HCR

You cynic! I've been more than willing (and capable, I should add) to pay for dogs to be restored to health only to be discouraged by the vet as it wasn't in the dogs' better interest.

Did you get to do The Mountain? Cracking example (sorry, no pun intended) of a hollow tree failure.

No two situations will be identical, so I don't think you can predict what the right answer would be in general terms. If you genuinely believe that the choices you make are the right ones, it would be hard to criticise.

In response to "decide who are fit to live and who are not" I believe they do. They might not make a decision on the action taken, but they make the medical decision as to which animals are fit to live based on their expertise and training.

Vets do

There's a strong argument that we have a moral duty to protect the environment under the UN's Declaration of Human Duties and Responsibilities (Chapter 2: The right to life and human security) Ok, a rogue felling of a tree probably isn't going to fall foul of this and it's slightly tangential to the argument, but the obligation we sometimes feel is actually enshrined in international law. But the crux of the argument over the last few pages comes down to personal views and feelings, in which we differ. No problem with that.

Me too. I was just feeling wordy In terms of running to the TO, I don't see this as an easy question to answer. Working with trees has been my career and vocation since 1995. It was an unpaid passion before that, from about 20 years earlier. I love trees. I am committed to habitat protection as well. Truthfully, I would offer advice and if the tree owner was determined to fell a tree I firmly believed shouldn't be felled, I would walk away. I might even contact the TO if I thought an extremely valuable tree was about to be lost. My duty is to trees, that's how I see it. Many professionals have a duty to pass on information gathered 'in confidence' if there is a public interest. If I feel that interest is genuinely served I would sleep easily with my actions if I had to go to a TO. If others don't see it that way then fair enough, we all have our own motivations. I'm not trying to convert anyone, just expressing my view.

"I'd like you to fell this ancient oak; it has fungus growing on it and is likely to fall over" "Don't worry, it's a beefsteak fungus and the tree is showing no signs of inherent weakness. Oak trees can co-exist with this fungus for many decades and it provides fantastic wildlife habitat as well being a thing of beauty. You're luck to have it in your back garden" Two ways this can go: "Don't care, I hate it. Fell it anyway" "I'm really pleased you told me that, I love this tree. Hopefully it can outlive me" No harm whatsoever in voicing an opinion. Apart from anything else, carrying out expensive work that's unnecessary and withholding relevant information from the customer is certainly immoral and potentially illegal.

I'd say that too. Cut back to natural pruning points now, winter is not good.

It's what you know that matters. Courses are never a waste of time (money might be a different matter...) but experience and reading will teach you everything you learn on courses - if you know what to seek out of course! If you intend doing safety inspections, however, the PTI is a very good idea as 1 - it's only 3 days 2 - it will help with your PI insurance 3 - when you end up in court (which you will) it aids credibility 4 - all knowledge is good

Leave it for a year and plant in the gaps? If that's not possible, sned it into rows as already suggested or get a a 1.5t 360 in for the day and row it up.

I changed it for a better copy of the pic, just in case you were wondering what went on

For a brief period, roughly 1999-2004, I grew my hair and it came down about as far as the bottom of my ribcage. Definitely no photos. These days it's number 1 all over, and shiny on top.

Special effects department?

Just one small point - don't forget that in the 'stone, paper, scissors' world of the Town and Country Planning Act, planning permission beats TPOs. Regarding the slope question, my experience is that roots tend to grow a fairly consistent distance from the stem (i.e. the absolute length of the root), so if the tree is on a slope, the horizontal distance of the root tip from the trunk will be smaller. I hope I understood your question correctly.

Ulmus parvifolia?

Whoever it is in pic 2 he's wearing en eyepatch.

Ridiculous. When I worked for a council contractors were always told when a TPO was on its way in a situation like this. They don't have to do it, but it doesn't take much effort and benefits everyone ultimately.

Elelphant hawk moth? Definitely a hawk moth anyway, possibly not quite pink enough for the elephant (no, I haven't been drinking...).

I quite like moths but can't see the picture.

Thank you, that agrees with what I said. My original test (NPTC, but pre plastic cards) was in 1995 on the old unit numbers. A later refresher (post plastic cards) meant I was issued a card that has both the old unit numbers and the new ones on the back.

Interesting. On what basis does the district council have to ask permission? Town councils aren't local authorities so can only control what goes on in extremely limited circumstances. Like I said, let the district council worry about the town council, that's their problem, not yours. You have no relationship with them on this matter. As a side issue, I used to bollock my team members for referring to trees as self-seeded; a tree is a tree

Seems like a fair price - I used to buy picnic benches from time to time, mainly the Winer Diner model from Tabula (very pleasant drive to go and collect them). This was 10-15 years ago and the price was about £400ish, for a smaller table in softwood (still very high quality though). Your price seems reasonable on that basis.

Exactly. I did mine in 1995 as well, and have the old unit numbers. I've also done refreshers since then so I have the new numbers too - not that they change the validity in any way. The HSE recommends that regular users have a 5 year refresher period, and 3 years for those who use a saw less frequently. These are recommendations only but mean that (a) a potential employer could ask to see evidence to check that you have been keeping up with good practise and (b) in the event of something going horribly wrong a court might well take that sort of thing into consideration.