Paul Barton

Assuming your RPA is plotted as a circle centred around the tree, your RPA has a radius of 12m from the stem, right? Therefore, if the proposed extension encroaches 3m inside the RPA, there is still a 9m distance between the tree and the extension. Whether or not breaking ground to investigate the presence of roots is needed will depend on the site conditions - if the ground conditions are broadly similar all around the tree then it would be sensible to assume, using the BS RPA calculations that roots will be present. That far from the tree they are most likely to be small diameter/fibrous roots rather than anything of a size that would affect the anchorage of the tree (although fibrous roots do assist with anchorage). An air-spade excavation along the line of the proposed footprint would quickly tell you what quantity and size of roots are present - with the least possible damage to roots assuming the tool is used correctly. However, given the expense of such equipment with operators, a careful hand-dig should suffice. I would have thought a depth of 30cm will tell you enough, but bear in mind that soil conditions play a major factor in rooting depth. In a compacted soil roots tend to head towards the surface where water and air are most readily available but in a loose texture free draining soil they will often be deeper. Other options to think about - could a mini pile and voided raft system be used for the foundations so that root damage is minimised? Is it justifiable to alter the shape of the RPA of the tree? Is the soil a shrinkable clay - how may this affect foundation depth? If it is a shrinkable clay this is another reason to use a pile and raft system....

Thanks for your valuable contribution Kieran!

Interesting survey - hope it goes well.

Acorn Environmental Management Group have a vacancy for a consultancy manager based in Redditch. The job involves: providing a range of arb consultancy services managing arb surveyors quoting and assisting in bid writing for new work contract performance monitoring client liaison ...and more... Acorn are based in Redditch (West Mids) but have survey contracts further afield so some travel is involved. A company vehicle is provided. There is lots of great kit to use for the job - GPS/GIS equipment and software for surveys, AutoCAD for producing professional plans, an air-spade for root investigation....it's a fun and varied role. If you are interested in finding out more please email the managing director, Kevin O'Rourke, at [email protected] for a job description and application form. Alternatively you can submit a CV to the above email address or call 0800 093 3898 for an informal chat about the role.

I work for a company based in Birmingham - we have contracts in Sheffield and Peterborough. It seems odd, but we employ local staff in both areas.

That's competitive tendering for you.

Ha ha, missed this Dave. You idiot!

Tony Croft gets a mention in the acknowledgements of the new edition - nice work Tony.

Have you used it Justin? I would be interested to try one out.

Wow, what a great download!! Nice find Aether - thanks for sharing.

No, it's a concept.

Questionnaire 1. How long have you been in the industry? 8 years 2. Do you have experience of using saws regularly? Yes 3. Which do you find the best for the working industry, battery or fuelled chainsaws and please give reasons for each? Petrol fuelled. Reason - I have never seen or heard of a battery operated saw that I would consider using. 4. Do you use any other types of saw? No. If so please specify: 5. Have you ever used an electric saw? YesIf so please state what you thought about: a. Ease of use - Very easy for cutting logs in a fixed location b. Efficiency - I don't understand this question. c. Compared to petrol - I don't understand this question - what aspect of using an electric saw are you comparing? It was quieter and light, but less powerful and limited by having a flex. d. Compared to battery - never used one 6. Do you need a ticket to operate a battery chainsaw like you do a fuelled saw, if so which ticket? I don't know. 7. If you bought a battery chainsaw, would it be for garden maintenance or the commercial industry? Please state together with reasons. Possibly for garden work - I cannot imagine a battery chainsaw would be powerful or robust enough for commercial tree work. 8. Is the maintenance easier with any particular saw over another? Please also state reasons. I guess an electric saw has less mechanical parts that can break so may be easier to maintain. 9. If you were making a recommendation to a commercial small business owner, what saw would you suggest they purchase and why? Depends what they want to use the saw for. I would never recommend an electric or batter powered saw for a commercial business though. 10. If you were making a recommendation to a private individual (for use on the own premises) what recommendation would you make and why? I may recommend an electric saw to a homeowner for cutting small logs for a fire as it is quieter and easier to start. 11. Any other comments:

Beat me to it WorcsWuss!

How do you want the replies? On forum / emailed to you (give your email address) or a PM? It might be worth you putting the questionnaire on a free online questionnaire program to make it easier to complete https://www.surveymonkey.com/

If it's a subsidence case he needs to contact his insurer. They will probably (hopefully) instruct an arb report which will comment on whether the tree is the cause of the building damage. That's the report that needs to be submitted with the TPO application.

Be persistent. Phone a good company and ask if you can just meet them on site one day to put a face to the name. Turn up, smile, compliment their work and offer to drag a bit of brash for free. If you make a good impression and show a willingness to work hard they may well call you back in.

If it is 3G yes.

80% removal of what? Height? Foliage cover? Whether the tree will respond well to a pollard depends on what time of year it is done, the current physiological condition of the tree, whether the tree has a past history of heavy pruning etc... And the obvious question....why is the pollard recommended and is it the most appropriate action? Some photos and context would be good if possible.

Magnolia grandiflora?

Nice one Adam! We were told it was going to be a girl but they got it wrong! Don't buy too much in advance! Being a dad to a boy is cool - I was bricking it when I thought it would be a girl!

The best coffee shop I know: Monmouth Coffee : Covent Garden

I didn't sleep a wink hiding under the kitchen table last night. Bloody Mayans.

Good idea that.

What's your email address? I'll email you a report template.

Yes (more words here as a simple 'yes' is too short to make a post)