ecolojim

well i took it upon myself to have me a birthday present on arbtalk's behalf. Nice orange pair of twisted bashlins with velcro pads.

I certainly plan to Matt, dont know where mind you. Going to try and rope a mate into coming with, but he's in Malaga at the moment.

nah, joking apart, im not a fan of 'txt spk' in the slightest but I do think IIRC instead of if I recall correctly and other more appropriate ones do have a use in internet useage.

I know this topic has been covered ad nauseum but I have a couple of fairly specific questions to ask with regards to buying my first set of spikes. Essentially I dont have time nor facility to try loads before I buy, and I dont suppose it's as easily available as hanging in a harness in a shop anyway. I spent a few hours in a pair of steel straight shanked spikes one day last week and didnt find them uncomfortable, just strange to get used to being my first spike climb. I also did not find the weight of the steel particularly prohibitive, so I dont know if lighter aluminium models would actually be better or the steel weight give confidence in gaff placement and depth?? Can someone please explain to me the concept of the twisted shank spikes like bashlin make. Are these an improvement on the straight ones? Is the twist to change the way you position your feet with regards the tree, or are they twisted for a more ergonomic fit to your leg? What does anyone know about the 'climb right' alloy spikes like the ones Honey Bros sell. Seem a very good price for an alloy spur... If theyre any good that is. Thanks Jim

essentially what they are. Iveco recently bought out santana having powered them for a number of years previously. The new daily 4x4 looks very good, but being 4x4 will be heavier than the normal daily, and of course suffering the same curse as all 3.5t trucks, naff all load capacity. Not to mention i think the price that was being batted around for it was something fairly obscene. could be remembering wrongly though.

sod that! I'm still on 'find a tree and find the easiest way up it' haha

Dean, Im not quite sure which part it is you're eluding to having worn... Is it the splined drive member in the centre of the hubs that is worn? On a P reg (which should be 24 spline axles) undo the 5 bolts on the drive member, remove the rubber cap, undo one circlip, slide off two thrust washers and take the drive member off the end of the shaft get a new one or perhaps the HD ones that are now available "refitting is the reverse of removal"

I see youve played knifey spooney before!

I used to be a 'tree care operative' I particularly liked that one

take it easy Justin, You'll be right as rain in no time!

this whole waste transfer licence business... I was led to believe that if the woodchip is to be sold on, and the logs to be sold for firewood or on your own fire, it is not waste, it becomes a product and therefore you require no licence. Have I been misled?

freebie massey ferguson holdall for the harness and all the assorted other bits inc lanyards, silky, micropulley biners, slings etc. Rab climbing rope bag/tarp from cotswold outdoor for the yup youve guessed it, rope. flake it onto the tarp, roll it up and it bags itself. no twisted lines

that would be my choice if you want to keep the tree alive Essentially the same as your idea Charlie but would make it easier to get them over. that way theyre anchored to the ground still, and no damage to the cambium. That seems to be how nature has done it down this beck of mine anyway

i would say slim but depends what it is. we have about 20 crack willow (salix fragilis) gone over into the beck near us and every one of them has sprouted up. However, theyve caused a flood issue where one didnt exist before so ive got my work cut out to remove them.

used also for felling on a slope

aaaaaand sooooo did IIIIIIII

Yeah sounds like an interesting read. Me too please

dont drink and drive

but I thought they said there wasnt a feedwheel jamming problem

the grove idea sounds good... what i might have to do is take a photograph of where it's going to go, because there might not be space for multiple trees. I picked the picea abies due to its supposed high success rate for transplanting, but if you guys think its still too risky??? Kev, yeah mate I see exactly where you're coming from with the time and effort thing, but tbh, Ive no problem at all spending whatever time this project requires as im sure you can appreciate. A 6foot root ball is no problem whatsoever. I may not have the nursery equipment but Im sure something can be done... I could always have a trial plant somewhere else?? In all honesty, my dad might not be happy at a load planted, and my uncle might only want the one, so I just want to do it right first time... but... If it didnt take very well... Id happily nip out and get a sneaky replacement in there quick sharp Thankyou all so much for all your advice thus far. Please dont think that im snubbing any of it at all, I just might not be in a position to follow every bit of it. This project means a lot to me, I just want to get it right first time

how much of a rootball do I need on a 15-18 footer? I do like the heavy standard idea. It certainly makes sense. I agree, the Abies Procera is a beautiful tree. Cost does come into it as a consideration unfortunately. I notice it likes a heavier soil also which this is not, how much difference that would make, I am not sure. Let's say for argument's sake I go with picea albies, which IMO is far from ugly anyway, and lets say on this plantation, I find a suitable specimen of 15-18ft height, What work do I need to do to prepare a rootball, and what time frame? my mentioning of 40ft was merely designed to illustrate that I have at my disposal big enough gear to move a decent sized specimen a reasonably short distance. It's a farm I live on.

Morning guys Thus far, as you all know, Ive been learning to tree climb off my own back. So far, Entering the canopy: fine, descending: fine, moving up and down and round within the canopy: fine, moving laterally.... nicht so gut Problem is, I dont know what im missing. I looked in the tree climber's companion, very little to nothing on the art of limb walking. I was climbing a beech yesterday, and today my shins are plenty bruised from slipping off the branch all the time and swinging back into the main stem. This is probably going to sound really stupid to you all, I know im supposed to do something with my lanyard, but what? do i sling it under the limb im walking on? Im at a loss Trouble with working part time, is I get little time to actually talk about it with the climber ive been working with, Ive ordered the fundamentals of general tree work (wallet says ouch) in the hope that it has more information for me, but please please post your tips and tricks, 411s, basic how to's, anything thanks guys Jim

hi guys My aunt died about a month and a half ago and since she loved christmas so much, my uncle has requested we plant a 'christmas tree' by our lake where we are going to put the ashes. this can be any time between now and christmas dependant on ideal planting time. with it being a memorial tree, and ideally one of some great impact, on its merit of its suitability to be transplanted, I have so far selected the traditional christmas tree, Norway Spruce, picea albies. My question to you guys, is where to get a particularly large specimen from. There are a couple of suitable plantations nearby from which I may be able to acquire one if theyre big enough. Transporting a large tree, up to 40+ft would be no problem but I cant see me finding anything above 15-18. In preparation for transplanting, Is it correct that I would have to begin root pruning and wrapping the root ball some months before to increase viability? Any input you can give me is much appreciated. This has to be done well, fairly well drained sandy soil by the way.

cool. I await its arrival in the post with great anticipation then!

I wondered what would be in the next issue, I dont have this one yet...should I?