Hello all. Quick intro.
Did my felling & break down courses in 1999 at Eastnor Castle with the estate's woodmen.
Since then I have looked after the woodland at home on our farm, for tree care & firewood purposes, everything from pruning orchards, pollarding Willows & clear felling broadleaf stuff. Not really done anything with conifers since my course.
I am strictly an 'amateur' arborist, if such a thing exists. I don't do it professionally, I sit at a desk now, and never got round to doing my 38/39 tickets which I do regret.
I do however climb a little - as I say, I'm a keen amateur - but I know my limits and capabilities and stick to what I know.
Now I hope I don't get run out of town by all you pro's for that!
I would like to do my 38 & 39 courses but mortgage, 3 kids, downturn in the construction industry & shortage of disposable cash have made that a pipe-dream for now, but I am on a waiting list for a 'cheap space' on someone else's course to get my climbing licenses.
So for now I tinker about with our own trees and help out friends on straightforward stuff, fully aware that time is ticking by and before long I'll be too old to enjoy hanging out of trees!
One other thing. I'm absolutely terrified of heights. So tree surgery seems a bizarre passion, but there you go, takes all sorts!
Simon
