Paul Barton

Hi guys, I am after some opinions on cable-bracing - something I don't know a great deal about to be honest. I am carrying out some tree surveys in schools at the moment. Obviously these are high target areas with hundreds of delightful kids running around at any time of day, so I am taking a fairly cautious approach to management recommendations. Recently I came across a nice hornbeam; about 30ft in height and almost 400mm in diameter. The stems forks at around 1m in to 2 main stems - but the union is seriously included. Now I know that included unions don't necessarily spell any iminent disaster so I don't want to overreact - but at the same time they are a known defect and a potential point of failure.... The tree is situated adjacent to a concrete playground on one side, and a boundary fence and public footpath on the other side. Having noted a defect of sorts, I need to offer some kind of recommendation. I think a crown reduction to lessen sail area etc would more or less ruin the tree as hornbeams are pretty difficult to reduce well - and this is also a short term fix. Is bracing an option in this kind of scenario? I am thinking in terms of damage limitation if the union fails just to give the tree a few more decent years usefulness and remove/lessen any iminent hazard... Apologies for no photos at this stage - I will try and get some up soon. Any opinions welcome!

Thanks for your replies. That sounds great Giles - I'll PM you my email address if you don't mind forwarding that construction detail. I love this forum!

I heard that too - quite funny to have our industry being chatted about on the radio. To be fair on the guy interviewed, he said it was possible to do the training in 3 weeks but that it takes much longer to be any good. When you think that you could probably cram in a few NPTC tickets and training in 3 weeks and pretend you are a tree surgeon he is probably not far wrong. He did an ok job at telling it how it is though. The interview was at about 5.25pm this evening, so about 25 mins in to the show.

Ok, thanks mate.

Blimey, those are cracking examples Rowan!

Hi chaps, Apologies for this slightly dull question, but can anyone help me? What is the recommended method/construction for kerbs when using a cellular confinement system as part of a no-dig construction for pavements/driveways etc. This one is to be topped with a permeable tarmac (bitmac or something?) so wooden boards secured with rods wouldn't be suitable apparently. Obviously normal concrete kerbs have a fairly deep footing which would defeat the point of the cellweb.... Any ideas/experience gratefully received:biggrin: Paul

Found this on my computer - forgot I had downloaded it... Frisia health probs.pdf

Ugottacabstar Steve? I used to use one - great for small driveways etc but it was a pig when loaded and towing a chipper. Came to a complete standstill on some hills around here a couple of times which was a tad embarassing.

Ditto - don't rush in to buying kit til you have used some first. one love.

So are capital letters at the beginning of sentences if you're going to be like that. Sounds like a rough day testcricket - what with all the hassle after the near-miss. Everyone learns by mistakes though - glad this one wasn't as serious as it could have been. Have a beer and pick yourself up for next week!

Good work chief!

Nice one Carl! The last time you were in the local rag was the ASBO thing wasn't it?

The 3 day prep course is very useful. I came out of it realising how much work I needed to do in the month before the management day! They ran some optional extra classes in the evening which I would say are worth it - they did P & D and conifer ident when I was there which was very useful.

Ha - cheers fella! I recently started working on a TPO review for a LPA so my interest in this subject has gone up. Sounds like a right ball-ache!

I don't see how the contractor has accepted responsibility? Surely he has done what he has been instructed by the client - unless he has written a supporting report as well?

I don't understand why the TO is getting all antsy about it? Surely he/she should have advised the owner that the tree was exempt (or revoked the order) and then left it up to the owner to carry out their duty of care as they see fit? The LPA can't be liable for damages incurred if they do this can they? Very odd.

- Practice drawing out your survey templates in double quick time! - Take a stool or something to sit on for when you are writing and drawing - ....and a weather-writer. - Take your time answering the questions and try and maintain eye contact with the examiner rather than staring at the floor and looking shifty! Don't blurt out the first answer in your head...consider each answer carefully. To prepare just keep reading over all the relevant docs (BS, NJUG, NHBC etc...) and practice as many surveys as you can. The quicker you can dart about and collect data, the more time you have to sit down and make it presentable and clear. Time management is really key when you only have a ridiculously short time to assess a number of trees. You guys will be fine!

"No, I wasn't being offensive, I said birch. It's a type of tree." Funny little film!

I have used a snap hook on my adjustable lanyard and relied on it as my sole tie in point when ascending a tree. I think they are great little tools; much less fiddly than a krab.

Gasp - you should be banned for such common sense and flippancy!

So it should go! There, simple!

Surely you would ask the 4th question first? Good questions but what sort of answers would you be expecting from questions 1 and 2? Percentages? Based on opinion?

Well done Adam. All the best for your future career.

Is GoView your website by any chance Tony?! Welcome to arbtalk by the way!

What day are you doing the removal Carlos? I wanna swing by and see the action!