Andy Collins

It was a sad day when the local Aldi closed, now all the plebs go in my shops thank god for home delivery, don't have to mix with them

I have an early, like ancient, pre-Echo original Power Pruner. There is no oiler on that, there is no oil reservoir. And guess what? The chain never runs tight, I grease the nose wheel regularly, squirt occasionally with an oil can if Im using it a lot, but that's it. modern tools are rubbish, not made like they used to be.... I remember the days when....waffle waffle waffle..".....

Which strain of runner are you growing? Scarlet Emporer are an old favourite, but we're trying Enorma this year, the beans are larger as a rule. Trouble is we've sold bean plants all over the area, so competition may be fierce. Plus our veg show isn't until Sept either.

Got up and rushed about early on, dog walked and swam in the big pond at the top of the freshly cut field, he loves it, and as it's spring fed it's always clear. Then got back and did some Stuff that involved painting my five bar gate, and fencing, and finished painting the workshop exterior. Now...doing nothing as it's a bit on the warm side. Might get her to fetch a Guinness soon.

It must be a regional thing perhaps. You state the number of outlets is increasing, yet apart from one in my area, everyone listed no longer stocks it. So maybe the company keeps all outlets registered as stockists on their list in order to make it appear that there is a growth, sort of a marketing propaganda?

Top stuff there Felix:thumbup: really good news that.

Ok it seems the nearest dealership to stock Aspen is now 21miles away, so a 42mile round trip for an already expensive product. I called into an ex supplier, who also runs a very large Arb team, and asked why they no longer stock it. The reply is that they had a pallet load on sale, and it just didn't move...it would not sell. I was looking to try it out. Easy to criticise a product without trying it I thought, so give it a go. Ummmm no that's just not going to happen when availability is dwindling, rather than increasing. I dont have the facilities to store a large volume of highly flammable material, and why would I when there is such a facility a couple of miles away at a cheaper price, a service station!! sorry Aspen, but I'm out without getting in.

Something like twelve years on. He's queueing for his pension on a Thursday

Huck, on the "health care professionals do not choose who lives/dies" theme, that may not be 100% true. A person of more senior years for example, would not have received the same treatment I received, as they would not be deemed as likely to survive. They would have received care more suited to their age, even if it were palliative care only. So yes someone would have to make that call.

What's the betting he's shaved it off, cut his hair (with a side parting) got a respectable job in some dingy government office stuck in a boring suit, licking stamps to stick on envelopes.

no collective responsibility? We are all responsible for our surroundings, in a professional way and in a personal way, what about our moral responsibility?

There's no point discussing this further, you read what you want to read and chuck your teddy out of the pram when you disagree. How about reading the written words before jumping in? I have constantly spoken of "working with" both clients and other parties involved. It's not just about you the contractor, or just the TO, or just the client. I do things my way, they work very well, my clients like the way I work. That's all that matters to me.

we all know what's found under a ponies tail

Surely this is the difference between a pro company and a cowboy outfit, knowing where and when to do the right thing? I am quite disgusted at what I've read tbh....too. And it doesn't shine to good a light on the professional tree industry as a whole.

I fail to understand this gaping canyon between the Contractor and the TO/LPA. I see it as my job to provide a tree service, it entails far more than just wielding a saw. This year I've earned more from spending time with clients than cutting trees down.

I have no issue with any of your points Huck, and indeed I do, it's called communicating. I will also concede when it's not appropriate. It's not them and us, it's people working together for the best outcome for all concerned. TOs are our servants, they are there to serve the bigger community, not just you and me trying to earn a living. My clients employ me to give them the best service possible,Including the advice. many of them own trees that they believe need removal, but need educating as to why to keep them. Sometimes it may be about compromise, between the client the TO and myself, where it's conceded that the tree needs removal, but a suitable replacement will be put in. I've had no issues to date, nor fallen out with anyone, even developers who think they know best. in one case I have even threatened to get the council involved due to breaches in the planning consent, in order to protect the trees from builders. The threats worked. They towed the line. I am honest with my clients, I will tell them if a tree shouldn't be removed and that's probably my downfall, it seems a strange concept that anyone would actually wish to protect a tree when working in the tree service industry, I mean what other ways are there of earning a living from it?

Huck, I like many others care about my area, and my community. I care about the trees within my community. If I felt it was not in the communities interest to remove a tree of particular interest, I would wish to protect it. The TPO system allows this. It sticks in my throat that a particular Oak cannot at this time be served with a TPO, as the LPA do not deem it as under threat. I do, as I know it will be felled before the application to put in an access, because that's how the system is used. I would endeavour to work with the TO to protect most trees under threat, and why not? TOs are only here in the short term, as are we, oaks etc are here for a lot longer, and the views can be here for even longer. We do have a responsiblity to protect it.

Ha it was a futile attempt to steer the conversation away from the inevitable

Ditto Dean, I think last year I was in "credit" by several thousand trees, planted v removed.

I'm a little bit torn between both camps on this topic. Some TOs can be worked with, others simply can't. My immediate local TO is superb, with experience in the field and many years as a TO he works well with myself and other arborists. Note: Works with!! There is no grassing, no backstabbing, but old fashioned cooperation between professionals, and therefore trust. I know other TOs are not as helpful and cannot be worked with, but when mine retires eventually I'm sure many of us will miss him, an asset to the tree care industry as a whole, and very knowledgeable about veteran tree in particular.

Just thinking the other day I might be needing a decent climber/colleague occasionally, divine intervention perhaps??? which area of Suffolk are you in Jon?

I think it's a superb magazine since the merger with FMJ, it used to be like reading a journal from some old boys club with lots of hand shaking and back slapping with people getting awards for being in the same club. Thankfully it's far more appropriate content these days. A mate brought me in about a years worth of back issues while I was in hospital to pass the time, got me hooked again.

Perhaps they fart in the packaging as they seal it for you haven't noticed it myself

I'm seeing a hairy dude with shades, didnt think Jesus had ray bans

Something wrong with it? As I know the FJ team follow AT, I'm sure they'll appreciate your feedback