Andy Clark

The thing is peeps, is that this sort of thing has been talked about for yeeeeeeeeeeeears. Take John Flannigans article for example....... May 2007! Two and a half years ago now, and there have been many people that have been advocates of an amenity based "tree commission" ever since....... RFS Chartered Arb status for example, is a veritable leap in the right direction. But like Hamadryad has already put, "What do the FC have to gain?" In short, sweet FA! Forestry is a commercial enterprise, where trees are "farmed" as a product for a source of revenue. Amenity (put simply) is spending money on trees, based on the principle and ethos of "doing the right thing". Commercially, as much as we all hate to admit it, the biggest driving factor in modern arboriculture is investing in amenity works in order to either mitigate against liability......... mainly from a nuisance/H&S/subsidence/utility etc position, or in order to appease planning constraints in relation to urban development. And that's what Amenity Arboriculture is.... an investment! Using that to go back to Tonys original industry split between person a or b thing, I think in reality it's more a case of either a) you are someone that does this job in order to do the right thing yourself, or b) you are someone that makes money off the back of other peoples need to do the right thing. And I hate to say it peeps, but I think that split goes right to the top.

This probably sounds daft and counter-intuitive, but keep your eyes peeled in you local TK-Maxx........ Last year I picked up a pair of these Mt. Pride GTX Men - Men's Footwear - Mammut from TK-Maxx in Hereford, for 55 quid........ they normally retail around the £120-£150 mark. Admittedly, mine are the old Raichle version (same as the pic below - before Mammut bought them out), but I can safely say they are the best pair of boots I have ever worn, and if you can find yourself a cheap pair then I would highly recommend them.

Something that i'd like to throw into the mix about now, and expanding on Tonys original side A or side B synopsis....... how do people feel about the industry from a "direction" perspective? Are we happy with what it has become, over the past 20+ years?? Are we happy with what it is likely to become, over the next 20+ years??

Josh, but there was talk a while back about cross accreditation...... i.e, if you have one, you are auto accredited with the other. I think it was to do with the similarities between the course content and learning outcomes, to the point that both were nigh on identical. Not sure if it's still applicable, as there was a lot of political hoo haa between the two organisations, but if you're serious about doing one or t'other, I'd definitely ask questions and find out if you can amalgamate.

There has been some very interesting and incisive comments made since my original post. Those that have kept an eye on the thread will be aware that I have posted several comments on the Hort week page, so i'll save you all the repetitiveness of posting them here too. For me, it is simple........ firstly, Nick Edens "You don't wanna do it like thaaaaaat, you wanna do it like this" (said in a rather Harry Enfield-esque voice) comments regarding the planting technique are factually wrong! Secondly, although the Beeb may not have consulted the Arb Assoc for guidance on planting, it certainly did consult numerous other substantially larger and more prominent (especially in the realms of tree planting) organisations. For example, NE goes on about the AA and it's 2,000 members....... well The Tree Council, the countries largest tree planting focussed charity organisation, quotes figures of some 8,000 volunteer Tree Wardens (yes, I am one). Add to that other organisations on the consultation list such as the Forestry Commission, Trees for Cities, and the The Woodland Trust, and I think it's fairly safe to say that the Beeb did their homework. Thirdly, there is purely and simply a "Right" and "Wrong" way of doing things....... "Criticising", is the WRONG way of educating people. All criticising is going to do, is discourage the beeb from wanting to cover the subject again. Finally, I think it is high time that the Arb Assoc realises that although yes it may well be the largest solely Arb focussed trade organisation in the Uk industry, it certainly doesn't represent or hold the majority voice of the industry itself. I mean, just look at the "shock and awe" they have quoted in relation to the recent AAAC consultation...... some 300 comments at the half way stage, despite the fact they only hold 40-50 something (if memory serves me well) contractors on their scheme! And by making such inaccurate and unfounded "criticisms" of organisations such as the Beeb, all the AA is doing is YET AGAIN making it harder for the rest of us, in the face of an already struggling marketplace.

Are you sure???? I mean, let's keep it in context of the programme...... It was a quick 2ish min intro into the basics. Based on that fact alone, I fail to see any need for him to even comment, let alone criticise. If it was intended in the vein of a full-on half hour special covering the finer intricacies of tree planting, then fine, add critique. But then make it founded and factual...... the ins and outs of compost choice, removing glazing from the hole, planting depth so as not to exceed the root collar, low stake vs high stake..... even go as far as to highlight the use of mycorrhiza to aid root establishment. Yes, perhaps the beeb should have more coverage and airtime on subjects such as this.... but if they get slammed for taking even a small step, then it's hardly gonna be a hot topic that they're going to want to cover again. But even then, if they did, wouldn't they talk to the U.ks largest tree planting organisation, The Tree Council, and it's 8,000 Tree Wardens?

Yorkshireman sent me this link this morning...... Arboricultural Association criticises BBC Autumnwatch for poor tree planting | Horticulture Week I was fuming after I read it, and have already added my comments to the page. What does everyone else think??

Found this...... 'We also accept responsibility for loss or damage to your physical property arising from our negligence. We will pay up to £1 million in any 12-month period for this loss or damage.' on here...... BT.com | Personal | Terms & Conditions Now, to my way of thinking, as they are the owners of the cables/equipment etc, is it not their duty to maintain their own property?? And if being negligent in doing so, means that you face financial loss......... See where i'm going with this??

Anyone interested in having their say regarding the Lantra Qualification and Credit Framework units for Trees and Timber, should do so at......... Lantra - Review of QCF units - trees and timber Chop chop though folks..... consultation closes on the 24th Dec.

Congrats chap...... not bad for an early xmas prezzie! May your sleepless nights be few and far between.

Tom.... Mr H..... SHUUUUSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH........ you'll blow my cover.

Not sure how many of you are aware, but as a Tree Warden i thought it wise to note that today is the start of the Tree Councils "National Tree Week" campaign. As an explanation guide to what National Tree Week entails, the following extract is taken from the Tree Council website. 'First mounted in 1975, National Tree Week is UK's largest tree celebration annually launching the start of the winter tree planting season. National Tree Week is a great chance for communities to do something positive for their local treescape. Each year, Tree Council member organisations such as voluntary bodies and local authorities, up to 200 schools and community groups, our 8,000 Tree Wardens and many others, support the initiative by setting up fun, worthwhile and accessible events, inspiring upward of a quarter of a million people to get their hands dirty and together plant around million trees. Do you want to be part of this great collective achievement? Please go to the events list to find out about the kind of activities taking place in your area. If you're interested in organising your own event, read further to get some useful tips on how to organise successful tree planting activities and to register your event, so that other people can come and join you!' Remember folks, it's not all about chainsaws, big trucks and shiney climbing gadjets....... if we don't also promote planting, then we'll soon be out of a job.

Kev, Will you be accepting "rock up on the day" participants?

THOMAS!!!! Don't you bloody dare! Well, not unless you can blag jim to buy them through the Hort dept. budget!.

You'd have thought so. Trouble is, the way our stupid legal system works, if that was over here you'd probably find the Arbs getting held liable for employing the crane company. If you compare it to this as a model....... On 8 January 2003 in Leamington Spa Magistrates' Court, a building and property development firm pleaded guilty to a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSW Act), Section 3(2). P and B Carpentry and Builders (trading as B and B Homes) was fined £2,000, plus £664 costs, for failing to check the tree surgeon involved was competent to carry out the operation in question. The tree surgeon felled a large branch from a 20-metre poplar tree in an uncontrolled manner. It fell across a neighbouring garden demolishing a fence panel. The neighbour had been in the garden just half an hour earlier, playing with her 20-month-old child. No warnings had been given to keep children or pets inside. ........ just swap it round an put the relevant people in the relevant places.

There you go then Littlearb, the man in the know confirms it......... The extra price is indeed just for the Stihl logo.

Pretty much. Although not sure if you can get the standard Vertex in orange, so i think that comes into it too...... almost as if it's a Ltd. edition helmet.

Mr H, I picked one of these up outta Tescos a while back........ Acer TravelMate 2303WLMi - Review - Overall pretty good 6 years later, and the 'ole girl is still going strong! Never having cost me another penny to repair or upgrade. I'd probably call it the "Land rover" of laptops....... it ain't pretty, it ain't overly fast, it doesn't have huuuuuuuge amounts features....... but for 350 ish quid, and with a bit of sensible use (like not filling it up with music or photos) it'll go most places and do most things. IMO, a great and reliable all rounder.

ISA Member here.... Worldwide and UK&I chapter. IMO i don't think the ISA have as much of a political agenda that the AA do.... the ISA tends to be more focused on learning and knowledge progression, rather than enforcing hoop jumping. The books are good..... even though most of them are USA sourced, considering that the size of the org is on a global scale rather just UK based, they're a better indication and guide as to what the rest of the world is doing. Discounts scheme is good also...... my personal favourite being, Cotswold Camping

Do you mean the orange Petzl vertex helmet, branded up with the stihl logo?? It's just an orange Petzl Vertex helmet, branded up with the Stihl logo. If you do get a Petzl, go for the Husky muffs and visor....... soooooooo much better than the peltor/stihl ones.

Try someone like A-plant or Chevron...... they'll come out and deal with the whole shooting match of all the signing lighting and guarding, which means you won't have to worry about it. Trouble is they'll probably charge you iro £750-1,000 per day! Failing that, have a chat with your local highway authority, and see what they suggest. If the highways contract is outsourced to someone like Amey etc, then they'll probably have their own teams in-house.

This one's probably been on before, and is most definately a bit grim (feel free to remove it stevie, if it's too OTT) Loose_fitting_harness[2].pdf

Nope.... i'm pretty sure he's not a Stihl salesman........

You gotta feel sorry for the kit owner...... But god, I bet that was god fun! Heard a story once about a disgruntled employee over here........ Bloke heard through the company grapevine that the boss was looking to lay him off at the end of the week, under some sort of "dubious" short notice circumstances.... Rather than go in at the end of the week, he books himself a last minute holiday....parked the company car in the SHORT STAY car park at Gatwick/Heathrow (can't remember which one)..... and disappears off abroad. Rang the boss when he returned, and kindly informed him where his car was..... Boss retrieves car, only to be faced with paying the EXTORTIONATE parking costs. Priceless.