Doug Blease

Beg your pardon Skyhuck?

I claim those already against my taxable income, or are you describing a different system? I think that its my NI that spurred the bean counter to mention it.

My accountant this year said that maybe I should consider becoming Doug Blease Ltd. I understand the concept of Limited liability. Are there any other benefits to be gained in this transfer? I am sure many of you guys started out as Sole Traders in the beginning, maybe you have some wisdom to share. Thanks in advance Doug Blease

Great pictures! If you didnt eat so much you would have done it in a day.

By thinning some of the larger limbs from the crown, you can often achieve a neat reduction without losing natural shape. If the spec is for increased light into an area, I will almost always sell the customer a crown thin/clean with the understanding that the tree will probably need the same treatment after a certain period of time. This way light travels through the crown, not "around" it. More light, less disruption to the tree. I have been asked to top many many Scots as a contract climber. I try to be as sympathetic as possible, but if its the customers spec, and if the company who has asked me to work on the job is paying. Then thats what gets done. I am always thinking, that if it was my job and my customer, then I would have approached the job differently.

Sorry to hear of your accident. But i now have to show my kids the picture of your finger to see what happens!

Its called wishful thinking or hallucinations!! Nice job in this weather.

Gotta watch the bounce, or kiss the tree!

660 ! No oil problems. I have run a 36" bar all summer felling big elm and crosscutting it all. Its a little nose heavy with the 36 but it runs well when cross cutting. Plenty of power. Great build quality. Shop around for the best deal.

Try JasPWilson.

WOW! A friendly bank manager! Congratulations on your new baby!

441? Its a decent saw? Or the retailer should try and source one from another Stihl dealer.

What horrible bendy logs, no good for sawmilling. I will take them off your hands for free!

I enjoy essential arb. I read every page. I then file it and keep it in good condition. Some of the articles in it and FJ, I have referenced in my degree work. Therefore to me it is worth my reduced subscription (student). I understand £25 for four issues is pretty steep. And you do get more for less with other publications. But I honestly believe they put together as much as they can in four months. Quality not quantity. Equipment and technique should be a more regular article.

After a while you get an eye for it. Also after your first weighbridge ticket, you roughly know how many tonnes you are cutting per tank of fuel.

Remember your first question is about a day rate for cutters. Not piece rates. If its varied work, why not price up the whole job, time allowed and number of cutters. New guy starts from the bottom up. Carrying fuel/saws/levers/wedges/hammers, gets to fell a few trees under supervision when things are going well. From the price and time allowed you can figure out your day rate plus profits for your business.

Sorry, I miss read that. I thought you said ten tonnes. Again though, 7 tonnes of what? Is it even production cutting or maybe just clearing?

10 tonnes of what Andy? If its Ash re-gen, you will have to go like hellfire to cut and stack ten tonnes. Beech thinnings? 10 tonnes is more realistic. Why not measure out forestry chains and pay them per chain thinned/cleared plus a few quid per cord of wood stacked?

It seems that from reading everyones posts that there is a demand for freelance groundsman who can climb, effecively carry out aerial rescue, have full ground operations qualifications (e.g. Chipper/Saw/Traffic Management/First Aid/MEWP) Plus you need a fair bit of experience in differnet work techniques in order to carry out an efficient groundwork system for different employers (who will all require different things) If you are going to offer aerial rescue, you ought to have your own kit which you feel confident with. Of course with LOLER records. I am a freelance climber. I aim to be as qualified as possible and able to tick a lot of boxes required for Local Authority/Contract work etc. I carry my own insurance (for my own jobs but also as piece of mind for myself on other contracts). In order to attract a higher wage, you should try and offer something different than the other groundsmen out there. Some of whom will attract the higher wage with experience alone. The more you spend on kit, means that you have a higher maintenance overhead for running your freelance business. Thats why I suggested a committed full time employer where you can gain day to day experience and training.

You will progess far quicker with a decent employer willing to invest in good staff.

Kinojango, Whats stopping you looking for f/t employment?

The situation you guys are describing only really comes from training and development. This guys situation is a little different. He is freelance, but also requires as much experience in different situations as possible as well as development in his personal qualifications.

Ha ha! SWB knows every trick in the book! Sly as a fox.....

Do not give up on a chance of an education. In all honesty in this profession there are a lot who have gone a long way based on sheer practical knowledge. But in the future, qualifications and credibility will count for an awful lot. If you are committed to Arboriculture, you will inevitably return to education later, wishing you had finished it first time round. If what you say about your lecturers attitude is accurate, he sounds like a prat. All he has achieved is to de-motivate you and lose your faith in further educution. Learning support should not be subject specific. i.e. You shouldnt require an Arb trained learning support representative. Latin names are not easy, its not just your Dyslexia. Its experience in using this system and using literature to help with you ID skills. I have a severely Dyslexic son, and I study with some Dyslexic students. I am constantly AMAZED at the work which can be produced with the correct guidance. PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP. I would almost guarantee that if you enter employment now, with your learning difficulties and your obvious enthusiasm, people will always take advantage of your good nature. Believe me, it happened to me time and time again, until I went back to education and furthered my practical qualifications off my own back. No f/time employer has EVER done anything for me other than pay poor wages and break promises. Your best option in this industry is to make yourself as employable as possible to the RIGHT employer. Not just anyone.

Christopher, I have a colleague who I have done a lot of work for in Devon who I think will be be able to help you. I will PM you his number.