ReubenHayes

Fountains won a lot of contracts in recent times (mainly from Glendales), they went bust (well one arm of the company). Connaught them brought up the contracts and went into Grounds and trees for LA, but they went into receivership. I think they all under priced each other in the hope gold would appear from trees! Once they got all the contracts they all realised they would never make a profit. I think they put all the unprofitable ones into one company name and left them! OCS acquired them and said to the clients pay more or drop the contract, they now manage some of them so I guess some Councils said ok. Fountains went back to site clearance, power lines etc where I guess is where consistent work comes from. As for big players, Glendales were big, but you don't see or hear much from them. G&T did try the midlands and north, but seem to be more south of Birmingham now. City Sub are growing but only in the London area. Amey are also growing and growing! they have won a big contract in Birmingham and do a lot of the tree work now (as part of the super contract). They also do a lot of Highway agency roads and motorways, and I think they are also doing more tree works there as well. They have also just won Staffordshire so will have to see what they do there as well.

I believe Vistaprint do a free version, its just simple clipart where you then add what you want. I think if you use it on their designs its free, then there's a fee if you want to use it elsewhere (not a lot though). There are lots on companies out there some also offering free designs, but when you look at them its just clipart. If you want an individual logo then you will have to pay for it. What you are paying for is to bring your ideas to paper, if you just say I have not idea or was thinking of ....., then it'll cost more. If you say here is a sketch of what I want, then it'll be cheaper. There are also some sites that auction your idea or design. You then choose which one you want to work with. Always check previous work first though, as I have noticed in the past a lot of designs suggest they work with big brands like the NHS

The need for a Tree Report will be because one of the boxes has been clicked. That'll be for health and safety reasons or alleged damage, either un-tick the boxes, or click the box that states you will send it in the post. This is a central requirement now that if trees are to be removed for H&S reasons, a detailed report from a tree professional is needed. If the tree is to be removed for alleged subsidence then a full engineers report and a tree professional report is needed. I believe it is to make the process transparent as these reports will then be held on file and open to the public to inspect (if they ever wish to!!)

Ouch, yes that is very drastic pruning works! Given the space in the gardens, a simple thin of the canopy would have been sufficient. The volume of branches removed only really results to one option - Remove the tree and plant 2 new trees. They are/were mature trees and the tree surgeon has removed all the branches and most of the scaffold branches so the shape will never return properly. Did you check and make sure they are not protected or within a Conservation Area?

If a tree survey was commissioned, when and what exactly was the priority? I'm guess you wouldn't be able to remove them under dangerous as they are still standing even after the tree report and the weekend storms etc. I think you will have to wait for the bat survey, but I would certainly speak to the Uni about installing more barriers and close off the footpath, just in case.

It sounds like your builder either did the work himself or just got in people to carryout the works who aren't that skilled. Have you got any photos? then we will be able to look at it closely and let you know if its likely to spring into life. Thanks

That's a really good idea, a lot of small woodlands are now owned by individuals who don't always know what to do with them and don't want to fork out high costs to manage them. I don't know if they do it in England but the best place to ask maybe be woodlands.co.uk, as they deal with woodland sales.

I would have to agree with Chris as well. The process for working on trees situated within a CA is very clear. 6 week notification is needed before carrying out works (unless dead and dangerous etc). In this case he is asking for clarification not opinion. If you have a good working relationship with the TO and is happy to take your word for what you are about to do, then that great. The official process is a 6 week notification though and I would expect most TO's work towards standard practices. In this case, a quick call to the TO and explain the situation may speed up the process but that would depend on the relationship you have.

I'm in the same mind as Mat, it sounds like you have tried hard to get him to understand. If you do put him on a course, will he take it all in? Is he likely to turn around at the end of the day as say, ah now I see why you tell me to do it this way! It's unlikely by the sounds of what you have said (although only you can really say how he would take it all in). It does sound like he has reached his ability and there is nothing wrong in that and if he can be of use as a labourer then that's great. Have you worked out what else he can do? vehicle maintenance, dealing with clients, costing etc. As for what you said, yes you have to do what is 'reasonable'. However, I would say if you have a track record of failures, not understanding what he is supposed to do. Then I'm not sure how the courts would view it. At the end of the day I would expect the question to be: If you have doubts about his ability then as the employer why did you ask him to carryout the task?

I would go back to the Tree Officer and ask for clarification as its not a standard pruning practice as outlined in BS3998. If possible ask them to meet you on site on the day of the work. It certainly doesn't make any sense to me!!

Depends on all the other conditions and what the tree report/plans showed. If they show trees to be removed or pruned on the plans, and these have been stamped approved then its ok. If not, I would certainly get further clarification from reading the approval notices. As for the condition to arrange the site meeting, yes you would need to as its a condition. They are now in breach of that condition, so I would contact the TO asap and get them out to go over all the works. Also by getting them out, you will be clear on what you can do and not be pressured into doing something the developer wants you to do.

You will need your company name, contact details, the client details and address. An invoice number (these will need to be consecutive but you don't have to start at 1). Date of raising the invoice and a date for payment (usually 30 days, but you can reduce it if you need to). The main body should have a detailed description of the works, you could just say 'day works to carryout tree removal/pruning at (name of site), or number of trees and species. You can include wording to say that you have supplied your own kit, but I would only include that if it was outside of what you would normally do. ie is it something that you have had to hire like a crane etc. You will need to have quantity, a rate cost, and most importantly the total cost and if VAT is included. Make sure its got payment terms and bank details so they know how to pay. If you can put down bank details so they can make an online payment as most people like this now. If you google invoice templates, you will find a lot of them.

What is it that you are trying to find out?

There are a lot American publications on stem injections, most are on the process but there are research papers on it as well, its best to type in USA in the search engine. You can also try Dealga O'Callaghan, he is trying to introduce stem injection on Horse Chestnut leaf minor. He may also have papers on stem injection on old trees.

Looks like Merip as well. Looks like you may need to carryout a detailed hazard assessment to decide on the best course of action to take.

That does sound high to me as well. As a sole trader running your own truck etc and little other over heads (ie no staff) then I would have thought mid £100's. However, saying that what is it they are going to do? and is that the annual cost, or just the first year cost? I see that you haven't registered and haven't filed your returns from last year. If you have been paid cash in hand, what documents do you have? If they have nothing and then try and work it all out for you, then I guess that would be correct for a one off payment. I do all my accounts on a system the accountant gave me, its all very easy and can be done at the end of week/month, this reduces the Accountants fees. If you are getting them to do it all then yes expect to pay more.

The best I have seen is ton bags filled with pieces of foam. You can usually find a foam shop around and just ask for the off cuts. Its light weight and helps the impact.

Its very simple, just ask the client what Council they are in, if you can not get hold of them, have a quick look at their bins (if its a wheely bin it'll have the logo etc). If you still cannot find out, go to the GOV.uk website and put in the address. Once you know the Council, give the planning dept or the Tree Officer a call and ask. Most will give you a response over the phone or they can email/fax the order if there is one. Best to also check for Conservation Area status and if there are any other restrictions such as planning conditions.

The new regs only relate to England. Wales will still be following the original regs.

Should say. "It shouldn't be a big issue"! sorry

Legally there is no issue with you being employed by a company and carryout other work on a self employed basis. The only point I would raise is to check your contract with them! Most large companies will include a section of not working at the same time or declaring outside interests. It should be a big issue, but you don't want to end up on the wrong side or going down a disciplinary route! I would expect them to say that is fine, just not to use work equipment, that you would cease work if it impacts on your day to day work or ability to carryout work, and obviously not to take work from the company. Good luck in making the leap though

Hi Kris, That's a hard question to answer really. Will depend on type of survey, risk management, BS5837, mortgage report. How close are the trees to each other, how long you will be on site. Also and the most import factor, what level of qualification do you have? level 4, 5 or 6? The higher your qualification and experience the more you will charge. Are you looking at starting up to supply reports, or just checking to make sure your prices are about average?

BTW what area of the country are you in?

Ring up local tree surgeons, gardeners, builders etc to promote your business. Also speak to the local council and ask them if they need your help. One way of getting noticed is to do a demo, see if you can get a couple of stumps to grind. Invite businesses over to look at what you can do, and give a bit of talk about what you look out for, cat scanning before grinding H&S etc. You'll find that most people will be more impressed once they have seen you work, than just calling them up.

Thanks Paul, I was trying to find that earlier today but got in a muddle on the HMRC website. They don't make it easy!!! As for why tree surgeons fall into this and builders don't? This is mainly because they will be sub-contracted for the job i.e. a bricklayer doesn't charge per brick but to complete a job such as building a house or extension. They will only put in one invoice so it will look like they will work for several companies throughout the year. Tree Surgeons tend to have at least one job per day and none will be long term at one site. therefore they will put in an invoice for day works or for the jobs they carryout (this would add up to many more invoices).