krummholz

Fun fact of the day - There is no general right to the freedom of speech in the UK. Since 1998, limited freedom of expression is guaranteed according to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, as applied in British law through the Human Rights Act 1998. It never existed, so what are you complaining about?

@Andy full Education/training wise the obvious next step is to do your Level 4. This will open the door to tree officer and consultant roles, but will also bring a lot to your every day Arb work. In the meantime, a change is as good as a rest - it sounds like you're just stuck in a bit of a rut where you are and who you're working with, and have become the go to person for big dismantles. Lots of decent firms inside the M25 rely on good subby climbers for nice reductions, deadwooding etc. I'd do a bit of market research on companies in whatever bit of London you want to end up in and reach out to them for a few shifts. You can have a lot of variety and if you're good you can pick and choose who you work for. You could keep an eye out for Arborist jobs with the City of London who have in-house teams that look after Hampstead Heath and Eppong Forest. Otherwise I think the Royal Parks have contractors do their tree work and local authorities will have a mix. As others have said IRATA /Industrial rope access is another option with lots of work in on London, but I've never met someone in rope access that wasmt working on their exit strategy out of the industry.

You mean a Munter? A clove hitch isn't going to let anyone descend

It's dangerous to go alone! Take this. https://www.trees.org.uk/Book-Shop/Products/Technical-Guide-1-Tree-Climbing-Aerial-Rescue-en

This is the Qualification Handbook for the NPTC Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue course https://www.nptc.org.uk/assets/documents/255d04388dd94ed3aa432fe36b6a1c4f.pdf In between this and TG1 there shouldn't be any surprises on your course.

Husqvarna 550xp Manual gives saw chain speed at maximum engine power as 19.6m/s, s, so Class 1 PPE would be totally adequate. Other factors in a Risk Assessment might include the likelihood of increased fatigue or overheating from higher class, heavier PPE, justifying a lower class.

Do the folk who don't use helmet chinstraps also not use seatbelts?

It may be that they're establishing a Pollard structure given that the trees are so young. Were the previous works a reduction or a crown raise? Your last image (the "before" pic) has a few pruning cuts on the ash lower down.

Is EN certification and a CE mark on the cards?

@TreecisionJp Remember to check for bats too, that crack is a potential roost feature. Can you leave a spar standing with the crack in it? Looks like it could be far away enough from the road.

As others have pointed out, you'd be hard pushed to justify why you skipped past using a MEWP on your Hierarchy of Controls if there's good access for using one on a clearly structurally compromised tree.

Nothing wrong with using an old climbing rope for rigging as long as it's given an appropriate SWL. I'm guessing that wasn't the case here though.

https://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/05/07/school-trust-fined-after-member-of-public-hit-by-falling-tree-branch/

So what's your advice in this instance?

https://www.ltoa.org.uk/documents-1/capital-asset-value-for-amenity-trees-cavat Calculator, crib sheet and full methodology available here

Anyone using a separate harken Winch like what Drew Bristow does in Fiji? Seems like a lightweight, versatile set up that's cheaper than a GRCS or smart winch if you've already got a decent lowering bollard. Looks like he has the 500 - the WLL of 5kN doesn't sound like a lot though...

Certainly looks like it could be dessicated Trametes spp. fruiting bodies but, as you say, the image quality is pretty poor.

No not at all - was just curious and went down a bit of a rabbit hole.

Just to further assure you that everything was kosher - all the lime trees pollarded have Tree Preservation Orders on them, and all works to them have to have prior approval and consent from the Local Planning Authority. You can find the application and consent documents for the most recent works online on the Stroud Planning Portal.

I'd also suggest to the client (if the surveyor hasn't already) that the bracing be inspected on an appropriate cycle and make them aware of the lifespan of the product - I think Cobra is 10 years?

Nice day for 2 climbers, even better if you're not doing anything else to the trees and don't have to take anything away. Did you spec the bracing or is it a recommendation from a survey?

Step 1: Materials Step 2: Labour Step 3: ????????? Step 4: Profit

You need professional indemnity insurance, all the usual brokers for tree work insurances will offer products.

In terms of being "fully qualified", there's not really a standard recognized qualification for Arborists in the UK (unlike ISA certified in the USA, or the European Tree Worker qualification). You have your certificates of competence from NPTC/LANTRA for using various bits of equipment, felling, tree climbing etc. You'll need these to do the practical day-to-day work - employers need you to have them to meet legal requirements and for insurance, so the tickets make you more employable. Having said that, having the ticket only demonstrates a base level of competence and there's a lot to learn, so I'd stagger getting your tickets over the first 3 or 4 years as you progress. You might also consider a technical qualification like a level 2 Certificate - it'll give you a good foundation for progression if you want to be a team lead/run your own show/move off the tools further down the line. Your HGV license will definitely improve your immediate employability, as others have said find a decent local firm running any trucks over 3.5t and it's a foot in the door. I won't attempt to open the wages can of worms, but it varies greatly depending on the area you're in, and the pay isn't great for the risk and skill involved, but if you click with the work and the right team it's enough, and it's challenging, fulfilling work. Level 2 Certificate Arboriculture On-line | Myerscough College WWW.MYERSCOUGH.AC.UK Level 2 Certificate Arboriculture On-line

Looks like it's potentially something to do with the graft? The bulge will be coming from the rootstock. Is there anything else concerning about the tree? Defoliation, lots of deadwood formation etc?