WoodMouse

New developments close off access from the back, closed pathways to stop fly tippers stop you getting in between. Then everyone builds a kitchen extension with side return. Typical London building on top of itself.

I have the same.

thanks

That was my question, anyone sharpen theirs?

Going to have a chat with Mark from Tree Surgeon insurance. They advertise on the site, it'll be interesting to see what he says.

I'm quite glad i questioned it. I have to say, it's a different opinion than the one i get from my G&T contacts, but then they own MEWP's, lots of them.

It's insurance really. I know mine wouldn't cover it if i had roped into the Lyme and it had snapped out and smashed into the house. Infact i shoud probably check that.

Thats how i'm feeling, the Lyme the regrowth has almost got larger than the stem holding it up. But the Ash seems fine imo. Might consider roping in twice tho.

Thanks again all, apreceated responses.

not the Ash, the Lyme, those poles just keep going for ever, above three story london houses. Nope, the ash isn't too bad. The Ash, imo is acceptable. The lyme was a joke. I wish i could have got a better shot.

Thanks Steve, apreceate your opinion. So what about rigging, would you ever consider rigging off Epicormic growth like this?

this one i'd feel only slightly more confident about. But technically speaking, its a neglected pollard, all that regrowth is epi

What about this one, that Epi's about 25yrs old, goes up to 90ft and isn't even square on the origional pollard points, at an angle.

Well, thats the thing. It's all very well and good while everything holds. But from what i've been told about the formation of epicormic growth, and the way the union forms, that the strength of the union isn't reliable. Yes, 99% of the time you'll probably be ok on a decent piece, but i have heard of people stepping out onto bits that have just come away. Also, i've seen stems recently that are literally twisted and buckled trying to support the growth. Let me see if i can get some pics up to show you. All the guys at G&T's used to talk about it, but it's only since i had a Lv3-Lv4 student come out with me on a few quotes that i was informed what they're being told in college. You should never even anchor into epicormic growth, and doing so would invalidate your insurance because if you had filled out the risk assesment correctly, climbing Epicormic would push the score above a 5 and into dangerous. Honestly, i've done my fare share trying to build my business up, but now that i'm beinging in other people, it's a different thing to ask this from someone else.

13mm thick, i guess that goes with a 10mm prussik. I'm on Yales Poison ivy 11m rope with an 8mm prussik. Thinner ropes, really fast, must use a cambium saver tho, it burns very easily

If using a Silky, and the Director of a LTD company, not a sole trader. You can get away with working alone in a harness from what i've heard. grey area tho.

That is the question. Working in South London, i'm coming across more and more pollards with 25-30 yr old epicormic growth. Saw another tree today, possibly had 30ft poles about 4-5 years old. Would anyone here consider dismantles without a MEWP. Multisavers perhaps, using both ends of the rope even. I've been told the best thing to do is just walk away, but surely someone will have to do these trees. I'd like to price accordingly, but without blowing the risk assesment. What are peoples thoughts on the matter. Thanks,

Thin as your wrist for anchor, i'll spike up 3inch thick poles, not to sure about Epicormic growth tho. Been told to stay well clear of it.

I think i've seen just about every pun under the sun round here, Branching out, Top Notch, tree wise men... Mines Albion Arboriculture, mainly because i cant stand Royalty. Check out the Story of Albina if you're interested.

My expirience so far has been that once they have your money, the honeymoon period is over. Also the rating systems get abused by people filling in false reviews to cover bad jobs. I'm wondering if the money wouldn't be better spent on Google rankings or the like. Considering adding another string to my bow, not sure which direction to go yet. Thanks Shane, yep, it's the proverbial bear pit in South London. Lots of us about, and everyones hungry for work.

If i suspect you're a haggler, i'll up the price before bargaining starts.

Not my trade, i wouldn't even entertain charging for a service. Same as those inevitable "asbesdos" jobs

In my expirience, Treesurgeons generally aren't prepared or trained to deal with this kind of thing. Either have the landowner clean up before you start work, or if it's council they'll have a team to deal with that sort of hazard. I cant see hoe it would fit into a risk assesment without pushing it over the top.

£10 an inch isn't a bad rate, might want to go a bit lower for soft wood. If access is an issue and you only have the option of unsing a small machine, you'll have to factor that into your time.

you want the largest machine you can get on the job, shame is most gardens have an access of just 24 inches, if thats your intended market.