text: I see no basis for any complaint on Osborns part that I had insufficiently acknowledged their concern about root collar inhomogeneity. However, root collar inhomogeneity is hardly the end of the story as inhomogeneity in Briffas population is pervasive. The purlasi sc subpopulation appears as inhomogeneous as the root collar samples, but Briffa seem obtusely unaware of the problem. And while Briffa et al have reported one incident of inhomogeneity, their statistical tools for detecting inhomogeneity are hopelessly inadequate a serious disappointment given that theyve been working on this issue for over a decade. I observed (continuing my original criticism):