Paul Jenks

Answers on a postcard. If I ever manage to upload the answer you'll find out then:biggrin:

Just watched the vid on a screen big enough to read the text. Wow. That is pretty good. Can't see what all the fuss over some moss and ferns though. Surely if all the plants are living in their natural environment they suffer a little buffeting from a bit of deadwood. If they were that precious they should have bagged the sawdust.

I've only ever seen one of the big black rubber things used once. (At least the ones I think we're referring to here.) The guy using it was amazing. Whacking in fence posts straight and true. I've seen big black rubber things used on other websites. 100kgs was about right, but 6" doesn't even come close.) The only maul I've used is a splitting maul, so I defer to yours and others greater knowledge and experience of the big black rubber thing.

Point taken.

Ah. You mean one of those big black rubber things. I thought they were for fencing.(Unless you mean a rubber mallet). Anyone using one of those big black rubber things to bed slabs could do with getting the levels of the sub-base better to begin with. Still think it's codswallop.

Did the climber have to spike up the other 3 trees to put the rigging systems in and then remove them? Interesting and certainly less physical stress for the climber doing it in large lumps like that. I'd rather use a 2 rope system and dismantle in smaller pieces where the sections move away directly they've been cut, but still under control.

Interesting play on words. Sounds like codswallop to me. Why would you need a maul for a patio?

There is no such thing as a good heavy reduction on a birch. If they really want you to butcher it make sure they know it'll look like crap however talented you are and it'll hasten the decline of the tree as well as introducing future management implications as far as the regenration growth and decay at the cut sites.

That made me chuckle. Thank-you TCD

I believe there is quite a bit of info on the RHS website.

I'm there either Monday or Tuesday. Haven't had a look at the seminars yet to see which ones interest me. Main reason for going is a meeting with NOS about our KPI system.

I think what you're after is a revelatory theory that actually changes the way we think. An easier example from physics might be E=MC2. Newtons theories actually changed the way people thought. Or Galileo suggesting that the Earth circled the Sun. An equivalent in forestry might be that trees do actually speak. CODIT is about the only one I can bring to mind at this time of day and without a great deal of either caffiene or alcohol induced thought.

I have climbed a few trees where they didn't move right. Often they were dead and it was obvious. You do get a feel for really dodgy trees. (For any HSE reps any views expressed on here about climbing dead,dying or dangerous trees are not the views of the company and are definatly all past tense, never to be repeated ever again, honest). Sometimes live ones wobble a bit and further investigation shows something nasty lurking in a buttress. I'll assume from your name you've climbed a bit. I trust my judgement. Trust yours.

Nicely put:thumbup1:

Gaining accreditation isn't just about helping get contracts. Phil summed it up. Take a look at any PQQ and you'll discover what is involved. For my money I'd still start with the AA. They have a holistic approach that helps get the mindset right for the systems you'll need to progress. Most commercials, LA's and housing associations know and respect the AA marque and many require it. That said the AA has a way to go before they overtake the Automobile Association and Alcoholics Anonymous in the public subconciousness. Be aware that even if the ticket price is <£500 it'll cost you a large time investment and more £££s to ensure your yard, office, machinary, equipment, vehicles and systems are up to standard. Generally I guess you get what you pay for as with lots of things in life. Go for a cheap accreditation, (not just in £££ but in time as well), and it probably won't deliver. AAAC, CHAS, EXOR, IIP, ISO are about cultural changes in the organisation and management systems the prove resilience. IMO.

There is, I think, an NPTC module for windblown trees. I was lucky enough to learn on the real deal back in '87. Slash and death cuts doesn't even come close. The forces involved are enormous and however you do it you need to take a good look at how the tree fell and where the pressures are. Look at how stable the tree is when you start the dismantle stay very alert to movement at all times. If you start to sned out with the root plate still on watch out for it standing upright quite quickly. With the root plate cut off the tree is more prone to roll. On, it may stand up. Once you have cut off the root plate don't let anyone walk under or behind it as they can sit back down suddenly.

I liked that. It even got a small chuckle from my wife as I told it.

Sounds like The Status Quo tour back in '84:thumbup1:. Still, you've got more hair than Francis, Paul.

I reckon he was looking for chinese hand job but google chrome kicked in and found this first.

If you are looking at buying your own trousers, stick with the stihl HiFlex and get yourself a couple of pairs of good reflective over trousers. If you're working in Scandinavia heat won't be such an issue in the winter. The cheaper overtrousers will take most of the wear and tear. The chainsaw trousers will last much longer. The principle reason for wearing hi-viz is that you need to be seen. 10 washes will see the effectiveness diminish considerably, and unless you're a dirty bastard, that means about 10 weeks. Much better to chuck a £10 pair of over trousers.

What he said

The more trees one does the higher the probability of an error. That's not to say that an error is inevitable. Some people never make mistakes just as some men never masturbate. As someone said earlier, it's not so much that a mistake has been made, it's how it is dealt with. We've had a few, all blessedly small, for private, commercial and public body. It happens. Fessing up and asking what they need to rectify the situation is the best policy. Then attempt to initiate protocols to prevent recurrence. Most of the balls-ups we've had are ultimately my fault, usually through lack of communication, so I have to apologise to the staff as well as the client. Usually I manage to retain both and the relationship is stronger for it.

By all means speak to a lawyer, they usually give you a bit of time for free. For heavens sake don't employ one. 99 times out of a 100 the only winner is the lawyer with their fees. The concept of courts awarding full costs as well as the original sum is fantasy. It doesn't happen. £125 is a cheap days training in the journey of life. As most of the others have said before. Be nice, firm and prepared to let it go.

I'd be more concerned with, a) What course? b) Whether the college has certificated for tree ident? If the college has certificated the person and he really is as awful at ident as appears the examiner and the college need to look at their systems.

You'll need to take a look at the BS5837:2005. See if someone you know has a copy. It's a bit pricey. From memory it's over £100. Usually, the existing foundations, slab, paving etc have to be lifted using handtools with an arboriculturalist present to effect correct pruning of exposed roots. Sometimes the LA doesn't like stuff to be moved when it's within the calculated RPA. You'll also have to consider the future growth potential of the trees and the shading. Pruning the tree to shoehorn a building in and the future pruning or management pruning to retain the size of trees close to a proposed building is not looked upon favourably. Read the document to get a feel for the BS, British Standard as opposed to B**l S**t. Then speak to the Tree Officer and see what his view is.