silvafox

I always make sure I leave for work with clean underwear on. Just incase! I have 5 pairs of ppe trousers which I iron and hang on a Sunday afternoon for the week ahead. When are these morons gonna make a lid that does'nt mess up your do! Always keep a bottle of Old Spice in the glove box. I wear my harness whenever I walk down the high street and my rope coiled over the shoulder. Its important that karabiners clank and jangle as you go. Lookin good...

Even worse, hope my heart does'nt seize tomorrow!

I try my best to be optimistic, positive and upbeat even when the chips are down. I get angry when guys start wingeing on the crew. Some guys soon click into negative mode. I thrive on the good and bad times. Bring it on, never give up and ride the high when ever you can. Whats the alternative? True, the economy looks bad. If your gonna go down, go down fighting!

Very informative report but it does'nt specify cedar as a host. I have come across needle drop on blue cedar that recovered over the following year. I suspected it was due to sustained heavy rainfall and waterlogged roots. Also needle loss on a large lebanon cedar which continued to die back year by year despite best efforts to save it including removal of deadwood/foliage and soil aeration. We took down two deodar cedars this week due to attack by honey fungus.

Use Edelrid experience climbimg rope. With a lazy flick it flies high and far over the desired anchor point, unravels back down to tickle your tummy with a cheeky wink!

It's a good feeling alright. Get stuck in, blow some chunks, everything goes sweet and quick. Job done, big fat cheque. Yes mate!

Here, here.

Flying tops are never easy to photograph. My groundy got this shot perfectly. I had to knock the top off as constrained felling space due to trees, walls and a road. I don't recall any major post bending moment springback as the lads didn't pull too hard to soon.

Thanks to all replies! All helpful and insightful. I think essentially we need to be able to confidently define what is a 'basic', 'standard' or 'complex' lift type. In order to acknowledge 'lift plan' versus 'method statement and risk assessment' necessity. I would also express imo that in respect of tree work that no amount of crane lift courses and qualifications can undermine the opinion and planning of an experienced and competent climbing arborist. Crane operator and climber must agree on everything.

Thats Terry Bennett from Oswestry in the Stig get up. He did'nt compete as he was organiser but he was quick even with the lid on!

Just incase you missed it here's The Stig poleclimbing 80' in 12 seconds at the APF 08!

Thanks Mr Ed. Chester might be close enough for crane hire purposes. Although, I'm not really knocking the operator on this occasion. Although when he turned up he said we would no way do it all in a day and we had the baby fed, bathed and fast asleep by 4:30.

Good new angle of climber filming I havent seen before! It would be good to see close up 'technique' films like this for other systems.

Just experimenting with picture uploading.

PS: A video of the job will come soon.

I,m very dis-satisfied with a crane hire company we used recently. Last time I used this firm was 2005, they charged me £450 per day for a 50T back then. They obviously did'nt remember me and on this occasion tried it on for £780 per day for a 20T !!!!! Back in 2005 20T cranes were £280 per day. The price hike they said was due to stricter regs that now determine an appointed competent person, with a qualification in crane lift planning must undertake a lift plan and risk assessment prior to works commencing. Once I picked myself up off the floor I said the job could stand £600 and we cut a deal, on a contract lift basis. Day of the job comes, they dont show on time. After a phonecall from me they arrive at 10 am. They did not undertake a lift plan or risk assessment. I selected from my own lolered slings and the day was hard but unfolded sweetly enough with myself co-ordinating theclimber, crane oppo and ground crew. By 4.30 half a dozen large sycamores where cut to stump, lifted out of a ravine, slewed over a driveway and corded and chipped. I take my hat off to all the lads. I now think that this particular firm is using the BS7121 and CPA Best Practice guides in a way that is somewhat dishonest in order to get more money out of unwitting tree surgeons like me. From what I can gather it comes down to the lift type. If a lift is 'basic', then the hirer, providing they are 'competent' may simply carry out a risk assessment and method statement. I believe our job and every lift would be defined as basic. If a lift type is 'standard' or 'complex' then a qualified appointed person should undertake a lift plan. The course to get this qualification is about £1500 or so I'm told. Bear in mind that a 400T lift over a chemical factory by a river is complex, then am I wrong to define a 0.2 - 2 T lift over an empty drive way, within easy reach of the over capable crane on good firm level ground as 'basic'. I'm not overhappy and I've got them to concede to £500 as they were late. Can anyone recommend a good arb experienced crane hire company that at least have a grain of humanity and positive work ethic?

Good effort John! I would say that weeping willows, along with apples, birch and conifers are the most commonly butchered trees. That job is a good advert for proper arb!

Waiting for top soil delivery, customer out. Desperate for a dump. Dig a little hole in the border, no worries 5 ton of top soil going there anyway. Drop jocks, cop a squat. During the main event I'm eyeballing the house, as you do, only to clock a CCTV camera looking straight at me. I can't say for sure wether they watched their tape back but they never called me in for other work!

Don't be so harsh on the guy...I would hope that after that experience he knows better and won't make the same mistake twice. Only if he does it again can we truly slate the man!

Wow! Those hippies know how to undermine the credibility of an otherwise worthy cause! Mind you don't slip on their marbles when you go out logging! (Still thinking of a line....)

Burn time was 13 hours. First burn on unconditioned site. Seasoned pine. Split logs not polewood. I only did this burn as my yard is jamming up with arb log bi-product. The kiln has been quietly rusting in a forgotten corner for a few years. Now she is back in action but the feet/shoes are in need of replacement. Coal is for me, friends and family. Although its got me thinkiing about an extra few quid. Mainly because I enjoy making it. Especially as you can drink much beer once the cuttings done!

Last week I experimented with at making charcoal purely from seasoned scots pine. I use a 6 foot diameter steel ring kiln. The pine was just arb ops waste. I couldn't believe the quality and quantity of the stuff. The kiln was about 45% full of black gold. Not surprising really, they use pine to make charcoal in Corsica. I think the UK undervalues the so-called softwoods and myths persist about what woods good and whats not. I immediately chucked a couple of buckets full in the barby. It was ripping in no time. We cooked meat for six and the coals where cooking for almost two hours! I've used alder, hornbeam, ash etc and yes they do make good charcoal. But, I challenge anyone to spot the difference in an unmarked bag! 10 years ago I tried to make money making charcoal but gradually did more arb as you can 'peel it off em', unlike forestry and coppicing. I kept the kiln. Its great to be burning again. Next week, red cedar!

That last pic is a corker! Are they laying down pipe/cable or what!? Are those trees still standing?

Mistertree I think you are right. Occlusion is the process of blocking something up.

Some real crisp pics. Mint job. The hats not for me though.