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Paul Barton

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Everything posted by Paul Barton

  1. Paul Barton
    I thought you knew what I looked like! Oh well, glad you enjoyed it.
  2. Paul Barton
    Good day today! No Mr Kirkham, but we had the Kew tree manager Kevin Martin there instead to talk about their tree management systems. He also gave some more comment on the sad events of 2012 when a lady was killed by a falling cedar branch. David Lonsdale talked was excellent as always, talking about some of the expert witness cases he has been involved in. In the afternoon Nevill Fay talked about managing ancient and veteran trees; the need to acknowledge their vast benefits and manage appropriately in order to conserve some of the important heritage trees we have. It was great to meet a few AT chaps, including Jules Dalton. Where were you Gary?!
  3. Paul Barton
    Good shout and one that I had considered but the leaf margins are totally smooth - I think bird cherry are finely serrated.
  4. Paul Barton
    This one has me scratching my head. Hopefully it's not too embarrassingly obvious!
  5. Paul Barton
    Last chance to book for this event on Thursday!!
  6. Paul Barton
    Done.
  7. Paul Barton
    Good on you for experimenting David. Can you explain the thought/hopes behind this treatment? Look forward to reading some follow up posts about this...
  8. Paul Barton
    Thanks for your comments David. I'm glad this topic is being discussed again before the next CAS meeting where it will be on the agenda. Unfortunately I haven't got time to comment much further at the moment but will have a closer look when I get home next week.
  9. Paul Barton
    What do you want the software to run on? A smartphone, tablet or GPS device running windows mobile? Rough budget? Are you creating paper maps, or files to email a client?
  10. Paul Barton
    Is the shade issue connected to your proposed extension? Rob is right, a 5m reduction would likely cause some large pruning wounds which wouldn't be great for the tree. To manage this tree at its current size without causing damage to it would mean lighter but fairly regular pruning.
  11. Paul Barton
    For similar price look at the Getac P535 models. Good GPS and rugged.
  12. Paul Barton
    ...and I'm not really 2 foot tall with a massive yellow moustache
  13. Paul Barton
    That's interesting, I was just about to post about the upcoming valuation course running at Wyre Forest Council on 30th June and 1st July - then I noticed the details were wrong on the CAS website, oops. Anyway, it's being taught by Jon Heuch and includes CTLA, CAVAT and Heliwell I think. I'd like to go but can't make the dates. I'll quizz you about CTLA on June 10th!
  14. Paul Barton
    I think one of the attractions of using TRAQ as an area of competence within the CAS model is that TRAQ is an assessed course where after the days of training you are required to sit an exam and pass with a particular score. There is no such assessment in the QTRA course so theoretically you could attend the course, misunderstand the concepts but still be a licensed QTRA user. It would be nice if there were a way to 'endorse' any arb that has a robust and defensible tree survey method that includes risk assessment, as I am sure there are some good methods being used by individuals that just aren't published and therefore recognised. However, it would be almost impossible to assess multiple approaches so CAS is looking to pick one which fits best. Jules - in reply to your above post, yes, you can use the PTI as an accredited competency area and ignore the risk assessment competency if you wish.
  15. Paul Barton
    How did you book Gary? If you email [email protected] then he can confirm your place.
  16. Paul Barton
    All good discussion! So when does a knackered hawthorn become a veteran?! How about this old Pear? DBH of 75cm, cavity at the base...
  17. Paul Barton
    I don't know actually, I don't handle the bookings. I'll ask for you. I'll be up staying at 'Guys Hamlet' just next to the college the night before. It has a bar if you fancy a pint?
  18. Paul Barton
    Good points Paul and Kevin - site staff and the public are also readers of these reports. This is what makes BS reports tricky to write well I think - the numerous readers with differing interests and levels of knowledge. I try and separate each element if possible. - Initially a tree constraints report for the client (not to be submitted with the planning app). - Then an impacts assessment for the planners so they can weight up the merits of the application. - And lastly the method statement, primarily to be read and understood by the building company and other site workers. Back to the OP. I could come and to the survey with you if you like. I wouldn't be able to do it til July though if that's ok.
  19. Paul Barton
    Ah, but these reports aren't just written for the benefit of tree officers are they?! I do include some background info about the BS and the principles that guide the report, because I want my client to have a good understanding of the situation as well as the TO. Often clients are bewildered by the need for all this tree advice so I like to explain it to them in the report they've had to commission and pay for. I do agree with you though Chris, it's good to cut out as much waffle as possible. I keep thinking about writing some better informative appendices so that the main report can be more concise.
  20. Paul Barton
    Good point from Jules about relying on other peoples reports for guidance. Be very cautious about that. Perhaps let them help you set out the headings and sub-headings, but after that write everything as site specifically as you can.
  21. Paul Barton
    Of course learning from someone with lots of experience is best, but if you have surveying experience, a copy of the standard and some copies of other people's reports why not give it a go? It depends if its a complex site - some can be pretty straightforward. If it's not too urgent, I could do the CAD plan for you if you send me an annotated site plan and the tree survey info (for a fee!).
  22. Paul Barton
    That's exactly what I thought! It made me wonder if I'd overlooked some potential veterans on large-scale housing surveys! However, at the seminar there was little discussion of the site and local environment as being a factor in determining whether something qualifies as veteran. It seems to be all about the tree and its characteristics....
  23. Paul Barton
    Yep, that's happening alot. And the wages are now so bad that some tree officers reflect the peanuts salary they are paid.
  24. Paul Barton
    I would expect that from you Dave ;-) I'm interested to hear if those working regularly for private sector clients would agree.
  25. Paul Barton
    So, I went on the VETree seminar a few weeks back at Calke Abbey in Derbyshire (nice place). We looked at a few different trees of 'veteran' status, including this Hawthorn (possibly!?). What do you reckon? If you came across this on a development site survey would you give it the category A3?

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