Starscream

Loads of threads on here about this... I'm wearing Meindl airstreams. They're good boots. I'd like to try the Arbortec Scafell. They're expensive though and heard they are quite rigid, but I very much like the look of them.

Second one a pittosporum, first one - does it smell like lemon or citrus when broken? (I'm not saying it's thuja, but there's another conifer with a lemony smell!)

Joe Strummer died in 2002 and he's still affecting people Parking tickets aren't bad luck they are a result of bad parking. Sorry for your daughter, hope she's not too embarrassed

Ok, ok.. Strimmer.

I had no choice but to do the job at that particular time; I've been doing it for 2 years and never had a ticket. So, yeah, bad luck but I take your point

Nah, she's 2 and a half, decided not to say anything and dispatched a fat one in her car seat as if it was nothing. I caught a whiff of it and asked her if she'd farted.. "No daddy, I've done a poo"

Nice, I enjoyed that!

Today I smashed the window on my van with the strummer, got a parking ticket and my daughter shat herself on the way home. We're going out later to some blooming Xmas event... Can't wait to see how that goes!!

Interesting.. I wonder how they'll implement it? From the results, it looks like it may take months to dissolve a plastic bottle though! I'm glad it's been discovered and hopefully it gets put to good use, but as Devon twig said, it will need controlling!

Those last two years have gone by quickly...

Haha, eagle eyed joe

I would disagree with some of the views expressed here. Your original post was created because it's not something you've dealt with before so I'd say get involved. Don't go round their house every week for a tea and a chat, but surely you'll gain the experience necessary to deal with this type of dispute. You'll be "earning what you're learning". You say you're qualified to write up reports etc so price accordingly and gain the experience. If you don't, you'll be starting another thread the next time something like this comes along, instead of being in the position to help someone out who is in you're current position.

Hi, I know this is an arb forum but I have noticed a few gardening types floating around here... I need help on Saturday doing a maintenance round in the Orpington/Bromley area. The offer is £100 but don't bother if you don't have experience. I need someone who is competent with strimmers, hedgecutters and the like. Someone who is efficient and quick with a decent plant knowledge. If you're up for a day's work with the potential for more odd days let me know. Cheers, Matt

What?? Ban top handled chainsaws? So would I have to prune a tree with my ms461 or something?!?! Seems a bit unlikely to me. Having the directive to produce a cs39 certificate is not outside of the realms of possibility and probably a good thing.

Mind if I ask what you charged and what wood you used? I'm just nosey like that

Pretty sweet that mate. How long did it take?

Actually, maybe osmanthus?

Quercus ilex?

Ah man I feel your pain, I had a couple chainsaws nicked recently off a job and just had to swallow it. Suffice I say, I basically did the whole job for free (2 days) all because of some scum who are out for a quick buck. I have nothing left for these people, and although it's prob gonna get me hurt one day, when I see ****** I stare them down, seething inside wanting to kill them. More often than not they drive on, but I'm done now, thieves beware. They looted my garage for everything I owned whilst we slept as well. The only saving grace on that occasion is that it was insured... Creatively

Eucalyptus responds well to a hard cut, with the juvenile foliage being quite nice as it's different from the usual leaf. Just reduce it as best as poss and move on to the next one

Cretaegus prunifolia?

Robinia?

What was the bird in the background like? Not a great pic but she could have potential.

Silky attached to a lanyard and my retrieval ball!! My kits a mess most times as it just gets quickly stuffed back in the bag so I can go home

Sell it to 'Cooks' for matchsticks

Some rather aggressive/rude views on here.

I know the expert personally and he is a very knowledgable arborist. Not to mention a nice guy.

I thought the original work discussed was about £500 worth and they were quoting far more than £2k.

The program was about highlighting a shocking practise from some scumbags. Well worth the BBC spending £2k if stops someone else failing victim to that sort of scam.

Well done the BBC.

I whole heartedly agree that if it takes 2 grand of license fee money to make sure these 'people' don't get any more work, then it's worth it. But, £500 for a top and trim of some small conifers? Not in a month of Sunday's mate.

Do you notice the weight difference a lot?

Absolutely, it's like wielding a silky.

I had a 12 on my first 020, then 14 on all my subsequent saws. I'd never put a 12 inch on again, waste of power IMO.

But you also changed from being the legendary 'mountain man' to plain old mick:laugh1:

If I'm completely honest I don't know the difference!! I just ask for a 12" stihl chain for a 201t

Oh and I've recently bought a 150. I used it properly the other day pruning 3 sycamores and absolutely loved it. It's on a 10" too