?
Am I going to get sick, or worse?
Will I get trippy? Or merely have a nice breakfast?

I decided to play it safe (yes I’m boring) and wait until I got to the shop to see if I had a book that could help me decide whether it is edible or not. (Think Saturday breakfast instead. You never know it might have a friend by then).

Turns out, we have heaps of books! So I started reading.

I particularly like the following three books. They have amazing photos (unlike mine above which are clearly amateur to say the least) and great descriptions. So many components to a mushroom…who knew?
And the Wild Mushrooming book has recipes to make your amazing finds even more amazing.
I think my mushroom might be of the Agaricus genus, but its particular species still eludes me. Apparently I need to investigate more, looking closer at it, dissecting it, smelling it.
Sounds like a fun project after work today before deciding what’s for breakfast tomorrow.

What will you do this weekend?
Go hunting for mushrooms?
Cook up a storm for Sunday brunch with your special finds?
Maybe you need one of my awesome books first, to make sure you’re safe too.
Whatever you do, have a safe and fun time.

Start Shopping

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Get your Tree Injecting Equipment Organised for Spring

Do you need more Arborplugs?

Arborplugs have revolutionised the trunk injection industry enabling high volume, pressurised injections with fewer sites and quick recovery. For use with the Quik-Jet and Quik-Jet Air Kits.

ARBORPLUG ADVANTAGE

  • Tight seal for fast, consistent, and complete injection
  • Protects the surrounding environment and the applicator from unintended product contact
  • Minimizes the number of injection sites and helps to inhibit infection
  • Seals injection sites against insect or disease entrance while speeding site close-over

Available in 2 sizes – Small #3 and Large #4


Does your equipment need spare parts?

Find your Smart-Shot parts HERE

Find your Quik-Jet parts HERE

Find your Quik-Jet Air parts HERE


Have you thought about upgrading to the Quik-Jet Air?

The Arborjet Quik-Jet Air Kit features one-thumb switch operation, precise dose measuring, and air-powered injection in a rugged aluminium body weighing less than 1 Kilogram. Its innovative design combines the simplicity of the popular QUIK-jet and power of the VIPER Air Hydraulic systems to create a lightweight, easy-to-use injection tool that maximises productivity and reduces labour time.

 

The QUIK-jet AIR features one-thumb switch operation, precise dose measuring, and air-powered injection in a rugged aluminum body weighing less than 2 pounds. You’ll notice the difference when you make the switch and use QUIK-jet AIR.

PRECISE – Precise dose measuring you can see

EASY – One-finger operation for fast injections

FAST – Injections are faster & smoother than ever

AIR-POWERED – Quick-connect adapter hooks up to air tank for increased productivity

LIGHT WEIGHT – Durable aluminium body weighs less than 2 pounds

Click for the brochure or watch the video


How much SilvaShield do you need?

SilvaShield 1 Litre is the most environmentally sound way to achieve insect control in trees. SilvaShield Injectable Tree Insecticide is a novel formulation of imidacloprid developed specifically for direct injection into trees. The unique formulation enhances systemic uptake and distribution of imidacloprid in the tree allowing much lower rates of active ingredient compared to alternative application methods such as soil injection. A single treatment can provide extended protection against various insect pests with minimal impact on non-target organisms.


Do you need help identifying pests? Or guidance on Tree Injection?

Browse our range of books. For example:

 

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Benefits of Air Excavation

Air excavation has become a preferred method for digging on many jobs ranging from utility work to advanced tree care. Excavating with the AirSpade offers a number of advantages over conventional tools such as picks, shovels, and backhoes, including:

  • Two to three times faster than hand excavation.
  • Less worker fatigue than a pick or shovel.
  • Eliminates sharp metal edges as featured on picks, digging blades, or buckets.
  • Harmless to buried, solid objects such as utility lines, telecommunication cables, tree roots, hazardous waste containers, or military ordnance.
  • Excavates some rocky soils where a shovel is difficult to use.
  • Breaks soil into small particles that are ideal for re-compaction.
  • Powered by common, tow-behind air compressors

The AirSpade Supersonic Nozzle

Soil is an unconsolidated assemblage of solid particles including clay, sand, silt, and rock, and sometimes organic matter. Voids between the particles are occupied by air and/or water. When compressed air is directed into soil at close range, air enters the voids, expands, and fractures the soil. Stronger, non-porous materials such as metal or plastic pipes, cables, or even tree roots are unaffected.

AirSpade’s proprietary, supersonic nozzle turns compressed air into a high-speed, laser-like jet moving at twice the speed of sound, Mach 2. All of the energy and momentum of air moving at approximately 1,200 mph is focused onto the soil, dislodging it in a fraction of a second. Although rocket engine exhaust nozzles with supersonic performance have been in use for many years, supersonic air-excavation nozzles are a relatively new development. Through in-depth aerodynamic research including analysis of high-speed movies, combined with extensive knowledge of soils, AirSpade designed and developed the proprietary supersonic nozzle (US Patent #5,782,414).

Unlike propulsion nozzles, energy harnessed to accelerate the air stream comes from the expansion of air under compression rather than from the combustion of fuel. Adding to the challenge are issues relating to the effect of the air flow boundary layer on the nozzle profile. In order to meet demanding specifications and tight tolerances required, special tooling and computer-aided-machining is used to manufacture the nozzle. AirSpade continues to refine and improve the supersonic nozzle design through detailed mathematical modeling and laboratory experimentation.

Compressed Air Requirements

All AirSpade nozzles are designed to operate optimally at 90 psi and are manufactured in different sizes (air flow rates) to match standard, commercially available compressors (see table below). Note that a smaller nozzle may always be used on a larger capacity compressor, but not the reverse. Running a nozzle with a higher flow rating than the capacity of the compressor will result in a significant pressure drop (less than 90 psi at the nozzle) and will noticeably diminish performance.

Digging with AirSpade

Featuring the patented, supersonic nozzle, AirSpade is effective in virtually all soils and even hard clays. Under normal conditions, AirSpade will dig a trench up to several inches deep per pass, in medium to stiff soil.

In general, AirSpade will not cut through rock. However, shale may be broken apart by the AirSpade if the air-jet is directed between the laminations of the rock. Typically, AirSpade will not dislodge hard, frozen soils which tend to behave like pavement or concrete.

Watering the work area ahead of time can sometimes be helpful. Water reduces soil strength thus making digging easier. Water also reduces airborne dust if the soil is extremely dry. Combining the use of the AirSpade with a low-pressure water source (garden hose) can aid the excavation of highly compacted or sun-baked soils.

Excavation Rates

Excavation rates for AirSpade are a function of soil type and nozzle size (air flow). Hard, stiff soils will have lower excavation rates than soft, sandy soils. For any given soil, the lower the unconfined compressive strength, the faster the digging.

As shown in the table below, six standard AirSpade supersonic nozzles, ranging in size from 25 cfm to 330 cfm, are available. As a rule of thumb, the quantity of soil that can be excavated in a given amount of time is roughly proportional to air consumption.

Technical Applications

Urban Tree Soil Replacement

This application is ideal for tree plantings with root zones extending underneath pavement and those that have poorly suited or limited soil or where pavement is proposed to be added or replaced within an existing root zone. Similarly, this may be applied to trees planted in high-use lawn areas (for example within parks or campus landscapes,) where soil replacement is desired to improve lawn durability and health.

Bare Rooting and Transplanting

Bare rooting is a procedure used to relocate or remove soil around existing trees. Use of an AirSpade for bare rooting is the best way to minimize damage to the tree’s root system and the most efficient technique available. Bare rooting with an AirSpade can also be applied to perennial, shrub, and groundcover plantings. This is a preferred method of transplanting plant material because of its efficiency and ability to preserve fine root systems. Furthermore, bare rooting small plants is often
required during more extensive root zone treatments (such as aeration and decompaction) or other site work applications.

The oversight of a certified arborist is critical during bare rooting. While use of an AirSpade can significantly reduce trauma to the tree, it is important to monitor the tree’s health and care before, during, and after the procedure. Supplemental watering is typically necessary and should be provided with direction and continued monitoring from the arborist.

Root Pruning

Construction or maintenance work that makes intrusions into a tree’s root zone will benefit from use of an AirSpade. Air-spading is safe to the tree’s roots and a highly efficient method to perform exploratory excavation to locate existing roots and utilities. Almost any site work operations – including the building of foundations, pavements, drainage infrastructure, and utilities – present ideal opportunities for air-spading and root pruning.

Root Collar Excavation

Trees commonly suffer when the grade is set too high against their root flare or root collar. This can occur when trees are planted at the wrong elevation or when trees subside due to improper compaction below the root ball when they are planted. Alternatively, root collars can be buried over time due to the accumulation of mulch or soil around the tree.

Whatever the cause, harm to the tree from grade set above the root collar can be long lasting and should be remediated through root collar excavation with an AirSpade. Symptoms of this condition include rot or infection of bark at the base of the trunk, growth of roots that are too high relative to the natural root flare, and girdling roots, which constrict the root flare and tree trunk. Use of an AirSpade allows tree root collars and girdling roots to be excavated with minimal damage to the tree. Once
uncovered, a certified arborist can easily identify roots that need to be removed or trained.

Vertical Mulching

Vertical mulching with AirSpade is done to de-compact and augment soil deep into the tree root zone. This application is especially useful in areas with poor drainage, with shallow or impervious soils, or shared by perennial or ground-cover plantings, where minimal disturbance is desired.

Radial Trenching

Radial trenching with AirSpade is done to modify soil composition, improve aeration, and encourage root growth to moderate depths (typically 10”-12” or more), and is especially effective when trees have highly stratified or shallow depth of viable soil or anaerobic conditions. Additionally, this application can be useful in planting areas where minimal disturbance is desired.

Air Tilling (Root Invigoration)

Trees and shrubs suffering from shallow soil compaction (typically due to pedestrian use or vibrations caused by vehicular traffic), or lacking vigorous root growth due to poor topsoil quality (lack of organic matter, nutrients, beneficial organisms, or aeration) are ideal candidates for air tilling. Since most of a tree’s roots proliferate near the surface where they have the best access to oxygen and nutrients, air tilling is excellent at promoting robust and uniform root growth.

Where to Buy

Visit treelogictools for all your AirSpade needs.

Airspade 2000

Nozzles

Lay Flat Hose

Extensions

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Know how to safely operate a chainsaw and fell a tree

Tree felling is a high risk activity. Many fatalities and serious injuries have occurred as a result of being struck by falling trees, dislodged tree limbs or other dangers in the area. Most of these accidents are caused by using unsafe felling techniques and not following safe work procedures.

Using the resources available in store, you can read up on the latest techniques, hazard identification, safety aspects and operation of chainsaws.

The Tree Fallers Manual

The Chainsaw Operator’s Manual

To Fell a Tree

Correct Pruning Techniques

We have copies of American National Standard and the National Minimum Industry Standards for Australia and New Zealand, and other resources on pruning.

 

Minimum Industry Standard
MIS308 Tree Pruning

 

American National Standard plus Best Management Practices

 

Best Management Practices
Utility Pruning of Trees

 

An Illustrated Guide to Pruning Third Edition

 

Structural Pruning

Silky Saws Replacement blades

The saw blades of Silky saws are made from Authentic Premium Japanese Steel and cut out by laser. The blades are of unparalleled quality: they are very hard and longwearing, but remain flexible at the same time thanks to the metal’s soft core.

Hard and wear resistant
The chemical composition of the metal in combination with the unique heating and cooling process determine the high hardness of the metal. The high carbon content leads to a high wear resistance, so that the sharpness remains for a very long time.

Soft and flexible
By forging the saws in such a way, the core of the saw tooth consists of soft metal with which the saw stays flexible and grabs the wood with ease.

Silky Saws Zubat Replacement Blade

  • Hard chrome-plated
  • Taper-ground and impulse-hardened non-set tooth design

270mm

  • 10-2/3-inch (270 mm) blade length
  • 6.5 teeth per inch (7.5 teeth per 30 mm) teeth configuration
  • 0.26 pounds (120 grams) weight

330mm

  • 13-inch (330 mm) blade length
  • 6.5 teeth per inch (7.5 teeth per 30 mm) teeth configuration
  • 0.35 pounds (160 grams) weight
Silky Saws Gomboy Replacement Blade

  • 121-24 Gomboy 240mm
  • Blade length:- 240mm or 9.5 inches
  • Teeth per 30mm/in:-10/8.5
  • Weight:-265g

 

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Trees are Important

Trees are important to people especially through symbolising personal, local, community and cultural meanings.

Benefits and uses of trees range from intangible psychological and aesthetic benefits to improvement of urban climate and mitigation of air pollution. Historically the main benefits of urban trees relate to health, aesthetic and recreational benefits in industrialised cities (Tyrväinen, Pauleit, Seeland & de Vries, 2005).

The most pertinent benefits of urban trees are:

  • Shade
  • Health
  • Biodiversity – Species Diversity
  • Energy Savings
  • Water Quality

Right Tree Right Place Right Way Right Time

To maintain a healthy, vibrant and sustainable urban tree population communities should be planting a variety of tree species suitable to their climate.

Not all trees are compatible for every planting site or in every climate. Tree selection and placement are two of the most important decisions to make when planting trees. Many trees have the potential to outlive those who plant them, so the impact of this decision can last a lifetime. You often only get one chance to plant the right tree as the ability to remove and replace poorly chosen trees is difficult.

The greatest benefit is derived from healthy, structurally sound trees planted in the right place that supports their development. Planting the right tree in the right place will maximise benefit while minimising the costs.

Planting the right tree in the right location is a common theme. There are many factors to consider when selecting trees for urban forests. This has become even more complex with climate change and the adaptations required for predicted changes to growing conditions.

We have taken the right tree right place further to include the right way and the right time.

Explore our bookshop to discover which trees would be good for your situation

The New Ornamental Garden

The New Ornamental Garden

Australian Planting Design

Australian Planting Design

Australian Grasses
Australian Grasses
Cronin's Key Guide

Australian Trees

Eucalyptus

A Field Guide to Australian Trees

A Field Guide to Australian Trees

 

Field Guide to Eucalypts Vol 2

Field Guide to Eucalypts Vol 2

Fleming’s Urban Tree Guide

Flemings Urban Tree Guide

Urban Forestry

Urban Forestry

Flora of Melbourne

Flora of Melbourne

Trees of Victoria and Surrounding AreasTrees of Victoria and Adjoining AreasTrees and Forests

Trees and Forests

Gardener’s Companion to Eucalypts

Gardeners Companion to Eucalypts

Hillier Manual of Trees & Shrubs

The Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants

Manual of Woody Landscape Plants

Essentials of Urban Design

Essentials of Urban Design

The Practical Science of Planting Trees

The Practical Science of Planting Trees

Plant Names

Plant Names

Mistletoes of Southern Australia

Mistletoes of Southern Australia

Timber Press Pocket Guide to Conifers

Pocket Guide to Conifers

What Tree is That?

What Tree is That?

Starting Out With Natives

Starting Out With Natives

Smaller Eucalypts for Planting

Smaller Eucalypts For Planting In Australia

Taller Eucalypts for Planting

The Tree Book

The Tree Book

Dirr’s Encyclopedia of Trees & Shrubs

Dirr's Encyclopedia of Trees and Shrubs

The Amazing Araucaria

The Amazing Araucaria

The Nature of Plants

The Nature of Plants

 

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Let’s Get to the Root of the Problem

Introducing the AirSpade

Why use Air Excavation?

Air excavation has become a preferred method for digging on many jobs ranging from utility work to advanced tree care. Excavating with the AirSpade offers a number of advantages over conventional tools such as picks, shovels, and backhoes, including:

  • Two to three times faster than hand excavation
  • Less worker fatigue than a pick or shovel
  • Eliminates sharp metal edges as featured on picks, digging blades, or buckets
  • Harmless to buried, solid objects such as utility lines, telecommunication cables, tree roots,
  • hazardous waste containers, or military ordnance
  • Excavates some rocky soils where a shovel is difficult to use
  • Breaks soil into small particles that are ideal for re-compaction
  • Powered by common, tow-behind air compressors
 AirSpade 2000

Utilizing the power of compressed air, AirSpade
2000 uncovers underground objects, utility lines, or even sensitive tree roots without harm. Featuring the high performance, proprietary supersonic nozzle, AirSpade 2000 digs faster and more efficiently than competitive tools. Rugged, lightweight construction. Dead-man trigger ensures safe operation

Features

  • Ergonomic, pistol-grip style handle with durable rubber grip
  • Comfortable, dead-man trigger
  • Air pressure gauge
  • Lightweight, fiberglass barrel with adjustable dirt
    shield
  • Extra-hardened, stainless steel supersonic nozzle
  • Inlet: 3/4″ FNPT

Includes

  • (1) AirSpade 2000 Handle
  • (1) 4 Ft. fiberglass barrel with dirt shield
  • (1) Stainless steel supersonic nozzle (60cfm, 105cfm, 150cfm or 225cfm)
  • (1) Storage Case
  • (1) Operations Manual
Supersonic Nozzle

Featured exclusively on AirSpade air-excavation tools, the supersonic nozzle delivers superior performance vs competitive nozzles, or open pipes. Proprietary design turns compressed air into high speed, laser like jet moving at Mach 2 twice the speed of sound. The result is faster and
more efficient excavation, uncovering underground utility lines, pipes, hazardous material containers, or even sensitive tree roots without harm. Mounts on standard AirSpade 2000 barrel.

Air Pressure Requirements

All AirSpade supersonic nozzles are designed to
operate at 90 psi in order to produce a Mach 2 air-jet. Since the vast majority of portable air compressors deliver compressed air in the 90 to
100 psi range to run standard air tools, the AirSpade is well matched to most compressors.

Storage Case

Rugged, watertight, locking storage case. Designed to hold the AirSpade 2000 and
components

Features

  • HPX resin construction
  • Press and pull latches
  • Soft-grip handles
  • In-line wheels
  • Pad lockable hasps

Dimensions

L 55.0″ x W 16″ x H 6″

Watch a video on AirSpade

Note that a smaller nozzle may always be used on a larger capacity compressor, but not the reverse. Running a nozzle with a higher flow rating than the capacity of the compressor will result in a significant pressure drop (less than 90 psi at the nozzle) and will noticeably diminish performance.

Hudson Heavy Duty Root Feeder

The Hudson root feeder is designed specifically for subsurface pesticide applications of liquid pesticides at high pressure, placing the chemical into the feeding zone of the soil-inhabited insects.

The root feeder comes with an adjustable foot plate to make your application of fertiliser and other deep-root applicable materials easy and accurate.

Can also be used for high-pressure liquid-injection aerification.

Hudson Root Feeder

  • Chrome-plated adjustable handle and foot plate
  • Ideal for pressure root feeding from 5 to 20.5 centimetres deep
  • 2-hole tip included, other optional tips available

Tips for Heavy Duty Root Feeder

2, 3 and 4 hole tips available

Up By Roots

The Landscape Below Ground IV

Tree Roots in the Built Environment

Reducing Infrastructure Damage by Tree Roots