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Doug Blease

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Everything posted by Doug Blease

  1. Doug Blease
    A really useful set of pictures. Thanks very much.
  2. Doug Blease
    If you are suggesting things like removal of a species. It might be worth referencing the logic behind it. For example journals on Invasives, Biodiversity, Non natives etc DB
  3. Doug Blease
    Sounds good Hama but I would add the reading time up to weeks, if not months.
  4. Doug Blease
    Matt, Doesnt sound like a good idea to me. I think you should just be more firm about haulage admin, and payment terms and conditions. DB
  5. Doug Blease
    Minus income tax and NI Minus PL, vehicle insurance Minus start up costs to break even point Minus maintenance of plant Minus fuel for vehicle and chipper Minus re-investment in order to be in business next year Minus unforseen variables Minus any personal drawings Minus cancellations due to snow, unreliable clients Minus running of office equipment in order to keep abreast of admin It doesnt sound long term sustainable to me at that price. If your good at your job, it should be double that. You are a business and by default you exist to cover your costs and generate a profit.
  6. Doug Blease
    Its alright, i was just pulling your leg. You are insured, not ensured. I think you really need to add up your costs and make sure your not making a loss. Especially on a the chipper. Most daily rentals for a chipper are about £150 plus fuel. Best of luck mate. Things will take off for you I am sure.
  7. Doug Blease
    Are you sure you are ensured?
  8. Doug Blease
    Hamadryad, I read something in Tree News which might be of some interest to you. A call for people interested in writing papers which address any topic concerning trees and the built environment with regard to both social and natural sciences. BUT, deadline was 1st November for submission of 1000 word abstract. However, it proves that these opportunities are open to you. More info contact Dr Mark Johnston, Myercough College. [email protected]
  9. Doug Blease
    In all fairness, I do work it hard. I am not too surprised. Hilux is too mega bucks for me I am afraid. Crippling when they go wrong. Colleagues of mine havent rated the new ones as good as the recent models.
  10. Doug Blease
    Dont get me wrong. If you are making a profit and a living from those prices then fair play to you. No one can argue with that. If your not, and it just keeps things ticking over then I cant see the logic. Surely delivery prices must be huge in our area. You could easily burn up £15-£20 of diesel just delivering 2.5m3 in aberdeenshire. Plus the fuel for sourcing, felling and processing? Add on the time, cost of trailer/truck/combo and I honestly cannot see the profit. But you have hit the nail on the head for all arboriculture and forestry related industries when you say: "we are all price takers not price makers." There in lies the lack of marketing, regulation, and sense of self worth which this industry desperatley needs. Great debate.
  11. Doug Blease
    Everybodies economics are different. But why sell good stuff cheap? When it costs £1500 a year to heat a house on oil (aberdeenshire in particular) why are you selling any wood at sometimes less than £50 per/m3. You can double that and customers are still gonna buy. But it MUST be top grade stuff. I am talking, sustainably sourced, responsibly stored, professionally split (i.e. safely) and shed stored. This way you are supplying a high quality, consistent product. Firewood shouldnt be pocket money. Should be bi-product, manufactured profit.
  12. Doug Blease
    My D22 has 40k and I think it will need new front brake pads soon.
  13. Doug Blease
    The real question is....Why are we still charging 1990's prices for firewood? Get with the times, if your supplying quality product, then charge its actual value. Personally I firmly believe that firewood is worth £70 - £100 per m3. Based on how its managed, felled, processed and delivered.
  14. Doug Blease
    I would argue that there is no need to provide funding for chainsaw certificates. Employers with the right ethics and a good business should be able to hold on to employees by firstly employing the RIGHT person, and then developing them and treating them right. Why should the tax payer be paying to provide someone a certification and allow businessess to receive free training costs? I payed for all of my training out of my own hard earned money. I could therefore be competing with a guy who has had no start up training costs. DB
  15. Doug Blease
    Interesting so far. Especially the funding one Lyndon. Have you looked into this further? Not sure about the overly pruned trees one. Does this not create more work in the future? Sorting out previous poor work? Keep em coming!
  16. Doug Blease
    Here is a chance to get something off your chest..... What one thing undermines your ability to perform as an arborist? Why? This is open to business owners, employers and employees alike.
  17. Doug Blease
    Thank you!
  18. Doug Blease
    I have a job to complete soon, planting about 1500m of mixed native hedging. Can anyone recommend good scottish suppliers of Hawthorn, Hazel etc.? I would like to keep it as local as possible. The job is in the Grampian region.
  19. Doug Blease
    This is going to be another extreme winter. Long, cold and snowy. Its all to do with the Icelandic volcano. I reckon we are under a shadow of reflective sulphuric dust, reflecting the suns energy.
  20. Doug Blease
    You have the wrong end of the stick. Its not exclusion, its being very very concise and succinct. Therefore it doesnt read well for those not interested in the subject. You have to do this or your papers will end up being like War and Peace. Also very rarely do people read a whole paper, probably only sections or even just the abstract.
  21. Doug Blease
    I am sure there is miles of paper written about academic writing. Not all of it will apply to your field of research though. I was always told to read read read read endless papers and reports to get a grip of the scientific language which is appropriate for your style of reporting. Also, its worth getting to grips with some Statistical Analysis. I am sure this will have to form a large part of presenting your data. Doug
  22. Doug Blease
    Sounds like a plan! See you in 5 years then. P.s. I would never patronise your ambition. I applaud it.
  23. Doug Blease
    Yes, in many ways, you are correct the system is relatively set in stone. But it suits the majority I guess. I think you are extremely ambititous in you plans, but I dont mean this as a criticism, more envy. So is the eventual outcome of your research going to be a change in conservation policy? I think a man of your commitment and knowledge should be involved in research at some level. I recently found an online tool called CabDirect and The Web of Knowledge. I have used it to accurately track down journal literature on specific subjects. I think these would really help you in putting together a Research Proposal, associated literature review and rationale. Keep us informed of how you get on, but if it all takes off be prepared to have your life taken over by your research! Doug
  24. Doug Blease
    Wesste, Have you tried the journal search engines such as CabDirect and Web of knowledge. Its the easiest way to find exactly what your looking for.
  25. Doug Blease
    If you think you can complete the necessary to achieve a PHD then go for it. But I think you would really benefit from achieving the research and data analysis skills you gain from a BSc / MSc. I recently saw a PHD advertised studying Phytophora ramorum in Larch. It was through Edinburgh uni. Full time - 3 years with £13500 a year funding. Not sure how you go about being awarded a PHD for your own studies. Have you searched for current PHD research programmes on offer? Doug

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