AA Teccie (Paul)

Hi, there are many independent training providers, and assessors, available. As a start point try here Aerial Cutting of Trees with a Chainsaw Using Free-fall Techniques | Lantra Awards WWW.LANTRA.CO.UK This course will provide all the information and demonstrate the practical skills required for those undertaking a regulated... and I'm sure City & Guilds / NPTC have an equivalent on their website (for assessors.) Regards, Paul

Hi Paul, more 'technical clarity' is detailed in the Technical Guide 1- tree climbing and aerial rescue (TG1) currently a draft document. See Arb Assn website at www.trees.org.uk for further info. Regards Paul

ALL - please see Timon's post above (far more succinct than I could ever post...thanks Timon.) "Use of the back-up" (as per the ICoP p.33) is key and the DRAFT Technical Guide goes some way to indicating the various ways this may be achieved (p31 I think.) Regards, Paul

"Get real Paul", I hear a certain someone saying, but any chance the client would be amenable to a phased approach to hopefully spur some lower generation of new foliage before the final 'whacking' maybe? Hornbeam, with good vitality / health, can tolerate pruning IME but if a mature specimen "less is always more." Cheers, Paul PS As a point of reference, BS3998 (industry standard for tree works / pruning) implies not removing more than 1/3rd foliage bearing material in a single operation...ideally.

A couple of really useful 'general arboriculture' books to consider: Arboricultural Association - Haynes Tree Owners’ Workshop Manual WWW.TREES.ORG.UK A source of publications, guidance notes and leaflets for arboriculturists. Competitively priced available to members... ..and Arboricultural Association - Arborists' Certification Study Guide WWW.TREES.ORG.UK A source of publications, guidance notes and leaflets for arboriculturists. Competitively priced available to members... The latter being a potential alternative L2/3 qualification / 'certification' opportunity. Good luck with your studies and I hope you get some clarity and guidance soon. Paul

...or possibly inonotus dryadeous

"Starters for ten.." Meripulus

Hi Alex, I'm afraid you've lost me somewhat here ...sorry! The current situation certainly offers more choice, in effect, than the previous one and, respectfully, this is the final opportunity to voice your opinions regarding the industry technical guidance (at this 2nd time of consulting, after the review of the ICoP, which was also consulted with industry on.) Clearly this whole issue, including the aspect of accident stats etc., will be viewed much different / much more going forward. Please spend some time with the DRAFT document and let us have your views. Thank you. Regards, Paul

Provided you have an effective 'backup system', in case the primary system fails for any reason, which I think is what you are proposing, then that's fine. Many climbers have chosen to adopt '2-rope working', in many/most cases, to very good effect so certainly worth considering as an option. Probably academic, but just to clarify, that climbing systems we use fall under the 'fall protection' category rather than 'fall arrest.' Cheers, Paul

The guidance cites the requirement for a "backup system" to meet the requirements of the W@H Regs. which may be 2 ropes but can be achieved by other means (see sects 6.5 & 6.6 p.31-32). Regards Paul

BUMP...and with the document attached as a pdf for your convenience. REMEMBER this is your opportunity to influence the industry standard for tree climbing operations. Thanks in anticipation and to ensure your comments are considered please reply via the online survey and by 7th August. Thanks all, Paul Tech-Guide-1-Draft-Consultation.pdf

"How good is that", very impressive stuff...and reassuring to know it reveals no great surprises (I don't think) so.perhaps it's best application /use is where tree retention is desired. An obvious statement, forgive me, but when forming an opinion and before making any recommendations don't just base this on the Picus, see / assess the overall tree/structure and listen to your intuition too...experience counts for so much...albeit what a helping hand Cheers all Paul

Silver(?) Lime / Linden (Tilia tomentosa - botanical name) maybe..

HSE require you as the employer to determine competence n capability, and record this I would recommend, n assign tasks accordingly. Thereafter if intending being in UK for 12months or more to undertake relevant qualifications, ie NPTC or Lantra (as directed above.) Regards Paul

According to the guidance 'notice in writing', ie email (ideally with a response/ acknowledgement to confirm receipt) AND 5 'working days', ie not weekends, then on Day 6 you can proceed. If you don't have a reply/acknowledgement I would call the TO to check. (Interestingly just reading the guidance on the '5-day notice' and it appears only to be detailed under the section relating to Dead Tree and Branches, albeit clarifying the latter does not require prior notice.) Regards Paul