Albedo

Blimey. Presumably 90k is your costs - so what does this mean - Do you have a fleet of Mogs or summat

If there is an argument in my thread the hit rate will be huge, especially involving me and hama, we both attract the car crash reaction. I reckon Hama was just expressing his view from his experience, which is what was asked for, and we all know they got more money than sense down south anyway. (not you hama, the customers)

Hama - Wikipedia didn't have facaltive strategy did you mean 'facultative' as in translation below: Symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixers are critical components of many terrestrial ecosystems. There is evidence that some N fixers fix N at the same rate regardless of environmental conditions (a strategy we call obligate), while others adjust N fixation to meet their needs (a strategy we call facultative). Although these strategies are likely to have qualitatively different impacts on their environment, the relative effectiveness and ecosystem-level impacts of each strategy have not been explored.

Another translation for those of us not fluent in Fungan - Wikipedia The rhizosphere is the narrow region of soil that is directly influenced by root secretions and associated soil microorganisms.[1] Soil which is not part of the rhizosphere is known as bulk soil. The rhizosphere contains many bacteria that feed on sloughed-off plant cells, termed rhizodeposition, and the proteins and sugars released by roots. Protozoa and nematodes that graze on bacteria are also more abundant in the rhizosphere. Thus, much of the nutrient cycling and disease suppression needed by plants occurs immediately adjacent to roots.[2]

Agree hugely with this statement Hama, I go to great pains to achieve this, and like the client to be there on the day too where possible. Keep meaning to buy a lazer pointer to aid in the explanation, quotation stage.

Excellent post mesterh, this thread probably is a bit screwed up! now you mention it, it is still doing the extra page thing, don't think your'e missing anything.

To answer the question I pick © something else – that something else being – nothing – in that % figures for reduction are of no use to me. The percentage thing may be given when, instructions have to be given on a job sheet for example, in this case it might be useful. For me doing domestic work I always look for what the tree offers in terms of making it smaller. As I work to a rule of thirds whereby the secondary branch being cut back to has to be a third of the size of the primary branch. I look for at least 2 such points along the limb being reduced, so that a feathered effect is achieved with no obvious large stubs. My aim is not to force a shape or size onto it, but to work in this way with what the tree offers, in terms of suitable places to reduce to. If the tree is not suitable you have the option of Reduction Via Thinning (RVT) whereby whole limbs are taken out, selecting the ones that are the longest, and leaving shorter ones thereby making the tree smaller (there is a bit more to RVT than this) The two above techniques can be combined. There are all sorts of possibilities for trees which have got away a bit:. With a euc you might do something ugly to it With a birch, you might fell and replant With a large mature specimen, you might offer light reduction or thinning, depends on the scenario. All the time you have to bear in mind that you are not overdoing it, in order to avoid sprouting. Species has to be born in mind too, If you don’t know from experience it’s a good idea to phone a friend so to speak and find out what the reaction is likely to be to what you want to do

Good post Tom. Although I've been in tree work 15 yrs, I've been on my own for 2, so I've only ever known the recession in terms of own business. Small does seem to be good at the moment. I have a good relationship with my competitors as I used to freelance for them. We work together on jobs I can't handle on my tod. And talking to them they seem to back up what your'e saying

I've been well confused by it, seems to say theres another page when there isn't actually one there, I spent ages trying to find skyhucks post in my thread, It was worth it inthe end tho skyhuck as always (not being sarcy)

Good point, I'm not busy all the time, if I was my % overheads would be, lower, unless I employed more help, got a bigger truck etc, then vice versa

top replies from everybody. I do domestic work close to home base like you jonathan. From some of my other posts you might get how small an operation I am. figure can include with or without wages, both are interesting (mesterh I think) I'm stuck on page 2 by the way, my computer wont turn to page 3 at the moment so maybe posting this will kick the but of my lap top into going there. having not read the posts past page 2 it seems that a lot of people are pointing out that it depends on loads of variables. Big or small? is a question that arises, and what you may have to start with, yard etc. Hopefully if I post this it will take me to page 3

This may be too private or personal for some. I'm just wondering what the normal overheads as % of turnover would be. There are all sorts of variables, but I'm just wondering what is the best we can do in this respect. I haven't bought any major gear for a year so am just running with no excessive costs and I work alone a lot. My overheads are 33.3% of turnover or 1/3 rd. So £77 in every Hundred is taxable profit. I am honed to the bone in terms of not investing in the business, due to a possible change of location in the near future, so I don't invest too much in it. Anyway just thought this might be an interesting one if its not too private. Perhaps generalisations from experience would protect privacy a bit.

I did a job a little while ago reducing an old pear. It was 3 pendulous trunks with cavity’s at the base. I got into two of them by using a ladder then tying in and doing them like individual trees. The third, I wasn’t too happy about it supporting my weight so I did it from the ladder, but still tied in with main line and strop. This was the only way IMO, and for this tree the safest way to do it. When the Tree Officer popped in to see how I was doing, I wasn’t embarrassed or anything at working off a ladder. It was a case of needs must. The job was for his daughter so I was expecting him and knew he would arrive just when I was working from the ladder. Who cares if you use a ladder or not, it’s a handy tool, that’s all. I always access trees with it as well, very rarely need to prusic up anything or throw a rope.

I wonder how many of you who are criticising Mozza for his post, actually deal with the public, taking calls and doing quotes. Or run a tree business. 2 points. (the first being reason enough on its own, to give the guy, a ‘see ya later’) 1) It is unreasonable for Mozza to be asked to give a price without seeing the job. I wouldn’t do it and no matter what the client said the other quote was £50 or £500, I would not comment without assessing it for myself. The client asked him if he could beat £50, over the phone without seeing the job. I would not be able to give an answer, doesn’t matter – “what if” , this or that – you have to see the job. 2) My costs for being a tree business are 1/3 of turnover and that’s low, you couldn’t do it with less gear than I do, smaller adverts etc. So the money on this at £50 is £33.50 for me (working alone) . Other tree surgeons I know of have overheads at over 60% of turnover so for them there’s about £20 on it at that price. So the criticisers here on the info available expect mozza to go find the address, park up, get the saw out, go fell an 80ft tree, and just leave it (Best case scenario). He’s got to beat the £50 quote so lets say he won the job sight unseen for £40. So 60% (assuming two people on site) of £40 is £24 leaving a profit of £16. Lets say all jobs were like this – How many would you have to do in a day to make two people a living wage? – I would suggest – Ten such jobs would give you £80 each.

zero .

Cheers target. I thought it might be a new bit of terminology out of merist wood or the like.

You could try Steve of Arboraid in Keri Keri he's always busy, if he doesn't need help he'll know who else to ask. I'll try to look up some sort of contact detail, but will have to have a think about that one. Nice central base too and near Paihia for weekends at the beach.

ere's owt as queer as Folk!!!

Targettrees - Whats a 'Cardinal Point' ? Just that I've never heard of it. My guess would be something like a suitable node to reduce to ?

Just add my tuppence. - A huge and always positive contribution to Arbtalk. Some very interesting threads too. Good on ya Short Wheel Base - Sorry mate , That's what your'e called in my world. Smiley

je sais pas!!! les ros bif sont trop cher!!!

How to calculate the amount of CO2 sequestered in a tree per year We at Trees for the Future estimate that our agroforestry trees, planted in tropical climates, will sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide at an average of 50 pounds of carbon dioxide per tree per year. The rate of carbon sequestration depends on the growth characteristics of the tree species, the conditions for growth where the tree is planted, and the density of the tree's wood. It is greatest in the younger stages of tree growth, between 20 to 50 years.1 Further complicating the issue is the fact that far less research has been done on tropical tree species as compared to temperate tree species. Nevertheless, we can roughly estimate the amount of CO2 sequestered in a given tree, and if we divide by the tree’s age, get a yearly sequestration rate. We got this process from two educational websites who had conceived it as a learning activity for their students. 2 This is the process: 1. Determine the total (green) weight of the tree. 2. Determine the dry weight of the tree. 3. Determine the weight of carbon in the tree. 4. Determine the weight of carbon dioxide sequestered in the tree 5. Determine the weight of CO2 sequestered in the tree per year Determine the total (green) weight of the tree Based on tree species in the Southeast United States, the algorithm to calculate the weight of a tree is: 3 W = Above-ground weight of the tree in pounds D = Diameter of the trunk in inches H = Height of the tree in feet For trees with D < 11: W = 0.25D2H For trees with D >= 11: W = 0.15D2H Depending on the species, the coefficient (e.g. 0.25) could change, and the variables D2 and H could be raised to exponents just above or below 1. However, these two equations could be seen as an “average” of all the species’ equations. The root system weighs about 20% as much as the above-ground weight of the tree. Therefore, to determine the total green weight of the tree, multiply the above-ground weight of the tree by 120%. Determine the dry weight of the tree This is based on an extension publication from the University of Nebraska.4 This publication has a table with average weights for one cord of wood for different temperate tree species. Taking all species in the table into account, the average tree is 72.5% dry matter and 27.5% moisture. Therefore, to determine the dry weight of the tree, multiply the weight of the tree by 72.5%. Determine the weight of carbon in the tree The average carbon content is generally 50% of the tree’s total volume.5 Therefore, to determine the weight of carbon in the tree, multiply the dry weight of the tree by 50%. Determine the weight of carbon dioxide sequestered in the tree CO2 is composed of one molecule of Carbon and 2 molecules of Oxygen. The atomic weight of Carbon is 12.001115. The atomic weight of Oxygen is 15.9994. The weight of CO2 is C+2*O=43.999915. The ratio of CO2 to C is 43.999915/12.001115=3.6663. Therefore, to determine the weight of carbon dioxide sequestered in the tree, multiply the weight of carbon in the tree by 3.6663.6 Determine the weight of CO2 sequestered in the tree per year Divide the weight of carbon dioxide sequestered in the tree by the age of the tree. Et voila! EXAMPLES Estimated growth rates and sizes of agroforestry trees were taken from the World Agroforestry Centre’s “Agroforestree Database”7: Let’s see how much a Calliandra calothyrsus might sequester in a year. A 10-year-old Calliandra would probably grow about 15 feet tall with a trunk about 8 inches in diameter. Therefore: W = 0.25D2H = 0.25(82)(15) = 240 lbs. green weight above ground. 240 lbs. * 120% = 288 lbs. green weight (roots included) 288 lbs. * 72.5% = 208.8 lbs. dry weight 208.8 lbs. * 50% = 104.4 lbs. carbon 104.4 lbs * 3.6663 = 382.8 lbs. CO2 sequestered 382.8 lbs / 10 years = 38.3 lbs. CO2 sequestered per year Or consider a 10-year-old Grevillia robusta, 45 feet tall with a trunk 6 inches in diameter. Using the same calculations as above, the amount of CO2 sequestered would be 64.6 lbs. per year. Or a newly-planted Acacia angustissima, 2.5 years old, 15 feet tall with a trunk 3 inches in diameter: 21.5 lbs. of CO2 sequestered per year. Or an Albizzia lebbek, 15 years old, 30 feet tall, with a 12 inch trunk: 68.9 lbs. of CO2 sequestered per year. Other methods Another way to estimate the amount of CO2 sequestered by a tree in a year is to estimate the amount sequestered in a hectare per year, and divide that amount by the number of trees per hectare. Scanning around on the Internet, it seems that the number of trees per hectare (in agroforestry and/or industrial plantations) ranges from under 500 to over 2,000. According to Myers and Goreau, tropical tree plantations of pine and eucalyptus can sequester an average of 10 tons of carbon per hectare per year. 8 Therefore, the plantation can sequester an average of 20,000 lbs * 3.6663 = 73,326 lbs CO2/ha/year, or, taking an average of 1,000 trees per hectare, 73.326 lbs CO2/tree/year. Of course, we heavily discourage the planting of pine and/or eucalyptus in our agroforestry systems. Our trees may not grow as fast or as straight as eucalyptus, but they are not invasive, and they do not destroy the water table and the soil!

Translation Conidium - Wikipedia Conidia, sometimes termed conidiospores,[citation needed] are asexual,[1] non-motile spores of a fungus; they are also called mitospores due to the way they are generated through the cellular process of mitosis. They are haploid cells genetically identical to the haploid parent, can develop into a new organism if conditions are favorable, and serve in biological dispersal. Asexual reproduction in Ascomycetes (the Phylum Ascomycota) is by the formation of conidia, which are borne on specialized stalks called conidiophores. The morphology of these specialized conidiophores is often distinctive of a specific species and can therefore be used in identification of the species. The terms "microconidia" and "macroconidia" are sometimes used.[2]

Absolutely right, better now than later!! In the cycle of a tree surgeons life - college, work for someone else, freelance, own business, SWB i.e wind it down or diversify. I'm at the own business stage comeing up 2 yrs. I've never had such a shock in my life as what its like dealing with the public. You only really hit this wall at the own business stage as at all the previous stages, your'e protected by somebody else having that responsibility. I blow them out at initial phone call stage if they do things like insist on a price without me seeing the job, or a number of other pointers I use to warn me of the 'cowboy customer'. Whether you inform the TO or not is your decision, but your well out of it mate.

I'm not even trying to identify your fungus hamad, but after my wordy, 1st post, which was a bit of fun, I started looking up some of the words I didn't know and just thought that it wouldn't hurt to cut and paste, said definitions. Usually if one person doesn't know something, there's also someone else who would like to know. So I have hijacked your thread a little bit, but I hope in a helpful way to others.