AA Teccie (Paul)

Not as amusing as the above reply, and not necessarily the correct one either, but 'at a glance' is it not simply the Weeping Ash (F. excelsior "Pendula") showing the top graft??? Paul

The gov.uk website says 30 days for public bodies and 60 days for businesses, The new rules are simple – debtors will be forced to pay interest and reimburse the reasonable recovery costs of the creditor, if they do not pay for goods and services on time (60 days for business and 30 days for public authorities). If you have separate Ts & Cs, which state a lesser time period for payment, and ideally where the customer has signed to acknowledge receipt / knowledge of these, and/or where it states such on the invoice, you could pursue it privately...but probably not worthwhile until 60 days has expired really, frustrating though. Good luck with it, Paul

HI John, we're not running it as such, more offering easier access to AA members and the wider industry and facilitating exams. There will be info on the AA website very soon. The other thing we are 'considering / investigating' is the option of a structured training program towards the qualification for those who may prefer that to the self-study route...albeit the study guide is fantastic and structured very well for s-s. Cheers John n I/we will post more when the info on the website is released. Paul

BUMP - places still available - now qualifies for 4 CEUs (ISA Certified Arborist Scheme) Hoping to see you there, Paul

Hi John, It was 3 years ago actually (they got ArbAC), I had the privilege, and pleasure, of doing their initial assessment. Last year's was a reassessment (interim.) Cheers, n hope yer well.. Paul

The best approach to refresher training, in an ideal world admittedly, is to up-skill wherever you can. I would view ground-based stuff and aerial stuff separately and some, e.g. aerial rescue / chipper, very much individually. Cheers, Paul

Hi all, I hope you're well and HAPPY NEW YEAR! If you're new year's resolutions included getting "ARB Approved" please see the dates and venues for the 2017 workshops here Arboricultural Association - Course which are FREE. Remember, whilst its not mandatory to attend, it is highly recommended you do so not least as you're then far more likely to get a full approval first time round, or pending approval with 'minors', AND you could qualify for 25% discount on the initial assessment fee saving a minimum of £124 +VAT. Hoping to see you there and please do reply, or pm, if you wanna know more. Many thanks, Paul

Hi there, and Happy New Year too. That's great news and sounds like you got help early on before permanent nerve damage occurred...and good news about the grip strength improvements too. Long may it all continue n good choice with the saw too. Cheers for info, Paul

DO you actually mean "an improvement" or not worsened? I ask as someone affected by HAVS and whilst initially I did get improvement, i.e. I could start to grip / hold a cup of tea, longer term the condition didn't worsen but has never improved (since 1990.) Also I presume you mean battery operated saw by E-saw n not electric. Cheers. Paul

An interesting, with surprising findings, research project see http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr1077.pdf if only to read the executive summary. Cheers, Paul

Hi, there is a generic risk assessment on the AA website, see Arboricultural Association - Help for arborists . In terms of a risk analysis, it does include a risk evaluation, which is kinda the same thing, albeit qualitative rather than quantitative, which is sometimes challenged as deemed to be subjective (but then so is assigning numbers using a risk matrix with the key consideration being 'probability'.) So, perhaps a start, rather than finish, point. Cheers, Paul

An extract from the Act (see last sentence) at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/8/section/211 211 Preservation of trees in conservation areas. (1) Subject to the provisions of this section and section 212, any person who, in relation to a tree to which this section applies, does any act which might by virtue of section 198(3)(a) be prohibited by a tree preservation order shall be guilty of an offence. . [F1(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply so far as the act in question is authorised by an order granting development consent.] . (2) Subject to section 212, this section applies to any tree in a conservation area in respect of which no tree preservation order is for the time being in force. . (3) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove— . (a) that he served notice of his intention to do the act in question (with sufficient particulars to identify the tree) on the local planning authority in whose area the tree is or was situated; and . (b) that he did the act in question— . (i) with the consent of the local planning authority in whose area the tree is or was situated, or . (ii) after the expiry of the period of six weeks from the date of the notice but before the expiry of the period of two years from that date.

An extract from the Act at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/8/section/211 211 Preservation of trees in conservation areas. (1) Subject to the provisions of this section and section 212, any person who, in relation to a tree to which this section applies, does any act which might by virtue of section 198(3)(a) be prohibited by a tree preservation order shall be guilty of an offence. . [F1(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply so far as the act in question is authorised by an order granting development consent.] . (2) Subject to section 212, this section applies to any tree in a conservation area in respect of which no tree preservation order is for the time being in force. . (3) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove— . (a) that he served notice of his intention to do the act in question (with sufficient particulars to identify the tree) on the local planning authority in whose area the tree is or was situated; and . (b) that he did the act in question— . (i) with the consent of the local planning authority in whose area the tree is or was situated, or . (ii) after the expiry of the period of six weeks from the date of the notice but before the expiry of the period of two years from that date.

...but it'd be nice to still encourage them to plant a replacement tree anyway yeah Cheers, Paul

Hypothetically, either, or both, if they are deemed to have committed an offence, might be responsible dependent upon the circumstances and prosecuted. The guidance at Enforcing tree protection offences | Planning Practice Guidance states: What are the offences and who can be guilty of committing them? Section 210(1) and Section 202C(2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 provide that anyone who, in contravention of a Tree Preservation Order •cuts down, uproots or wilfully destroys a tree; or •tops, lops or wilfully damages a tree in a way that is likely to destroy it; or •causes or permits such activities is guilty of an offence. After having said that, if you are simply the operative carrying out the works and your position / role / 'JD' has no responsibility for checking TPOs etc then you should be "in the clear." IME LPAs don't prosecute lightly and only where it's deemed to be in the public interest. Cheers, Paul

As far as I'm aware he does but I don't know how actively he does so. Perhaps give him a call, I'll pm his mobile number. Cheers, Paul

Hi Kev currently works with Treefella in Southend, he's no longer with BTS. Cheers, Paul

Hi all, A "heads up" for the first (FREE) ARB Approved Contractor workshop in 2017 at Rodbaston Hall, Penkridge, Cannock on 18th Jan. To find out more please do come along and to book please go to Arboricultural Association - Course Detail REMEMBER attendance at this, or any, workshop qualifies you for 25% discount on the initial assessment fee, a min. saving of approx. £124 +VAT, provided you apply for assessment within 3 months of the workshop date. Many thanks n hope to see you there Paul

AS I understand it, CIS only applies in the construction industry sector, if you're not working on construction / building sites, e.g. site veg clearance / facilitation tree-works, then it doesn't apply. Your self-employed climbers / grounders should be invoicing you for their time and then they become liable for their own tax & NI. HMRC get concerned if you're using "their" services permanently as they are then employees effectively and hence you're liable for their tax & NI, and soon pension provision, as their employer. Speak to your accountant to clarify exactly why he thinks you should register for CIS. Cheers, Paul

"Now yer talking", excellent reduction = ARB Approved (well oaky, for Module 2 sect 2.1) Thanks for posting. Paul

Hi Mick, the BS3998 deemed "one-size fits all" approach is a start point, remembering the BS is 'general' guidance and recommendations not a specification (unlike other BSs.) It is to be interpreted and applied by the 'arbs' according to any given situation. Any deviance is expected to be justified. This includes taking into account the "species factor", as you say, the age of the tree, its condition / vitality , previous management, situation, exposure etc. etc. So, carry on leaving the branches 1/3rd of the length they previously were (v funny Gary)...when your wrist recovers of course, hopefully v soon, tc. Cheers, Paul

Which one...of the 3? (BS3998 explicit & implicit) 1. Relating to the diameter of the selected secondary growth point against the parent branch or stem (most commonly applied one) 2. The total cross-sectional area not exceeding 1/3rd of the stem diameter (Table 1), or 3. Maximum proportion of foliage the tree will (okay, may) tolerate in a single hit, i.e. ideally not to exceed such Either, either way, I thinks Mick's subtle reductions missed on al 3 accounts...albeit the customer is always king, or queen, of course (no cynicism meant here as I know that's often the over-riding factor.) Cheers, Paul

It's obvious, you've just gotta be there Cheers, Paul

Hmmm, not sure our first aid skills extend that far TBH so prob best you stay home with her rather than bring her along, then again tis a perfectly natural thing...."yeah right!" Tc, Paul

Yeah, sorry about that n, in part, why Stephen's posted so early, ie "heads up." Basically its dictated by Westonbirt's calendar n the fact we're inside the actual arboretum this time....still, there's worse places you could spend yer birthday Thanks for the acknowledgement, much appreciated. ATB, Paul