Today's Posts

and in the lunchtime news today, Trumps import taxes are reported to be responsible for the Royal Mail to halt their regular mail deliveries - they will add 50p to each package now to cover processing. 2 options: UK businesses will suffer that due to the goodness if their hearts, reduce the pay perhaps to workers to compensate. Or, the US customer will pick up the tab. Hmmm wonder which - a man for the people increasing their costs again.

Finally someone who can sharpen a saw properly!

Here are your opportunities to upgrade your approach to tree risk with VALID in 2025. https://validtreerisk.help/Tree-Risk-Training Because of demand from NZ, AU, and USA, it looks like we won't run more workshops in the UK until June 2026. VT = Validator Training VU = Validator Update

This question comes up frequently on social media, so we've put these resources together to help you. Risk Assessment Review https://validtreerisk.help/Tree-Risk-Assessment-Review Peter Gray's 2020 article in Arboriculture Australia's The Bark looks at the strengths and weaknesses of TRAQ, QTRA, and VALID. The post in the link addresses some points Peter raises about VALID. Western Springs Pines, Auckland, NZ https://validtreerisk.help/Western-Springs-Pines This high profile dispute ended up in the Environment Court. It's the only case we know where TRAQ, QTRA, and VALID risk assessments were carried out on the same trees. You can download the reports. If you want a geeky deep dive into what's going on with the wildly different risk ratings, have a look at Andrew Benson's report. Tasmanian Government QTRA to VALID https://validtreerisk.help/Tas-Gov-QTRA-to-VALID Tasmanian Department of State Growth (DSG) - State Roads has customised and adopted VALID's Government Tree Risk-Benefit Management Strategy. They did this after a Coroner's Inquest into Brendon Smith's tragic death when a tree fell on his ute whilst he was driving on a state road during a storm. When putting together the Strategy, DSG upgraded their approach to tree risk from QTRA to VALID. The head of the DSG's tree risk framework review asked us to put together a briefing note for the General Manager State Roads, to explain why they were moving from QTRA to VALID. We thought this note was confidential, but as DSG is a Government organisation, anyone can access it with Freedom of Information request. Several times people asked whether we could make it public because there is valuable technical information in it about tree risk assessment.

Going back to it at the time , circa 2001, done through an agency going on 1/4 of the facts ... thes isn't any point going out their if you dont come back with money ...plus being stuck with Australians .. great . I

I hate the bastards . Get someone in with a night scope and a decent air rifle .

Hard work tasks i tend to use stihl asa20 cordless secateurs, stihl gta26 cordless chainsaw pruner and loppers. Rest i try to use hedge trimmer. Hedge trimmer design is not really for hard tasks (thick branches). But we are testing the equipment limits all the time.

Wordle 1,529 6/6 ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜ ⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨 🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟨🟩⬜⬜ ⬜🟨🟩⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Had to walk away twice. Heroic save (imo)

Any help identifying this fruiting body hosted on Sorbus intermedia would be very welcome...thanks.

We are hosting a TRAQ Course delivered by Guy Watson - 2 days with a half day assessment, delivered in person in the beautiful setting of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's Inverleith gardens. Arboricultural Association - Course Detail TREES.ORG.UK Professional training courses and workshops for Tree Surgeons, arborists and consultants. A wide range of Tree Surgeon Courses and Tree Surgeon Training available with either online...

a tripod ladder isn't essential - same as it isn't essential to change from using a family car to provide a hedge cutting service. A 12ft tripod goes inside the roof of a LWB Transit, or strapped on any pick up/ tipper. But a dedicated vehicle is a serious investment. Especially if you can't have an older one due to LEZ.

Apparently it’s a great app, but I already know what they are. 👍

I'm sure that the class would enjoy it anyway.

Good Morning All.

Hopefully makes the difference.. I got about 8miles from home and had to ring for a fire extinguisher as I thought it was going to burst in to flames !! Local Valtra mechanic said straight off it’s the brake servo.

Royalties can be paid directly to our PayPal account thanks. That applies to Mr WD40 too.

Ok then, Perhaps this really isn't the best of examples, but last month, I did a fallen tree -blocking minor road type of job. The unfortunate tree owner was blissfully unaware that their tree had just collapsed, across the access road to the local golf club and some neighbours houses. I explained the situation to them, and charged the princely sum of £180, for clearing vehicle access, that same evening. It was half a mile from home.. The following day, I texted a quotation for approx £900 to cover the full clear-up, with suggestions for local tree consultants, to give a report on their other roadside trees . Both invoices were paid promptly by a very happy new customer, with the strong likelihood of some future work, too.. Sorry about the photo, seems like there's some issue with uploading the same. After 5 attempts at reducing the size, we'll just have to live without it !

Love it! I’ve recently got a 79 series - will hopefully see me out! 😂

I’ve bought a few bits through ARB Surplus recently, and it’s been solid. Listings were clear, comms were quick, and everything arrived exactly as described. It's great having a space where gear changes hands among people who actually use it. Way better than taking a gamble on random marketplace sellers. Would definitely use it again if something else pops up.

yeah - severe drought years seem to cause a lot of movement on their own.

Machines have been earning their keep these last 3 weeks since we had a storm.

Thanks,

I use steel on the end of my climbline to make it easier to throw my main line, it's more like a throwball and carab all in one 🙂