Sciadopitys

Hi, The ISA do a DVD set to accompany the book you mention. Its about £120, but worth viewing. Good look with CS41 mate.

Sorry!

Where is this guy based?

Count me in. I'll defo be there! I spent 3 years studying and working at RBG Kew, i miss the place! Some awesome trees!

I personally would love to get some experience at dismantling with cranes! Anyone know any good literature or official guidelines so i can do a bit of reading into whats involved?? Any info bout dismantling with cranes appreciated folks! I think we should start doing more work with cranes in the UK. When i was over in the States the guys i worked with were all experienced with cranes, wish i'd quizzed them more about it to be honest. I suppose the key is getting the slings in the correct position. Doesn't matter how bigger pieces you take if the crane and slings can handle it - but balance is surely the no. one issue?? Got my hands on a video called cranes in Arboriculture with Mark Chisholm, foot-locking guy from NJ - it showed some video footage but didn't really go into any details about how to work with them. How many of you guys are experienced with cranes? Ed

Very interesting! Do the screws you used have to be rated to be legally allowed in rigging? couldn't you have just tied a block to the side and ran ur rigging line thru that instead of over the top of the spur? Thanks for sharing - a half hour well spent mate! Ed

Anyone know of any advanced rigging courses? Here in UK or abroad

I've always used large Buckingham portawrap, but i am currently at a company who have the small copy you guys were talking about - i don't find it anywhere near as good as the Buckingham - it locks up very easily with light limbs its almost impossible to get the chunks to run! I find half wraps impossible to get too, it changes how the devise sits and the rope jumps off. Am i doing something wrong? Or am i just working with a cheap nasty copy? I have never has a problem with the Buckingham!

sorry misread the question - i was just on about tying the block on! sorry. I use a whoopie sling too for the portawrap!

Cow hitch or timber hitch (depending on tree girth and sling length) I worked with a couple of climbers who used to tie a clove hitch cos they claimed the bend radius was not as great as with the cow hitch and the timber hitch. They backed it up with 2 half-hiches like when ur rigging branches off. I could see their theory, but i found that the block slips down a bit too much after loading.

Hi, I have passed my CS41, along most of the others, and i have a fair few years experience! I have rigged some biggish stuff and i am fairly well educated when it comes to rigging (or so i think!) I wanna get better and improve my knowledge all of the time. Are there any advance rigging courses available in the UK? I am considering a flight to USA for a week or so and doing the Arbrmaster rigging course. Anyone any experience with these guys? A mate in USA told me they are pretty good and know their stuff? Any comments appreciated! Ed

I gotta get myself there!! I get fed up of messing around with 30ft. trees, i love em all, don't get me wrong, but i really would love a few years experience working in trees like that. i'll have to get a flight booked once i'm finished studying!!

What are you meaning by large tree removals? Just how big are we talking?

I studied there for 3 years! They have got some awesome trees! I really miss the place!

I am looking for a climbing job in the Hull / York area from the end of February! Anyone know of any?

The friction cord isn't really soft Steve! its about half way through its life i suppose - well worn in!

Drew B - does that one have a name or did you make it up?? I actually shortened my legs and tried it with the distel and a swabisch today - very, very short legs!!! Maybe too short, we'll see! That piece of friction cord is no use for a VT anymore its way too short!! Was in a small tree this afternoon and the distel and swabisch with really short legs seemed to be working really well for me! I'm up a giant cedar tomorrow so i'll see how it performs! I might get a thicker length of friction hitch cord for the VT, see if it does make a difference or not steve!! Does anyone out there prefer the distel or swabisch to the VT?? I just find the VT sometimes fails to grab the rope when i sit back - think i might stick with the distel or swabisch for a week or 2 - see how i feel! Cheers guys - glad i found this forum! Ed

I have just done the ISA Certified Arborist exam in New Jersey, USA. I didn't know there was a UK edition of the study book!! I used the American one, found it all very interested! Knew over half of it, just had to brush up on my fertilizers and pests and things like that! Enjoyed studying for the exam tho! Got 92% - Well chuffed! ;-)

I have always worn full chainsaw trousers and chainsaw boots when climbing in UK. I just moved to USA for 6 months last Septemebr for a change and to do some climbing over here. First thing i noticed was how slack the US laws are in comparison to UK. No steel toes even need to be worn when climbing and no chainsaw protective trousers either - most of the arborists i am working with have never even seen a pair! I have been dismantling trees on spikes with big saws wearing jeans and hiking boots! Its gonna seem strange having those chainsaw trousers on when i get back home! But i agree really - they should be worn! I think the US laws should be revised and follow in the footsteps of the british laws! Only exception i think should be in very, very hot weather. I have heard stories of arborists in Arizona and Australia wearing shorts whilst climbing. I must say i wouldn't like to be wearing chainsaw trosers in 45 degree heat!! What you guys think about the subject????? Ed

I wanna go tree camping in Oregon! You can climb a massive Douglas Fir and spend the day climbing around in the tree and then set up a hammock at 250ft. and sleep up there! They even send you breakfast up! costs about $500 tho. Check out this site folks!http://www.pacifictreeclimbing.com/ WHAT REALLY PISSED ME OFF WHEN I FOUND THIS COMPANY WAS THE FACT THAT I HAD DROVE A FEW MILES PAST THEIR HEADQUARTERS A FEW MONTHS PREVIOUS WITH A FELLOW ARBORIST AFTER FLYING OVER TO SEE THE REDWOODS!!! :-( I SUPPOSE IT JUST MEANS I HAVE TO GO BACK!!!! :-) Ed

Yep!!! I did my 30,31,38 and 39 there a few years ago! Hopefully something will turn up! :-(

Anyone know of any good tree firms in the York / Hull area that may need an Arborist? Everyone i have rung is not busy enough yet. I am returning to Yorkshire towards the end of Feb so i am looking for a job!!! Who are the big boys in this area? Its been a while since i lived up north, so any help appreciated!! Ed

I have been working over in Pennsylvania, USA since September and when i arrived it was still very hot temperatures of almost 30C and very very humid. I struggled with the humidity for the first few weeks and really had to take it easy cos i was totally wet through with sweat in about 15 mins. I was going through several t-shirts a day! I thought it would never cool down! BUT THEN IT DID!!!! :bawling:This week it got seriously cold! I arrived at work monday morning and it was -11C and a bit breezy! I had thermal trousers over my normal trousers, 2 t-shirts, 3 jumpers and a large jacket and 2 pairs of gloves! It made no difference!!! I froze my ass off up a white Oak all day, i could hardly feel my hands: tying knots was almost impossible!! The freezing cold just eat through every bit of clothing i had on! I was so bulky wearing all those clothes i felt like a fat American!!! and along with the low temperatures and numb fingers i was obviously a bit slow in the tree! What is the answer? Whats the best thermal underwear and gloves for the arborist? and any other clothing tips for these sorts of temperatures? What do guys in Sweden and Alaska wear? and how low do temperatures get before climbers go home and have a hot cup of hot chocolate? THANK GOD IT WARMED UP A BIT TODAY!! -3C THIS MORNING FELT LIKE HEAVEN!!! :-)

I do like the Blakes!!!!

I have no experience with cranes whatsoever! I would love to have the opportunity to learn more about dismantling trees with cranes. Does anyone know if there is any literature available specifically focusing on tree work. I have been told there is an ANSI standard here in USA with a few paragraphs on it but nothing too exciting! Surely there is some info on it somewhere?!?! Ed