AA Teccie (Paul)

What was the spec as looks a pretty heavy crown reduction?

Possibly coz it was on the Jeremy Vine Show on R2 last Friday I think. Amey, who are the PFI main contractor / 'partner' (?), have contracted a couple of the AA Approved Contractors to undertake the works, including one who have worked for Sheffield for many years, and they paint a very different story to that reported in the press. Cheer.. Paul PS Before anyone asks the AA position statement is here Arboricultural Association - Jeremy Barrell comments on the Sheffield Street Trees issue

Course 'FLYER' now attached with more details. Cheers all.. Paul SHAD Leaflet - Web2.pdf

Hi there, thought you said above you weren't doing it...but maybe that related to the L6 question. So, presumably Darren is delivering the L4 to you? Sorry, just trying to clarify who is delivering what. Thanks.. Paul

The AA is hosting this FREE one-day event on behalf of HSE, to encourage engagement with the wider tree work industry. As such the first 60 places will be reserved for arboricultural contractors who are not current Arboricultural Association members or ARB Approved Contractors. Financially supported by HSE, it is delivered by a team of Arboricultural Association Technical Officers, HSE staff and the Arb Matters training team. For further details see Arboricultural Association - Course Thanks all.. Paul

Hi all, a heads up for this FREE event at Wrexham (Chirk Castle, sounds nice.) For further info and booking see Arboricultural Association - Course Detail Thanks all n hope to see you there.. Paul

BUMP...and to say, as numbers are quite low, IF its a particular bad day and you'd rather be indoors than out, or if the planned job falls through last minute, please just turn up at Houghall College for 9.30am The drawback to this 'informal' approach is there won't be a certificate of attendance provided for CPD evidencing purposes and nor will the business qualify for a 25% discount* on the initial assessment fee. Cheers...n soooooo hopping to see you there Paul *Ts & Cs apply (basically you have to apply for assessment WITHIN 3 months of the workshop, i.e. by 17th May...2016!!! )

Luv to think England but see Scotland as an under-dog / dark horse. The outcome of the Calcutta Cup (at Murrayfield) will be defining I think.

Hi Gary, Whilst the 'trainee' often will have their "rigging ticket" its experience in and understanding of the examining bodies are looking for as a prerequisite. Cheers.. Paul

Tom Wells at Expertrees. We're having a few glitches with the website at the moment n hence he'll be on there shortly. Cheers.. Paul

How clever is that...and they've incorporated the Flexibility Strategy from Mattheck

I guess the premise here is Shigo's "mass to energy ratio" and the more mature the tree the less tolerance of 'heavy' pruning including topping / pollarding, generally speaking. However, one also needs to consider 'dosage', i.e. how much the tree will tolerate / cope with and various factors affect that inc. species, age, vitality, disease / dysfunction / previous management etc. etc. BUT as we all know, and see, trees often haven't read Shigo and don't conform. BTW we now have a 'true' Cornwallian ARB Approved Contractor...and there's always room for more. Cheers.. Paul

Hi Kevin, I hope you're well. I guess the point I was trying to emphasise was that of the pollarding 'v' topping terminology and taking a lead from BS3998. However, in terms of the "application of" BS3998 to specific situations I like your suggestion and, of course, we can all recollect when topping, at least in the first instance, has occurred to much larger trees which have then been successfully managed as 'pollards.' Cheers Paul

There's a terminology issue here in regards to customer understanding and industry standards, namely in relation to the term pollarding / re-pollarding. BS3998 gives quite clear guidance on what qualifies as pollarding, at least in the first instance: "If the stem has attained a diameter of more than 50 mm, but less than about 200 mm at 2 m to 3 m height, pollarding may still be initiated." Hence, on many occasions you will be 'topping', albeit in a professional manner of course, and not pollarding. However such terminology to your customer may be off-putting and do you a dis-service BUT it is important you understand when pollarding aligns with BS3998 and when it doesn't. This may seem a tad pedantic, and academic as the outcome will be anyway, BUT it is as per the industry standard. Perhaps give the customer a range of options here with the pro's n con's of each...and the cost differentials of course Sorry, just being very 'AA Teccie...ISH here!' Cheers.. Paul

I would suggest you need to engage the services of a competent arboriculturist / arboricultural consultant (with experience / expertise in the planning / TPO field) very quickly. Regards.. Paul

Hmmm, as a non-expert I hasten to add, does the document not suggest earlier on that you SHOULD record, and tag as appropriate, all trees over 75 or 150mm (in woodlands etc.) I remember being faced with this prospect many years ago as it was the clients instruction / "brief", a landscape architect, however thankfully (BIG PHEW) pragmatism won the day and I didn't have to. Tom - speak with your client and explain the "whys n wherefores", remembering BS5837 is recommendations and guidance, albeit very importantly so, to be interpreted and applied by the 'expert'...n hopefully common sense will prevail. Good luck. Paul, I hope you're well and sorry, I cannot meaningfully contribute to your RPA question. Ask me something about PUWER though and "I'm your man!" Best.. Paul

APOLOGIES here, see below (an extract from the FISA website): Q - I’m an arborist, do I need to undertake a FISA refresher, to work on a FISA member’s site? A - Utility arborist qualifications require a 3 yearly recertification to evidence continued competency, and as they are not harvesting timber, and the majority of the utility work is aerial operations rather than free felling, they fall outside the FISA refresher training requirement. Operators maintaining their utility qualifications / recertification is sufficient evidence of an operators refresher and competence. Therefore they do not require a FISA refresher course to operate on a FISA members site. If a utility qualified operator is employed to “specifically harvest timber” under a harvesting contract and not a utility contract, then attendance of a FISA refresher is required. Hence if you are a 'general' arborist the HSE requirement is refresher training (NOT FISA refreshers) every 5 years beit Lantra / C&G / NPTC / independent (but auditable.) TO be honest I'd stick with Lanta or NPTC as both are well recognised. Cheers.. Paul

Hi im replying on a tablet device which i dont really know how to use. In my opinion this requirement is outside of the scope of FiISA refresher training...albeit ig might be useful anyay. see fisa website - training - frequently asked questions, then scroll down to "I'm an arborist..." question which is relevant. But your general aerial ttreework qualification or training etc still has to be within 5 yeears. good luck.. paul

Hi Tom, I hope you're well. We have made representations to FISA on various matters, some they have been more engaging on than others. This particular topic of refresher training is rather "done and dusted", at least in respect of harvesting operations. Aerial tree work / 'arb' they have acknowledged that FISA specific refresher training is not applicable...but refresher training in general is. Cheers.. Paul

Hi Matty, I feel your frustration BUT this is correct as I understand it. However, if your 'NPTC' refreshers were specific to tree felling operations it would seem not to be in the spirit of this UK FISA - The Forest Industry Safety Accord Hope you get something sorted...good luck! Paul

Some relevant, and interesting, information on the FC website Conifer root and butt rot (Forest Research)

Not sure the Issue 3 will be quite as life changing...but maybe it will. Hoping it gets a big CONGRATULATIONS on arrival Best.. Paul

PHEW...thanks goodness fer that, starting to get a bit worried nobody wanted t help me (ha), n many thanks Andrew, I hope yer well. Cheers Paul

Cryptomeria???

Dear 'collective'...I think the phrase is "use it or lose it" n clearly the latter is applicable here for me. Sorry, don't know how to embed the image in the post (...oops, "as if by magic"...this is one clever bloomin website Steve!) Thanks in advance.. Paul