janey

Looks like a Pieris with a Baby Bio overdose

On more than one occasion i've had to try veeeeery hard to be diplomatic as some yummy mummy has brought in tears stained letters from the chil'en, but when you actually see the kids they're, like, bovvered Bet they'd be the first to try and sue if a failing tree squished their little dahlings..

Don't forget, the media is there for it's own financial gain, not out of some altruistic ideal about getting a fair account from both parties. One of the most valuable lessons that i was ever taught, is that in LA whatever you decide will always p someone off, so get used to it. I have, unfortunately, been involved in far too many emotive decisions like the one mentioned. As a TO, it is down to you to make the best decision for the whole community, not just appease a few tree huggers. And any negative publicity is never taken kindly by your lords n' masters - the politicians who are after the said community's vote The decions to fell any tree, especially a highly visual / important / valuable landmark tree is always hard to make and not undertaken without much deliberation. I know of NO TO that would remove a tree just because on the say so of one tree surgeon. A VTA and then some sort of internal examination, trying remedial works or moving the targets will always (i'd like to believe) be considered before the death warrant is signed. Communication with the public in laymans terms is a great idea, but remember, they are all experts and we are just tree killers in it for the money. Leave us TO's alone - we loves trees too!!!

Mention Working At Heights 2005 (i think) Regulations - MEWP use should always be your preferred way of working and climbing should only be used if it can be shown that it is a safer alternative. Or get some expendable trainee climbers who don't fully understand the perils of poplar regrowth

I think i'm going to be scarred for life... Won't be hard to spot you in the crowd, though.

Looks like you need a tree inspector . Kids always seem to love clambering over, and sitting on, the logs,. It's a good way to start their education nice n' early

Quick question: Sakura - is that the name of the tree, or the generic term for all cherry blossom?

Exudate. Red goo's alternative name. Though not quite as descriptive.

"Honestly dahling, I was only doing it for the money..." Just as well he was sterile b4, because he surely would have been after

Well that's just great. Come Saturday, when I want to meet you all and do that networking thing, you're all going to be badgers arsed. Have to somehow use that to my advantage

Think you'll find the best way of navigating the streets of London is in a chauffered armoured car with several escort riders Bet you're one of those vespa riders that leave me well behind in the rush hour scrum, incha? Feel smug, do ya??? LoL.

You're automatically assuming i am hooligan rider with no respect for the law. Could've been on the dyno, officer Kinda proud as the listed mph is 168.

So's the owner Great looking bike, but it's not the most user friendly. The riding position is very high - your "on" the bike, not part of it, like you are with say a CBR. It makes tipping in a bit cumbersome, unless you want to be horizontal on the tank. Not a good position for the mean streets of Lahndahhhhn. But i loves it, anyway . Are you one of the biking clan too?

My guess would be that direct sunlight increases transpirational pull, so the pressure in the transport vessels is greater. Also, the tree hasn't had time to photosynthesise enough sugars, so large amounts of stored starch are being released now. Perfect phytopthora food.

Also: http://www.trees.org.uk/downloads/WAH_08_05.pdf Just incase you're not holding your head and groaning yet.

Blimey, that's really cheap! I haven't looked into that side of it because, tbh, i'm not organised enough these days to go back to being self employed. There are downsides, but i much prefer the safety net of PAYE. Not that i've got either at the moment..

You may, or may not, find this of use. If you haven't already got it as one of your favourites: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg401.pdf

Are all you staff trained and certified in the fine art of ladder use? Argh!!! H&S gawn mad. Can you imagine it if you had to keep the paper records for EVERY time a ladder was used for the required three months? LOLOR records are bad enough. A robust generic and site specific R/A should suffice, otherwise you would literally spend so much time filling in the paperwork you wouldn't actually get out the cab. Or perhaps that's the ploy? Keep you so busy you don't get a chance to get near the nasty sharp things?

Was quite interesting, in that it stressed that H&S regs are not generally being used for what they were originally intended for. A lot of organisations now have a H&S policy that minimises the risk of being sued, rather than having a policy that allows for a REASONABLE approach to hazard management. A.L.A.R.P.: a poor acronym, but a great principle to work towards. Anyone here filled out their working at heights ladder erection R/A EVERY time they use one??? Seriously...

I went for an informal interview there a coupla weeks back. It's waaaaaay out of my league. They need an Arb' manager to not just run but set up the whole borough pretty much from scratch. Cheers for the heads up on it though NB - if anyone else is interested in the Fountains job on the arbjob site, the number for Krissy is 01295 753 248, not the number stated.

I used to climb in a Weaver (this is going back a few years, mind) and found them about the best fit for me out of all that i've tried. They are well made and relatively cheap, with great back support, but i agree with the other comments - they tend to keep your legs pinioned together and are more suited to the larger climber (which i definately wasn't). I found they were best for for long hours, but not for fiddly jobs where a high degree manouverability(? spellin ?) is needed. BUT, they'll make you sound like a horse in full harness - kerching kerchang kerchang...

Cheers Ross. Hairy Woodsman has already mentioned this to me, so i might take another look at their add'. I didn't fancy it initially, but i think i'm going to have to lower my standards

Do you know something we don't about the financial market? Are pony futures about to storm the FTSE? Otherwise... Why???

Thanks. I'll give Andy a call next week, but I'm not too hopefull. The trouble with getting LA work is that most Boroughs already have either their own staff or well used contractors. It's a hard world to infiltrate. Having been on the inside, i know how hairpullingly frustrating it is to get new staff on board. But hey, i'm tenacious