richyB

First, good luck -tc in September. Now can someone explain what is involved in becoming an instructor please? My sister in law did the PTLLS course to become a teacher, not for LANTRA. She keeps telling me to do it, she reckons I would be good at it. Trouble is the only thing I would be interested in is all the stuff you folks use. So my first question is how much experience do I need before thinking seriously about training to be an instructor? Also which is the best route to take to get qualified? This is a long term plan, so please don't think cocky little s*d, trying to run before he can walk. Thanks for any advice.

Is this it? http://www.treeworks.co.uk/downloads/CONSERVATION_ARBORICULTURELearning_Review4-16-06-2011.pdf

I enjoyed it too. A picture paints a thousand words. Thank you for posting.

Thanks for the replies. I felt sorry for it when I saw it chopped up. I found out today there is a chap with a turning workshop near me, so I'll see if it is any use to him.

The felling was nothing to do with me. I only got roped in to move it because I had access to a trailer. Seems a shame for it to go for firewood, (now where have I heard that before)? Is it worth the effort buying an old wood lathe, tools and having a go, or shall I just chop it up? The logs stacked end on, are between 18" and 24" long. Some of the smaller diameter pieces have already gone for a decorative log basket by a fireplace. Thanks for your advice. Rch

You probably know this. Before you buy a bigger first aid kit, have a good think about the dressings you could need for the injuries you might get. When I worked at a steel stockholders, the boss spent a lot of money on first aid kits, nice big shiny ones. Trouble was they only had a few very large dressings and a couple of triangular bandages. The things we worked with could have a finger, hand or arm off in a flash! When you need something to stem the blood flow, what use is a tube of Savlon and a sticking plaster then? So he bought some air tight food containers to keep extra bandages and dressings in. They were all we ever needed really. We could have saved him a fortune if he had asked. (Obviously still needed the legally required first aid kits) Do you get taught first aid as part of your job training?

Are there any recreational tree climbing days in the Midlands area? Ones where anyone can have a try. I just fancy a go at climbing a tree. I'm a bit of an old fart (55) so nothing too tough please. Thanks in advance Rich

I'll be honest this was too scary for me. I was more a Rag,Tag and Bobtail kid.

The book arrived yesterday (An Illustrated Guide to Pruning By Edward F. Gilman) I have only had a quick look through it, but it seems easy to understand and is packed with info and really clear pictures and diagrams. If any newbies are looking for an easy to read book I can recommend this one as a good place to start.

2nd edition, I'm eager to learn and can't wait till August. I'm going to buy the one on tree diseases too, because I know the next thing I will be asked is "Can you cut that dead tree down"? So if there is a chance of saving it I can.

Thank you very much easy -lift guy. I've ordered a copy from Amazon. ATB Rich

SNAP!! I keep being asked if I can just chop a branch off, I say no because I don't want to do more harm than good. I usually give them a tree surgeon's number, but I know from the look on their faces that they won't ring him. It will be a neighbour or someone who does a botch job. Is there a beginners book that explains how to shape a tree that is getting too big for a garden? Thanks.

I think you are right. Well the bit about the biggest I can buy. There probably is not one ladder for all the jobs, I like the tripod type for use with the long reach hedge cutter, but I don't think they would fit between the hedge and the shed. So it is the Hailo 12 rung combi and lash meself to the guttering! I'll have to get the shovel out to level the ground a bit

My bums twitching just reading that.

Aha, the very man! Are all 3 legs adjustable? Not just the back one. Is it 3.6m? Thanks As you were, just Googled you.

That does look more useful, my problem is I can't get that close to the hedge to tie on to it.

Does it wobble much? I like the platform idea, it gives me a more stable feeling when I'm working.

I know this gets talked about a lot, but I can't make my mind up so hoped someone has used both and can give me some help. It is between these two tripod ladders; The All Terrain Ladder Company Ltd - 3 Meter Ladders Or this one HPM Tripod Ladder 3 Adjustable Legs 3.6m (12ft) | eBay UK It's for doing a big conifer hedge, about 4m high. Getting to the hedge is a major problem, because the ground is very uneven, plus a fish pond and a wooden deck, about 5m of the hedge runs alongside the tool shed with only about 1m gap to get any kind of ladder in, so the ladder will have to lean against the hedge with the tripod legs poked through to next door. Did I mention the compost heap? I don't think an Ankalad would fit because of the rails along the bottom, there are too many obstacles. You probably have a cunning plan to get round this problem. It's a bit of a nightmare really, but I will learn from the experience and the thing is not going to beat me. Failing that, if I get cs30 & 31 can I cut the ******* things down? Thanks for any help. Rich

Thanks Rob, I've looked at a few on line and agree some are too low. The gm looks the business, perhaps next year.

Another vote for the 130R. Makes easy work of big old conifer hedges and even I could not get the pole saw stuck! Depends on what you are doing I suppose, if you are only using it occasionally on light stuff. But for thicker stuff if it keeps getting stuck or struggles you will soon wish you had gone for the bigger one. Well that was my thinking

I'm saving up for one of these tractorboy1 I think it is this one Eliet Major Petrol Shredder Chipper agg221 thanks for the offer, but it will have to be petrol, I don't have a very long extension lead. I'll get my coat:biggrin: