Ginja

Second hand van, three saws(one is always being fixed), blower, climbing kit, rescue kit, hedge cutters, pick, mattock, fork shovel, wheel barrow, axe. Somewhere to keep it all safe and store waste to be processed into compost, logs etc (waste is work on the quiet days). insurance. Some good friends. More energy than you think you would ever had. Honest, decent, approachable manner. Quals &certs. Be willing to learn, you'll never know it all! Our business was started with an escort eclipse, a hand me down climbing harness and one saw that had seen better days. We just worked hard, did a good job and cleaned up after ourselves. And I thank every customer that gave us the benefit of he doubt. Never ever turn down work, that bit of digging might lead to a tpo'd veteranisation that impresses the tree officer

My fiancé doesn't bring me flowers, he brings me fungi.

Cheers Dave, good points there.

This all really helpful stuff chaps, please continue. It's great to see some of you are embracing tech and those of you who aren't are setting me the challenge of giving you something reliable and easy to use that will entice you away from the old paper diary. You may well help me get a distinction if you carry on, a major part of the assignment is industry research and feedback. Keep talking to me, any gripes, ideas, things you like about certain apps, diaries, phones, tablets etc. I really appreciate you all taking the time. Thanks Charlie

Do the existing apps let you do enough? Are they too simplistic or too complicated? And wouldn't it be beneficial to have an app that is tailored to the work you do?

Good stuff, thanks. More comments like that would be greatly appreciated. That's something I'm intent on finding a solution to. But would you pay for a solution?

Thank you for answering Apart from suggesting you get a motorbike to get around quicker I can't help with the time on the road issue. But what is it about paperwork you try to avoid so badly, which area? Is it quotes, tpo apps, invoicing? What really takes up too much time and bugs you when you'd much rather be on arbtalk? Charlie

Hello, I'm doing a project for college, in it I'm researching possible ways of reducing the amount of time spent doing admin (typing up quotes, scheduling work, maintenance logs, loler etc) for small to medium enterprises in arboriculture. As an attempt at initial research, could you take the time to tell me what would make your admin easier and more efficient and what problems you feel you face with regard to admin? What really bugs you and takes up too much time? If you would be happy to take part in a more in depth survey to help me with my research and project, please pm me with an email address I can contact you on. I need all the help I can get! Many thanks Charlie Hocknell

I agree, wise words. But it's easier said than done! I've worried myself sick at times, lay awake at night worrying whether I can do the job properly, whether the people who have taught me really believe in my skills and abilities, whether customers are as happy as they seem, whether I have the respect of other arbs I know or do they just feel a bit sorry for me, whether I'll make it to the end of the year financially. Luckily the chap I'm marrying seems to think the sun shines out of my backside and has more than enough faith in me for both of us. Balance - needed in everything

I had to laugh when I noticed all the lads with me were ogling the shiny machinery on one stand and completely missed the lasses on the stand to tempt them in! Boys love toys! I felt a bit bad for the girl who was smiling sweetly at them, so I smiled and said hello. We had a limper with us, my other half managed to misjudge a gap and drove the stump grinder so he squished his leg between it and the wall. Massive bruise on his thigh, quite impressive he managed it!

I had to laugh when I noticed all the lads with me were ogling the shiny machinery on one stand and completely missed the lasses on the stand to tempt them in! Boys love toys! I felt a bit bad for the girl who was smiling sweetly at them, so I smiled and said hello. We had a limper with us, my other half managed to misjudge a gap and drove the stump grinder so he squished his leg between it and the wall. Massive bruise on his thigh, quite impressive he managed it!

I met rob from tree worker briefly, was good to put a face to a name Was going to go into arbtalk tent but it was overflowing with you lot and I was too shy Maybe next time

I met rob from tree worker briefly, was good to put a face to a name Was going to go into arbtalk tent but it was overflowing with you lot and I was too shy Maybe next time

http://www.treecarving.co.uk/

Simon O'Rourke think he's from Wrexham way.