Paul Barton
-
Posts
3,911 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Classifieds
Tip Site Directory
Blogs
Articles
News
Arborist Reviews
Arbtalk Knot Guide
Gallery
Store
Calendar
Freelancers directory
Everything posted by Paul Barton
-
Terms and conditions - pay rates in particular
Paul Barton replied to TimberCutterDartmoor's topic in Business Management
While I admire Jason's attitude and get up and go for a 17 year old, I also agree with JJG on this one. Surely if he is an employee his boss should be providing all PPE at the least. And if he can see potential in Jason then some investment in his training would be a good call surely? I am pretty tired of the arb industry falling behind on staff care and investment when compared with other industries. It has never affected me as I am self-employed but I hear too many stories from disgruntled staff in other companies. -
I used to sell safaris for a small travel company. The foreign office quite often gave out advice to not travel to certain areas because of the possible threats of terrorism/civil unrest etc. The problem is they often apply these guides across a country/region when actually on a small area is affected. For example after the bomb in Mombasa they advised against travel to most of East Africa which scuppered quite a few of my clients going to Tanzania. I would probably go, but we aware that your travel insurance may not cover you if you travel agains FO advice.
-
I pity the fool that receives your letter!
-
Incredible. Makes me think we actually haven't moved on that much since then - just use less blokes to do it. They must have been bloody strong men. Cheers Pete.
-
Oh yeah, sorry!!
-
Hey John - I have a Blackberry curve with vodafone. I phoned up when it was time for my upgrade and told them all the deals that I had found online that were better than theirs. In the end I got the phone with the data package (push email and unlimited internet plus unlimited texts) for £25 per month plus vat. Pretty pleased with that! Although I would say that I am not that impressed with the internet capabilities of the phone. I have been told that a free software upgrade will improve it though. If you do a bit of research on other provider's deals then threaten to leave they will often bend over backwards to keep you. And do it all on the phone to save your fuel!!
-
I am not sure you will get an answer to that as this thread is over a year old and I don't think Anna frequents here now.
-
Great post woodsman. (except the last line mr smug!)
-
I am hoping to be there - up for a making a weekend of it. Missing Capel this year which was great last year. And Bathurst is just up the road.
-
I think it is possible to carry out a H&S inspection without holding CS tickets. Although I still agree that a working knowledge of practical tree works will help.
-
The large bracket looks like Ganoderma resinaceum to me. Not sure about the others?
-
I can appreciate why you think TO would benefit from times on the tools. But I fail to see why it would be a requirement for a TO to hold up to date NPTC tickets for chainsaw use and climbing - YOU are the one climbing the trees. A tree officer's job is surely to manage the council's trees and recommend necessary works, not to 'police' contractors.
-
I think there are many excellent tree officers in the UK that take their job very seriously. There do appear to be a few anomalies though as in every job. I guess ideally anyone giving advice on tree management would have some practical experience under their belt - it can only help. I must admit having looked at a few job descriptions/person specifications for tree officer jobs that they are asking for quite alot of experience and degree level qualifications. Perhaps the duff ones manage to slide in to the job from elsewhere within the council?
-
That's the first time I have seen the top of the fruiting body. Doesn't look so much like Fomes to me - but I don't know jack...
-
Sorry Carl - must have been replying at same time!
-
Hi Dave, Looks like I mis-diagnosed the FB - I could only see the underside at the time when the tree was in leaf and thought it looked like a Gano. The consultant is an excellent bloke and I am sure spelt Fomes fomentarius right. From what I gather (was not on site when it was done) the tomograph was used at bracket height as shown above and also at ground level where it showed hardly any decay apparently. Jeez, first I can't ID a portugese laurel and now this! Gonna go and hide in a corner....
-
I did my course with a 40 year old guy who is now doing very well. He was a fit and healthy bloke and wanted to stay that way instead of rotting in an office. You could climb for a few years and then if it starts to hurt too much look at a less physically demanding role like pricing/inspections etc.. Kind of depends what other skills you have to offer I guess.
-
Very funny.
-
Todays job reducing a beech. Lovely day for it. Two of us shared the climbing - makes the cutting quicker and you can stop for a natter whenever you want! It had been reduced once before and the customer wanted more off than last time. Not exactly natural looking I know but there we go. Before, halfway(ish) and after.
-
I am in the 0-10% gang. What a great idea for a thread - I think this will lead to some very interesting discussion.
-
Thanks guys - makes sense about your idea on the fungi Tony. Here is a pic of the other side of the tree - the black fruit in question is round to the right of the base as seen from this angle. You can just make out another large FB at the very base of the tree partially covered in snow below the other large one. Well, I feel a bit silly because I now think you are right about the laurel I thought it was something a bit more exotic like Michelia doltsopa but it ain't.
-
Deadwooding woodland oaks (?!) last week. Had my phone in my pocket for once so took a couple of piccies.
-
Evenin' all, Had a look at some nice trees today - came across one evergreen broadleaf that confused me. Having looked it up I have an idea what it is. Can you tell? Also saw this nice little fruiting body in between buttresses at the base of a beech. Would you agree on Ustulina deusta? Most Ustulina I have seen was more flat and crusty - this was more spherical and almost looked like Daldinia but it's location makes me suspect Ustuloina. It also had 2 very large and about 5 small G. applanatum brackets on the other side of the base. Made some pretty interesting sounds with the mallet!
-
Ouch - sounds nasty Andy. Get yourself some strong painkillers!
-
Looks nice Matty. Love your rig Skyhuck - must make jobs like that infinitely easier and quicker.
