armybloke

Cracking documentation David - nice post!

phellinus sp is my suggestion?

A sign of the times and something we will get used to in our cities. Growth rate remains stable due to temperatures - comparable to a propagation unit. Nice post Gerrit

I forgot to add that each TO will have a different view or opinion so don't quote me but if you are on my patch just call me first if you are unsure - happy days!

As a TO myself, I would value an honest, common-sense approach. If there is time for a collection of evidence in the form of photographs I deem that sensible and pro-active. The TPO regulations are in the public domain for all to read and digest however, (in my opinion) I would commend action to remove danger rather than wait for political red-tape to take effect and injure someone or damage something in the meantime.

Stunning piece of work!

Like it, could I have a copy too please?

That's better! You would do well to catalogue your photos with an explanation for each of the forms of 'body language' you identify. I promise you it would make interesting reading. I have followed a large number of threads by the 'knowledgable' ones amongst you (you know who you are!) and a book or volume of 'what to look for in trees' is viable - I am sure of it!

Nice informative thread going here Tony (bit too much jolly banter and not enough photos of trees ) I hope you catalogue all of your photos and detailed explanations onto word because one day you'll pass it all over to a publisher who will chronologically compile it and sell it as a book! Signed copy 1st edition for me please!

Cheers for clearing that up. I didn't need to do either only to register my business with the tax man hence my confusion. Business link website is brilliant for clearing up questions like that.

I have been PM'd by a couple of people and although this is not just aimed at Arb but Ecology too I will post a top ten tips (some may recognise - sorry for repeating myself). Here are my top ten tips!; 1. Get as many Natural England licences as you can – legitimately obviously – for the type of ecological work you want to do (bats, GCN, Barn Owl, damselfly, etc etc). 2. Find your niche – something you are really clever at and find easy. 3. Offer your services for free to Wildlife Trust, local bat groups, schools etc to get good references and to practice. You will need evidence for your licences and some even want a CPD! You may eventually get paid or even offered a job! 4. Register with HMRC to attend as many of their free courses as possible – tax, assessments, setting up a business there are loads for free. Business Link is a BRILLIANT website so use it. they run courses for free too and that is where you learn about the HMRC courses. 5. Company’s House run a free course too – invaluable! 6. All these courses expenses can be set against your business expenses – BONUS! 7. Find out what your competition is like and how many of them there are! If it’s loaded with arb consultants become an ecological one with arb as your second fiddle. 8. Freeola will allow you to buy your own domain for about £5. Think of a name put it out on Facebook, email and text ALL the people you have ever known for ideas comments etc before you chose a name. Choose wisely and check with Company’s House in case someone else has it – the rules are simple so read up first ok. 9. Get a simple website made with hidden key words to make you more ‘searchable’. 10. Business cards and fliers need professional help. I paid a printers and graphic designer £49 and he came up with simple but eye catching ideas. So far it has worked for me. Good luck,

It is a difficult arguement to answer to be fair. As a business you must register with HMRC and if you wnat to be VAT registered register with Company's House too. I am a sole trader, but I have a trade name so people can identify my product. I guess I could just sell myself as armybloke and leave it at that?

Sorry about the delay in replying. Being self employed and starting your own business is one and the same I guess. You could become a consultant, landscape architect, garden designer; there is host of jobs you could do. You must have a niche - botany, identifcation of pest and disease, tree health in general, etc etc. Work on your strngths and keep looking at where you can better yourself. You need a bit of luck too in this game as well but if you are working in the sector already you have an opportunity to network yourself to another job! Good luck

Went to visit architects in their place of business, dressed pretty smart,but nothing silly, took a flier a couple of my certificates to prove myself, a testimonial or two and asked for 5 minutes of the bosses time. 2 of them asked me to do some work the very next week and I have had a couple of enquiries. It was a start and I practiced my little speach a couple of times so I sounded confident and sure of myself. Researched the places I went to and the work they did too which made them listen. Good luck mate.

He's not a very H&S conscious bloke is he - nice white coat (clue to his state of mind perhaps) and only missing a stethascope! In my opinion of course; he may be a very reliable young chap making an honest crust!

I work for a CC and we do a lot of felling too. The problem with wood disposal comes down to cost I'm afraid. It is fine to employ a contractor on a low govenment budget so we save cost by leaving arisings on site where we can. Selling wood is also a good money making scheme but I have found that whilst people want the wood they need to it close to road access, cut to a certain size and of a certain species (and the list is endless I promise). It is far easier to sequester the carbon and leave as wood piles. Should you have a 'plan' I would be willing to hear of it as I think I may have exhausted my brain dreaming of making money!

These 'Thin, whitish resinous mycelial felts' are very evident in the cut stumps and can be seen in my photos

Thank you for the interesting facts gentlemen. I go away yet again well informed and armed with more knowledge!

Please don't suggest leyland cypress - there are so many more appropriate trees! Excluding the fast growing requirement and depending on topography, soil structure, nutrient availability, pH, hydrology, prevailing wind, future management and many other factors you should consider when planting trees Holm oak makes a nice hedgerow if managed Yew Western Red Cedar Holly Dawn Redwood Scots Pine and so the list goes on.....

Thanks David, I have too but always attributed this to a basal presence as they were there also. Something I will look out for in future - thank you

Research with a colleague of mine suggests that it could be a long protracted survey as you have to count flying adults. They will emerge when they are ready and therefore a continued watch needs to be carried out. At ecological consultancy rates you'd spend quite a lot for little gain except perhaps proof you have Stag Beetles on site. If you are desperate PM me with your number and we can discuss. Speak to your local Wildlife Trust they may just fancy it for a project and do it for free! Something I did when training to be an ecologist with Great Crested Newts

Just waiting for a call back - I have a friend who maybe able to help

More evidence from todays visit to the infected area. Found 3 more infected trees and I have posted some more pictures. The 'plug' was as dry as a bone and fell out of the centre of the stem complete. this tree was felled because of the target and it had a stem hazard about 2m long (like the others). These trees are exposed on top of a hill so wind does not help but at least they fall into the shelterbelt and not on the houses next door! Again not much in the way of live wood when we opened her up. What suprised me is that the trees have not failed at the root plate or closer to ground level. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? I understood that this fungi was a root and butt rotter but I have experience 3 trees that have failed as a consequence of a stem hazard.

Depends on your trade but adverts in free papers, fliers and a little cold-calling helped me out