bjam1964

That is deep - but meaningful. If the total premis of life, vis a vis living, is avoiding death and extinction then the evolutionary process must have an equal and opposite process. One or the other would be a step in the right direction to achieve ultimate balance. Sitting above this localised evolutionary fluctuation must be an inbuilt control mechanism that copes with environmental factors ie: drought tolerance, hot/cold tolerance etc. At the total extreme of the evolutionary wave - a loaded gun of potential waiting to evolve in a more positive way for the host. To continue being truly pathogenic is to truly eat yourself into extinction? In-built external environmental factor reaction? A management of resources spread too far/too thin in older age. As self-employed business people we all know about retrenchment in older age and what happens if we don't balance our physical and mental resources

Fungal interactions, in my opinion, with trees are like ripples on the great evolutionary pond. The relationships that are currently pathogenic are currently on the negative part of the wave but still serve an important role. Ie: recyling natures rubbish. The non-existent relationships ie: fungi not involved with trees or moved away from trees are on the positive part of the wave or haven't evolved yet to involve trees. The strictly symbiotic relationships are within the neutral part of the wave but may evolve towards negative or positive. The speed of which this happens depends on the amplitude of the wave. When the evolutionary wave settles down and neutralises, a staus quo is acheived which remains until disturbed by external factors, such as environmental disasters or human interaction. In other words, all fungi have the potential to be beneficial depending on where they are within the evolutionary wave. If we lived for 1 million years we would see the process in action - unless we totally destroy everything through human greed, ignorance and selfishness!

File them off - they just get in the way of extra fast, reckless cutting techniques Alternatively, file them to 0.025" and check out the performance and chip size. Unless you own a .404 pitch chain, 0.025" will most certainly do you very well.

Thanks for that reply Rob. Next million dollar question - what are the implications for structural strength? Obviously vascular activity is still taking place but can the long term implications for the tree be predicted based on current knowledge and known examples of graft failures?

That is some fine looking engineering - brick built and nice welding:thumbup: Surely the ram stroke is crucial during the design phase? If the stroke is too long then it will be trying to split itself in half . . . My splitter stops with just under 5cm left before hitting the wedge.

Yes, they are brilliant. Took me a while to trust mine and used a backup line whenever possible. Don't bother now, I trust the rope grab in all situations. Of course you need to learn how to use it safely etc.

Same here in parts of Warwickshire - seems strange to see Oaks in leaf so late although most are turning brown. Retention of leaves protects buds during a hard winter I guess?

Just loved it when Lord Sugar told Isle of Man boy he was full off sh1t. Classic TV moment. Fit bird was the one that looked like Posh Spice? Sugar was regretting sacking her tonight. Reckon corporate girl will win - there has not been a female winner for a while.

Just found this fungi today on a Laurel next to my wood pile. Plant seems healthy enough - anyone know what it is and what it will do?

That's what I thought - a graft on H Chestnut - why? The bulge is 360 degrees so probably not wire.

Hi folks, spotted this Chestnut butt earlier today. Not sure what has happened here? My guess is either a graft problem (on a Chestnut?) or something has been tied around it at some stage (unlikely due to its situation). Your thoughts would be appreciated.

With his tongue :001_tt2:

I employed a lad to help out with the ground work. He was built like a brick sh1t house - he could scoop up whole trees in one hand and carry the tools back to the van with the other - no kidding. I am guessing, due to his size, when something bad started to happen it took a little longer to register before he would realise what was happening. Chipping brash with my Greenmech we were both feeding it hard and fast. Grabbing a big handfull of brash he shoved it into the infeed. Thats when the noise started, you know, the noise of money p1ss1ng out of your wallet into the great tool maintenance/repair pot. A flying dive across the brash pile to hit the safety bar - the noise stopped. Turned out to be a 1" diameter iron bar that my man mountain had scooped up in his timber grab arms and stuffed into the chipper. He was one of the best workers I have ever had, a real rough diamond with many faults and complexities but a wonderful worker. I had to beg him to stay working for me as he sacked himself on the spot due to his stupidity. Its been a year - anyone know what happened to the lad who could not see the chipper/van and coated the road? I must admit I would have been mad but, after a few minutes and on reflection, another chance would probably have been given.

Its fascinating watching how others work in the tree. I have been climbing for 25 years and it has been a lonely place to work. Technology, such as your helmet cam, is great for comparing notes, methods and stimulating conversation. I wonder how long it will be before someone with a health and safety remit pushes for prosecution based on self-posted video evidence? That is not a finger pointing exercise at your working methods - I could see no wrong. I did notice, looking at the trunk, that you were stabbing your gaffs in quite a few times in the same place. Have you tried longer gaffs or sharpened yours to get a good placement first time? Sometimes leaving 4 inch pegs on the stem can give you plenty to stand on and speed things up as you feel more secure. Your rigging system meant you were cutting very close to your lowering line on several occasions, even when it was loaded with several stems. Very brave considering the entire profit from the job could be lost by cutting into your lowering line. I agree with others about dropping the stem - vegetable genocide

I accept your point about bad sharpening causing loss of performance. As well as sharpening my own fleet of 16 saws , I also sharpen commercially for many other customers and tree surgeons in the area. The chain grinder and hand finishing techniques have been perfected over 12 years with very few justifiable complaints. Even if the Stihl is sharpened to within an inch of its life, as the top plate receeds the cutting performance seems to be compromised more than the equivalent Oregon chain. I don't know why ? Tie straps supplied with most reputable chain reels have a visual indication of which side faces outward - could be worth checking your new chain just in case.

I understand this is an alternative method of felling but not one I will be adopting any day soon. 1. Our domestic gardens are a lot smaller and access for large pulling equipment is not always possible. If there is room then conventional felling cuts are used. 2. I would rather not damage my ropes by pulling hard to break the step and then not knowing just how hard they were pulled? 3. Other conventional methods work just as well and don't require other mechanical means to be a success. 4. All of my wood goes to firewood regardless. Putting a huge piece in the chipper is wasteful. Putting up a technique video: great Boasting about how much money made: unnecessary showing off

That car is a total white-off !

Stihl chain is fast and efficient until sharpened for the 3rd or 4th time - from there on I find it loses performance (doesn't clear chips as well) and tends to loose teeth. Oregon is slower (cutting performance) but keeps clear and consistent over many sharpens. Nearly all broken chains are caused by worn sprockets, worn and uneven bars, poor chain lubrication or cheap chain and contact with anything that is not wood!

What did you make yours from?

So its a dogs tooth with a step cut release No tooth I guess, more like a set of OAP gums - could be an excellent cut for us old codgers I just love the way that cars simply drive past behind him - even during the actual fell - he is very confident that nothing will reach the road. The failed hinge above was level across the stump, it was tensioned to prevent it falling onto the building underneath it. A bore cut was used into the gob and behind the hinge. The hinge failed early due to the extreme spiral grain.

You say your from the South Midlands - PM me - I might have some work for you.

Of course you will, besides, everything will be several degrees warmer by then according to the global warming exponents

This is the only photo I can find - it shows part of the hinge that failed due to the grain direction. The felling direction was towards the camera, the failed part on the right of the picture. Sorry to divert the thread.

Viral marketing (word of mouth) is the ultimate place to be. It takes a few years but, if you are consistently good (in practice and value for money) once it starts you can almost forget about advertising. Our diary is full until April but the majority of these bookings were planned and entered from early summer onwards. Don't loose heart - its just a rubbish time of year for finding work. I hope things improve for you in the new year - good luck.