JaySmith

I don’t know your circumstances and the work that you do but if you are starting out or a ‘one man band’ then a decent 125 or 160 will serve you well. I’ve used a 125, 150 and 230 and seen a 160 on a job we were on and are all a little different in what they offer. As long as you go into it with your eyes open and realise that it ain’t a 230 or an ST6 and stuff will need more sneding it will do you a turn. If you were doing a lot of larger jobs, small site clearances or street trees where you may have say three climbers up causing chaos at one time and the chipper going at full chat then I’d say a 230 or bigger would be more suitable. If you are hot on the maintenance keeping the blades and anvil in good nick and the rollers sharp then it will be a great tool for you. However if come from a contracting background or have always used larger chippers then it may seem like a step back. Good luck whatever you choose

It’s an active cemetery as they are still conducting burials at the moment. The graves near the tree are all very old apart from some memorial plaques. The area where I’m stood to take the pic has lots of newer burials as does the section to the rear of the church. The church warden buried his wife there this year so very much open still. It wasn’t an LA job, the contractor was brought in by the warden and vicar at the church, although they were liaising with the LA regarding the works. Not sure if the works were the result of a recent survey but I would assume so.

Cheers mate. The spec was put forward from the local TO, as far as I’m aware they haven’t discussed it but I didn’t get involved. The broken Inonotus bracket was visible on one of the stems at about 35ft so could have been seen on a VTA and the growth on the tree isn’t great. Lots of snappy growth points and deadwood throughout the crown. If I was a betting man I’d say that it will be coming down in the coming years due to location and targets. Shame really as it’s been there a while and almost part of the landscape

Churchyard Ash reduction from today, Inonotus present so significant end weight reduction on some elongated limbs. Loads of targets: railings, headstones, memorial plaques, shrubs etc

Thanks. We did hit the one next to it hard, probably removing 4m of growth back to old points I suspect because the tenants over that side were moaning louder! It was almost a job of two halves, one harder reduction one lighter. Just to counter your point, pre the reduction the tree was 80% covered in ivy so that would have blocked some light and removing the ivy would have helped. I do accept though that reducing as you say does stimulate growth and they do often erupt into a mass of shoots. I’m not adverse to a hard reduction - much easier on the body! For me I’m an employee so it can often be monkey see, monkey do!

It’s happening all over though isn’t it, just look at the chipper hp being downgraded. Many moons ago I used to have a fiesta st, that was a 2.0l engine now they use a smaller 1.5 I think it is but get even more power out of it. The older Isuzu was 3.0 and the new one 1.9, seems they are just squeezing the same or more power out of smaller lumps. I’m no engineer but surely that must have durability and longevity issues in the long term?

Cheers, we pollarded the bigger one next to it the day before but I could cut and chuck a lot of the stuff down the bank to the lawn at the bottom because of the height and angles but this one was harder as the bank was steeper and the tree over the flats. I could hear the groundie muttering and swearing under his breath all day[emoji23] You get groundie jobs and you get climber jobs, think this one was a bit kinder on the climber which is nice for a change!

Slippy syc reduction today. Was shroud in ivy but was stripped off the day before so limited growth points. Raised bank was not the groundies friend on this one

Yeah mate it was Mick. He was half asleep one morning and tripped the wire with both of us in the shed, made the ears ring! You still hear from him?

With the older version (63 plate for example) the wide cab 3.5t truck was the 5.5t down rated version from Europe. They still did the normal or narrow width cab which was a 3.5t truck but wasn’t the down rated version. The bigger one had updated suspension, brakes, clutch etc from speaking with Isuzu. At a previous firm I had the 5.5t down rated version, essentially this was a little lorry that was down rated to comply with UK regs, the truck was an animal and would pull like a train with a slammed load and a trailer and tracked chipper behind it. I’m yet to drive anything similar or better in the 3.5t range. The only downside was the official payload was about 300kg as it was heavy as a chassis cab as standard. On the plus side it didn’t look like an overloaded truck and often go mistaken for a 5 or 6 toner which meant in the four or five years I drove it never had a problem. It was on Arbtrader a few weeks ago so you can see pics there. I always think of the Isuzu’s as little lorries and transits as vans. Downside also is that parts and servicing is more expensive than Ford or Iveco. Haven’t driven the newer 1.9 engine so can’t comment on that one but the older 3.0 engine was an animal.

A bloke who I used to do days for and was on here had these for his shed, we tripped it by mistake one morning and that certainly woke is up! 12g Shotgun Blank Firing Alarm Mine Tripwire - Bagnall and Kirkwood BAGNALLANDKIRKWOOD.CO.UK The famous 12g Alarm Mine Uses a 12g blank cartridge (no licence required) Although you must be 18 to purchase these. Simply set up a trip wire These can be a great product to stop would be burglars and trespassers in their step. Previous customers have told us how they have rigged these up […]

It is very effective I’ve seen it go off by accident a couple of times now when somebody didn’t put their code in in time and you have to wait a long time before you can get back in there. I’m not sure on the costings of it but if they do manage to get in I can’t see how they’d get anything out and away

Sounds as though having the container lifted won’t happen from what you’ve said and an angle grinder would be too noisy which is great. However pro thieves often spend a lot of time and money getting into workshops and containers. There was one a while back in south London where they must have visited half a dozen times chipping bits off of the welds on the container to pop the back panel off when they were ready. Obviously things to slow them down such wheel clamps, ground anchors etc will also work well. Razor wire around the container or in the hedge can also work wonders. The only problem is the opportunistic thief will see the container and all the security measures and know that there is something inside worth a peak

Shipping containers are like a thieves wet dream as they are relatively easy to get into. A battery angle grinder or cutting tool and you’re away. We have one inside a metal poly tunnel and they cut into both very easily and that’s with reinforced metal in it as well. We now have a full on alarm system that alerts you via text and numerous other security measures in place, maybe I won’t outline them on here but take a look at smoke systems that once tripped fill the area with smoke meaning the thief can’t see what they are upto let alone get stuff out of the container. Not sure on cost or anything like that but when it goes off you won’t be staying in there, providing you can work out how to get out. Also be careful they can’t reserve up to the container and lift it with a hiab as that has happened before, that way they take the container offsite to empty it. All about slowing them down and making it as hard as possible as where there’s a will there’s a way and they will get in whether it be a battery angle grinder or oxy-acetylene

If it were me and I wasn’t involved in arb I’d be getting an appropriate arb report completed by a suitably qualified and experienced person. Most tree surgeons as others have said make their money from climbing trees as opposed to report writing and consultancy. You do however get some who can and do both but there can sometimes be a conflict of interest there. I don’t know Jerry Ross who somebody has recommended but believe he is well regarded within the industry or alternatively you could look at the AA registered consultants link below Arboricultural Association - Registered Consultant Directory WWW.TREES.ORG.UK A directory of registered tree consultants who offer services such as reports, they have expertise in the care and management of trees The onset of spring will be a good time to assess the tree and it’s future and as I’ve said I’d definitely do that before going to far with the purchase so you have an informed choice. If you did have the report completed maybe speak with @cobbs tree&estate service and they could help with the works (if required)

It maybe the case that the tree doesn’t require at all, least not removal. Difficult to see if it’s beech bark disease from the pics. BBD doesn’t always mean that the tree needs to be removed and only comes when the tree has extensive amounts. More often than not the damage of BBD is expedited by other factors such as drought, poor pruning, root severance, stress etc. Trees often continue to co-exist with BBD for many years and can also recover from the disease if the site conditions are good, such as well mulched soil, access to water and nutrients etc. A concern maybe that if the tree is stressed or in poor health it would then be more susceptible to other fungi infections such as meripilus for example. With respect to the surveyor unless he is an arb professional saying that the tree represents no danger to the house is a very bold statement indeed. He also kind of contradicts himself my saying as it overhangs a road it is dangerous. If you have some better pics of the main stem and crown maybe pop them up but from what you’ve said about tree size, targets etc engaging a tree professional would be prudent.

Bet the govnor said, ‘yeah our mewp will reach the top no probs boys!’

As Chris says above get a qualified consultant/arborist to take a look at the trees and provide some suitable recommendations depending on what is required, the targets around the trees and the likelihood of failure. Property surveyors love a bit of looping and topping on their reports. Just because the tree has an ‘infection’ doesn’t necessarily mean it needs to come down but it may need some remedial works to bring it within tolerable risk. The tree looks fairly mature by the looks of your pic, if mature trees need dismantling then it can be expensive depending on things such as access, targets, utilities, road closures etc etc although you say that it’s in the front of the property so mechanical advantage can play a part but I may be jumping the gun a bit! All in all you are doing the right thing by getting them looked at before completion as the works required could range from a simple cut back from the building and deadwood to a full on dismantle with a crane and road closure. A few hundred pounds on a tree report may pay dividends in the future and mean you can go into it with the information required. Maybe put up the location and somebody on here may be able to help or recommend a local consultant.

Just the four gardens and a few targets but nothing major, still with two on the deck it was all cleared and raked up by the time I came back down so easy enough job for me

You’re right about the wet weather climbing and skidding around slippery trees. One thing I won’t miss is having to warm up my hands on the exhaust of the 200 when it’s real cold trying to get the blood flowing back to the fingers! Had to abort today’s Ash reduction next to the river as the wind was crazy and rigging over the graves would have been near impossible so went and tried to tame this little Oak. Was previously reduced some years back and had erupted into a mass of epi so just a case of thinning out some bulk and removing loads of dead growth.

To be fair with the weather the way it is lately you ain’t missing too much outside! Nice looking websites you’re creating

Same, was doing some dirty connies yesterday on the breeze. Only good thing was the wind was blowing the brash nearer the chipper shortening the drag!

Today is deffo a day for nipping the top out early doors!

Courses like this one often crop up Arboricultural Association - Valuing and Managing Veteran Trees WWW.TREES.ORG.UK <div class= row ><div class= col-md-12 style= position:relative ><img alt= Veteran Trees class= img-responsive img-fluid mt10 mb20 src= ~/Trees.org.uk/media/Trees-org.uk/Misc%20images/VeteranTree-DSC_0099-web.jpg title= Veteran Trees /><div class= col-md-6 style= position:absolute;bottom:30px;left:20px; ><h4 class= white bold >Arboricultural Association Ireland Branch Presents</h4><h2 class= white bold display >Valuing and Managing Veteran Trees</h2></div></div></div><h2 class= purple bold mt30 >18th September 2019</h2><h3 class= dpurple bold mt20 ><span class= purple >Venue:</span> Oldbridge House, Drogheda, Co. Meath. A92 CY68</h3><h4 class= dpurple bold ><span class= purple >Cost:</span> Members €110 | Non-Members €145</h4><h4 class= dpurple bold ><span class= purple >Arrive:</span> 9:00 am | <span class= purple >Departure:</span> 4:30 pm</h4><div class= col-md-4 right style= position:relative ><img alt= Jim Mullholland class= img-responsive img-fluid mt10 mb20 src= ~/Trees.org.uk/media/Trees-org.uk/Misc%20images/JimMullholland19-web.jpg title= Jim Mullholland /><div class= col-md-10 style= position:absolute;bottom:30px;left:10px; ><h3 class= white bold >Instructed by Jim Mullholland</h3></div></div><p class= lead mt30 >With some trees ageing into the thousands it’s important to understand the unique way in which to value and manage these impressive trees.</p><p>This course is open to anyone, in any profession, who has a keen interest in Ancient and Veteran trees.</p><h4 class= dpurple bold >Course Objectives:</h4><p>When you have completed this course you should be able to do the following:</p><ul class= wia > <li>Give a definition of a veteran tree that is of importance for biological or heritage value.</li> <li>Explain why trees can live so long.</li> <li>Understanding the importance of roots and the management of the land around veteran trees.</li> <li>Undertake a simple survey of a veteran tree in the field.</li> <li>Assess where management is likely to be appropriate for old trees or their surroundings.</li></ul><h4 class= dpurple bold >Who is the course aimed at?</h4><p>The course is aimed at any person, in any industry, with an interest in trees.</p><p>This course will provide basic level information on valuing and managing veteran trees.</p><h3 class= purple bold mt30 >Hurry and book your place as we have limited availability<br />of <span class= dpurple bold style= font-size:150% >15 delegates</span></h3><p>To request a booking form, please contact Irish Branch at <a href= mailto:[email protected] ><span class= bold blue >[email protected]</span></a></p><hr /><h4 class= text-center bold dblue >Why not share this event with anyone you think may be interested</h4><p class= text-center clearfix ><a href= ~/Trees.org.uk/media/Trees-org.uk/Documents/Branches/Ireland-Veteran-Tree-Flyer-web.pdf target= _blank title= Download the PDF Flyer class= buttondl center >Download the Flyer</a></p>

I think getting Vet tree management experience/training is fairly difficult unless you work for somewhere like Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath or you work for a contractor who specialises in Vet tree management. I was lucky to work at Epping for a while and gained some good experience of working on some Vet and ancient trees and also at HH with David Humphries, this has helped me to work on them for contractors that I work for. There is a local contractor to me who ‘specialises in vet tree management’ but these are few and far between. People like Ted Green also do sessions at places like Windsor Park but are usually run by training companies so not always in the public domain, again I’ve been lucky to get on a couple of these. My plan would be to contact the ATF and hook up with them to see if there are any days on the horizon. Maybe look at the VetCert as well, although I admit I don’t have any experienced this qualification. There are also various publications, guidance notes and books on the subject that are worth a read (usually put out in association with the ATF). Good luck with it as vet tree management work can be interesting, rewarding and a little different from the usual connie bashing!!