Doug Blease

Hi Reg, Another text book set of pictures! I am interested to know the brand/size of rope/pulley in use and your predicted cycles to failure for the parts in the system. Only if you have time. Doug

I have heard it takes a lot of patience and practice to coppice with a harvester. Also I think you might need to choose your machinery carefully. As much as I applaud the enthusiasm for increased production coppicing, I kind of like the idea of it remaining a hand cutters speciality. It forms a basis for rural industries, employment and sympathetic approaches to forestry where biodiversity can benefit greatly.

Hama, I think people are just wishing for a little less of the stereotypical view of people under thirty who have committed to education at a younger age. Sweeping statements do not express your professional approach to the industry. We all support your wish to expand your qualifications and career prospects and follow with interest. But unfortunately in the world of consultancy you are not better than the next person unless you have the letters behind you name.

Rupe, your right about RA. Just because your contracted in doesnt mean you cannot agree a method for completing the job. Avoiding mishaps as much as possible. Good working realtionships, knowing the teams strengths and weaknessess. But firm communication about whats going on is the key to a successful contracting day.

But isnt that the point of a research project? To collect data and interpret it? Everyone who has to compete on price with bona fida Tree Surgery companies who do not invest money on the training and certification, yet advertise accredation freely, will more than appreciate it.

I am still sticking with the issue of unqualified workers employed full time for lengthy periods without any prospect of NPTC certification in the tasks they have to perform day in day out. These staff members are often extremely keen and ambitious but are being taken advantage of daily in the name of annual profits.

When doing tall hedges, I tend to still use a "hedge leader" as an anchor, work off an area, change anchor to another leader further along, fell the previous one. Its a much more comfortable way of doing it.

I am sure its safe for now. I would write a management plan for it taking into account annual inspections. Fell it once = £ Reduce it five times = £££££ Finally fell it Replant

Logs full of metal and concrete? Skip.

Yes your right on that historical background too. I think we have derailed the thread, was it not a H+S thesis we were supposed to be talking about?

To keep the regeneration away from grazing livestock.

I havent been but Applecross is supposed to be a nice place to visit (but so is every place up that way) and the sea food is amazing all the way up the west coast. Basically the further you go, the more dramatic the scenery. What about heading over to Skye?

What kind of fishing? The Gairloch area has fantastic trout and salmon country, cheap and accessible.

The Oaks look like they had been pollarded in a previous life. Lovely Heritage trees.

I know the stihl price, although I can bearly keep up with the increases! I wondered what the AMA price was.

How much?

I know loads of folk who have got all the BS tickets. Most of the time they are 50% cheaper than everyone else!

I think Kelly Arboriculture do work in Dundee. You could try them for a job. You'll find them in the Yellow Pages.

Use a smaller work positioner or coil it into a circle?

What about issues surrounding unqualified workers on job sites due to unscrupulous employers.

Why not a full time course? Most full time courses mean only three days a week in lectures if your lucky with timetables. This is what I have been doing for three years. I also work every weekend. If you want it bad enough, you will make it work.

Hamad, You will learn how to write reports. You will learn the computer skills. These are not pre-requisites of the course. You say you have spent 3k on books, whats stopping you buying a book on word processing, excel, report writing. I am sorry mate but some of your posts do confuse me. You profess to be an intelligent, well read, thinking man who apparently can assess a tree in 30 seconds. Yet you are put off by the idea of dedicating yourself to a commitment to learning. Also, as a current degree student I am constantly insulted by those who believe that young people with a degree dont deserve employment over contractors such as yourself. I am 29 years old and I study with guys straight out of school. Most of them are capable, intelligent people who deserve all that they work for. I started my degree because as you I felt I was unemployable without one having worked in forestry/arb for around 7 years. In a year from now I will have an education and 10+ years of actual hands on experience. Do I deserve a job?

Sounds terrible. Huge sympathies to his family. It sounds like a hard working guy who was faced with a very tricky situation with many variables. Hamad, I know you have apologised but I was initially shocked at your suspicion over sympathy.

What are the neighbours using the track for? Recreation? Livestock? Shooting? Your first point of call should be you Local Access Forum, probably a link on the local council website. This way you highlight your plight in public, then if you have to restrict access, any objections can only come through your Local Access Forum which will highlight the issues around access on your ground. I have studied access law but with more emphasis on Scottish policy. As I understand it the Scottish access code is MUCH MUCH better for all involved than the English system.

Whats the prospect for expanding the woodland annually?