Chris at eden

The surface would need to be either porous or discharge water into a soak-away on site, otherwise it would require planning consent.

I don't see cellweb working in this situation. For a car the cellwebb need to be 100mm think and then a wearing course on top of this will need to be fitted. The RPA will extend right across the path and so in theory so should the cellweb - so a step in the footway and a big level change to the carriageway. Even if you end the cell web at the edge of the lawn you still have a level change issue which will require digging. The finding the root is easy - well sort off, just excavate a trial trench by hand but you would need the consent of the highways section which they may not give. Its not just the kerb though - you will need to grade down the footway to meet the road which requires more digging. I've written specs for these situations before (as larger developments) and always recommended doing under supervision but I am sceptical of whether they work. I always explain this to the client - i.e. the investigation may well show this isn't possible.

Just checked the ABC website - there is an award at L4 but not L6, only cert and dip. I agree, L4 is for those wishing to get off the tools at some point.

I don't think you can do the L4 as an award - certainly not the L6. Yes half - When I did the L6 dip it was 8 units (still is), but you could get the cert half way through with just 4 units. I didn't bother as I was always going for dip - its not on a level with a degree otherwise. My son was born 3m into my first year of L6 so its doable - go for it. Yes they do open doors. Since finishing my L6 I am approached by recruitment consultants 2 or 3 times a month on linked in. Before that - never.

Level 2 is in reality a tree surgeons qualification. L4 is junior consultant to consultant. L6 is a top consultancy qualification. L3 (with the exception of the old tech cert) in my opinion is still a tree surgeons qualification. Tree surgeons will be more concerned with how much work you can churn out in a day while still being safe. L2 will be fine. L4 is if you are working toward getting off the tools. I worked for years as a tree surgeon with just L2, its was only when I wanted to get off the tools that I started to do the higher qualifications. Don't bother doing anything that isn't accredited on the RQF. Apart from short CPD events that is.

QCF doesn't exist anymore - RQF is the new system. Its based on total qualification time rather than guided learning hours. Should give a better representation on the amount of work required. If HCC is plugging their course as being accredited on the QCF I wouldn't bother.

This isn't quite right - I did the same route to L6. The L4 dip isn't the same as the L6 dip, the L4 cert is but with fewer units. As with L6 dip being the same as the L6 cert but with more units. You get more mandatory units with the dip also - the main one being the research project for the L6.

yes - half as many.

I find that odd as every other measurement is rounded up!!!

I tell you what is over complicated. Those ridiculous over complicated multi stem calculations. What was wrong with the 10 x the basal diameter. Much easier to work out.

yes all of that is get. My issue is with the use of annex D as its not clear whether you round up, down or to the nearest.

Tell you what I find odd. The fact that you measure stem diameter to the nearest 10mm and then calculate in accordance with annex D which is rounded to 25mm. Why not just measure to the nearest 25mm and then multiply by 12 for the radius. Also, I may be wrong but it doesn't say whether to calculate to the nearest 25mm or round up to nearest 25mm. Or at least I haven't been able to find it. What you think Ed?

You'll go a long way to find a TO which doesn't know who Heliwell is!!!

You should be careful relying so fully on the NHBC ZOI. Willow has been recorded as causing damage at a distance of 40m which is also well outside of the ZOI. Clearly the trees aren't reading the NHBC guidance! I had a tree officer tell me a few years ago that he had rejected an insurance claim as the tree was not within the ZOI. Additional evidence he had was crack monitoring showing seasonal movement, soil analysis showing it was shrinkable, and root ID from under the foundations. I never heard what happened next but I would say on the balance of probability the ZOI would be a pretty flimsy argument!

Best response by a long way.

According to Dealga the impact on water uptake is only realistically 12 months, I think this was the conclusion of the hortlink project also. Dealga is adamant that reductions are not a suitable way to manage subsidence. He's a contentious chap for sure but he knows what he is talking about when it comes to subs.

I agree with Adam. I know there is a BRE publication that suggests staged reduction but it doesn't stack up for me as the soil will still ultimately recover to the same position and so cause the same damage just at a slower pace. I asked Giles Biddle this question at a seminar and he said the only option is structural re-enforcement using anti-heave precautions.

Could be Medlar grafted on to a hawthorn rootstock. Pics not great though.

Its always a risk with cherry as they love to sucker from the roots when cut hard thus making the top redundant. Some sprout though.

Yes it is strongly based around course work. You will get lots of assignments to do and you hand them in at the next session. They then mark and give back with feedback for you to improve if you need to. The way the ABC qualifications work is that you have to get 100% to pass the unit. So resubbmissions and guidance is key. The learning is really complete as you can't progress with 50% as with many courses. Don't let this put you off though, it is an excellent way to learn. Yes I have studied with them before. I did my level 6 with them between 2012-2014. Before that I did tech cert which is the old version of the L4. Did PTI with them along with several one day courses and doing the expert witness training with them next month I think. That should give you an idea of how highly I rate their training. Several people on here will tell you the same. Give them a call. They are very helpful. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. Cheers

You should really have an L3 qualification in arb before you do PTI otherwise you may be a bit lost. A level 2 qualification should really be your starting point. If you have a good understanding of trees then you may be able to skip L2 and go straight to L3 or L4. I would recommend the ABC qualifications with Treelife. They do L2, L4, and L6.

Cool map. We've gotten lazy though. As a marauding hoard we tend to venture no further than Magaluf these days.

Brits think the world revolves around them do they? Tell me again how many countries compete in the world series?

If you want to go canoeing then try Pont-du-Gard. Its an old Roman aquaduct. You can sit and eat next to the river if you take a cool box with food, really nice. There is a café also. You can swim in the river or hire canoes up stream and then they pick you up down stream. Its an awesome day out just chilling by the river but its about two hours by car from where you are staying so you would need to hire a car or there maybe some trips. Well worth it. It would be worth checking out Arles while you are up that way also. Carcassonne is amazing, probably my favourite place I've been to, if you like old places you should love it. Are you actually inside the old city or the spread out part outside of the walls? If you are into wine tasting then Chateauneuf du Pape is up near Avignon. Again probably a couple of hours though. Its a pretty interesting day though. Enjoy - south of France is an awesome part of the world which is seriously underrated by most brits. Mega hot in summer though.

Good idea - yes. Will it happen - I doubt it. LPAs have been stung for the additional costs of tree works previously so a lot don't have recommended lists anymore. Shame really.