xdarkknight

I know it's not so much "the thing" to do in the UK, but do groundies and Bad@$$es camp out nearby or at the site? I've got a good tent and sleepingbag that'd be comfortable accomodation... I just don't know what the UK restrictions on tenting up in a public area are.

That is REALLY sheisty. I've known English Ivy (VERY invasive here, breaks trees in half.) that you could actually spur into (8"+ dia). but I've only ever hand-sawed them out. one guy I know is pretty Chainsaw crazy, but not stupid like that... dumbass f'rs.

I'm pretty partial to the VT. I use 3 wraps, 3 traps so that it's basically self tending. My head climber is very taken by the Knut/ Michoacan. I have yet to use either of those as my prussic is too long for it to open or self-tend. These articles shows great diagrams of the Knut and the Michoacan (pronounced M'koAcan): http://www.isa-arbor.com/publications/arbNews/pdfs/Apr07-cc.pdf http://www.sherrilltree.com/site/pdfs/Climbing_Hitches.pdf They also have some really great commentaries on the Distel and others! But I have played on his Micho hitch with his saddle and it's a REALLY comfortable hitch! Not too loose, not too grippy. Won't sinch too tight like an English Pruss or a VT with too many wraps and won't slide like a VT with not enough wraps.

Ya know, I'm MOVING at the beginning of June from the US to the UK. We've got some pretty good dealers and I might be able to buy at a pretty good discount from my buddy. Might be able to stick it in the moving freight (but it might take a month or 2 to arrive. which makes it end of June, mid july.). I'll be staying in Leicestershire for a short while. so 260 (stock or pro??) or 200T. PM me if you're really interested

Yep, Meets or exceeds ANSI standards. The Progear doesn't have adjustable leg straps, so it can be difficult when running around the tree like a monkey, limb walking or inverted cutting. but it's great for long removals that require a lot of hanging out. The Tengu DOES have adjustable leg straps, so may be better for those types of jobs.

Hah, yeah, that's for sure! But, then again, so can Latin names. One that I can think of is Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium OR Burberris aquifolium)... What are some other taxonomy name changes?

Yeah, I kindof second Rob on that one. Learn ONLY your locals! You'll get VERY familiar with them! These are mine. Go for basic families: Oaks, Poplars, Maples, Pines, Firs, Spruces, Cyprus... Then break them down to their latin families: Quercus, Populous, Acer, Pinus, Abies, Picea, Cupricacea... Then Break those down to the most recogniseable species near you: We have Garry (Oregon) oaks (Quercus garryana), Black cottonwoods (Populous balsamifera), Bigleaf Maples (Acer macrophyllum), Doug Firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Hemlocks(Tsuga canadensis), Western RedCedars(Thuja plicata), Blue Spruces (Picea pungens)... etc. I can pick out most of those from a couple miles away. We have a few varieties of each family, and a lot of non-native or introduced species around houses, but those are the ones that you can't turn around without seeing one. Then, once you're comfortable with those, Expand to your fruit trees and cypruses or whatever people like to plant most (plums & cherries for me). And for a little while, stick to knowing your common names first, or at least recognising the plant/tree families. Then branch out into the taxonomy of the Genus and species. I've got a book (may only be available in the US) called [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Botany-Day-Patterns-Method-Identification/dp/1892784157/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272579272&sr=8-1]"Botany in a Day" [/ame]by Thomas J Elpel. Tom runs a primitive skills school in montana and knows how to teach pretty effectively. This book is about how to know plants by recognition and knowing the families traits. Basically you're learning to use a mental ID Key (like you find in plant books). It's a great book to learn your plants from. Hope that helps!!

We use em all the time... I'd really love to have a 200TC, but we just got a 192 a couple days ago instead. Darn it. Ebay is definitely the place to go. Go to the bottom of the EBAY site and click United States. Then do your Stihl 192 search (they're all over!).

Heyya, My name is Bryce Tangvald. I'm moving from Seattle, WA, USA to the UK at the beginning of June '10. I've been working with an Arborist/Climbing trainer for the last 6 months after other jobs doing wilderness trails work and working as an EMT with a local ambulance svc. I'm a US NREMT certified Wilderness-Emergency Medical Technician with 2 years of experience. I have started training in Arboriculture, Pruning Operations, Tree Climbing and Rigging Procedures and am constantly improving upon my skills. The last 6 months I have been the Groundsman for a 2 man crew. I am proficient in the operation and use of Chainsaws, brush cutters, Tree-Stump Grinders & Chippers. As an EMT, I drove a large vehicle all day long. Now, as the groundsman, I drive the Chip-Truck with Chipper Trailer to every job-site. I am knowledgeable in basic to intermediate pruning operations and have basic experience Tree Climbing. As I'm moving from the USA to the UK at the beginning of June, I won't be bringing PPE and I won't have any UK specific Proficiency certifications. As such, I am hoping to find an employer who is willing to put my experience to work and maybe help sponsor me to get Certs CS30/31/32/38/39/40/45/46 and to help me as I collect further adequate PPE and experience. (I know my CS#'s are ambitious, but I'm up for the challenge). Initially, we will be spending some time in southern Leicestershire, but are hoping to move to within 25 miles of the length of the M4 (North or South). Hoping for someone with 5+ years in the industry, but it's alright if not. I am, however, looking for a good quality operation to join. If that's you, give me a Call, PM or Email! For further information, please see my basic CV Thanks for looking!! Bryce Tangvald Tangvald CV (Basic) 2010-04-28.txt

Sweet as sweet can be, Rupe. I'll give them a bell tomorrow morning (afternoon) and hopefully hear some news on their choosing process. .speaking of which, I've planned on just calling the edinborough number to contact the forestry comission. Is there a better number to call? Or who can I contact who might actually know who I need to talk to? it seems that bigger UK employers have something against posting direct business contact details. I mean, 'you DO have a hiring manager, right? Ok, good. so, do they have their own office? Good! so their direct phone line is...?' <click> No such luck. There's another post based on this job advert: http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/employment/5289-trainee-arborist-westonbirt.html for all others interested. Thanks everyone for the help and info! Bryce

Yeah, this seems like a great opportunity. I work in the US under a REALLY great arborist tree climber Trainer (STARRS LLC, NW region) and have a pretty decent understanding of climbing. I'm the glorified groundie who gets to go into a tree once in a blue moon. Getting a start in the UK with a job like this seems like it'd be the perfect opportunity. I've applied!

Gotta know, what's the law on owning a firearm in the UK and where/when can you legally use it? I'm from the US. and am frustrated that BowHunting is illegal in the UK. Bryce

I've hung around in the Progear saddle once and my other climber swears by one. SUPER comfortable compared to my Weaver Cougar. Bigger seat and back panel. The Tengu looks good, only 1 steel piece which is the attachment point, all D's are "soft", and pretty light @ 3 Lbs. My boss is a local product tester and he thinks it's great (but won't put down his Tree Austria 3). I hear they are working in a floating bridge into the Tengu. The Tengu was designed for lightweight and quieter work (I know, i can hear the coments now... "But you're using a CHAINSAW.") but apparently that's why. New Tribe Tree Saddles New Tribe gear was developed by a seamstress/rock climber who realised that she could make a better "Saddle". Stronger/sturdier than a rock-climbing harness and safer than a Lineman's belt, but more comfortable than any of the attempts thus far. The comfort is why their saddles are at the top of the recreational climbers must-buy list. :confused1:I am pretty sure that it's not YET CE certified... and I'll have to check tomorrow to see if it's ANSI or UL certified. (I didn't see anything on safety ratings on their website). If it's ANSI/UL Certified, I'd be comfortable using it in CE or any other territory. Hope that helps! Bryce

interestingly enough, I'd never heard of a felling bar before today. Here in the Northwest US we only allow big trees to grow. I don't think we'd even consider a felling bar, just wedges or ropes&pulleys! Good luck on the course mate

I've applied. Right where I want to move to. I'd want it to be a realistic "trainee" position, though... Is the forestry comission up for sponsoring NPTC certs or other major/minor trainings?

Hah! Thanks guys! Roundabout?? OHH you mean the MAGIC roundabout!! Good friggin Lord... I thought I was going to die goin around that one... one of the scariest intersections in Britain, if I recall! Swindon... not the place to move to... check. We're arriving about a week and a half before the Arb Assoc's Trade Show in Cirencester in June. so I'm hoping to head down there and camp at places we're interested in along the M4 in the week following the Arb Show. I've lived in the UK for about a year & have a steady stream of UK Tele, so I know a little of what to expect when I arrive... just a little intimidated by crazy things like the dreaded Magic Roundabout. I'm getting some great answers here! Keep em coming! A question I have on PPE... CE/European safety standards are strict, but slightly different from US ANSI UL safety standards. I want to buy some good CS Boots (Haix extreme protector) & some badass CS trousers (Stihl/Pfanner Stretch-air) that I've seen in the UK. I've got some contacts with the US distributor "Wesspur" (a thoroughly authentic badarse Arb supplier) and asked them why they don't sell some European CS Boots or Trousers. Apparently EU standards state that the Protective gear is meant to keep the user from being injured. The US standard requires the Chainsaw to be completely stopped if they make contact with the Protective gear. So the EU standard is slightly less effective than the US standard... which sucks cause the chainsaw "chaps"(over-trousers) are damn hot. Any thoughts on this or other similar differences in practices or safety standards? Thanks xDK

Heyya! as I listed this as I'm new and moving, I won't say it again. I'm coming from the Pacific Northwest US, near Seattle, Washington (state). It's a place known for the tall trees and green wilderness and mountains. The state's 'nick-name' is 'The Evergreen State", thanks to the conifers! I've been in the outdoor industry here for a while. almost entirely in teaching bushcraft and working with Wilderness and BackCountry trail systems with local and federal government. Though, I've been working with a devoted Arborist company for about 6 months now and am immersing myself with information and training. NOW, My lovely English wife and I have decided to relocate (back) to the UK in June. I'm going to be working in an Arb capacity or outdoor industry realm. My few issues and questions/quandries I'll list here. I'm competent and capable with a chainsaw, chipper, truck w/ trailer (on US roads), Pruning, working from height (somewhat), and Brush-cutters, and Limbing, bucking and Felling. As good as this may be, I have been made aware of the NPTC or Lantra Certs that I'll have to get, as well as needing to re-kit myself for work with a private arborist. What's the going rate for a groundie/trainee climber/arborist? Where is there work and where is there no work? Do employers sponsor employees to get there certs? who are those employers? Do employers usually have PPE (protective equipment) available for employees? If not, what am I required to provide myself? Are there (quality) employers out there who are interested in taking a trained groundie to help them get going in a new area? What are the "apprenticeship" schemes about? how do they work? Where do I find them? Are they the right track to follow? So, I realise that some of those questions overlap and ask the same questions... I guess it opens up the other possibilities of different or more quality answers. We'll be landing in the East Midlands, but I think we want to move to somewhere along the M4 (between Swindon and Bristol). I want to move North, closer to Cirencester/Gloucs. my wife wants to move south, closer to Bath. I've got a link to Bartlett Tree Svc. in the US. Are they as good a company in the UK as they are here in the US? Thanks heaps! I look forward to hearing back! Adios! Bryce