David Humphries

Hello D, Nice looking Rig you have there. The Loadhandler looks pretty useful in the vid. How long have you been using it for, and do you off load timber as well as chip? If so does this cause excessive wear? Thanks David

Tony, I whole heartedly agree with your take on this issue. Be aware of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended, and how it should be part of and related to your Local Tree Safety Policy. But mostly just use your - common sense, understanding of your local habitat and have empathy towards local interest groups.

If you only have a stiched eye on your climbing line and no spliced eye, this can be a problem when feeding through the pulley when de installing. The stepped end of stiched eyes (whether shrink wrapped or not) can feed through if the step is on top, but if the rope twists then the step can catch on the pulley if facing downwards, and can become wedged. One of my team has come up with this little trick to help catch a non eyed end in to the system. These pictures should explain more simplistically. The rubber twist is a section of bicycle inner tube.

There's some sort of really weird Arb Job Mirroring going on here Mr H. I doubt many LA Arbs get the chance to get to a similar position these days. How long have you been working for Worcester? :wave:

Sounds like good experienced advice there Peter, shall follow up your suggestions when our Marlow is a spent force.

Ich wolte es nicht kranken, meinen freund :wave:

We use 14mm Marlow for Portawrap and 16/18 mm Marlow for "Big Ed"

Four and a half and Three. Been bugging me since Six this morning to make a snow man ! I'm off to the garage to get the sledges. :wave:

No real theory as to why this damage occured, maybe rubbing branches in it's infancy. This self ring barked Beech has grafted futher up the stem reconnecting its supply lines. Unfortunately no picture of the graft.

Going to get the boys all togged up and armed with carrots and lumps of coal in a while. Hope all this white stuff doesn't put out the Olympic flame in London today. Mind you that would be quite funny

Your one crazy dude MB. What industry did this type of safety hat derive from originaly? Has it always been Arb specific? Why the big pointed ridge? With that amount of venting, us Ukarbs would probably drown during our persistant rainy season. :wave:

Count me in please Mr B.

In planned removal, theres no need for the T word imo. :wave:

Tree monitored annualy. Faced and felled last week. Alder looking happy.

No picture of tree before initial reduction. History - Ganoderma noted. Arborsonic showing evidence that was indicative of early stage decay. Replacement Alder planted adjacent. Tree reduced.

You rocking my boat with your banter on this one. So heres a closer view to add a little more fuel to the debate

I feel I need to retract my opinion of Iveco. That 4 x 4 does look interesting. Mmmmmm......... New financial Year !!!!!

This Fagus is being retained in a public park by an LA local to me. Relatively high target area. Has had root decay investigation, not sure which method. Personaly IMO, a small reduction would have made me sleep easier, if i was involved in any decision to retain.

Which Bandit was that Drew? Any gripes with it? Cheers David

I'll second, third and forth that !

Cor Blimey Guvnor ! I'm glad to see this subject is providing such considered opinion. I know it's Friday night and you younger Arbs might not have kids to tuck in and baby sit, but if you have not got a real life, lets hear your thoughts be it informed or reactionary. :wave:

Really like the picture on your tree surgery page of you MEWPing the Beech? Bell. Great work Big A :wave:

Is'nt the point here that the property owner does not see the tree as a Canine's Posterior. I'm summising that he sees the continuing presence that the tree currently contributes to the location through its trunk size and foliage aesthetics, as well as his historical connection to the tree. If, as in this case the tree is safe and not affecting the structure or foundations, then surely the decision to fell/replant should lie with the properties next owner who perhaps morally and historically does not share any connection to the tree. :wave:

I've been keeping an eye on this local Fagus for about 5 years, since i moved in to the neighbourhood. OK, it's topped and most of you would probably not open up your reputations to this type of work. No one is proclaiming that this is target pruned reduction here. I went and knocked on the door today to get the history, so i could try to form a balanced opinion as to the retention of this state of Tree. Firstly, i am not from the commercial sector, I 'm Local Authority. So, if i'm being honest with you my remit is the considered retention of tree stock based upon safety and ecological conditions. Even though i keep stringent work records i probably have not got a clue on how many trees i have condemed and felled over the last 15 years, based on H&S grounds. The guy who lives at this house has been there since 1958 and has brought up his children and grandkids there. He told me of his great love of this Tree, especialy keen to describe its immense size when it used to tower over his roof. He is a retired engineer, and his gut instinct persuaded him to start reducing the tree back in the late 70's. Once the tree had reached roughly it's current size over the span of three or four reductions (toppings I here you scoff) he then decided to introduce a three year cyclicle prunning regime. This he does himself, from ladders. At this point after admitting to myself my admiration for this game old retiree, I did suggest for the sake of his continued longevity he should employ someone if not proffessional then at least younger to carry out the work. Im fascinated by the retention of this incredibly vital and trunk/root plate sound old tree. Ofcourse there are decayed prunning wounds, but nothing to worry about in terms of the canopies overall health and stability. I have not got any pictures of the tree in leaf but i can tell you that the canopy is dense in foliage after every pruning. I will post a shot in late spring. Having posted this, i have obviously opened myself to the potential criticism of you fellow Arbs, due to my desire to see this type of tree retained in this particular situation. Feel free to assassinate or jump on board. :wave:

Am still pondering on the replacement, but wild horses would not get me to go back to Iveco.