arborlicious

Why use a noisy chipper when you've got space for a wagon and one of those grabs on the end of the HIAB. Nice work on the tree removal and the video production.

Take a picture, create a quote, send an invoice, spill a beer on, watch reg's latest YouTube video...all from an iPad or similar. the only mistake you've made is to waste some beer...sent from an iPad in the pub while I write emails. Summer has finally arrived in Sydney just in time for Autumn and I'm drinking a beer from Mudgee called Spring being careful not to spill any.

Saying facetiously - i was just wondering what the cost of cutting a tree down is? i have some experience cutting firewood but nothing re cutting down trees. It all depends what you want done. The main thing is coming up with the actual content. Annual costs once you have a simple site up and running would be no more than it costs to keep your domain name registered - say $10/year and basic web site hosting say $50-$100/year.

Like "central-services" said, website optimisation is all about making sure that when someone searches in google or the like for say "Tree removal", "firewood" or "stump grinding" then a link to your site appears on the first page of results (don't get hung up on being no.1 on the list) On you site you need to have relevant content - not just a page filled with a hodgepodge collection of key words or key words hidden in the page headers since the google algorithms for ranking pages are wise to this rubbish. You need to actually write a few paragraphs of content that describe what you do and where you work e.g: ======================= We're a small company based in somewhere specialising in tree removals, tree pruning and firewood supply. We also service the following areas: here, there and over there ======================= Now when the google robot has a look at your site it can index all of the above words so that when folk perform a search with enough relevant terms it should list your site. (In Australia at least it's also a good idea to put the word "lopping" somewhere since in these parts people still refer to arborists/tree surgeons as tree loppers. Maybe with some content like "lopping refers to cutting branches willynilly while we prefer to target prune...") You can submit your site to google so that it knows to send its robot over for a look (this can take a few days) - no website optimisation people required. Also, if your site is updated regularly with new content google will also see this as more relevant and push it up the rankings. In my opinion, websites for tree surgeons need not be more than electronic glossy brochures. You just need enough relevant content and some nice pictures so that people can find your site and get a phone number to call you. cheers, Steve

The first line "c.a utility" looks good - it's very readable even when reduced in size. On the other hand, the second line "A R B L T D" doesn't look so good. Seems to be a hodgepodge of two typefaces since the "A" and "D" letters are noticeably fatter than the others (possibly hand drawn?) Why not just make ARB LTD more readable like the attached.

Three years ago, before I even started climbing trees I bought a Transit van to get around the place (on the recommendation of a tree surgeon friend from Dorset.) A year later it became home to a harness, rope and hand saw. Now it's filled with 4 chainsaws, crates of climbing gear, crates of rigging gear, big shots, pole saws, rakes, blowers, fuel cans and smelly boots all spread over the floor. I keep thinking to sell the big tranny (actually it's a short wheel base low roof - but still pretty big I reckon) and go the aussie way and get a Ute. Especially after I have to spend big money on repairs (Transit parts in Australia are exxy). Only 50,000 miles since 2002 (the first owner did 20,000 in 7 years!) so it's in pretty good condition but it's about time to line the inside and throw in some shelves so I can better organise all this equipment. I've got a few ideas but wondering if anyone is will to post pictures of their van showing a neat line up of chainsaws, hanging ropes etc since there must be a few of you UK arborists using Transit vans for your arb gear. Cheers, Steve

Another piece of advice if you get a Big Shot and use the fancy smancy sling-it or zing-it throw line...make sure the line is unrolled properly when you take it off the new roll. Any little twists seem to exacerbate the creation of instant tangled mess and a litany of swear words. There's nothing worse than seeing your throw bag heading over the perfect high point soon to be followed by a birds nests of throw line. Luckily the other day that 15 minutes I spent untangling said birds nest saw the clouds come over, thunder, lightning then rain and hail so was glad not to be at the top of a 30m Pinus radiata

We don't wear cut resistant trousers over here because we never make mistakes...yeah right. Type A's (front protection only) are better since it can get pretty hot. I work in the mountains west of Sydney and only break out the Type C Stein Revolutions on the coldest winter days (that's still above 5 degrees C though.) I stick with the NZ made Clogger arborist trousers as the AU/NZ made STIHL pants don't have zip up pockets. Bring you cut resistant boots too - they're twice the price in these parts (although like the pants, they're not actually a legal requirement when using a chainsaw) Steve