David Goss

Would that be TreeId - The British Tree Identification Guide from Isoperla ltd? had a look at it and was thinking about it but thought i would ask here first before i downloaded any crap... Any others? Fungi Trees Top height thingys etc

Thats what i was trying to say but with less words:lol:

Anyone know of any good ones worthwhile downloading?

Yep that was very interesting indeed:thumbup1: Just shows that the ancient cultures knew how to live in harmony with the environment and not destroy everything around them in the name of progress. Humans nowadays have such a big problem that there is just too many of us to live like that. There is not enough space for so many people and there comes a point where we do more harm than good to our surroundings imo. Great programme Hama cheers for posting:thumbup:

Cheers mate watching now:thumbup:

If you really are interested in doing it (i would walk away now) then charge her for the quote and dont even think about doing anything else till you speak to the owners of the tree face to face. Sounds way too suspect to be honest.

Is it on iplayer? would like to see this. Someone put up a link if you find it please.

Some interesting comments guys:thumbup1: Ian i am glad you are able to dig your heels in a bit now, thats all it needs to force a bit of change and get to do our jobs properly. Like i said before it aint easy but you have to fight for what is right. Otherwise we are just puppets instead of intelligent, educated professionals. We will get there eventually

haha nice one:thumbup: I find standing up straight is best as well, using your climbing line choked on the stem to stop you swinging round (works best only in one direction). I also use my knees sometimes (but your spikes have a tendency to slip out if you get the position wrong) standing up straight from them, which gives you a more balanced centre of gravity but can be a bit painful. Thin leaning stems are just a pain full stop. Best way if possible is to anchor into another tree.

I have never greased a nose sprocket on any bar and never had problems, I know a few people who do and they have problems with them jamming or just breaking well before mine ever does. I was told if you start to grease it then you need to keep doing it but if you dont start then you never need to and so far that advice has been spot on.

I understood you perfectly, i was just trying to explain how i see it. I can understand when you and many others say you are not in a position to turn down work. The point is that in the long run you probably would be better off if you did. I know its hard when you have mortgage, kids, cars, trucks etc all to be paid for but i could almost guarantee you that when you get a good name (not that you dont already) and the respect that i am talking about then your worries would be a lot less as the jobs would come to you more because of this. It aint easy but nothing worthwhile ever is. Wouldnt it be great if we could all do our jobs without being told how to do it by people that dont know. I think our profession is one of the only ones where the clients still tell us how to do it. Why do you think that is? Damn you sucked me back in! i was out there:lol:. Ok no more from me on the subject but think about it and do what you feel is right.

So push for removal and get them to plant something smaller. Better imo to remove a tree from a garden than leave a tall stump which is just going to turn into a tall stump with a very hairy crown. Client just doesnt get what he/she wanted. Topping a tree for the client that wants more light, less leaves, a view or whatever the rubbish excuse is will just be counter productive and thats what you should be explaining to them as well. I know some clients can just be pig headed about it but thats when i walk away, there is no pleasing some folk. Anyway i have been through this a few times already on other threads and nothing will change unless you make it. Stay safe thats the main thing, trees will always be here and will outlive us all.

If your turning jobs down all the time its because you cant explain the pros and cons well enough. If you make sure the client understands perfectly then 9 times out of 10 you can change their minds. You are the professional remember not them. Do you tell a doctor, electrician, plumber, plasterer etc etc how to do their job, or do you listen to what they tell you? its the same for us, we just need to push it a bit more instead of just giving up and saying ok i will do what you tell me even though it was me that got the training and certificates. Being scared of losing a days wage just doesnt wash with me because you will gain more days by getting respect and the good word of mouth from the client you made into a believer. Think of when the clients friend, relative, neighbour (who knows something about trees) comes to visit and then asks "who butchered your tree? dont call them again" or would you prefer when they visit to say "those boys did a good job whats their number" Its not rocket science you know.

Well thats never happened to me. Did you get the follow up calls to come and repollard or did they just have the trees cut down in the end? seems to me thats what these clients wanted anyway. Some people just dont like their trees:thumbdown:

When i had my own company in Italy i would explain whats best for the tree and what would be best for the client in the long run. If they still wanted me to be a butcher then i declined the job being as nice as possible about it. I did this many times and i gained respect from many clients who phoned me the next day and said they had a think about it and would rather i did the job properly than have some of the other companies that also quoted the jobs and would do whatever they were told. Some jobs i lost but i would say i gained much more from sticking to my guns and getting a good reputation. Going against what you know is right just gets you in a hole that you will find difficult to get back out of again. The fact that so many people are willing to just do it because its what the (uninformed) client wants is what is making it difficult for those that are trying to be professional about it. I know most people are scared to turn down a job but from what i can see from the bigger picture it is actually better in the long run. Try it and see...

Normally i wouldnt agree to this but on this occasion it sounds about the right thing to do. As you say the tree has been butchered already so trying to maintain it as a pollard may be the best option. Explain everything to the client beginning with explaining the industry standards and why its not a good thing to do in the first place BUT, as its already too late then maintaining as a pollard is probably for the best and you will be back every few years to do it again, seeing as the client was a fool and caused a low maintenance tree to become a high maintenance tree. Then take the money with a smile. What should have happened is when you explained that you are a professional and you suggest to do something, then the client turns round and says well your the expert, do what you think is best. That is how it should work but unfortunately most clients think they are tree experts and have the national average of common sense which it seems is diminishing rapidly.

nice one:thumbup: but dont you mean west? ok i can give you southwest

Well done! glad you got through it and passed:thumbup:

Cracking pics Tony keep em coming

Very impressed But as i know nothing of big trucks and the like could someone explain what a left hooker is? I am guessing its not a communist prostitute

Like Steve said it depends where you are and what your experience is. The thing you dont want to do is start too low (like I did:blushing:) but you also dont want to go too high either or you wont get any work. The £120 seems a good starting block and see where you go from there but it is hard to get it right. Also take into consideration distance you need to travel. If you are good then people will call you back whether they think you are expensive or not because a good worker is hard to find and worth paying that little extra for. Good Luck and stay off my patch:001_tt2:

Cheers Ian its difficult not to take a nice pic when the subject is so spectacular. Some nice pics from everyone on this thread

When taking out tops i always have my flipline attached to my bridge (never the side D rings) for this very reason, If it does split then it stops at the bridge instead of squeezing your guts out your mouth which i guess aint pretty