ukminch

I think that this is a classic example of where the TPO is working effectively. A nice specimen tree addidng value to it's surroundings. Most trees of this nature do have TPO's on in my experience but I had a couple of oaks on a site nr reading that didn't. Maybe a way of suggesting a tree could be suitable for a tpo form would be a good idea. But on the whole more legislation needs to be considered as it can easily become a nightmare. R

To that tree if I was asked to that then yes I probably would. I'm here to make money. However if the spec was can you make it a 1/3rd smaller I'd have done it a lot differently... But we don't know the full facts On a 600year old oak, I'd like to think I'd have a concience. Every job is different, we can only advise. What is a bad job to someone is a good job to someone else. The only other factor that would influence me would be other work in the area, but at the end of the day jo public wouldn't know that was bad most of the time......... R

Not what I'd have done, but I'm always wary of slagging of others work when we don't know what was asked of them. If that's what the customer wanted (unlikely in this case as if they wanted it pollarded they would have probably have gone lower?) then they've carried out the job to spec....

No thats fine, I like to know if I'm wrong. As you know I used to sub all my treework out as Grounds Maintenance was my thing. Accordingly there was no grey area as I didn't do tree work so it was a definite sub contract. I then went out and did ground tickets and got a chipper etc and any ground level felling or ground level crown lifts I did myself, and got rid of all the stuff. I then had a big row of poplars to be re-topped (should I admit to that......). I got a firm I'd used before to come in and drop them then I did the clean up once it was all on the ground. Bit greyer but I reckon that was still a subbie job? Now I get a climber in when I need it. Normally under my companies insurance, however one of them that I use for more complex dismantles advertises that he comes with his own insurance and lowering kit. As an employer you wouldn't expect people to use there own kit normally so I'd reckon that this is again a subbie job. He will also come and look at the job and give me a price to get all the material safely on the ground, so if it time is not a factor if it takes a day or 2 days I pay the same price. He doesn't get a day rate, would this make a difference? Might be wrong but when I've spoken to my insurer (NFU) they didn't have a black and white answer either. The way they explained it was that they'd expect me to have risk assesments, method statements, copies of qualifications and insurance off subbies and they'd expect me to be doing the above for employees. As for the price example I think thats a bit or a red herring. As when I wasn't doing any tree work I would regularly charge £500-1000 a day and only pay out £250-500 to the subbie. What your saying makes sense to me which is why I do have employers liabilty insurance and 95% of the time I am definitely an employer wrt insurance. When I have my climber in for the day I think he's covered by his own, it specifically states contract climber on the policy. At the end of the day if he's not then mine would cover him anyway that way I don't end up in the poo. I'm not in anyway trying to shirk my responsibilities but I am keen to limit my risk. I guess the only way I'll ever know for sure is if something happens and I get sued and my insurance company deals with his insurance company. Not to mention he's expensive anyway so for most stuff I use cheaper people anyway which are covered by me as they don't have insurance. R

I'd disagree with you there Rupe, or maybe it's just down to how it's phrased. I often get people in to climb for me as my climbing is slow and needs work (catch 22) Most of the time they are covered by my employers liability insurance. However on occassions I have subbed out the 'dismantling' of the tree to a 'climber' this has been confirmed before work started, accordingly they needed their own insurance in case anything went wrong. This would surely be bona fide sub contracting, as they are specifically contracted to do a certain job. Most of the time I'd agree someone with you needs to be convered by your employers/public liability. It would be interesting to see how a case would go. I believe that I'd be fully covered anyway as I do have employers and contractors liability. Agree with what you've said about the council though, the only way I'd have thought he should need insurance is if he's just providing a demo, ie not practical participation. R

Depends whether you were employed to do it or providing a sub contract service to them. It's a grey area IMO but they've made it black and white by telling you that they expect you to be insured. I'd just either get them to accept the liability or charge them the extra. It's a bit like getting a climber in for the day. Some will come with insurance that you will pay extra for or some (most) expect to use your insurance. R

Is that not the thingymegig oojit what ya macall it?

Or get some battery operated lights that you stick on the inside of the container. Thats what I've put in in one of my storage yards on the gate posts facing in. I just get out switch them on reverse in, turn them off. R

I live in a smoke control zone, hence my reluctance to put a fire in, but I'm sure your ok between 7pm and 7am or something like that anyway. Surely outside these hours u'd be using smoke free fuel................

No worries. It takes a big man to apologise. R

I'll have it off you!! Just get it cut into 8inch lengths nicely split deliver it to my yard in bags and I'll let you use my chipper on your brash. R

My mate used to do the commute to halfords in bury daily, used to be an hour on a good run, or about an hour and a half in traffic, if thats any help?

I love them apples, especially when mixed to make cider!! Skyhucks little comment on his profile is very applicable: This is only my opinion, it only has the weight YOU give it Unfortunately I can't give your opinion much weight at all especially given a previous post: College Help. Views: 369 Posted By gmanntpo Re: College Help. Good advice from Fluffy Bunny... It is not acceptable to slag fellow professionals on line, be they educators, arborists etc. But we live in a free country and your just as entitled to your opinion as I am. It would be boring if we all agreed!!! R

Yep that's fair enough a rant can make us all feel better. I just find that more and more people are blaming others for their lack of work, and it bugs me. I'm quiet but it's because I like to make a good living. The jobs I do I earn good money on. I don't pretend to be anything I'm not and if the competition can do it cheaper that I want to fair play to them. Every job that I've done in the past on the grounds side is still being done, but I chose not to do it for the price that someone is doing it. Am I charging to much - I don't think so. Is the competition to cheap, who knows if they are they'll be sleepless not me. I'll be out kayaking whilst their working!! R R

Sorry that could have come across wrong. It's a fair price for what it is but unfortunately I'm looking for something with a longer stoke. Hence to me it's not worth that much as it would be to big a compromise for what I want to do with it. R

I'm guessing it depends on how much you know already. If you've been in the game a while and learnt from a good climber then you in theory could just do the assessment. However one day might just give you the polish for assessment. If you've never tied a prussik before in your life you ain't gona learn it in a day. R

I could do but I can't see myself being at that house for more than the next 5 years which would be nearly break even given that my gas bill is under £400 a year. Although it would be nice the chiminea creates the same effect outside, for a lot less cash. A requirement of my next house will be a chimney as a priority though. R

Haven't got a woodburner in my house, but then again I haven't had to turn the heating on this year yet, probably will do soon though it's felt colder outside today!!! If only I had a chimney and didn't live in a smoke control zone! R

I'm afraid that that's more than I'd be looking to pay for a machine with that length of stroke. Sorry Rob

Keep death off the roads - drive on the pavement!!!!!!!!!!!!1

I'll join him then, I missed it because the thread because it hadn't been started when I got up. I was looking at the log splitter thread at 4 something this morning before my joyous trip down south............. R

Many thanks, I'm travelling down to Gloucester now, and back to Liverpool tomorrow evening so in theory could come and see you tomorrow eve. Will speak tuesday anyway. R

Can you confirm that it will split 1 metre lengths, as the website link says it is 57cm long, may be a slightly different model though. I'll ring you on tuesday if you haven't sold it by then to arrange coming down to see it. R

I quite like working on cherry, but then again probably because that's what I've done most of so it's what I'm good at and accordingly find easy. R

How much petrol does it use a day/hour or some guideline of consumption. How many ton is it, would I be right in assuming its hydraulic not belt driven? Rob