Mr. Squirrel

Check out BAAS, the Belgian arborist association. Guessing they might have a resource for finding knowledgable professionals.

I’m guessing you’re in Belgium then? What kind of area? Lots of very knowledgeable arborists over there. The girdling root is more indicative of the bigger picture with regards to rooting problems than the crux of the issue. I can’t imagine it being beneficial to remove.

Ok so it isn’t so black and white then 😂 2m you’d let em off with, wouldn’t you? 5m I’d be miffed but let it slide, 10m and they’ve just bought themselves a used 40m lowering rope.

Company pays. All of the ins and outs of freelancer or subcontractor blah blah… not relevant here in my opinion. If you’re using your own gear on someone else’s job and one of their employees wrecks it then they replace it. It’s not like ropes are even that expensive to a company, but coming off a freelancers day rate aye it’s a big whack.

You use three strand with rigging rings as a crane tie in? I’m surprised a crane operator would be alright with that?

I’m amazed at people who ever thought he would do good. His track record before being an MP was dreadful enough, and it was all widely reported in the run up to the last general election. Sure, probably mostly by those made lefty’s at the guardian and such like; but they weren’t telling stories… Not having a go at you or others who voted him in. It is what it is and we’ve all learned a thing or two I imagine. But his conduct in office has been exactly in line with his character and behaviour since people began bothering to notice him. This outcome is not at all unexpected. So what’s up next? One of his pals who supported him for years and only jumped ship when it was absolutely clear the ship was on fire will take over and likely carry out business in a similarly pathetic manner. Yippee. Funny isn’t it, when May seems pretty good actually, and Cameron a positively moderate conservative with decent political backbone 🤦🏻

Might be a bit of a sting when the person you're subbing to tells you you'll need to lower your date rate if they're buying all your PPE for you too? 🤷‍♂️

Yeah that was the taper pattern I used too, except I didn’t go top/bottom. Just one strand from every carrier to the left, then the same from the right. I did spend more time getting the crossover and eye really tight before burying and just really trying to keep as much tension as possible in there. The cover being so thin, it seems prone to a bit of bagginess in the eye if you aren’t careful? Nice rope though.

“John Parker, the chief executive of the Arboriculture Association, said: “The trouble is that people do not know what arboriculture is. Schoolchildren don’t say ‘when I grow up I want to be an arboriculturalist’. We need to change that.” I liked this bit. Perhaps if the AA did a decent job people would know what arb was.

I’d read it was awful to splice as well, but new rope and just being especially meticulous with every step it was a breeze. On par with velocity. Granted I don’t work drt loads with it, I find the splice most handy for advancing drt before setting a canopy tie. Do occasionally though and as long as it isn’t loads of up and down it’s alright.

I do on occasion, so thank you for the diagnosis 😂 more often through a fimblclimb, but kernmasters a really nice handling rope and easy to splice, I'm pretty happy using it drt or srt.

The new dmm harness will have an adjustable bridge option, whenever that comes out…

Of course I feel you let us down, you did 🤷🏻 We’ll not you personally, but the AA. The IRATA reference is noted but irrelevant. We’re working in completely different circumstances. Backup system/two systems, it isn’t a concession at all. From what I’ve seen and heard the AA basically rolled over for tummy rubs. You commissioned a consultation which was basically ignored, there was a petition with over 6,000 signatures on it, there were countless professional arborists desperate to be involved in constructive debate on the subject and yet everything was essentially decided behind closed doors. The whole process was flawed and displayed a complete lack of interest in actually engaging with the industry. The AA acts as our regulating body, which we pay membership fees to for, let’s face it, not that much. Rather than stand fast for the best interests of climbing arborists the AA have created a situation where probably 95%+ of climbers are no longer working in a compliant manner. That isn’t them failing to adhere to safety standards, it’s the AA failing in a rare opportunity to stand up for their best interests. Pitiful. About bl**dy time the hse started taking a few more notes on accidents. The number of ‘tree work’ accident case studies on their site where those involved had no qualifications is ridiculous. That’s a diy accident, not a tree work accident. German hse stated that they see no need or benefit to follow suit in implementing two rope requirements over there. But then their accident statistics are actually relevant. It seems to me that the AA were simply reluctant to address deeper rooted problems in the industry. I’ve spoken to people who worked for AA approved contractors where the use of class A drugs on site was a common and accepted occurrence.

It still confuses me that the hse want to make us more like IRATA, when we’re clearly vastly different industries. I think the ‘argument’ that two ropes makes everyone safer in all situations is absurd, personally. I also consider the AA’s part in this a disgraceful show of weakness. They handled the situation awfully. I do believe that there are an unacceptable number of accidents in the UK. However comparing these statistics to other European companies we’re a bit of an anomaly. I believe it’s far more a cultural and educational issue within the industry; and this is where I believe the AA really let us as an industry down, and continue to do so. I don’t know anyone who uses two ropes other than when necessary. Slack attitudes towards safety and big ego’s on sites are more to blame for these accidents. Working in an unsafe manner, be that using silly wee anchor points, free climbing or one handing saws isn’t cool or quick. It’s f**king stupid and ruins lives.

Arbortec Kayos hands down. My old Airstreams are like lead boots compared to these. Much better movement in the ankle and not having a completely rigid sole is much less fatiguing I find. Had them 5 months now and with all the storms they've been getting a lot of use. No notable wear as yet, feet are always dry. Winner.

Small arb company carrying out a variety of interesting tree work to high standards. Minimal connie topping. Ideally looking for an experienced climber, primarily as a second climber however someone with basic tickets but good work ethic and a desire to learn would also be suitable. Good rates for good work, regular shifts. DM for more info and a chat.

I’d say do what you like in the chestnut, from the pictures I can’t see anything worth bracing. Or are they wanting the group braced together?

The two in conjunction is the best solution in my experience. Having a good topo is all very well when you’re walking round with some form of handheld computer. When you’re trying to carry out those recommendations though having a handful of a4 printouts where you can’t actually read the tiny numbers is a total headache. Topo + tags or it’s a job half done 👍🏻

Revolution race are worth a look. I’ve got a pair for pruning jobs and like em. Not silly money and they’re pretty damn tough.

Depending on the trees size and the age of the crack (it could be pretty old but was just hidden by Ivy) there could be a number of different options. Bolting the crack, bracing, reduction pruning or a combination of all of these.

Are you on clay soils or something? Not something I’ve ever heard of and sounds like he’s just trying to discredit other people while ensuring he gets paid twice for the job. Lovely tree though.

29” waist and on my third tree motion at the moment. As said plenty of adjustment in them, you’ve got to spend some time dialling it in but once you get it right it’s happy days. When I’ve got it spot on I’ll do a few stitches with some black whipping twine in the hip-leg strap as these can loosen a bit over time.

Enemy within? What is this nonsense?

This one. I used to work for a company where I presume nobody could sharpen, they had a MacGyver lad back at the yard who would do them all on a machine and they’d just have a few spares in the truck. Great, until there aren’t any in the truck and you had to hand sharpen them. You couldn’t. I wouldn’t pay someone to naker my chains for me.

I was similar. It helped for a bit but ultimately nothing but surgery could sort it out. I had broken the socket, torn ligaments, was missing bits of bone and cartilage and the whole rotator cuff was flapping about. First surgeon I took my mri to told me to go back to school because I was done climbing. Found a better surgeon and 8 years later I’m on top form 👌🏻 I think my main lesson was that more investigation would have been beneficial in the first instance. The injections were a cheap option and they did help in the short term, but ultimately we needed more knowledge in order to better direct resources. I actually paid for my mri privately in the end. £400 but well worth it.