AlexB

I've just finished the first day of my FAW ticket, over the course of the day this came up. the course provider is the red cross and the trainer believes that not only can I not even use Haemostatic granules but they are also carsonogenic..... I have a HSE kit and my own peosonal kit in the van. I carry an impregnated dressing on my belt and have extras in the van. I'm not even allowed to carry a personal kit according to him as HSE will also investigate it's contents in the event of a serious incident. So, any one come across this? Once upon a time as a Kayaking instructor I always carried a work kit and a personal kit which was recomended. I know I've not been on a course for 4 years but have things changed that much that I can't even carry a personal kit? Alex

Caravan would be ideal but makesure it's one you can be when it's brass monkeys! I've used laterooms.com recently. So long as there is a shower and a tv it's work.... Who cares! Normally pay £25 a night inc breakfast and try to include that in the job price!

Save your pennies, but a vertex!

As said, choose plot size according to stocking density/estimate trees perHA. In that plot (circular) count all trees of every species. Take DBH and top height of the recommend fraction for that sized sample plot. Mark all trees in plots inc a DBH/TH For sample trees so purchaser is able to check the plots for themselves. Then take all the info from all the plots. Get an average. Times that upto your site area. Then take off 10% and bobs your mothers brother. Don't forget to be atleast 5m from the edge of the stand if you can. If it crosses paths/rides knock of another 10% unless you can work out their area and remove that.

At a guess I would say that's Johnathon Crowther's kit. He'll want to know approximate tonnage to give you a quote. I'm guessing thinning. Is it self select or has it been marked? I doub't there would be much over 100t. Haulage for a forwarder is never much change out of £400 as it requires a low loader. so that's £400 he'll need to recover before wages/fuel etc.I would put it in at £1500 minimum Possibly on a day rate as it's such a small job. You'll be better off with a small tractor and trailer setup. Or sell it standing to euro forest/tilhill types.

Thanks everyone for your emails, No more please folks. Most of the guys that have contacted me have more experience that I do so I'm sure I'll be able to get the folks I need. However, if you would like me to hold your details for future work possibilites please e mail me a copy of your CV with the subject; Operator Database. Once again, thanks to everyone who's contacted me. I'll be intouch over the next few days. Regards, Alex

I'm looking for folks with cs 30/31 ppe and saw. Working on a tonnage rate which will vary depending on site and product. You'll need to be self employed and supply your own kit, OTE should be around £100 - £120 per day once you're used to the work. E mail [email protected] with a little bit about yourself and your experience and a phone number and I'll get back to you either way. Work sites for this year are at Calverton north notts, then Sheffield near j35 of the m1. This may vary but will give an idea of possible travel needs. Regards, Alex

Save your pennies and buy a vertex, sooo handy, no maths though very expensive. Can do a fair bit more!

I use my saw all day 3-4 days a week. The only time I stop is for lunch or to re-fuel so at the end of each day the cover comes off, every other sharpen the bar is dressed/flipped and anything that needs cleaning/greasing gets done according to the owners manual. I find it quicker to sharpen a saw 15" bar than to change the chain. I normally last a day on a sharpen but if it needs it, it gets it. I'd much rather loose 15 mins in the day than suffer for half of it if something's not right. Though I always have a full set of spares chains/bars/plugs/bar nuts/all filters/oil+fuel caps/pull cord and spare saw. I hate the thought of having to stop work to go and buy something that I can order online and have it posted. Alex

I'd take a #2 in xl. And would def like a l/s one day.

I've used Thorsby Estates before, machine and operator. Don't have a number as all details are at old place of work. Very good job though, had them do a horrible fiddly job and were very good. Alex

No, that was his jaw!

I'm still in my first year of using a business account with Barclays so it's all free. However there are no account charges after the 1st year just transaction charges on cash over the counter and paying in cheques. I'm only paid so far by online transfer though that's the joy on contracting to larger organisations. I don't get involved with domestic work. On the up side cheques will be a thing of the past soon. My business manager in the Chesterfield branch seems nice and when I have poped in I like that there is an express lane for business customers. When I log in to either my personal or business account I can play with both at the same time. Transfers are instant, my debit card works everywhere and I'm given a seperate account for business savings and a seperate pot for keeping the tax man happy. It's ok but I'm a new business and I think they expect me to asking for loans and overdraughts which I have no intention of doing. I'm in the black and manage to put 40% of my turn over into my savings pot so all is steady and boring and I've no need at the moment to venture into the murky world of asking for assistance from the bank. but so far all seems rosy at Barclays.

Whilst I was at Newton Rigg their Euc trial failed 2 years on the bounce due to frost damage. Whilst Italian alder seemed to do ok, ash was ok and willow grew well but isn't really going to give you the end product you want. If it was my 11 agres I'd be looking at a wcg taking inspiration for species from the NVC planting at around 1.8m spacing with a first thinning of 20-25 years, allowing those to coppice whilst the others are thinned perhaps a little more frequently but a little more lightly to prevent shading the stools out giving a good initial crop and hopefully a continuious crop from then on. I like that you're happy for this project to have the time it needs to be long lasting and productive rather than looking for a quick buck. Speak to Cumbria Woodlands for advice as Edward Mills is very good with coppicing and Neville Elstone a pretty good chap too. Regards, Alex

Forestry, tonage rate felling. You start sweating at 7 am and stop half an hour after your shower in the evening.

If you're in northhants then not too far from you is Brackenhurst College (Part of notts trent) They're charging £590 including assessment for 30/31, Have fun!

Socks = Bridgedale winter boot socks Thermals = merino or polyprop but I get 2 days out of a merino. I've got a few though, once upon a time I was able to go kayaking, now I'm self employed.... Thermal bottoms.... I'm wearing chain saw trousers! Though I am doing forestry work, when you're paid by the tonne you never seem to get cold.

A new forestry grad will get around £20k to begin with though I suspect that will go down with the down sizing of the commission and recuitement freeze so the private sector jobs will be well over subscribed. Though once in if you're employable and work well £30k should be acheiveable. If you want more it is possible but you need to be working for yourself and be willing to invest a substancial amount in equiptment..... But as already said, tree work in general is not something you do for the money.

What are you using for extraction?

Good to hear, currently using a pair of Oregon boots, though after 4 weeks are showing signs of being spanked by brambles!

Not quite, it's a bit more on average. and the longer you work the more you earn.... Now, apply your calculations to every other offering and let us know what you come up with Phil. As i said, it's not for an arb groundie but what you could earn on the harvesting side of things with a 30/31 ticket. Alex

slightly different ball game but I pay between £9-11 a tonne depending on the site. £7 a tonne if you're using my kit. You should on most jobs with an 8 hour shift cut 10 tonne.

Hi Andy, did you have a conversation with the land owner/agent etc? What was their reasoning behind the decision? In some cases I can see it as a bonus. Repeat work for removal of tree shelters micro climate etc. I can also understand if you were not clearing the vegitation and needed vole guards/stock fencing but when spraying for vegetation removal (Assumption) fencing and guarding....... really? That's a lot of extra cost. Dave, sorry for the hijack. Alex

2000 trees isn't alot. if you expand this to 30,000 (Still not huge Keilder forest replants somthing in the millions I think) then it's looking better. Why did you fence and tube? that's a very expensive way around things. If you're spraying then voles etc are unlikely to break cover for the trees. If you fenced I'm guessing it was for stock? maybe rabbit fencing with rabbit control once the fence was up would have been more effective (No need for tubes) As for the transport you could have carried plants and fencing materials for a much larger site for a not much more fuel. perhaps on this scale it's not great but it doesn't take much to become an impressive carbon store. plus all of the carbon in the canes/stakes/fence posts which is locked in for at least 10 years. Good question, I'm sure there is a carbon geek who has all of the figures down somewhere...

Alp kit are great, I love the genius jeans! (Water proof) but as an alternative to the NF bag mountain equiptment make a similar one too and it's always on "sale" in cotswolds. If not try kayaking kit bags by companies like nookie or palm. I've had my nookie bag for 10 years and it's still going strong.