Taupotreeman

Dunno about living the dream but certainly, being able to go out and shoot stuff like this after a hard day's tree work floats my boat. Fantastic way to unwind.

You'd want to hope that Mr Plogs doesn't want to comment on this thread otherwise you might have more issues than just grammatical ones Personally though, I can get past most of the basic mistakes. My biggest issue is still text talk. I've also noticed, especially on FB, that nearly every second word needs to be a swear word just, it seems, to make a point. Does my nut.

Adam, we're doing another road trip this time round. We found, as long as you stay clear of the bigger centres, travelling is cheap. Way cheaper than staying in hotels in the big cities. Plenty of good road side diners. Eating at restaurants is pricey due to the tipping but get the smaller diners, food carts etc. fuel is also way cheaper than in NZ but best of all; the Americans are polite and helpful and always keen to show off their country and have a yarn. We're already working in the next trip after this one and that's gonna be a cross country road trip.

Followed the thread all the way through and agree with many of the comments, including Sloth's last one. I'm the H&S officer for the Parks and Reserves division along with being arborist supervisor. If the guys aren't happy doing a job because they think it's unsafe then fair enough. If I can do the job or someone with more experience can do the job then that's no slight on my guys. That's just how things work. Same as my 2IC maybe being able to do a job that I might not be comfortable with. As far as a final written warning is concerned; I can't see that this would hold up anywhere unless there's a past history of the employees pulling this kind of thing on a regular basis in order to go home early/get out of a job/have an easy day. Even then you'd have a hard time proving it. Work safe, OSH et al will more often back the employee. I wouldn't be signing any warning until getting more advice. And there's a big difference between challenging yourself and doing something wholly unsafe.

I burn Eucalyptus regularly. Easy to come by in NZ as it's pretty much a weed. As people have said; split it green as it can be like concrete when it's dry although it varies from species to species. Generally burns hot and long and doesn't spit. Some stuff can be seasoned in six months but some is most definitely best after two years. We have some Red Gum at work and it's pretty much dry after dying stood and then being down for about 8 months. Had some big ass blue gum that I felled three years ago and I just finished the last off this year. Awesome wood. Stuck one lump on and it kept the fire cranking for a couple of hours at least. The bark on the thicker stuff doesn't always work well as kindling unless it's bone dry.

You're using the wrong MEWP then. I have no problems with the right tool but I'm happy to agree that sometimes climbing is the better option. I have a first class climber on staff and he does the bulk of the climbing work but when it come to MEWP work he hands it over to me. We also know when a MEWP a is the tool that's needed. Most of our work is climbing but we do find ourselves using platforms more because in a lot of cases we find them quicker. Depends on the job, tree, location, access etc. To write them off though is just dumb in my opinion.

Mendle airstreams first pick if they're just for climbing.

We average two to three Pin Oak crown lifts a day if we are climbing. 20-30m high with a similar spread. Most overhanging fences, roofs etc. we can run at about 12 average using a MEWP. Agree with most of the comments about having the experience to be able to use a MEWP to its a fullest potential.

I'd agree with Mario. Give yourself plenty of time in the area as there is heaps to do and explore. We spent the days in the forests and the evenings exploring the coast. Some beautiful little towns around if you stretch your legs a little, accommodation is good and cheap, plenty of eateries and the Redwoods are truly as spectacular as you think. Unfortunately I won't be back next year as I have decided to go to Yosemite, Kings and Sequoia as part of a road trip but I'll be back at some stage to do the Seattle-San Francisco Coast trip again, concentrating on the Redwoods mainly. Keep posting the fantastic photos Mario.

If I wasn't living it up in NZ I'd be in for this no question, sounds almost perfect for me.

Flu virus was doing the rounds here a couple of months ago. Short but sharp. Woke up one night felt like every bone in my body was going to break. Electric blanket on full blast plus duvet and a blanket and I was still cold. Couldn't move for three days, all of which I spent curled up on the floor in a ball. Then the headaches kicked in. Fortunately, no snotty nose or sore throat but took me about six weeks to fully regain my energy.

Aww man that sucks. Hope the insurance covered it Goaty. Don't get on to AT so much these days but I'll check back to see if you posted your photo.

Andrew is bang on. Norfolk Pines on Marine Parade. Another sunset from over the hill.

Napier sunset last weekend

What he said. And what an awesome place to work. Travelled a bit around the area and its stunning country.

Blackthorn vs knuckle = ganglion and surgery. Don't go too hard on the digging.

Got two pair of airstreams, one of which is six years old, and a pair of Stein phantoms for ground work which have actually turned out to be pretty good. Harder wearing soles than the airstreams but not as comfy but I'd still recommend them. Hard to go much past the airstreams for climbing though. Awesome boots.

Don't actually know. Had a couple of them here in NZ. Timbersaws used to supply them I think. They were just a neat little lightweight chipper; not as good as a bandit six I don't think but then they were nowhere near as expensive.

Used one here in NZ and it was a great little chipper. 6 inch but happier taking a little smaller although it would take 6. Never faltered, never failed, produces nice fine chip. I still see the same one being used a s back up to a 15 inch Morbark so obviously it hasn't been killed yet. Can't comment on spares in the UK though.

Eucalyptus, Douglas Fir, old man Pine, Oak, Cypress and Cedar. Nice mix.

It's usually the spines deeper into the palms that cause the aggro. It's mainly from bird and rat faeces that cause the infections. The spines punch the bacteria deep under the skin and the puncture wounds can get badly infected. If the spine breaks off in the wound they can move. Had a mate that had one work its way across his hand. No idea how.

Particularly like this shot Mario, very nice. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Same. Had a rat snake. Aggro old bugger. Picked it up to give it a bath one time and it headed down my shirt. I wasn't keen to try and get it out because it had an attitude but when it wormed its way down my pants (trousers) I had to call a stop so I pulled it out nice and gentle. Got it all the way out and then stupidly made a sudden movement. It nailed me three or four times before I knew what was happening. Snakes are set seriously quick if they're threatened. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Some great photos in there Tom. Looks like an awesome job to be involved in. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App

Mario might well help you out with directions or even a meet up but check out my thread; visiting redwoods. Mario has posted lots of good advice on there complete with photos, accommodation etc. if you're thinking of climbing though think again. It's very hard to get permission. Sent using Arbtalk Mobile App