conkers

Hamdryad, I agree that there is a large difference in species to adapt and survive. I have seen many trees heavily pruned by others and watched them over the years. Many are felled, many we have to re- prune to stop over weighted limbs fail on decay pockets. This has mainly been on Sycamore but also on other trees. My point that our industry is all over the place is obvious. If a client asked an opinion from five experienced arbs on how to reduce their tree, they would get five well qualified responses. This would not be the same in other circles especially where safety plays such a key part. You have your opinion on reductions but in my local towns I see dead, dying mutilated, compacted trees and healthy veterans in untouched woodlands, ignored by tree gangs. I have alot to learn as most do, so for now I will take em down if they are dangerous and treat with a light touch if they are not.

Hamdryad, It is good to see live debate on tree care. One thing I am learning is that Arb on the whole is all over the place. There are very few Arborists who agree on the same action for any given tree issue. I personally think some of your reductions are too hard, not including reductions made in the interest of retention versus decay etc... Some of the pictures here show complete defoliation in mid summer. I am not saying you are wrong and I am right here but it is too early to give a verdict on the long term effects of what we are doing to our urban trees. Will we know in our lifetime? Topping and Lopping shows dysfunction very quickly. For reductions below 35% we may have to wait longer. For most reductions, ie not for safety reasons we always advocate a much softer reduction, and revisiting the tree three or four years later. We work around large trees quickly and carefully so not charging the client silly money. Skyhuck- you can't sell a heavy reduction on value for money, if the client has to remove the tree in a few years due to snappers.... can you??

Hamdryad, It is good to see live debate on tree care. One thing I am learning is that Arb on the whole is all over the place. There are very few Arborists who agree on the same action for any given tree issue. I personally think some of your reductions are too hard, not including reductions made in the interest of retention versus decay etc... Some of the pictures here show complete defoliation in mid summer. I am not saying you are wrong and I am right here but it is too early to give a verdict on the long term effects of what we are doing to our urban trees. Will we know in our lifetime? Topping and Lopping shows dysfunction very quickly. For reductions below 35% we may have to wait longer. For most reductions, ie not for safety reasons we always advocate a much softer reduction, and revisiting the tree three or four years later. We work around large trees quickly and carefully so not charging the client silly money. Skyhuck- you can't sell a heavy reduction on value for money, if the client has to remove the tree in a few years due to snappers.... can you??

Hello, Does anyone know where to buy 130 crew cabs, tipper or Hicap at reasonable prices? The only place I can find so far is the defender centre in the Midlands. Looking for a 200-300 tdi or Td5. Also why are defenders so expensive??? I used to have one a couple of years ago and it was ok but nothing special. Just need something 4x4 with a chip box. £15k for a 12 year old truck with no service history:confused1: Cheers

Hi. Has enyone used Stein Explorer boots? I have had mine about 4 months and the sole has started splitting in the arch and is now letting water in. The stitching around the toe is starting to fail and the areas on the top of the boot is now letting water in. I sent them back when the sole started to crack but the suppliers sent them to the manufacturer who have said there is no problem. I have had to stuff the cracks with superglue now, I guess invalidating any gurantee but desperate measures and all that. Just wondering if others had problems or is it just one bad example. Really hoping this does not get moderated as I would appreciate any feedback.

We have a 58 plate. Awsome power, turning circle and load carrying. I think they forgot to add comfort and space in the cab, aithough there is a wide cab option. The bouncy ride is unreal. Any uneven road surface at over 25mph will see everything not tied down on the floor or driver. For extra comedy value try putting things in the overhead compartments and see how long they stay there, could be dangerous to the unwary driver. Had three recalls, free fix but still truck off road- and talking of off road the Grafter will get stuck on a wet tarmac road unladen with a moderate incline. I am not joking. O and lumpy gear change but ok when you get used to it. If I had to choose again I would get a transit or Iveco but I would really miss the turning circle.

Can anybody recommend a lightweight waterproof for climbing. One that actually stays waterproof for more than a day! Bought one fairly recently, a well known brand to tree climbers and I have proofed it twice. Still not up to the job. High viz prefered. Cheers

Just to say.... Nationwide sent there 35m truck mount today and the operator came with a can do attitude. Really tight access, real nightmare to get the wagon in and out. Told him the tree is totally knackered and that the risk assesment/ method statement does not make for nice reading. He just got us up there and got the job done. Totally different to the first guy who just did not want to do it and made up the first excuse that poped into his head. All went smoothly.. bit scary looking at the bottom of the tree tho. About 20% holding wood on a 70-80ft Doug Fir with a full crown!

The issue with the IPAF ticket is irrelevent here because it is a HGV. I realise that tree work needs to legislate with training standards but each company has to see what type of work they do, ie we use this kind of platform once a year if that! On that basis I am not going to get HGV 1 AND ipaf when we can get these things as part of the hire. I think it is the responibilty of the hire company to inform the hirer of any recent changes to there policies and also list the basic requirements for hiring, like poviding a screen. Some companies do and some don't. Are we supposed to guess? Like I mentioned, they were told it was tree work to be carried out. Thanks Paul for clarifying the harness thing!

On this topic. How many people use their tree harness in the bucket? I think the guard is the way forward. I would rather not be worrying about over confident operators getting too close any way. Keep yer fingers!

Nationwide are not charging us for the day and have agreed to carry out the work on Thursday as long as we provide a screen. Have to say they have been good about it. I just wish it was common knowledge that the changes had been made!

That seems like common sense. Too late now but I may suggest it tomorrow when I try and get another. Cheers

Ta Peter, Just checked AFAG MEWP leaflet. Nothing there. Just mentioned operator should have first aid kit and hat with chinstrap etc...Not even a mention of chainsaw ppe.

Hi, We hired a 35m truck mount platform today. The operator turned up but declined to carry on as he was unable to operate the platform while I was in the 4 man basket using a chainsaw. Is this a new bit of general H&S or is it just Nationwide platforms. Anybody else has similar issues? By the way the company did know the nature of the work and did not ask if we had an IPAF ticket. Cheers:confused1: