Mark Bolam

Just go to a different company.

He won’t talk about it Rich. He’s clearly fukked it already!

Branches like that have existed since throwbags were invented. The crotch above will be sound as well. I’m all in favour of you wanting to learn John, but it sounds like you’re doing it alone, from the internet. If it goes wrong at 40’ with no internet access you’ll be in a very bad place. I’m sure plenty of young climbers on here would be willing to teach you ten times what you already know on a Saturday morning for £100.

The TPO system is definitely flawed. I’m a big fan of it for protecting really nice trees, especially mature ones, privately owned or not. Where it falls down for me is in two situations in particular. Applied to really skanky trees. I’ve seen TPO’s applied to pollarded birches that are more rot than wood. (I’m not directly accusing you here @Mick Dempsey!) Applied to a nice semi mature oak, say, as they have granted planning permission to build a house right beside it. It’s obvious to anyone that the tree will have to be increasingly mullered as time goes on. Either refuse planning or don’t TPO the tree! I’m also a bit sick of being asked for the ‘arboricultural justification’ for work on TPO’d trees. There usually isn’t one. If I’ve stated in the app I would like to remove a limb that is crushing Mr. Smiths shed it’s to help him, not the tree. I’m not qualified to provide arb reports, although the last one I saw recommended taking 2m off some 25m pops to ‘reduce sail area’, so maybe that’s a good thing.

I appreciate your thinking, but think you’d have a hard time convincing HMRC that being fit, strong and healthy is purely a business benefit, without any benefits to your private life outside work. I spend most of my downtime beating off gorgeous honeys with a shitty stick because of my honed physique. It’s a real struggle.

FWIW I’d be happy banging a line through that union you’ve circled. As you ascend all the force will be straight down the main stem. As RC has said, try and use the main stem as an anchor, rather than a side limb. Have you got a cambium saver yet?

Cut and chuck with a pole saw is a rare skill.

You could have completed the application in the time it takes to read this thread. It’s not difficult. I can do it.

It’s strike, not light.

Refer to page 2 you dullard!

I’m piss sick of the 70mph limit on motorways. How do I have it removed, just for me?

You seem to be confusing your problem with your neighbours problem. If he wants the branches cut back, fine. The tree is protected, you go through a process which takes a few weeks. Branches don’t grow much in a few weeks.

Kirklands in Stoke are worth a call mate.

I don’t like to overthink it really mate. Big piece = chunky anchor point and big rope.

Because there is twice the force on the pulley, the weight of the branch and the equal force on the rope required to hold it.

Hopefully you’ll do better on the fells mate.

Not at all Mick. You should feel proud that you managed to reach them with that ladder.

100%!

You lot are so naive.

Ha! It’s a work in progress! Defo get some padding on there Tim, they can be feisty little things can’t they?!!!

You can never be too safe mate.

Didn’t know that mate. Break out the Tirfor then!

We’ve had good results just caking the stumps with rock salt.

I have padding on my sides as well these days Tim.

I’ve got the grab, but need the grapple bucket as well! That’s a cracking price. IMG_7043.MOV