The BJG

Never been to anything like it before, only made it up for the Saturday, but I was really impressed. Plenty to see and do, Got some good info from both ISA and AA. Couple of little purchases nothing too extravagent. Was great to see a CS100 in the metal and am looking forward to a demo soon. Really worthwhile for me. The 50 mph limit along what seemed like most of the M4 was a definite drag though. Hope to get another one in later in the year.

Thanks guys. I've done it both ways in the past with jobs, not just tree's but general garden work I've quoted on too. I think they balance in the end. I'll have to get a few big uns done I guess, to work out my timings on them and see if I'm right. Oh well, off to Capel for the day now. Thanks again

Fair point, maybe one and a half would be more realistic, with the rest logged up, like I say it's a big one compared to my normal jobs so harder to judge I guess. It's a trafic,

It was a big tree! They had a Euc in the other corner that was the same sort of size. From the top I reckon you'd have had a good view into the cricket ground over the stands behind the house. I do mostly domestic work, and normally smaller stuff than this one to be honest. Using the baby Timberwolf chipper we work hard and steady. I wouldn't drop my price as I have plenty who pay it and are happy, and have had a few bung us a bit extra at the end too. So I know I'm not that far out with my prices, it was more the timing issue I wondered about. Would I / Should I have been able to do it in half a day.

I've already priced it a couple of days ago and didn't get it. I worked it out at two of us for a day plus chipper with tipping fees etc. I priced in at £350 for felling and removal with stump grinding as an optional extra if they wanted it at £100. They got three quotes one from another fella at about £200 but in their words, "He didn't seem like he knew much about trees." But the other quote, the one they are going with, was for £150. The only way I can see that being possible is doing the work in half a day, which I don't think I could have done. So am I working too slow, or have I just met someone working for peanuts? I only ask as I have had 2 of these in quick succession. Virtually the same story on both.

Only just learning on the fungus really, how long would these have been growing then? I thought most fungi only lasted a very short time?

Yes could kick myself now for not getting a couple of pics. It is climbable, Fairly easy drop zone, not a huge amount of rigging I wouldn't have said, although it would need to come down in sections due to location, (not the biggest garden I've ever seen). 2 to 3 loads of chip I would have said.

Just wondering if I can get a couple of peoples thoughts. Did a quote the other day for a customer, and I reckoned it was a full days work for two with chipper. Everything to be removed off site. Difficult access through the front but a wall at the back (where the tree is) led onto a private access road, Possible to set up chipper etc on that road and work away, but everything would have to go over the wall, as no gate. The tree was around 40ft and the initial request was a quote to "trim back" When I got there it was around 40 to 50ft quite large, so a lot of chip to dispose of. The tree was pretty much dead in all honesty, and I had real trouble identifying it too. It seemed to me to be like a very large hawthorn. but very very few leaves shooting and a lot of deadwood hanging in the tree. The bark was almost ash like. But no leaves out yet so it threw me a bit. I didn't get any pictures unfortunately. I advised the same, as it turns out, that everyone else who had seen it, to fell due to proximity to house and replace with something more suitable. Anyway my question is this, how long would anyone else have allowed for this job? I am obviously newer to tree work than most of you guys on here so I am wondering how my workrate compares I guess. Thanks

Nice one, that lawn looks nice too, good job. Just extended a lawn for a customer, they were over the moon, and keep sending me more work. Cheapest advertising in the world I reckon.

Hoping to do Saturday. About 2 and a half hours from me, but all motorway virtually. Quite excited about my "first arb show" Ha ha

Great a few more

Found this Big bugger too Hope the picture works, 1 st time posting

Sitting enjoying the Masters the last two nights got me thinking. Anyone doing much work or specialising in work on golf courses? Ben

Great news! It is hard and everyone does it sometimes rather than sit at home for the day. But the truth is, I think, sometimes you would be better off sitting at home and chasing after a couple of customers who will pay you what you are worth. Ben

Yes we still do a bit of grass cutting, lots of fencing and decking work about at the moment too. I started getting requests from customers about tree work and looked into it as another service we could offer. It's growing from that really, and I have to say it's what I'm most enjoying right now. Although currently the smallest part of my business, it's good work. We had a customer who we've cut grass for for quite a while now, who I know really well. They didn't know we did fencing until I sent the newsletter out, they've just booked a £1000 fencing job in for their shop back yard. You have to tell people what you do, I always assume my customers know what I do already.