sloth

Not sure if this is the right forum, but I wondered if everyone may care to share their knowledge as regards the specific uses of different species of tree? Here's some to get going: Ash, tools handles. Yew, longbows. Elm, cart wheel hubs. Lime, piano sound boards. Willow, fibres for cord. Oak, tannins for leather. Beech, chopping boards, wooden spoons. The more unusual the better:thumbup:

Looks like Pleurotus to me, I've seen loads this year in the south east, not on lime though. They look well past their best, shame, very tasty! I could be wrong though

This is an excellent cause to fight for, even on a small scale people want their trees, or even wooded areas sanitised and cleared of all dead wood, due to opinions based on unfounded facts. Ie dead wood is dangerous, or must be diseased and therefore removed. I sincerely hope tpo legislation can be changed to provide more protection for these wonderful habitats; you have my support

Thanks for all the input, and Paul I don't feel you derailed this thread, it's nice to see what other people have or plan on having. I currently have about 8 years in the industry, since I realised while in college I didn't want to go to university as I had planned. I left with a levels in chem, biology, and photography (some of hama and monkey d's are wonderful by the way;) ) I started working Saturdays with a local arb who had a tech cert and prof dip, he had me reading lonsdale, shigo etc before I even had my chainsaw ticket! He really set me off on the right foot, educationally and morally with regards 'proper' tree work. I Have passed all but 1 of the written papers in the tech cert with distincion level percentages, the other a merit. I have also passed the management day tree condition exercise with a merit level. I am hoping to do tree safety surveys, and think I have some contacts for 5837 stuff also, which if it goes well could result in plenty of that work. Hama, I agree with you that level 2 is in the grand scheme of things inadequate, but you don't have even that, and you I'm sure are very capable of reports to put prof dip'ers to shame! Everyone needs to start somewhere and I am hoping to start from here, I feel I know my limits and wouldn't hesitate to ask for help or contract work to someone more knowledgeable, after all, that's how we learn! I hope to progress to higher levels of quals as soon as time and money allow, as I agree it's the only way to be truly professional. Good luck with your pti and qtra, I'm sure you'll breeze it.

Hi, expect this has been asked before, but what (aside from insurance) do you need to do reports? Ie 5837 specifies a competent arboriculturist, what is that in law? Or, tree condition/safety surveys, is there a minimum requirement in the eyes of the law? Must you have a certificate of sorts, or does experience count towards competency also? Suspect there may be grey areas surrounding the subject, but any ideas and views would be appreciated

It's a big annoyance that I did so badly after doing so well in all the written papers (all distinctions bar one merit), really should have done more revision for these! Won't bore you with details but my mind was very much elsewhere on the day, oh well, look on the bright side- next time we can be better prepared, learn from our mistakes and pass with a higher percentage, rather than just scraping through. I'd be interested to see how my papers were marked, does anyone know if this is possible? Chin up

I failed plant supply, woodland management and 5837, by 5, 3 and 1 % Exceedingly pi***d off with myself! Was told by staff on the day there would be no resit in may this time round, last may test was a one off. Perhaps if enough people request it it would be worth their while. I got a resit form in with my results, it says they are 3-7 Oct at arley arboretum, its gonna be a long wait, oh well...

Bundle, where may I find tree root failure thresholds on paper? Interesting thread, some good pics. Anyone gonna stick their head out and id the last fung?

Keep things coming hama, don't be put off. This is one the most interesting threads I've followed and you obviously have a lot to share. I for one have learnt a lot already, and a lot of people could learn a lot more! If you feel the need for better explanations and examples I understand the need to make the subject matter as perfect as possible, it is a subject which is clearly close to your heart and means a lot. If you restart another, I'll be there, I'm sure many more will be also. Thanks for things so far.

Big response! Cheers all. After lots of looking about etc my bro has offered me his, solves a problem and is cheap! Always a bonus. Thanks for all the replies, I feel a bit less computer illiterate now if nothing else

Hi, I am quite clueless when it comes to computers, but need to get myself a laptop and would appreciate some advice from those who know about these things. I will be mostly using it for business/organization purposes, and will likely want to run autocad 2010 on it at some point. Other than that, general write ups and internet use- no games, downloading films etc. I don't know my RAM from my rom, how much memory I'll need, or where to go! Was thinking of currys dixons staples etc as they are open when I'm not working! Obviously I want to spend as little as possible and am on an as yet undecided but limited budget. Thank you all

Out on a limb arb.

Cheers drewb, same end result as a cambium saver?

Chicken of the woods?... ...awaiting correction!

Hi, having not used a rope guide before, please enlighten me as to how this would work! Thank you

This guy is nuts, how many cars must he have totaled while learning! Credit to 'im

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you bought your gear in June, don't you get one year before the first inspection is due? Every 6 months thereafter?

Have never seen any big limb failures on lime pollards, though it must happen, as with any lapsed ones. Reducing the crown would lessen the chance of lapsed growth failing by reducing the length of the lever arm. However, it may be favourable to completely re-pollard them, they cope very well with it. Any targets would play a role in what you decide to do. You could check out pollards, the forgotten art- discussion thread for some background theory and ideas, then decide what to do for the best, good luck

Well, I have nothing to add to this thread but my thanks for expanding my knowledge of fungi and decay. You are a very learned bunch, thanks for sharing the experience and wisdom you have gained with others. I'll be watching....

Could be that they are pecking healthy wood to encourage sap flow for drinking. This could also encourage future rot bugs and grubs, maybe?

I did my training at treevolution, up near snowdon so not too far from you. They are second to none, and my very helpful aunt Jane will be more than happy to run through options with you, and discuss any grants etc available. If you are not sure whether you are ok with heights and ropes and can't find a friendly tree climber to take you up, maybe look for local indoor/outdoor rock climbing clubs, give you a feel for things. Good luck.

Just discovered this app on the Android market, its only a lite version at the moment. Wondered if anyone has used it, thoughts/opinions please

It's a tricky one, simply being a climber doesn't make a person more valuable to a company than a groundie. If a climber only climbs, and the groundie only grounds and there is an equip failure, who can fix it? Or does the job grind to a halt? If people are able to do more to keep a job running smoothly, I think they should be paid more, as a way of being shown that they are valued and appreciated. I have been pulled off my job many times to go and bail out a job where the subbie climber we use has been unable to complete his job due to either 'finding another twig he thinks he should go back up for' come clearing up time, or inability to fix gear. He is self employed, put paid fairly poorly, as he is the way he is, and my boss isn't blind to it! We have several people who ground, some can do lots, others can do nothing but drag. Everyone is paid slightly more or less, but it can cause upset when the difference between skill/ability is so great, and wage so small. Gives rise to a why bother attitude in some.

Wow, big response! Appreciate the replies guys Rich you are right, its £78 a day, before tax. And I understand the stresses being a boss brings. I don't really resent him doing/having the things he does, its just I feel worth more than a labourer with no quals, and a climber with only a years experience. Also, I do a lot more/hard work and put myself out more than most (starting early and finishing late to do maintenance fix and sharpen tools that others have left) and don't ask for the extra bits I do; I've been doing it since I started because I want to help out, and if I don't pick up others slack I get in the neck as I've been there longer, and would appreciate a bit more thanks for it. As he rarely if ever verbally thanks me, financially has been suggested:001_tt2: Anyway before I ramble again I have discussed my concerns with him but they have fallen on deaf ears. Ive always done weekend work when I can, but it was agreed when I first started that I wouldn't, which means I have to turn down weekend work for him because I can earn more elsewhere. I am seriously considering going it alone:confused1: bit scary, but I feel I have to, and hey, all bosses start somewhere, and youth is still just about on my side! Thanks again everyone

I am currently paid 9.75 an hour for working 8-5, getting an 'hour' unpaid lunch, which works out at 78.03 a day. I normally arrive 15 minutes early and rarely leave before 5:15. Often I will cut my hour lunch down by half, or eat while driving to the next job to ensure I don't finish too late, as an hour overtime paid at standard rate after tax isn't worth me not having diner with my wife and newborn daughter, and basically ruining what little time we have together before bed. I have been with the company 3 and half years, at the interview I was told the wage was to be reviewed and increased according to skill after a few months, it never was. It has however increased by about 1.7%, as has everyone else's. I don't want to blow my own horn but I am a very competent climber of 6yrs, and as good as his main climber who has been climbing twice as long as me. I have the usual saw nptcs, plus pesticides, brushcutting and waiting for tech cert management day results after passing written papers with 1 credit and the rest distinctions (all paid for by myself). Also an ipaf which he paid for last year. I know he pays my labourer about 8 quid a day less than me, and he has no qualifications at all, not even crosscutting, and can't even drive the vehicles now due to points on his licence! My other climber, who is not very good having only been climbing about a year and a half is paid a couple of quid a day less than me. I have asked for a rise and been told he can't afford it and that money is tight. Since then he has bought a large composter and 15 grands worth of tractor to power it. I know from his cousin who also works with us that work is booked up till well past Xmas. He has a vintage ferrari, drives a 330 BMW, and has been on 3 two week holidays abroad plus several long weekends in this country this year alone. We are based in Essex, and do work in a lot of affluent areas. My point to this rant is am I right to feel I'm worth more, or am I unjust and greedy asking for it? Thanks for reading this far, sorry for rambling!