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Common garden privett proves an amenable host

The much maligned, common garden Privet (Ligustrum) may have found its true niche – as a perfectly amenable host for an exotic looking Asian moth. Privet (Ligustrum) is probably the most common hedging plant in Britain, and often gets a bad press, yet the East Indian silk moth, Samia ricini, which is usually reared on the Caster Oil plant, finds UK Privet a more than acceptable substitute. Visitors heading to this weekend’s Malvern Autumn Show (25 & 26 September) will not only be learning to grow their own fruit and vegetables, but also to ‘grow’ beautiful silk fibre! William Hyett of the Naturally Inspired Silk Farm in Orleton, Ludlow, is a guest in the Show’s Good Life Pavilion this year, and will be talking about the ancient and fascinating world of natural hand-reared silk. Alongside a living exhibit, will be information about Naturally Inspired’s Life Cycle and Silk Production rearing kits for home and school, which are eco-friendly, organic, 100% recyclable and regenerative. The kits use fully domesticated Eri silkworms from India. Samia ricini has been reared in East India for thousands of years and is not found in the wild. It hybridizes well with other species to form some very handsome moths, and as a result, the silk comes in a variety of shades. The larvae spin cocoons which are open-ended with a non-continuous thread. The moths are allowed to hatch before the silk is processed and for this reason, Eri Silk is sometimes known as peace silk. The Malvern Autumn Show takes place at the Malvern Showground in Worcestershire and there is plenty of free parking and discounts for children (under 5 free), families and groups. For more information, please call the Hotline on 01684 584924 or visit: www.threecounties.co.uk/malvernautumn
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robert pryor replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I have a 6ft pair of Niwakis, wish i’d had them years before I did. I initially got the 8fts and immediately realised they would be a pain for the majority of hedges I used to cut. I think they are brilliant just make sure they are seated properly.…"
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Adam Woods replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I wouldn't cut a hedge without one. Anything over 6' you should get with 3 adjustable legs, otherwise they can be unstable if you lean - but positioned correctly they are the only way. 
Befrore retirement I had an 8' and a 4; . The 4' went in the…"
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John F replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
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Duncan Neville replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I'm very wary of these tripod ladders, I took a life changing fall from the top of a 12ft tripod. Now I only use them myself with great care. The issue is that they are very unstable at the top if you lean to either side, and they go with no…"
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Billybop replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"the tripods are good but in some scenarios the wide base and the fact the 3rd leg has to be placed some distance away from the step part for stability makes this large foot print impractical eg when cutting hedge behind a shed or greenhouse with…"
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Graham Taylor replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Never tried these but always thought they look a bit of a pain to cart about. Looking at the picture, seems you're quite away from the hedge so you have to reach out more?   I just use ordinary aluminium extension ladders that you can easily adjust…"
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Sam Bainbridge replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Tripods are better than any other ladder that's a fact. You can cut hedges that are lower than the ladder but it is more awkward, I have a 6ft amd a 12 foot been using both for the last 15yrs and haven't come stuck yet. Believe me once you've had…"
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Intelligent Landscapes replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I agree with HB. 12 foot Henchman with 3 adjustable legs are fantastic and we use them all the time."
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Honey Badger replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
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matt replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"i have two sizes and couldnt be without them, as use the smaller set for lower hedges so ladders never in the way and ive never bothered with the platform ladders"
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