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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2007 23:58:11 GMT
My local GC had a few new pine trees in today. Now, I like to think I know a thing or two about trees as my brother-in-law works for the Forestry Commission and he is always boring us to tears entertaining us with his tree stories. The GC manager said that all of the trees had been bought in on a special order, but that he could get one for me if I wanted one. It seems it’s a Wallonise Fir. “Never heard of it” I said, but he seemed quite confident of being able to get me one so I said to go ahead. Just as an afterthought, I suppose I should have asked how big it would get, and come to that how much it would cost? Any ideas anyone? This photo is one from the GC’s order booklet, so it’s not brilliant.  |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2007 0:35:09 GMT
It is priceless! ;D
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Post by isabella on Apr 1, 2007 4:24:17 GMT
Sorry I don't know anything about it - looks a bit expensive,though! Let us know how you get on with it  ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 1, 2007 6:24:40 GMT
I think your BIL is getting confused...the Walloonised Fur is the name of a Belgian tree climbing rat which is causing problems both on the European mainland and here in the UK. It's thought that the ordinary brown rat (curse its very name) has somehow managed to cross breed with European long clawed Beaver. This scary creature is currently eating its way across the mainland and has reached the UK (in a consignment of luxury Belgian chocolates for the Easter trade, it is believed). The Forestry Commission has been struggling to contain this pest but its skill at jumping from tree to tree and its ability to bite its way out of any traps means they are fighting a losing battle.
The tree you show is, I believe, a genetically modified conifer which it is hoped will confound the Walloonised Fur and help save our forests. Its trunk has somehow been modified so that a bite from a WF will not kill it and in fact contact with the beasts saliva acts as a fertiliser which speeds up its growth. One of the very rare examples of sensible GM meddling.
The FC has now gone public and information about the Walloonised Fur is available from its website. This beast is very dangerous and must not be approached by the general public.
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 1, 2007 6:33:00 GMT
LATE NEWS! I've just seen a news item which claims that a weakness has been found in the Walloonised Fur- it has an insatiable appetite for luxury chocolate (this of course explains its presence in the chocolate container). This FC discovered this whilst laying out an Easter bunny trail ready for the school holidays. The area was razed to the ground overnight and all the eggs were stolen - upon investigation a sated WF was found, its hideous teeth stained with brown, and cuddling the prize Easter bunny. They think he had fallen in love with it whilst under the spell of a chocolate frenzy....
Drugged chocolates are even now being placed all across the Forests in an all out campaign to capture every last one of the rampaging beasties. The FC have warned families NOT to go into the woods today or they'll be sure of a nasty surprise......
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;D 