Victor

And yes I agree with you again but we are discussing here dismantling a tree without the use of any rigging. Just free fall techniques for cutting limbs from rope and harness. Which I think you should be qualified to do with cs39 and competent to do after more than 10 years doing it. I understand it is a long thread.

Fair enough.. competent is more subjective. And I agree it is only truly achieved after years of experience. But don't you show competence when you gain a qualification?

Well, I am going to explain why I was asking this.. I have started a new job as a foreman (head opp) in a local authority; I haven't got CS41 but I have rigged for years and I have received internal training in one of my previous companies by a competent health and safety delegate. One of the older guys who is now under my supervision argues that I can not be in charge on a site where we are dismantling a tree because I haven't got the rigging ticket even though we were not using any rigging that day. I climbed a tree and used free fall techniques to cut every limb back to stem and then fell the stem. He claims I shouldn't be allowed to do this kind of work or be in charge of the working site. It is all down to the fact that he does not like to have a new guy in charge. I said to him that I didn't think he was right and that I would check and I want to know where do I stand legally. I think it is fairly clear I can dismantle a tree just with CS39 using free fall techniques. And obviously, I can be in charge of the working site. Any thoughts are always appreciated. Thanks for everyone to take the time to reply.

Thanks for all the replies guys!

I was actually having a look at cs 39's assessment schedule and it says: 11. Remove limbs using a chainsaw. Limbs and limb sections should be removed taking the following points into account: - Appropriate working position attained. - Characteristics and properties of the wood allowed for. - Manageable sections selected. - Climber holding the saw using both the front and top/rear handles of the saw. - Side or reducing cuts used where appropriate. - Appropriate hinge left on sink cut sections. - Position of cuts on step cut sections and a complete overlap of cuts achieved. - Chain brake applied or saw switched off whilst breaking and casting sections. - Hand held sections are cast into a predetermined area. - The branch collar and/or branch bark ridge is identified when pruning. - The pruning cut is left as smooth as possible.

Thank you.

Thanks for the replies. I just would like to know what cs39 allows you to do as a qualified person. Could you be felling a tree cutting branches from up the crown without using any rigging? I mean playing by the book and not breaking any rules. Cheers.

Hello. I was wondering what is your opinion on something... I had a little discussion at work today about what a person is allow to do on CS 39 Use of a Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness & CS 41 Dismantling and Rigging. In your opinion, would someone be qualified and competent to climb and 'dismantle' (cut branches in the crown back to the stem until there is only the stem to be felled from the ground, without the use of any rigging or lowering ropes or lowering equipment) a tree using a top handle saw climbing equipment, PPE and work positioning? Looking forward to hear your thoughts. Thanks for reading.

Guys, I was wondering if anyone knows where to continue with a level 6 in Arb in Scotland. I have been looking online but I haven't really found much.. Thanks.

Thank you guys for your time and replies. Very helpful.

What would you say are the main flaws of the system?

Thanks for all your replies. I am not using the system in real life. It's part of my level 4. I had to value a tree and I wasn't sure.

Hello everyone. Is there someone familiar with the Helliwell system? I was wondering what do you do when a tree scores 0 in one of the 6 categories? As for example, if the tree is in a dangerous condition and it is going to be felled shortly so in the duration category it scores 0. Score 8x0x3x1x4x0.5= 0? does it mean this tree has no monetary value? Thank you for reading. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

I would appreciate some help here; Is there someone familiar with the Chlorophyll activity test? Is this the same as the Chlorophyll Fluorescence? Many thanks

Thanks for the advice.

I don't know if you guys are still following this thread... I came back from holidays to find this picture... terrible. It looks like the middle of the crown if gone now. I haven't been yet to see the tree but I think I still will use signs reduce heavy limbs gradually and try to cable brace if I can, but of course i accept sugestions. Cheers.

I will do. I am going away till September now. When I come back I will try to arrange a meeting with the tree owner and the TO and trace a plan. I will post here any resolutions. Thanks to everyone for intervening.

I will try to avoid serious reduction at all cost... The tree is far too nice to butcher it even in the interest of safety. I don't think it is likely that it falls on someone, being a bit remote and in private land. At the moment, fencing around and signaling, cable bracing and end-weigh heavy limbs are the options I am considering.

Thanks guys.

Do you think I could talk to planning officers and get permission to fence up public land (the part of the tree overhanging public land) for safety? Or get them to do it?? does not sound likely though...

Kveldssanger, thanks for the advice and pdf's. I will have a look at them. I agree that moving the footpath is the best option but it only reduces the risk of an accident partially. Cable bracing is only possible in a few limbs as the rest are growing horizontally and with a huge spread, 20 m perhaps? Maybe a combination of weight reduction on some limbs with cable bracing and moving the targets as much as possible. I was also thinking in fencing and or signalling the area? Thanks again.

Hi to all. I am seeking some advice on how to manage this beautiful beech tree. Pics are not completely true to the real stunt this tree produces when you see it. I know that some of you have a lot of knowledge on this kind of trees and I would really appreciate some help. It is in a woodland near Wiltshire, it belongs to a friend who is looking for ways to make the tree a bit safer without damaging it. There is, unfortunately, a footpath running right under the tree and a public road and public land a few metres away. I think that changing the footpath might be possible but the tree will still have a third of the crown over public land and near the road. It has, as you can see, a broken limb and several dead branches, some cracks (right under some seriously big limbs and one along the trunk?) and a bleeding lesion?? The tree's diameter at chest level is roughly 6 m. Thanks for reading.

It does, nice one. Thanks