Fredward

I also prefer to bore cut when felling a spar, then cut the hinge to where I normally would if it was a full canopy. Not sure if it matters where the bore cut is in relation to the backcut (within reason)?

The most difficult splice I performed was on a the tail of my (used) arbormaster 16 strand. It was painful and frustrating and I swore to never splice used rope again, not sure if double braid would be as bad when lightly used.

I just swutched to the Peltor X4, with the hi-viz green bits. It was a drop in SNR rating from my last pair but felt there was an improvement in overall noise reduction due to a better fitment. Overall I really like them but I know Peltor isn't such a popular/common brand in the UK

Many different species of Euc's, but I'd expect most to be slow, hot burning.

Natanoko 330 (curved for me). This was my first Silky.. Then I tried Zubat, Gomtaro and Tsurugi. They got progressivley worse (slower cutting, more effort). Natanoko my favorite by a mile, but too aggressive for fine pruning, will keep the Tsurugi for smaller stuff, Zubat pretty good allrounder.

Was working with a friend recently who cut a small branch which fell onto a wire fence, flicked up and a twig went underneath his visor and right up his left nostril! Talk about unlucky.. The thing pissed with blood and he had a headache for about 2 days afterwards!

I came out to NZ before I was an arb, love it. Beautiful no matter where you go. Seems to be enough work.. Make sure you allow yourself time to be a tourist, as it's a waste to come just to work. What do you mean about pics of big trees? Just like the UK there is a lots of small trees to work on and some giant ones too - it depends who you work for and the type of work they do. Last week I put some pics of a Eucalyptus dismantle we did in the todays job thread, probably less than 5% of my work is trees that big.

Little Eucalyptus removal, the guys did a great job, had to rig down most of the canopy to save the shrubs at the front. Had a big first day and managed to get done ringing up the trunk around 1pm the second day. Don't often work a 3 man crew so was a rare opportunity to get some photos.

Ian what size material can go through your chipper without causing issues? It'd be cool to see it in action if you can get a video one day.

Want to buy a 6inch Hansa Ian?

In N.Z heat transfer kits were quite popular in past times, I think they saw a dip in popularity as people moved away from wood stoves. 2 winters ago we installed a 14kv wood burner in our single story house, and as you mentioned, it was boiling hot in the lounge, and hard to control the temps. The following winter we installed a 'heat transfer' kit, consisting of a vent in the ceiling of the lounge, a fan suspended from rafters in the roof, and 3 insulated ducts to 3 bedroom vents. Has thermostat and automatic/manual speed controls. Made the world of difference, more even temps through the lounge and bedrooms. Also circulates dry air so reduces condensation. This is the type of kit available in N.Z: http://www.heattrans.co.nz/how-it-works There is some thought required for placement of vents and you will notice some noise off of the fan but nothing major. I guess partly it comes down to size of stove and kW output, size of house.. Bunglows are perfect also.

Try contacting Tree Tech, they are the largest company down there - not sure if they are currently recruiting, but they used to advertise for staff on the radio over the whole country

Something from the Juglandacae family?

Another shot of this one..

Dawn Redwood Friday fell

Yes the N.Z Kowhai tree! They are hardier than you'd imagine, we get -5c here and they dont mind it at all, I'd imagine they'd take colder than that

Yes get some good flower photo's it might help with I.D. I tried to key it using a Myrtaceae key but no joy

Interesting, not something which seems obvious to me, the form and bark look very much like Callistemon sp. the leaves and buds don't fit in with this I.D, but I'd say it's something similar to Callistemon/Melaleuca from the Myrtaceae family, so probably an Australian native?

I haven't seen any muffs with rating above 32SNR? Fitment is also important, I've only used Peltor/3M muffs for helmets and find the don't press firmly against the head, I put bits of woodchip behind the part which attaches to the helmet to improve this slightly. Also I used to wear safetyglasses but these render the earmuffs almost pointless by creatings a gap in the seal against your head, visors are much better.

Hard to tell from the photos but possibly an Amelanchier?

I would recommend that you talk to/use an immigration consultant, they do cost a bit but they know how the system works and what is required. In answer to the original question I think the shortage will continue as lots of people still leaving for Aus/UK etc.

I saw it too, but I didn't want to be 'that guy'

Show us osme pictures, I used to have a VTR and have a soft spot for Saxo's!

Might be an old 'laid' hedge or the branches have failed and then carried on growing

My Husky dealer said on new saws run them up and while the exhaust is hot tighten the bolts, then they will never come undone, if you tighten them whilst cold they will never be as tight. I have lost exhaust bolts off of my 576 so I'm going to try his advice on the new 395.. If I ever rememeber!