AA Teccie (Paul)

"CCC" (constructive criticism and concerns) Ian, all reasonable, fair n balanced...mostly ATB, Paul

Hey Ian, thanks for your "straight talkin", and valid, contribution here but what other industry accreditation schemes / trade associations are most clients aware of other than, for instance, CORGI / Gas Safe and maybe NICEIC / Fensa...because they're regulatory schemes, which we as an industry don't have, and as such all contractors have the logos on their vans. Hence it's a "by association" awareness (only very recently have I seen Gas Safe on TV.) In the commercial sector, ArbAC awareness is increasing as the scheme is registered on SSIP alongside CHAS / SAFEcontractor etc., commercial 'buyers' to better understand why if it's tree surgery services they require ARB Approved Contractor is the scheme they should choose ("work in progress.") With the (very) limited resources we have we consider the best strategy is to try to gain 'critical mass' from the industry itself, i.e. by attracting more good contractors to the scheme, and by encouraging LAs to support the cause and link websites. Hopin yer well.. Paul

Hi all, and thanks 'KTS Tom' for sticking with the process...I hope the reassessment went well. The issue of AA promotion, or 'lack of', is contentious as if I too were in your position I would want to see a greater presence in the Local Authority and public sectors to increase awareness and generate new business leads. However, sitting on "this side" of the fence it's a somewhat different picture...one involving a very limited resource both staff and financial. We do what we can, when/where we can...and where an opportunity arises (we did have a presence at Chelsea this year, albeit on the back of the RHS and APGH (All Parliamentary Group for Horticulture, of which the AA is an active member including 'lobbying' ministers on pan-industry wide issues, e.g. Biosecurity / skills shortages.) We offer 'marketing packs / materials' to AA Members and/or Branches to promote themselves and the AA/Schemes where they are exhibiting at County / Regional Shows etc. and, where an opportunity might arise to 'piggy-back' on, for instance, the Woodland Trust or RHS with whom we have developing relationships. I'm currently seeking to meet with as many LAs as I can, albeit on an ad-hoc basis as I travel around, to increase their awareness and seek their support / promotion of the schemes (increasingly LA websites link to https://www.trees.org.uk/Find-a-professional or the homepage.) In practice, those LAs who have ready access to a network of, ideally, 3-4 ArbACs within their area are more likely to follow this approach, i.e. a 'chicken n egg' scenario. I'm meeting various Lancashire LAs both directly and indirectly next week by virtue of delivering a BS3998 workshop / seminar at Myerscough and hence being in the area. The "Jo Public" market is difficult for us to reach directly, bar from putting an ad on ITV between Coronation Street (or GMTV as Check-a-Trade do) given it would cost thousands of pounds and hence we seek to equip the ArbACs themselves with marketing / promo stuff as they (you) are the interface. So, not an ideal answer, and I'd love to have the resources available to do more but hopefully some degree of reassurance that we are doin'summat. Can I suggest also posting in the AA ArbAC FB Group page as you may get further marketing / promotional advice / tips from other approved contractors there Thanks again fer discussin.. Paul

Come and join us Steve, I can check yer claim of no Silky scars

...but 'BYO' So, following a suggestion by a contractor in Suffolk I'm trying a different tack to meet up and 'have a chat' (yes, some time will be spent on the AAAC Scheme and AA, mainly Q&As I guess, but also on other stuff...as "YOU" like.) Just bring yer ideas along to the 'Bell Inn' - King Street - Thetford (IP24 2AZ) fer about 6pm on Tuesday 9th July. For booking please see https://www.trees.org.uk/Training-And-Events/Course-Detail?id=95B74FEB-958F-4190-9DD1-00A965A1EF20 but if you just appen to be in there come along n join us. Thanks for reading and hope to see you there Paul

The Planning Inspectorate, the body who undertake appeals. Previously done by arb inspectors, independently, but more recently by in-house staff (usually non-arbs) . This is a positive move both in terms of arb specific inspectors and more resources = reduced time for appeals...hopefully.

Dunno Mick, you always make me check myself...but I've yet to meet a climbing arb who hasn't had at least a nick from the handsaw. The pending Technical Guide 2 deals with use of tools in the tree and includes a section on handsaw use (I'll post a draft if I can put my hands on it.) Yeah, run down is quicker and hence 'less serious' cuts / injuries appen.

Good choice...Myerscough for me, I didn't travel well back then Yes, 25 handsaw to 1 chainsaw, or probably even higher...this is a guesstimate based on anecdotal evidence. I'm sure most would agree, "there or thereabouts". Going forward I wonder how many chainsaw cuts will be incurred through battery saws as opposed to petrol chainsaws...both very capable of cutting / injuring, and perhaps there'll be no difference, but my inclin is battery saws will be less, or less significant cuts / injuries maybe.

Probably summat like 25-1, or more even. Struggled to injure yerself with a 21" Sandvik, really? I must have been the 'clumsy' one of the bunch then Which caves did you originate from Mick? Paul

I'd (formally) reapply...today!

Is the original application not still live if they've not determined it, i.e. not issued refusal...which you could then appeal?

Surely this statement relates to pruning of LA owned trees given increasingly diminishing budgets and hence doing the minimum perhaps to meet their 'DoC' responsibilities.

Hi there, Sorry, but I don't recognize that condition / wording as being from the template (copy attached.) The 3rd party issue in the Ts & Cs refers to working on 'their' trees, i.e. trees outside of the enquirers property. Ts & Cs Template v6.1 (2018).doc I'm guessing the condition you cite relates to 'consequential heave' or similar (a complex matter.) Perhaps written confirmation that said condition would not apply in this instance may suffice. Cheers, Paul

Both City & Guilds AND Lantra (Awards) now offer qualification opportunities, i.e. assessments, and both use the same titles but not references (see attached.) Only Lantra offer training courses (and FISA of course for ground based stuff.) Forestry and arboricultural qualifications v0.2 27.09.13.docx

Hi all, Has anybody experienced the same? Been back to the suppliers still new, who fitted a new pump, but problem's recurred. Thanks in anticpation, Paul

Wall doesn't (yet) look unstable...poly-filla and retain a while longer Without the option to build into the footpath I can't readily see an engineering solution unfortunately. An alternative approach could be to remove the section of wall affected, above the inside ground level of course, and replace with fencing appen Shame, a nice tree...sorry Ben Paul ("chocolate fireguard")

Cheers Mick, didn't want to interrupt him ...n didn't know/realize that tbh Paul (the 'not so' teccie Teccie)

A reasonable assumption...but . C'mon Edward C. we're awaiting your answer Cheers, Paul

Think the confirmation is a separate document...hopefully Edward or Chris will be along shortly to 'confirm.' You could enquire with the LPA TO. Cheers, Paul

Morning all, and apologies here for relatively short notice...but hopefully at least some of you will still join me . 'Next' Weds. 22nd May at Parkill Hill Training, just north of Leicester (for more info and booking see https://www.trees.org.uk/Training-And-Events/Course-Detail?id=95A03586-3841-42B6-8E7C-67E66D18BEF6 ) Thanks all n hope to see yous there...and/or at the ARB Show of course. Paul

Above would seem to be "the way to go" ...I was of the (wrong) view that as you're not actually working on the highway, and no further signage / TM measures will be encountered by drivers, then 'MaW' sign wasn't applicable and the 'exclamation mark' sign was the relevant one...which still seems logical (but then I would say that of course .) Edward's comments are also very valid / relevant. Cheers, Paul

Hi Tim, suggest checking what your local Highways 'people' would expect but think the 'exclamation' mark with Tree Surveying underneath would be correct. As others have said hi-viz jacket and trousers...and 'orange' hard hat just for good measure. Hope you're well, Paul

Another term sometimes used is 'truncated', meaning inter-nodal cuts, i.e. between nodes / buds / "suitable secondary growth points, often resulting in multiple regrowth points from dormant buds, i.e. reaction growth. The other term mention was 'panic regrowth' which, IME, is not necessarily associated with 'excessive' pruning as often occurs when trees are stressed, maybe resultant from root damage/severance, but results in dormant buds along branches being stimulated to grow as 'last gasp' to survive (is how I think I've heard it described.) Paul

haha...none taken I think the word 'context,' as you described comes to mind with your Goat Willow n Beech trees. Tbh, albeit some time ago now, we did initiate a project, a photographic guide, of "how" different pruning operations may be applied / look on different tree species...and by differing amounts (percentages etc...shhhh.) Unfortunately it rather fell flat on its face quite quickly as it was realized how much work was involved and how much time it would likely take . In practice, "the day job" at the Association takes up more than my allotted time and we hope that members (and non-members potentially) and 'working groups' will lead and produce stuff like this facilitated, and assisted, by us...so if you've ever got a coupla hours spare. as it cites in the Foreword - BS3998 is to be applied by experts in any given situation as it's sets out broad principles...AND it challenges said experts to be able to justify any deviation from said principles (perhaps interpreted as they can't / won't be applied in all situations.) Wish I had the 'intellect' to suitably respond to your comment about being a 'pseudo governing body' and 'diktats'...other than the fact we don't see ourselves that way at all, well maybe just a little Cheers Mick, Paul

Hmmmm, "species" ...."context"