petestarbuck

I got a call once to a large ash limb on the roof of a very expensive BMW. I ended up stood on the roof of the car picking apart the tree with my 66, giggling to myself. Sent from my E5823 using Arbtalk mobile app

I agree ollie, I'm a retained firefighter and run my own arb outfit. It's a bit shortsighted of the previous post to say let fire brigade only deal with fires. We deal with so many different incidents and are the publics first contact when the **** hits the fan! There is scope for training the fire brigade to deal with trees, but I don't think the powers that be will pay for it. I'm often asked to provide input on training courses on what constitutes a sound tree for an anchor, what to look for on trees for disease etc, but it's all unofficial. It would definitely pay for the specialist rescue teams to have more tree knowledge for sure Sent from my E5823 using Arbtalk mobile app

I started to do a bit of training with the local specialist rescue team a while back. I was gonna put myself in a hard to reach part of a tree and they were gonna see if they could get to me for a live rescue using their rope access techniques. Pretty good idea I thought. Got my line into a good anchor, just about to start going up when they got a call, to a bloke that had felled a tree wrong and was stuck under it. Apparently that was their first tree related job in the 10 yrs the srt had been set up. Typical Sent from my E5823 using Arbtalk mobile app

Hey stu, I'm doing a job in Georgeham on Monday and Tuesday next week, where u need the chip? Sent from my E5823 using Arbtalk mobile app

We had a couple of 020's at the company I first started with, they were outstanding too. But I used a 200t for a long time and still believe they can't be bettered. I got about 10yrs out of one before any major problems turned up. My 540xp is 3 yrs old, on its 3rd carb and ecu, second oil pump, second crank casing and 3rd chain brake. Surely I'm not that heavy handed to cause so many problems in such a short time Sent from my E5823 using Arbtalk mobile app

After my 540xp crapped out, again on Monday, leaving me midway thru a job with a silky and 550 to dismantle the last tree, I had the pleasure of borrowing an ms 200t from a mate today. I know why they were discontinued, but in my opinion they've never been replaced. So much torque, great pickup, better balance, lovely noise and above all, awesome build quality. No 'designed obsolescence' with them. Please can we have em back!! Sent from my E5823 using Arbtalk mobile app

My occasional groundie has a mate in Inverness, holly! Not sure if she is still working, had a couple of kids now. Defo need more female arb workers, balance out some of the macho bullshit. Sent from my E5823 using Arbtalk mobile app

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That was a post birthday hangover making the errors, not me!! Sent from my E5823 using Arbtalk mobile app

Can't afford it mate, it's kinda like the straw and camel. Ive spent years trying to get properly established and get in on some good jobs, only to repeatedly be knocked back due to accreditation. I dont have the finances to invest in anything other than equipment and running costs, and I'm pretty sure there are many others out there in the same boat. It's not like I have a grudge against the A A, far from it. Anything that helps us get recognised as an industry, not just over priced gardeners is a positive thing. I'm just thinking of a less costly option. I have seen 3 very good outfits fold as a result of the investment required to become aaac!! Sent from my E5823 using Arbtalk mobile app

You plough every spare penny into getting the right kit, getting the mega bucks liability insurance, and then, as John p says, you have to find more to join the club. I'm only suggesting a different club, a co-operative, non profit organisation which if ran right could help the smaller operator get a look in. Not trying to take anything away from the A A, just suggesting an alternative! Sent from my E5823 using Arbtalk mobile app

My thinking is that sole traders and smaller outfits be recognised as safe, qualified and competent without going through the bank breaking hoops to.be A A affiliated. Bigger jobs will always go.to.bigger outfits that can absorb such costs, but why can't there be a trade organisation for us lesser mortals which recognises our commitment to doing the job properly? We don't all have financial backing or good credit scores, does this make us lesser arborists? Sent from my E5823 using Arbtalk mobile app

I can see it now, pair of conkers for a logo! Look awesome on the truck eh. Being a bit serious tho, is there not room.for another trade association, that local authorities and large corporate bodies recognise? Someone had to start the A A, CHAS, Guild of Master craftsmen etc. Why not start a new one for us? Sent from my E5823 using Arbtalk mobile app

Just an idea. I lost out on yet another decent job today as a result of apparently not being a 'bona-fide' outfit. That basically means that as I'm not A A approved I don't get a look in. Anyone fancy starting a co-operative, ran by us, for us. A legit trade body that focuses on safe, quality and appropriate working practices not just if you're big enough to rent a workshop or yard and spend thousands making sure your fire exits are adequate, even tho you spend 90%of the day out on site!! How about the title British Association of Licenced Small Arboriculture Contractors? Any takers?

Good point, sorry. Ive had that loads of times and just stuck.it down now. Not too.sure what lid means then. Good luck mate Sent from my E5823 using Arbtalk mobile app