Joe Newton

Cheers for the praise again, it's appreciated. We get our share of TPO work, and usually the TO seems to try and avoid reductions, favouring lifts and selective thinning instead. I feel that this usually achieves the desired effect. There are many mature Oaks in that area, most of which have been reduced/pruned back in the past (not by myself). I'm not sure wether this set some kind of precedent. As I mentioned, the spec was set by the tree officer, we just got the work. I wasn't involved in any lever higher than carrying out the work within the set parameters. I have to say, it was the largest reduction I have been on, and I enjoyed the work as a new challenge. Even with two climbers it was steady going due to a very limited drop zone and some tricky limbs to get to. There will always be differing opinions on mature reductions, and I welcome other peoples contributions. Perhaps I would have recommended a different course of action, but ultimately it was down to the client and the TO. I like to think we did the best job we could within the spec. I certainly tried to!

I've been running oregon on my 211 for a while, no complaints. It is my "abuse" saw too. Not sure if I running 1.1 or 1.3mm though. It's stock with an oregon bar if that helps.

But thank you for the compliments I can't take credit though, I was one of two climbers, the other being far more experienced than myself.

I was given a spec by my company through the TO. I don't have full details as it wasn't involved in the quotation. The tree was touching the neighbours roof and overhanging the homeowners roof, and had shed dead limbs. Given the choice between a reduction and fell and replacement I feel that this was by far the best course of action. Nobody wanted to lose the tree, but nobody wanted it any bigger either. For what it's worth I support the TO's descision.

Thank you mate. Not often we get a large reduction like this.

The spike marks are on the back. 2 climbers, 2 days. Bit slow, but we wanted to get it right, and it's over too houses. Some help from the ground lads but we kept eying ourselves in on our breaks.

Seconded. Nice reduction dude. Cherry picker is cheating though My proudest one is just off Bawnmore Road on the Sainsburys end. Keep an eye out!

Hahahahaha you bitch! I wear the Stetson in bed too, and I've just spat Staropramen down my 1D tee!

Aspen is a good shout, get each volunteer bo buy their own chain, and you can be damn sure that they'll take better care of it than if you supply one!

Are you made of sugar sweetheart? You're not gonna dissolve! Always happy to prove you right Bolam. FWIW the cut and climb is ace, and I find hoods cumbersome so I don't mind not having one.

The 135 should do what you need. Are you at good at maintenance? IMO the basic tickets aren't rough to maintain a saw well. It will need to be kept clean, fed on good fuel and oil (don't mix large amounts if it only gets occasional use) and most of all kept properly sharp. Try any avoid the pants Husqy chain that they'll put on it. Get Stihl or Oregon. That said, if your budget can stretch to a a Stihl 211 I'd definitely go for that instead, on a 14" bar

I have one I'm making slowly. I bought some 5mm thick ground flat stock, as I didn't want to use old file steel (too many variables). Using a hand file for the primary bevel is slow and hard!

Very wise words!

And my mother drinks Campari or Champagne, get your facts straight or you won't get anywhere with her.

I wish I could say that I'd been busy with sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Unfortunately they just don't make good rock music any more though.

Haha fair bloody play! Ready when you are!

Any decent climb it's on my foot, I forget it's there, until I'm facing a fair haul and then I'm glad of it

My point is that before you leave the ground you should know if you won't be able to hand hold the branches mate. Doesn't take much to set a rigging point when you're setting your anchor. Seems like we never get the crash it down jobs, so we rig quite a lot of the time. But I've never needed to use my climbing line to do it. Sometimes I do cut a biggish branch, pull it back into the tree, section it and chuck it out in smaller pieces though.

He said sadistic, not sarcastic

Make sure you can reach the links so you can descend in a hurry should you need to. You don't want the tea going cold before you get down. Looks fine other than that. Thought you had a pantin though? Much easier than pulling down with your arms!

I have a ported one on 18" .325 You could do a lot worse than one of these.

I'll second what Rover said above... The Sugi laminated bars are supposed to be very tough, just not quite as pretty and light as the posh ones!

If it savages a cat (just doing what comes naturally) I'd be very careful about keeping it round your kids. How would you feel if the same dog turned on your kids?

You chauvinistic pig. Unlike you I'm a modern man, and my missus is one lucky bitch.

Apparently Celox can cause major damage to your eyes. The tendency to open a pack with your teeth (if one arm is injured) can cause granules to get in ones eyes, which then causes damage.