Andy Collins

Your best bet is probably Clark Forest (cilck on the side banner on the forum) I dont know how far you are from them but they do mail out.

Buzzard chicks, photographed at the nest while ringing for the RSPB

I think its bad form to place a Free Ad (without pics) in the ArbTrader section of the forum, then to link with pics in the Main forum. Though not strictly against forum rules, I thnk it is something that will need looking at in future. The funds raised from the Arbtrader all help towards the running costs of the forum, so we all gain in the long term.

Getting there! Everything is running sweet, crane is well handy

MJ resting between loading the mill and shifting timber on site

You saying your colleague is cute????

What this, the "Arbtalk on the Pull" tour?

I'm sure it would work if the Establishment let it. Of course, my idea is just that, and much simplified. But with swathing cuts in government spending, LPAs reducing staffing levels I'm sure it may help ease the burden, make the contractors part of the system. Perhaps someone already in the LPA network would care to air a view?

Good point Mark.

But if the "Licenced Contractor" had to adhere to strict rules and guidelines, as per the "Blue Book", coordinate with LPA's etc etc or suffer revocation of his licence, surely it would make for (on the whole) a smoother process, and maybe even higher standards than are out there at present. Another plus, IMO, of this scheme, is the fact that it is an LPA licence, which means any domestic client could check your criteria with the Local Authority, thus making things harder for the cowboy fraternity to operate. Something many have cried out for over the years. Very few domestic clients have heard of the AAAC scheme, but they all have dealings with their local authorities.

So, as a Licenced Contractor, you would have checked with the LPA, seen the temp TPO had expired, and gone in and felled them. The client would be happy, the LPA wouldnt have a backlog that they cant handle, job done and dusted and world would be minus a few snotty connies. Win, win.

Given the workload to T/O's and Planning Depts country-wide, and the cut-backs that LPA's and councils are suffering, I got to thinking that would it be a good idea for changes to the system? Instead of the present system of laboriously submitting notifications and applications for every single job in your area (where applicable), and waiting the required period of time for the LPA to get back to you, would it not make more sense for the contractor to hold a LPA licence to operate. This could be held on a limited period, say 3-5 years, with the risk of it being revoked for breaches of Planning regulations. I think this system would remove the need for a lot of the menial applications/notifications, and the good judgement of professionals who know their areas as well if not better than the LPA's, and lets face it most of us have a better understanding of trees, and clients needs. Of course, the T/o would still have a role of monitoring contractors, answering our queries, and dealing with the larger jobs. As a licenced contractor, this would show a higher level of professionalism to clients, the LPA would know (and check) our criteria, and ensure that all tree works meet BS requirements. What do we have to lose/gain, what do the LPA have to lose/gain, is it even a feasible idea?

Welcome back Salix, been a few changes since you were here last

One investigation I recently heard of was of someone tryng to steal cables. He had been watching the site as engineers had switched out the power to carry out routine maintenance, after they left he thought it would be ok to go in and cut himself some cable (he assumed the line was left dead). The bolt-croppers were found quite some distance from the site, Both hands and forearms were missing from the body, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. It was LV line he was trying to remove. "Danger of death" signs mean just that!

Its the sort of info that in the right hands is needed by many professionals, and I've had clients ask if their tree has been poisoned too. Of course, there is going to always be the slightly less professional types who will glean information for their own ends, and mis-use it. At the minute, I'm of the opinion that this information on this thread is helpful and useful to us.

It may be some very small insects coming out of the undergrowth, I hit a patch of brambles once and had a swarm of something all over my upper body, i couldnt see anything but it drove me crazy with itching, and only anti-histamine and calomine lotion calmed it down.Hi-viz jackets seem to attract every bitey stingey bug from miles around!

I think that the recent events of branch failure leading to unfortunate deaths have made people more cautious, and made them question decisions made. This, IMO, cannot be a bad thing as we are all responsible for these decisions. Many VTA's rely on the amount and quality of knowledge that each of us has, some know far more than others, we only have so long on a site visit to assess a given tree, and maybe carry out any necessary research, and inevitably this could lead to wrongly (in certain cases) removing trees or carrying out far more drastic work than really necessary. With the decline in the economy I also feel people (clients) want to see what they perceive to be value for money, ie more cuts for the bucks

Looks like marker pen to me:thumbup: Always carry something to push into the crack, then photograph it:blushing: as evidence of the depth (I give up)

You spent the last 3 years or so logged into AT, morning noon and night, when AT is your homepage, but what I love best is the pace of this site. Things move so quickly

Beware squirrels too! They have a fondness for the delicacy that is ABC "insulation" and will strip it away, and as its spiralled they can bare different conductors making it live. In fact all squirrels should be killed and eaten on sight (and on site if you have a small cooker to hand)

Wow! Nice one R/Matt

Just an addendum to Taupo's post, I found (on field side trees) that the lines get accidentally shot by pigeon shooters. Not enough to drop the cables, but successfully removing the shrouding.

Scalloped Oak Crocallis elinguaria - UKMoths

One day Justin, all saw shops will be like this

Nice one, gassing the greenflies before you cut!! Always wanted one of those, but thankfully picked up a Honda engined (non smokey) BCS