kevinjohnsonmbe

Agreed.

I'd like to be on site to see one of your tree moves! Are you ever in the SW?? I'd be happy to travel, help if appropriate or just fetch donuts, I haven't seen that type of op before.

Expensive kit!

Guy Watson - brilliant! Say hello from me!!

Just seen on YouTube thought it might be worth reposting in case you haven't seen it:

A couple of things I found really useful: Spend a bit of time drawing up an inspection / report template that contains ALL relevant details that you might ever want to include in a report and simply pen amend (score through) anything that ISN'T relevant to the specific tree you are reporting on. Also, explain all your keys / codes in a footnote. These points allow the course assessor and moderator to see your logic and understanding of the broader subject not just specifics of the individual tree you are reporting on. (You'll understand that's good exam technique rather than what you might do in a real report but it also frees valuable minutes so that you can be looking up at the tree rather than down at your clipboard during the timed element of the tree inspection.) I also prepped a good crib card which crossed ref'd in a table all of the fungi: Type/annual/type of rot/effect on tree etc (from memory I can't recall the specifics but hopefully the classroom time will give you a steer on what is required) All you have to do then is correctly ID the fungi then run your finger across the table and copy down the details. Hope that helps? PS. If time permits, read Research for Amenity Trees No. 2, 4, & 7 Who's delivering the course?

Sweet!

I think we may have each contributed to some previous similar posts, it ain't worth getting into a head banging match over a set of circumstances, the particulars of which, I suspect we neither have sufficient detail to make an accurate assessment of. If you don't think a sole trader can sub contract a task without the need for EL insurance then knock yourself out.

There are circumstances where that might be the case, there are also circumstances where it might not. My point was that a "team" assessment would make it (more) difficult to argue the case for sole trader / self employed.

I also like the idea of a "team" assessment, but the problem that would give the 'sole trader' with 'self employed' helpers would surely be that, even if you're not already stretching the definitions of sole trader and self employed, doing such an assessment would clearly demonstrate that the 'sole trader' is, in reality, the employer of the 'self employed' helpers with the obvious change of definition and requirement for employees liability insurance, PAYE etc….

Watch where you put your Meripilus!

I've had a safe and successful conclusion to a very demanding tree dismantle, I've had the pleasure and privilege of working with great people and have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. Whilst I was out on site, the air ambulance landed at our home to tend to the injuries of our builder who had taken a tumble off the roof. He's a tough old bird and has been shaken (but not stirred.) I've spoken to him this evening and he is on the mend but staying in ED overnight. The phone calls, messages, concern and help from every neighbour in line of sight, and from people that know us only through other friends has been truly touching. It has reenforced the importance of mutual support and neighbourly consideration in what is a relatively remote community. On top of that, I've heard that a friend, neighbour and fellow arborist has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. What an emotional roller coaster I've had today. To everyone out there that does a potentially dangerous job, military and civilian alike, take care, take time, do it right with the right kit and be safe. We are fragile beings despite sometimes thinking we are indestructible. Love your life and treasure it, look out for people close to you and tell them you love them.

Very sound position to take, it's all too easy to get stuck right in where a wise man would stand back and think / assess! Thinking time is never wasted time!

Well here we are at the end of the trial, notwithstanding the extensions required due to abject incompetence... And what can we deduce thus far.... "Mr Paterson's major gaffe, accusing the badgers of moving the goalposts, which has caused him to be universally derided, was foolish, since, if indeed the badgers had, in some way adjusted their numbers, it would mean that they were a lot more intelligent than Mr Paterson and his whole tawdry gang," Dr May said.

Local authority, just your local council library, mine was spot on!

Have you tried asking the librarian if they have corporate access to BS library?

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What about bombarding the "seller" with spurious technical questions / arrangements to view / general enquiries? If enough questions are lodged and they all go unanswered or full of BS, anyone looking at the questions history will know its a bad un??

Stove fan, yes! I have 1, think its brilliant and we'll worth the money. Got it "on offer" at £70 as a special promotion (normally retail £99) Like most things, buy cheap = buy twice! There is a marked improvement in circulated heat.

Timely (for me) and interesting feedback. I've been looking at the Stein Arb trolley but have changed mind to micro Arb truck trailer. Having some thinking time over the weekend and going firm with the order Monday. Only decision is wether to bite the bullet and get the trailer AND the power unit in the same order. I've read a lot of good feedback about the MAT, anyone got anything bad to say about it???

I do agree with (what I think) is the original basis of the question - "why don't these work shy, leg irons work as hard as me" (my interpretation) and I've seen & felt exactly that on many occasions when I've laid awake at night so physically exhausted that the twitching is keeping me awake or the double leg cramps make me jump out of bed and try to fight back the tears of excruciating pain whilst trying to stretch out over the stair banister.... But if there's someone on the job that makes me feel that way, they don't see day 2. Looking at another thread (do you love your job or just do the work (or something like that)) and mindful of the times I've said, sod this or this ain't worth the pain/effort, the answer is yes I do. I've been putting some pics together in a slide show for the website and looking at the jobs, remembering the challenge, thinking of the sense of achievement, yes I love it. It's just an observation, and perhaps a sad consequence of open forums, but I think you might have lost 'the popular vote' over the running to the chipper line which seems to have dominated the (more passionate) responses to the detriment of (what I think) might be the deeper question of "why don't people seem to want to graft fair." You can't please all the people all the time!

I like the closing line! Look at it from both sides, is he on the phone fixing next weeks work?

I can feel myself unwittingly getting drawn in to this soap opera. I made multiple posts because I thought my first comment could have been misconstrued, I was expressing agreement with the post from Tarzan, but realised after reading it that, in my haste, I hadn't perhaps been as clear as I'd intended. Hence the 2nd post to clarify. Then, chuckling, thought a pinch of humour might lighten the mood, hence the 3rd post. No subliminal message intended. Congratulations ARE due for an epic thread however! I salute you for generating such enthusiastic debate. I am however at a loss as to why the problem is apparently of such gigantean proportion for you. If I could be so bold as to suggest, if you can't find the staff you seek 'out of the box', have you considered some mentoring, leadership & management techniques to 'grow' the staff you seek? Either way, it's of no more than passing interest to me, I only work with people I trust, respect and support.

PS, if you are reading this 'boy', chin up fella, there's always the Siberian salt mines....