Andy Collins

I am closing this thread out of respect for any family who might have lost someone recently. I'm sure the OP started the thread for all the right reasons, but until facts are clear, H&S hsve investigated, I'm sure we all agree it's best left alone.

I think the fact that the OP has come on here to ask shows he is a responsible employee. Another thing to consider is even if they're BT lines, these days they're so much more than "just a phone line". They support alarm systems, home office computer systems as well as phones, and the cost of disabling these accidentally can be quite high. If they're electricity lines, then get the electricity company out, if they're phones lines, can they be done without risk to the lines? Or is a Mewp a better option?

Probably nearly 90% now, gradually talking people around. Old folk are the hardest, they think it's dodgy and someone could steal their money, so cheques from them still for now, but most prefer it.

The levels of skills shown by each member of the various teams is very humbling, for example spotting that fracture near Bens ear, not assuming what you see is all that's wrong.

When I first started out in Treework, many years before I relied on making a living from it, we used the term cordwood. We were trained back then by a chap from the FC, he used the term cordwood, he was retired and late 60s/early 70s. In my NDG James first edition of the Foresters Companion (1955) I quote "Firewood may be sold as cordwood, ie wood cut to lengths so as to form a heap or cord 8'x4'x4'..........if not sold as cordwood, firewood is cut into logs and sold by the ton" There is also a page (112) dedicated to the calculations for measuring volume, and weight of cordwood.

So IMO, it is a recognised and legitimate term, and widely used.

Over-extended laterals... If the lateral is extended, it doesn't need the "over" in front.

David, look at the Makita dolmar and echo trimmers too, they're all good.

I think following this last winter, we are going to be getting more requests of this nature. I've used the Platipus system in large semi matures, and it's very good. Not one of the trees I planted in the last 5 or 6 years have moved in the storms, and some of these trees are pines and cedars, 20feet+ on loose sandy soil type. The system below ground allows the trunk to strengthen naturally, guy wires are fine temporarily as dalton trees says, but should be adjusted periodically as the new roots gain strength.

Sorry to hear this Matty, really sucks.

Just read this thread from the beginning to here let's move on.

David, let's see the pics of your time with stihlben, sounds like you had a good time, hopefully this will lead to more work for you in the future.

I have a very large beech on an estate I manage the trees in, it has had K and Meripilus ever since I took over some 15years ago. It has withstood the storms and conditions in that time. The client is aware of the trees condition and we have moved any fixed targets, yet still she stands. IF there are no targets, I would leave it to its own natural devices.

Congratulations, No mean feat and well earned

Working in Roundhay today and Jimmy Savill lives in the penthouse next to the tree. Came out several times and we got a photo with him. Cool guy full of bling.

Oh how times change

"Neglected" how??????, Scotland gets more government funding per dead than the rest of the UK:001_rolleyes:

per dead????

There's many many dangers lurking in subs, if you really want to work in them do the courses. Not all the dangers are obvious, or maybe caused through previous vandalism/theft, leaving you likely to receive a shock. These places really really are not the place to be without proper training and controls.

Personally, I don't think Scotland leaving the UK will really affect the remaining UK, and I think Scotland will lose out more than we will. However, I also think that we as a United Kingdom have more to gain from staying together. This is economically, strategically and defensively. It is up to the Scottish people to turn out and vote in the referendum, make their voices heard! whichever side of the fence they are on, and the Westminster government should respect their wishes.

I got my throwing tomahawk from the woodsmithstore.co.uk a couple of years ago, the also stock replacement handles.

Maybe Steve will pop up, I think he may have some in stock still?

How fit should I be? A lot fitter. I struggle to manage three days a week, around five hours a day. Some weeks I do manage four days, but pay for it. When I was fit, there wasn't a lot I couldn't do, but age has beaten me into submission. I do enough to pay the bills, and am happy with that.

There are Danger of Death signs around these sites for a very good reason. It's not heroic or brave or even necessary to take the chance, or expect employees to take the chance so a quick buck can be made. This isn't a dig at the OP or Anyone else, it's also there for he future readers of such a thread.

Do not enter the sub, do not drop anything in the sub, do not hang a rope over the sub. Contact the right people and do the job properly. Having seen the vids and reports of those who "illegally" entered the subs and touched the wrong bits, I'd hate to see another fatality or casualty, just for the sake of a couple of quid.

Others will put you off, but my CICA accident policy covers work and extreme sports injuries. On occasions where a pay out has been necessary, CICA have paid up PDQ and the amount they said they'd pay. This is my experience based on a work related injury, and severe illness, where claims were necessary.

I have some Oregon wellies, they do the job in standing water, or rivers, lakes ponds and ditches. Or floods. Which given this winter are essential wear on many of the sites I've been working. The other day I didn't wear them, and filled my leather boots to the top with stinky water. Nice. trouble is, being Goretex they seem to take an age to dry, even with boot driers in.

I've seen gulls nests made of allsorts of stuff, wire mainly and old fishing line and nets. Best avoid chipping any nests in case.

David, how far are you willing to travel, for voluntary work? Or indeed paid (personally I would not expect anyone to work for nowt). I remember the days way back when you're trying to get a start, but no one gives you the break. Fingers crossed, keep trying.