son of a birch

Hi all, I am required to be actively involved in the arboricultural industry as part of my foundation degree arboriculture course at Myerscough (on-line), and would really appreciate the chance to gain experience working with a tree team or consultancy based in Edinburgh. I hold NPTC units CS 30.1, 30.2, 31 and PA1+6. I have experience in a wide range of arboricultural operations, including tree climbing, pruning, planting, chipper and stump grinder use etc. I am currently working with the Scottish Wildlife Trust as a conservation volunteer. I hold a national diploma (merit grade) in arboriculture, and have a wide ranging knowledge of tree biology, pathogens, and hazards. I am up to date on current best practice and H+S regulations, and am always looking for ways to expand my knowledge of arboriculture. Though I do not have my own transport, I live in central Edinburgh and would be happy to travel to meet you at your yard, or on site, should you choose to accept me as a volunteer. I am interested in getting any experience I can, within all aspects of the industry- be it tree surgery, woodland management or surveying. I have my own PPE and am available to start as soon as required. If you would like any more information, please contact me via Arbtalk or my email address chriscoathamATgmail.com. Cheers, Chris

Add a poll!

Thanks everyone for the ideas, I'll post some pics up of the whole operation in a week or so when it's done!! And as I said the money or lack thereof has nothing to do with me, i'm just happy to get some experience at this early stage in my career. Cheers, Chris

Actually the job is with a conservation team I volunteer with, so I will not be seeing any money. I'm not complaining though, it all adds to my experience!

Cheers arbmark, Job's in mid Scotland so bit of a trek for your guy, plus we're looking forward to tackling the task ourselves! Chris

Thanks everyone, My first idea was actually a 3:1 pulley system with the hitch at ground level so he can be both lifted and lowered without him having to touch anything, if you see what I mean. And a climber on a separate system climbing up with him for moral support.

Hi all, I just wanted to see if I could brainstorm some ideas for a job coming up. Not sure on the full details at the moment, but basically we have to get a cameraman into a tree to install some camera equipment. He is not a climber and lets assume that we could not install the equipment ourselves. Also, for arguments sake, lets assume that the desired height to install the equipment is out of ladder reach, out of mewp access, and that the tree is fairly tall with a clear stem (so not easy to scramble up). So we will be using some form of rope access. Any ideas of how we could get a guy into a tree, aside from a crash course in hip thrusting? Any particular belay/ pulley system that would be suitable? Thanks in advance for any ideas (also please note I haven't visited the site yet so can only speculate on tree species/height etc)... Chris

Spore print is brown on the larger brackets (spores may not be obvious in the picture due to the rain, but I did note the colour on a previous visit), but it's this one that's confusing me:

There's one last assignment, hand in for the 5th January. I'm just trying to get it done so I don't have to worry about it over xmas, though I'll probably still end up doing it all on the 4th...

An Alnus glutinosa hybrid absolutely riddled with something, which I assumed was Ganoderma but also looks a little like Phellinus igniarius... ?

On the same tree, some very soft, jelly like growth, could be an Exidia?

Went for a walk around the Botanics today and came across a few fungi specimens: Ganoderma spp. growing in buttress of a large Acer cappadocicum spp. lobelii:

Hmm yes there can be quite a slow response to questions. Glad to see a couple of people have managed to stick it out! Are you currently working on the soils science assignment Alliaria?

Thanks for the response Big J, PM sent!

I am also interested with working/ volunteering with local consultants, tree officers or surveyors, in order to gain experience and knowledge in surveying and tree inspections, as well as anything to do with bats, ecology, conservation, woodland management... Again, I am willing to work for free. Chris

Is anyone on the forum currently enrolled on the Myerscough FDSc Arb On-line course? If so, how are you finding it? I'm in my first year, theres a lot to take in but I think i'm doing OK so far... The course forum on Moodle is pretty quiet so I thought I'd check in here. Chris

Am I right in thinking that that is quite high fruiting for Armillaria spp? I don't think I've ever seen it fruit over around knee height. It must be running out of food!

Hi all, I am looking for casual, part or full-time work (whatever I can get!) in central Edinburgh. I moved here a couple of months ago and am yet to find work. I am currently volunteering on a daily basis with the Scottish Wildlife Trust, while studying for a Foundation Degree in Arboriculture. I have a National Diploma in Arboriculture and NPTC's CS30, CS31 and CS38, as well as experience in climbing and ground work. I have my own PPE. I would be happy to work for free for a trial period, I am willing to work weekends and holidays, and I am not above spending all day feeding a chipper. For a CV or other information please get in touch at [email protected] Cheers, Chris