David Humphries

At the end of the day we can not escape from the fact that man has had a hand in this reduction process. And as such it becomes a balance between what natures shaping could or would have been and what the viewer wants to see in terms of aesthetics. IMO if we try to mimic real storm damage, it would take incredible skill to replicate. I think someone would have to be practising fracturing continually, to get close. Is any one else on the Forum doing this type of work? I haven't seen Nutty arb for a while. Would be interesting to hear his views.

Quote; originally posted by 18stoner > Ok then, i understand its probably the way a lot of our job is going, ie unjustified work and appeasing naturists, but why do it if it isnt commercially viable? We (the Practitioners and Pay Masters) feel that the work in this particular case, Rare tree/Prominant Position/Localy loved Tree etc...was justifiable, also not every thing in life should be purely about financial gain IMO. Quote; originally posted by RIVERRAT > I just got wind of this. First I have heard of it. While pruning of this nature may have some type of value. I cannot understand it being promoted as a standard practice. No one on this thread is promoting the technique to be anything other than an additional way of prunning on top of the standard practice. Different Trees and their environments require different approaches. Mr and Mrs Average on Accacia avenue will not facilitate Fracture Prunning on their Tree, But Mr and Mrs Average walking their dog in the local open space subconciously appreciate the way Trees interact with their environment on not only a purely aesthetical plane but also on levels that interact with microbes, bacteria, fungi, bugs, birds and mamals. TREES ARE A MAJOR PLAYER IN OUR ENVIRONMENT AND ARE NOT JUST A CASH CROP.

I wonder how you would price a fracture prune over that canopy?

The health of the tree plays a close second fiddle here as safety is the primary concern. By sail reducing, all be it small in this case, we are hopefull of reducing the risk of the tree toppling, thus potentialy extending the trees current life expectancy. In respect to the hazard of dropping dead branches, this is why the dead hedge is in place. The target has been moved away.

(Link within first post) Have you checked out the link? Its pretty much all in there.

As above. Changes all the time. Thats why its a great job !

Nice !

I'm a bit puzzled as to why this thread has not thrown up any serious criticism, the usual suspects are far too quite. I know this isn't everybodies cup of tea ! Come on chaps lets see if we can get some debate on the issue. Thats partly what this Forums for, it shouldn't all be back slapping should it? We're all here to learn and occasionally put forward views which may help others, but constructive criticism is part of that process.

After reading your imput Tony, we decide on a significantly smaller reduction of around 15% of TCD (whats 5% amongst friends) If needs be and the Armilaria really gets a hold, then we can return at a much later date to reduce further. We are fortunate with our Dead Hedging here in the leafier parts of North London, as of yet no arsonists touch wood! If you get a chance trial one in a woodland setting using brash with fresh leaves still on. Take a series of shots to help you sell it to clients. The bushy greeness looks relatively unflamable, and creates great habitat for bugs, birds and mamals. 'Some' clients really like these green credentials you can potentially offer.

This is a general thought for all not just yourself SkyHuck, as each to our own etc........ Experience + Training on setting up, positioning, wind speed awareness, rigging/dismantling and maintenance are all obvioulsy critical when using a MEWP. With the above in place though, this should be sufficient to alay fears of machines toppling during arboricultural operations. NEVER EVER USE ONE AS A CRANE !

Great shots Reg, She looks a big ole girl, why was she down for complete dismantle? Was there no scope for leaving as a monitored monolith? love the 7th & 8th ones where the big central section seems to be heading for the camera ! Did he brick it and step back, even at distance?

Waiting in anticipation of a very scary/interesting story!

Nice weather for photos! Have you got any shots of finished tree? If the tree owner was in to leaving monolith for habitat, was there any consideration made to coronet?

I would have thought your uniform is about identity, as such no punter is really going to be able to see your company name whilst your up in the tree. As a climber you need to be working in the best comfort and safety environment that you can put yourself into. So ditch the company colours whilst your arboreal and stick it back on when you get to terra firma. Plus its nice to put on something clean and dry when you get down.

Were pleased with the out come, as most of the team were new to the technique, and the overall spec was a learning curve. It was generally very well recieved by the locals, who didn't make any comments about Pikie Work, and appreciated the aesthetics of the look in its woodland setting, and also the pre, during and after information signs that are on site. Time wise, this was not particularly a commercial job (dont tell me boss though) but took approximately 4 days to complete. We are attempting to keep people away from the root plate so eventually the chestnut pailing will be removed leaving the dead hedge, which will be topped up periodically. Dead hedging is a very good way of managing people and trees, and for getting shot of brush. Pile it high and aim for something akin to Beechers Brook!

1st Picture last November. 2nd - Prior to Works. 3rd - Finished job + dead hedge behind fence. 4th - Detail of fracturing. http://www.arborecology.co.uk/resources/coronetcuts_naturalfracture.PDF Open to your views?

Second ones class, definately the sort of thing i would have done in me youth !

First pic is the top view Lee, i'm guessing there's a quality issue here.

Is this a Pleutorus sp? Located 20ft up a Chestnut trunk on an open vertical wound. Appologies for picture quality.

I know how soft & obvious this sounds, BWTF CRACKING FORUM ! Can't get enough of these video posts. Best way to tackle and communicate ideas/technique between all the different intellect, terminology & language barriers to be found amongst our worldwide community IMO. Keep up the good work Mr B.

Some sort of Mid Life going on Tockmal? http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0169547/Ss/0169547/25.html?hint=tt0169547 Only kidding pal. Good idea, Grip is such an integral part of our climbing system that we the majority take for granted. I used to scoff at a climbing buddy 15 years ago watching him pump his hand gripper during the day. Wish i had taken it on board, too often caught out on a rock face with nothing between me, my under developed grip and a big drop onto the wifes belay !

Agreed Kew and its staff would be an inspirational place to work which might compensate the crap wage, but i reckon the constant drone of being directly under Heathrows flight path, not to mention the annoying tourists would be a serious bummer.

No ! I spent all day reading this instead ! Seriously though, after dealing with a so called emergency hanger, i spent some of today with the team looking at various Safety Issue threads on here. Great Training/Debate Tool. Beats mind numbing maintenance/housekeeping !

IM AFRAID RAIN STOPPED PLAY JACK, Tool inventory, Tool Maintenance and Storm Damage to deal with instead today. Fracture Prunning can wait for another day!

They look to me like they have had their leaders taken out, and then one side branch has been left to take over and been bent with ropes and weights to get the bend. Possibly for a boats rib or something. I've seen oaks pollarded and manipulated like this for particular Ship building parts.