Mark Bolam

Crown clean, de-ivy. Ash reductions are shite. Bring it on. Yawn.

My website is now up and running, so I have registered on Google Places so I will at least show up in the map the comes up when you Google 'tree work' in my area. The thing is, my entry doesn't show up on the map at all (it said it would take up to 24 hrs, this has been over a week). When I log into my Google account, it all appears in there ok, all details correct, says my status on maps/places is active, has the little pink pin on my street etc., but going through Google search I have disappeared. I'm baffled!

This is a great thread, but I'm off to bed now. Early start tomorrow. Got to go and sign on, get back in time for Jeremy Kyle, then knock a few log orders out for cash customers. Then off to the boozer. Brilliant!

Great stuff so far lads. Tractorboy, Rob is good mate, but having a rough week as his dog is on her last legs. Bit strange about that course wasn't it? I like the sound of being able to load the little Carlton on the Tranny. Ramps Stevie? With my guns?!!

I have been asked half a dozen times this week about stumpgrinding. The hire machines we have tried have been worse than useless, blunt teeth and very poorly maintained. On top of that, the hire charge adds too much to the price. My mate Rob Broadley in Thanet has a Predator, which is awesome, but I can't tie up that kind of cash. I'm thinking of a small machine which would take on stumps up to say, 24" diameter (probably 18" on hardwood). Portability and narrow access a must. I have seen a Carlton 900 for £2500, which is in the right ballpark financially. Any tips and advice on this or similar machines would be appreciated. For instance, would I need a plant trailer, or could 2 bears hump it onto the back of a Transit? Thanks.

You see the first fork? That's where I would have been stood. You must defy gravity Fi! Nice sensitive work.

You've had 4 pints and it's still only 6 o'clock....

Cheers Lorry. You should let them grow their hair a bit mate. Look quite hard with those skinheads you've given them! Good dress sense, mind....

F them and the horse they rode in on. My WCL is for waste (utter shite that I fly-tip or burn in primary school playgrounds at break time). Cord or chip is a product, and if anyone tries to make me sign any bollocks contract I will go all Raoul Moat on them.* * Disclaimer, this is meant to be taken in a certain spirit, and should in no way affect my status regarding my suitability to hold my firearms.

Trees and hedges aren't going to stop growing Dave. I bemoan the rise of the one man band until I realise I was one once! 2 of us now (+ dogs!). Depends what sector you are in, but keeping standards (and prices) high is the way forward. I'm not going to go into depth, because Stevie Blair will explain it all much better than I could any minute now.

260 nicked. Not all bad then.... Seriously, you all know my thoughts on theft. We're a pretty big community now on Arbtalk, and can surely help fight this kind of thing? The lead up to Christmas always seems particularly bad down here. Not buying nicked gear is a no-brainer. I'm no grass, but have no trouble talking to the feds if I think someones stolen kit is involved.

Ha ha. Mint one lads, and Steve and the mods can't moderate because they don't realise that Mackems are a protected species down south! (Not true, really. Stevie Bruce is a top lad, and I wouldn't want to see them go down or nowt!)

Class Rob. Although that's not cheap, mate. It's quick, but it's not cheap!

Bet that cost a few squid mate! Sorry Fi, couldn't resist! I actually enjoy de-ivying decent size trees, especially if you can bag a decent anchor first. You must be tempted to spike them!

I seriously thought about it with one mate, but the bill would have been about a grand per degree it went wrong, and I ain't got skills like you and Dadio! Besides, that would have meant we didn't do any stuntlowering!

Mint Mark. Love the avatar pic!

Remind me never to challenge you to anything invoving patience Littletree! I would have been reaching for my combi-can and lighter after about 2 minutes of that.... Hope it paid alright, well done!

Thats why he's doing the splits. He's got mental splinters from sliding down them ladders. Nice lad, mind. Paid him in Tudor crisps.

Can't comment on the Greenmech, but I rate my TW125. I'm sure both would be excellent. What colour is your truck?

Another vid. Wild swing, but well judged, honest.[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwnVT373ibk&feature=feedu]YouTube - Woodchurch Ash1[/ame]

This Ash was unfortunately terminated because of the effect it was having on a listed 15th century house and the old Smithy tight against it. A 25% RJ a few years ago had achieved precisely nothing in structural terms, but was a nice shape and would have been a tricky job. Shame, but a takedown was the spec from the insurance co., and the TO agreed. Jobs like this where I need an extra body, I prefer to bring in a climber than an extra groundie. Rich Rule and Ross Smith are the big guns I bring in when required, and anyone who has worked with them will appreciate that SOME climbers are worth more than groundies! Can't wait for a job that justifies having both on site, but Ross got the nod for this one. Real fun 2 days. Cocked the price up a bit, we have a fair amount to shift tomorrow, but this was cancelled by the fact I have about £600 worth of Ash from the job. Knocked off early (well it's getting dark!) both days and went for beers in the local where we met the local tree guys and got on really well. Potential for working together in the future. Good lads. Ross Smith climbing, 'Stone Cold' Steve Woodnuts running the rigging (and loving the RC2000), and me handling photography, customer relations and horsey girl ogling. [ame= ][ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaIF_E2yb2g&feature=feedu] [/ame][/url]

The man who took the top out of that deserves a pint whatever the story is. You haven't slipped over for a cheeky holiday Have you Dadio? Big balls, whoever it was.

Pros for sure. Anyone who can combine a gob, step cut and fracture prune on one limb is on top of their game....

Good stuff Reg. Big tree. I'm always impressed at how sharp your saws are. Makes me chuckle looking at some other vids where the saws are dull and the cuts take a lot longer than they need to. As Stevie has said, the lads on the ground must have earnt their money that day as well. Thanks for posting.

Agreed. Although looking like Tigger costs a lot less, it would seem....