kevinjohnsonmbe

That’s the money shot! Im teetering on the edge of upgrading the the ArbTrak 150. Not because I want to chip larger diameter (I don’t) but I want to chip quicker!

Ah, the Dianne Abboot theory of a stopped clock being right 3 times a day 😂

Dammit! Moral dilemma..... I found myself nodding sagely whilst reading the post and finding much to agree with.... (then I noticed who’d posted it 🤯) (No, I’m being unfair, I do think this is a good post 😂)

that’s pretty cool (for you J) pretty shocking (for FC) 👍🏻 - with thought as to species diversification Where centralised government seeks to dictate policy there will always be those that seek to exploit advantageous loopholes. 👍🏻 Totally agree ‘system’ is always a blunt instrument. Id do the same? By example, possibly not J. Example being I installed biomass system because I wanted to move away from oil and at a time when domestic RHI wasn’t even a ‘thing.’ I have subscribed (and benefitted) since, but my decision was not BECAUSE of grant inducement. Hat off to your knowledge and contribution in this particular field J. My frustration is borne out of the seemingly never ending gravy train of highly paid, poorly performing quangos & civil servants that just keep making the same mistakes and wasting eye watering sums of public money.

(Probably) well intentioned government strategic policy, incompetently executed by bungling quango provides huge financial benefit to exploitative land owner.... Who’d have ever thought such bungling could follow financial incentive to change behaviour. It’s almost a dead ringer for the FiT and RHI all over again... Row over UK tree-planting drive: 'We want the right trees in the right place' | Trees and forests | The Guardian WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM Forestry Commission accused of funding non-native plantations that damage peatlands and imperil rare species

As a matter of principal. - I won’t get the mower out in Feb (even though a light nip off the top would be quite in order) Last weeks job, homeowner had already had the lawns done and the grass pixies are already posting their pics to FB locally. I planted a load of Crocus in one area of lawn at home last year so that I couldn’t mow it til they’d faded 😂 (told the wife it was part of her Birthday surprise 😛

Did I see somewhere this week, “Trainspotting” 25 years old? See how things have ‘improved’ under how many years of SNP governance.

Alright, it’s only late Feb, and whilst some might not appreciate the ‘dark’ humour, but that is a SERIOUS contender for funniest post of 2021!

I don’t know about that.... What he did / didn’t do is only known by him and any other party. What the ‘law’ finds is what the law finds. Bit like Trump really, those that hate him want to believe he is the devil incarnate regardless of what the law ‘finds.’ I’m no fan of AS but if he’s not guilty, he’s not guilty. I’m just interested to see how it plays out....

Understood! Next part follows by PM.

Whilst no fan of Alex Salmond politically, you better have your ducks in a row iffum you want to take him on. This is gonna get messy for SNP. AS not in the same league (IMHO) as George Galloway who’s presentation to a US Senate sub committee was (again, IMHO) a masterclass in sticking it to the man!

Interesting.

What was the reason for it needing to fold like that 5? Can’t remember if you explained already in the other thread. I often fold for storage on mine due to a low roof but it’s just as simple as shown in pic. What did surprise me is that there is no micro switch to cut engine when chute is folded which means flywheel is spinning and un guarded when chute is folded. (I’m glad it does otherwise I’d have to stow machine in a different building and since it’s only ever me that puts it away there’s no chance of an accident - but I was surprised to see exposed fast moving parts in this apparent risk averse world)

+1 👍🏻

I’m still looking for a downside for that 😂

Coincidentally, heard this news on the wireless earlier: Relative of Queen jailed for sexually assaulting woman at Scottish castle | UK news | The Guardian WWW.THEGUARDIAN.COM Simon Bowes-Lyon, the Earl of Strathmore, sentenced to 10 months over attack at Glamis Castle Are you still on the forum Kim / Rob?? Expect a visit (no - really) when current restrictions ease!

Now you're talking! Turn that 'liability' into a work of art which could add gazillions to the value of the property! Rob and Kim are down thereabouts - Rob probably work for food but Kim might want a commission! https://www.chainsawcarving-uk.com/about/

Would you go to 30 minutes before it fell over and just fell it or would you go 5 days before and put in a 5 day notice? How would you demonstrate the impending danger? Nobody was hurt so could you even cite “danger” as a justification?

Just trying to present as full a picture of the “potential” implications as might be possible. For example, removal of the entire tree would / could require a replant and a continuation of the TPO whereas removal only of that part which offends the neighbour (and retention of the remainder) might avoid a replant requirement.

You avoided the question though (Boris!) There is (at least) 1 good egg TO in that area that I know of who would very likely take a massively practical and sympathetic approach (I happen to think he’s a rare breed though) That said, there is an unequivocal legal requirement for the tree owner (I think perhaps not for the neighbour) to follow correct process - you agree Shirley?

😂 how dull would it be if we restricted ourselves solely to the 'practical' rather than the 'theoretical' and 'fanciful' realms Mick? I concede..... In practice, where no significant previous planning or ecological transgressions might have attracted the LA attention or ire, and where there is no obvious foul play or apparent potential financial or other nefarious gain, it could slip quietly under the radar of LA TO scrutiny. But that would have to be taken on risk. In the spirit of things though.... Would you concede that there are legal obligations which could result in a pants down hot crumpet for tree owner and unwary contractor if someone wades in with saws at full tilt and the smell of 2 stroke wafting across the valley?

2 key phrases jumped straight out at me from your cut & paste text! (1) most councils' guidance on TPOs is actually pretty wafty - maybe true, may also be out of date and incorrectly stated. (2) a competent arborist or an arboricultural consultant - what is a 'competent' arborist? (rhetorical (again)) Can't help but think it would be MORE interesting to see someone try and argue that it is (or when it became) dead. It would be easy enough to state that it could not be conclusively shown as being dead, and since 'dying' is no longer an exception, and that the burden of proof would rest with the tree owner / contractor rather than the TO light steps would be well advised.

No need..... It was a rhetorical question 😃 There is no specification for orientation of a tree within the TPO legislation. It could just as easily be horizontal and remain equally as subject to the TPO as it might be in the vertical plane. "Pheonix Trees" https://www.futurewoodlands.org.uk/assets/downloads/The-Ecology-of-Phoenix-Trees-in-Scotland.pdf Quote from Summary page v/vi: "...phoenix trees are a serious ecological phenomenon. They are also attractive and interesting trees that foresters and ecologists should appreciate better, and should bring to the attention of the wider public..." (I'm more interested in the potential for the encroached party to remedy the trespass without recourse to LA application / consent since it might provide some answers to long standing questions - but that's an aside) To assume it is 'dead' at the point of losing its root anchorage and upright orientation would be - well, reckless. To act upon such an assumption on the basis that there might be an exception to TPO legislation could be unlawful. I've just found a quick tinterweb screen shot to illustrate the point since I don't have time to search back through photo files to find a suitable example of an Oak, fallen and commencing the new phases of a life cycle which could continue for centuries. I refer back to my comment on page 1 - "...Since you’ve now said it has a TPO you might want to consider the implications..." There's more to this than simply seeking a cheap solution for removing the timber - "cheap" options could result in more expensive consequences if all aspects of the scenario are not properly considered.

When would you say it became ‘dead’ then?