AA Teccie (Paul)

Hi all, hope yer well and preparing yer 'Bermudas' etc. for the ARB SHOW this week...take a 'pac-a-mac' just in case! Just a 'heads up' that I've added further guidance / downloads on the AA website at Help becoming an ARB Approved Contractor (PLEASE don't be put off coz it says "Help Becoming an ArbAC' as the regs apply equally to everyone, ArbACs or not, and it's not a hard sell once your in, infact it's not a "sell" at all!) Just in case you're wondering, the 'Asbestos' stuff on there is largely influenced by our 'deemed to satisfy' agreement with CHAS and SAFEcontractor who work principally with the construction sector where asbestos is a very significant hazard (nonetheless not be be ignored.) Hope this to be of use. Cheers.. Paul

Hi there, The obvious choice, perhaps, would be the Scottish Agric College (see Arboricultural Association's Technician's Certificate - SAC (Scottish Agricultural College)) but as you mention 'distance learning' the world (meaning the rest of the UK really) is your oyster. Have a look too at Arboriculture (FE) and Tree Life Training Oh and don't forget the Arb Assoc can help along the way, ha...WHO???!!! Good luck.. Paul

Hi, you could mention it but as it's not a 'notifiable disease' and the source could be anywhere it's unlikely they'll act...realistically, what can / could they do? Perhaps the best option is careful species collection in avoiding P&D susceptible species, trouble is that's an ever decreasing choice. Cheers.. Paul

Monilinia laxa, a fungal disease affecting leaves and shoots is also likely to be at play I would suggest. See Blossom wilt / Royal Horticultural Society As with most visible tree disease symptoms these days there's likely to be a combination of agents, both biotic and often abiotic, and of course oftne finished off by good old 'Honey Fungus'. Cheers all.. Paul

Hi Paul, Perhaps that's exactly why, i.e. if it was a still day when you inspected the tree and then subsequently it failed, at the base/rootplate, on a windy day you may have some level of defence if challenged...dunno! Cheers.. Paul

Congrats, and again great tree work, to: 1. Zelkova Arbor-culture in Ilfracombe (Paul Rich and Marc Buckland) 2. Max Bayles Professional Tree Care in Bovey Tracey (Max Bayles) 3. Greenhills Tree Services in Tavistock (Paul Greenhill) 4. Teign Trees in Teignmouth (Paul Wright) Thanks for supporting the scheme guys and encouraging to hear how beneficial you found the process in improving your businesses, and of course becoming acreddited. Regards.. Paul

Hi all, It's great that you're gonna be there, and /or sending your guys along, thank you for supporting the event and I look forward to meeting up and 'catching up'. C'mon tho everyone, there's still plenty of spaces left and you don't want to be wishing you'd gone when the great 'after event' feedback is posted...I hope (sure)! Thanks again.. Paul

I guess we don't really know within what context the 'other' arb made that statement and, to a greater or lesser extent, we can all kinda understand what he's/she's saying. At the end of the day it is for the professional, i.e. qualified and experienced...or indeed qualified 'by' experience, to consider the tree and the situation and make a valid and appropriate recommendation. In many instances, ideally, with a mature Beech this may involve phase works over a number of years...now there lies a challenge (convincing the tree owner of that approach), afterall the tree didn;t get to that height overnight so why should it be 'heavily' reduced...overnight. Hope you're all well and to see you at the ARB FAIR and/or ARB FEST (bloomin good speaker up there, epitomises above statement of (very) qualified BY experience...nice fella too!) Cheers all.. Paul PS As to the original issue, and with all due respect, I would expect the TPO consent to be suitably conditioned along the lines of "...to a height/clearance above ground level not exceeding '5.0m' and by removal of secondary and tertiary (third order) branches only, no primary branches, and with final pruning cuts not exceeding 75mm dia." (or similar)....hmmm, interesting!

Hi Rob, hope yer well! It is a limited places event, 100 I think, so pre-booking is required (plus that makes sure we've got enough grub for everyone...most important!) Please complete and return, eithert scan and email or complete and post, to us ([email protected] or The Malthouse, Stroud Green, Standish, Stonehouse, Glos. GL10 3DL). Thanks in anticipation and look forward to seeing you there. Cheers.. Paul aa_arbfest_booking_form_120412.pdf

Thanks Pommie, you know where I am n always happy to talk. Cheers.. Paul

Hi David, Not that I was aware of. That said, at the time, I would have mainly established this by the presence of fruiting brackets either on the tree at the time or from previous inspections. I cannot recall either. Regards.. Paul

TPO'd trees to be 'topped', that's interesting! Ultimately if the conditions, assuming them to be relevant and reasonable, are not complied with the LPA could potentially prosecute both you, as the axe wielder, and the owner, aiding and abetting...or similar. Hence you would be (very) well advised to speak with the LPA should you wish to deviate form the conditions, or indeed if you're unsure about them. Good luck..! Paul

IN my previous TO life, we had several Red HCs street trees whihc failed, by snapping off up the stem, assoicated with this canker. In each case there was significnat decay too, rather than just cambium dysfunction. Never seen it so close to the base tho. At least a case of careful, regular monitoring I would suggest. Cheers.. Paul

The bit I've put in bold above is right, plus it seeks to retain tree cover recognising that trees naturally die and need replacing therefore. Yep, ur right, in that if you do serve notice to remove a tree and they don't TPO then there is no duty to replace. There, that's that sortid...I think! Be good to see you at Leeds...fingers crossed. Cheers.. Paul

Hey 'Skyhuck', hope yer well! Forgive me if I've misunderstood here but if the tree in question is in a CA and is being removed under the DDD (now DD of course, i.e. no dying anymore) exemption then there is a legal duty to replace it. I think that's what it say at 9.14 (116) above. Godda a feelin I've got the worng ed of teh stick ere so I'll dash... Take care. Paul

'Check-a-trade', interestingly I've just had a look at the website and it's good to see 'Tree Surgery' has it's own separate listing and isn't included in the 'Gardening' section...PHEW! At home the 'Buy with Confidence' scheme administered by the County Council Trading Standards gets radio coverage, unfortunately tho it lists tree surgery under gardening...perhaps I should drop them a line! Another idea / thought, unbelievably our central heating boiler, whihc was installed just 12months ago, received a birthday card last week from the plumber(?) who installed it and guess what, it reminded the bolier it needs a service. Made me laugh but more importnatly from the plumbers point of view it made me call him and book a service. Not suggesting there's a direct equivalent for us but maybe hedge trimming is an annual task and we could send a polite letter saying to contact you if they need help this year...dunno? Good luck and I hope things pick up soon for everyone. Cheers.. Paul

James, thank you, that's really nice to hear. The AA are very keen to do more stuff 'up north', and hopefully at an affordable price, but these events do need supporting to make sure they run so if you have contact with others who may also be interested please do let them know. Many thanks and look forward to meeting you there..hopefully! Paul

..I hope so as i'd be great to put faces to names! A quick 'heads up' if I may regarding this inaugural event see ARBFest for more info. Many thanks for reading.. Paul

Ya'll get to meet me there....right that's that then eh, event cancelled, ha! Should be an intersting event, kinda combined CPD + 'jolly', a new venture for the AA but hopefully will be well supported and received. One can but try. Cheers all n have a good weekend Paul PS What's that golden glowing thing in the sky?!

Indeed it is as others have said and, ideally, I would get it inspected, i.e. 'thorough examination', rather than 'tested' prior to use. Provided you've had it stored in clean and dry place it should be fine. Take it easy comin back. Paul

Is it S. aria 'Majestica' maybe....or maybe not knowin my tree id! Paul

Have you had a look here Cranes in Arboriculture - Towards an Industry Standard By all accounts David Robinson is both very knowledgeable and helpful on the subject. Sorry I know very little about crane work so I'll leave it to the experts. Good luck. Paul

Congratulations and well done to three new, small business, 'ARB Approved Contractors' in Norfolk, namely; 1. Mr Tree Ltd (Nick Perks) 2. Norfolk Trees (Ashley Barnes) 3. South Norfolk Tree Services (Simon Giller) The 'pruning' bar certainly went up a few notches during this week. Excellent work guys and thank you for supporting the 'ArbAC' scheme. Cheers all.. Paul

Hi there, yeah, sorry about that, don't worry tho as we're actually around at the 'old' place this week and all post is to be forwarded anyway...no problemo! Sadly won't see me at Taunton, I think my colleague Simon Richmond is doing that event. I'm at Callington (Cornwall) on 4th July. Hope you enjoy the seminar and find it useful (I'm sure you will.) Cheers, Paul

Hi Tom, As there is no current provider for this service to the arb industry I am in the process of applying for the Association to become such. Hence, watch this space. Cheers n have a good weekend Paul