Andy Clark

Was in Scouts during the 87 gales, and went and helped out at our local campsite clearing up all the tree damage. Thought "wow, this is soooooo cool! I could do this for a job!".

18 years down the line and still going strong.

Even writing tree safety guidance notes for the UK Scout association now.

I've added an attachment that may be of some use......

It's worded as a bit of a sales pitch, as I was trying to get the procurement dept. on board, but don't let that put you off.

It'll take 8 cubic/m of chip without overloading, and STILL tow 3000kg.....

All for similar price to a new 3.5 tonner!

Arb Crew Vehicle.doc

I'm guessing by the topic and context of this thread, that no one operates to (or has perhaps even read!) ENA ETR-136??

"What this means is huge increases in cost for the tree owner so most tpo trees will get left for years and years untill there in dire condition."

Awesome!!! Then you can just crack it out under D,D,D exemption, and not have to worry about it. WOO HOOO.

I hate to say it Gents, but the new planning regs come into effect as of today (1st October 2008)

Yes, there's some good points.... standardised application forms and the centralised use of Planning Portal etc, But the bad points are possibly going to make life very very difficult.

See extract below, with regards to the level of supporting documentary evidence that will be required......

Condition of tree(s) – The presence and impact of pests, diseases or fungi that require work to be carried out to the tree(s) should be described in written evidence or diagnostic information from an arboriculturist or other appropriate expert. Arboricultural evidence must be provided to support applications that suggest the tree has defects that may be of concern to the current or future safe retention of the tree or parts of the tree.

Subsidence - Reports will usually be provided by a structural engineer and/or a chartered surveyor and be supported by technical analysis from other experts e.g. for root and soil analysis. These reports must include the following information:

• A description of the property, including a description of the damage and the crack pattern, the date that the damage first occurred/was noted, details of any previous underpinning or building work, the geological strata for the site identified from the geological map

• Details of vegetation in the vicinity and its management since discovery of the damage. Include a plan showing the vegetation and affected building

• Measurement of the extent and distribution of vertical movement using level monitoring Where level monitoring is not possible, state why and provide crack-monitoring data. Data provided must be sufficient to show a pattern of movement consistent with the presence of the implicated tree(s)

• A profile of a trial/bore hole dug to identify foundation type and depth and soil characteristics

•The sub-soil characteristics including soil type (particularly that on which the foundations rest), liquid limit, plastic limit and plasticity index

• The location and identification of roots found. Where identification is inconclusive, DNA testing should be carried out

• Proposals and estimated costs of options to repair the damage

In addition, you must include a report from an arboriculturist to support the tree work proposals, including arboricultural options for avoidance or remediation of indirect tree-related damage.

Other structural damage - Technical evidence in respect of other structural damage (e.g. garden walls, drains, paving, drive surfaces) should be provided by a relevant engineer, building/drainage surveyor or other appropriate expert.

...cut back to me plus one man and have never looked back!

See, that's another good point raised, right there... How many men in a gang??

Spending money and running a business, doesn't just revolve around the shiney kit, but also the people on the ground.

9 times out of 10, there's only one climber, but do you send 2 groundsmen, or one?

Are two groundsmen gonna clear up twice as quick, or just work half as hard... thereby taking the same time as just the one??

Ah...... the magic word...... Profit.

Surely that answers the "Business man or Arborist" question then?

Surely if you love the job enough, and are prepared for the hard graft that goes with it, you don't need all the gadgets/gizmos/big boys toys???

Admitedly, they're as cool as a polar bear wearing sunglasses, but at the end of the day, what's cheaper to run.... a grab lorry or a groundsman with big arms???

We've had some involvement within the consultation for this, and i think i kinda get the gist of what they're trying to do....

From what i understand, it's trying to put more of an emphasis on the techniques used, rather than just defining the cuts, shape, balance.. blah blah blah...

Theoretically meaning that working to BS:3998 not only means that you prune trees to a specifically defined standard, but that the work is also carried out in a specifically defined manor, in a vain attempt to stop pikeys saying that they do work to BS:3998, and then climbing in jeans and with an old shoelace for a climbing line.

I admire what they're trying to achieve, but not so sure that this is the right way of doing it.

Does anyone know of anyone at all who has this??

It would appear to be the holy grail of NPTC Units, and as rare as rocking horse sh!te.

Dudes, I hate to say it, but this has been around for ages!

It's more to do with the work at height regs, (saying that helmets must be fitted with a 3 point fastening system) but AFAG are only just getting round to making it compulsory.

Most companies have been issuing their climbers with Petzl type helmets for about two years or so now.