AA Teccie (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

Hi Stew..."yes" the revised TG1 (Tree Climbing) will be out for industry consultation very soon. Regards, Paul

Possibly/probably, dependent on their use /application...again, forgive me for repeating myself, we have to await the TG1. Regards, Paul PS I'm signing off now. ATB.

Hi Jamie, the HSE haven't back-tracked as such but accepted a different approach / interpretation of the W@H regs and it's application to the industry and working practices (sorry if that sounds a bit wordy .) The forthcoming Technical Guide 1 - Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue (TG1) will clarify the detail (where the "devil lies" ) and this should be with us very soon. Suffice to say many businesses have adopted '2 rope' working as the norm, although the ICoP doesn't require such, but use of a back-up system is required (again TG1 will give further guidance and examples.) Please "bear with us" a little longer...thank you. Regards, Paul

Hi there, I hope this works - here is the FINAL document agreed with HSE. Cookies check EDITION.PAGESUITE-PROFESSIONAL.CO.UK Guidance Notes - Industry Code of Practice for Arboriculture – Tree Work at Height if not go to the website www.trees.org.uk and download from there. To clarify the ICoP is a management / planning document detailing the industry's interpretation and application of the Work at Height Regs. (to clarify - whilst use of "2 ropes" is still an option, and 'preferred' in many respects, it is not obligatory...but you are expected to have a 'back-up' in place (in most instances...TG1 will explain more/how.) The "how to do" manuals (Technical Guides 1-4) aimed at the operatives/climbers and covering many of the activities you cite will follow soon..."watch this space." Hope this helps / clarifies things...and thanks Mick for the nudge (hope you're well.) Regards all, Paul

Suggest 'not delaying' on doing the PTI as increasingly seen as the benchmark 'competence qualification' (technically a certification) for tree (safety) surveys / inspections. This may stand you in better stead for working for/with other consultants...also consider professional memberships AA/ICF etc. to help with CPD opportunities and professional recognition. Good luck, Paul

Senecio greyii ???

Thanks Khriss, I too have seen many climbers using 2 ropes to very good effect, where the tree is suitable and the operation etc. However the revised ICoP does not constrain you to such which I'm sure will be a relief, understandably, to many. Thanks for your post and have a good weekend. Paul

Prunus (ceracifera) 'Pissardii" - Purple Plum

Pretty sure Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus..)

sorry Pete, no financial gain with the ICoP at all as available FoC as a pdf. download

Hi Pete, the further review of the ICoP was undertaken by the AA and technical authors, and then HSE endorsed, AFTER the industry consultation you contributed to. Respectfully, there was never a proposal to go back out to industry with the ICoP, which is aimed at managers / planners / supervisors but the revised Technical Guide 1, aimed at climbers / arborists / technician, which has already been out to industry consultation, wll do so again...perhaps this is the confusion.) In a nutshell, see p.33, there is no expectation that '2 ropes' will be the norm, it is an option, but use of a 'backup system' (see p.34) is expected. Hope this helps clarify things but TG1 is needed to paint the complete picture..."watch this space." Regards, and hope you're well, Paul