Starscream

Tree 5 first pic looks like photinia but the last pic that says "tree 5" is just a rose. Tree 8 is prunus laurocerasus (laurel). Was gonna say tree 6 was Himalayan birch but I don't think it is as the branches don't look right. Tree 2 betula (birch) and 4 is garrya eliptica

Just liked your fb page mate, it seems you do lots of work in my area. I'm just round the corner from Keston park. If you ever need someone to go on a rec climb with you look me up!!

Funny you should say that, I've just gone from Lockjack to zigzag using 11.7 hedera. Did a lime reduction today (yeah, Sunday!!) taking the zigzag out for the first time and really liked it. Any reason you went back to Lockjack? Rope for zigzag though, in answer to your question, hedera or blue tongue (yale)

Small bag of weed. Gave it to one of the potheads at work.

I've left my friction saver somewhere and can't find it anywhere. Got a job tomorrow and my Lockjack doesn't like friction. Any alternatives? Doesn't have to be retrievable. Was thinking perhaps a couple of steel rigging crabs and a sling? Or rigging pulley and sling? Any suggestions? Cheers

I have an sj4000 too. For around £70 on eBay it came with all attachments and a waterproof case. It's brilliant. Couldn't warrant spending out on a go pro as it's only for occasional use, so the qumox sj4000 fit the bill perfect

Mate there's some utter scum out there. It happened to me not long ago, they need their hands chopping off. You need a plan and you need to get back out there. Pillage whatever you can from any generous folk out there. Good luck dude. Also, they now know what you do and where you keep it, change location if poss or think high security and defo INSURANCE

Do you have a budget? I have an ms 271 that pulls up to an 18" bar. It's brilliant. Not a pro saw but it's got some good grunt. I love it.

Pardon my lack of native tree talk.. But is a gypsy stick a pole saw?

Leave a stem for leverage, mattock around the root ball, jobs a goodun!! Or, cut as low as poss, then grind out. No point waiting for them to rot, stump grinder with sharp teeth will destroy them in no time

That vid is the nuts.. Looks so sweet with the clouds rolling through the background as you dismantle it. Cheers

Royksopp - sparks [ame] [/ame]

Just make sure you don't get a load of chip from a tree that's died from honey fungus!!! Spread that around your garden and you won't have much left!!

Nice, enjoyed that

Cheers hodge

Anyway, I appreciate all the opinions and posts. I think it may have gone off on a slight tangent but thanks for the input people. In all honesty, some of the points raised, I hadn't considered, and they did make me see things slightly differently!!

Fair one but I don't advertise my work, it's all recommendations. The extra money I earn isn't pocket money, we need it. We live a modest life and don't live beyond our means. Just didn't want to rent for the rest of our life so got on the property ladder. If that means I do 6-7 days a week during spring/ summer then I will. My daughter WILL have what I didn't.

Yeah definitely win win.. I was pleased I got the call. And yes, I was recommended, but unbeknownst to the gentleman, his daughter had booked the guy to do it. So essentially we were both given the job, but they went with him because his daughter done some leg work. Fair play, but crap for me... Until today!!!

Also, unfortunately, childcare isn't a luxury, more a necessity. Would have to find the money one way or another

Just my take on being "too cheap" I suppose. How much would you want to earn for a day up a tree using all your kit? If you don't mind me asking of course

Totally see your point, but I suppose it's dog eat dog. Now, I must reiterate the point of this post. Firstly, of course we all get outbid on jobs for one reason or another, but the thread I raised was regarding losing the job in crappy/unfortunate circumstances. I wasn't looking for arguments with anyone or sympathy, it was more just sharing my days events. Thought that was what I could use the forum for, and just to hear about any other stories from other people on here.

Depends how big your overheads are. I work for a firm and do private work on the side. Don't have a chipper and don't earn enough to need to charge vat. I rely on the private work for my daughters childcare. Unfortunately, integrity doesn't pay the bills. So when it comes to getting work, I do what I can to ensure I get it.

Forgot to mention, on the right side where you can see all the lower branches removed, that was done by the homeowner. Peace

So this pic shows the "50%" reduction carried out by the guy who got the job. He also told the lady that they can't remove the other side because it might kill the tree.. These are the kind of parasites that are plaguing this industry, conning people and getting paid good money for it, and taking jobs from honest professionals. She now has to pay me to do the job properly. Which I couldn't really take much off the original price as all the hard work remains (there is no drop zone and everything needs rigging to some extent). They spent a day removing twigs, took their £300 and left. The husband wasn't home at the time and the woman took their "professional" advice as gospel. The job wasn't done to the agreed spec and they have to fork out another load of money. I feel gutted for them and wish I could do it cheaper. So in response to some previous comments like "These are the type of customers you want"... What? Donuts who are prepared to have their pants pulled down? No, quite frankly, although they're very nice people, it's these type of customers who are allowing these scumbags to continue trading because they aren't prepared to get more than one quote or use recommendations (I was a recommendation) or do a little research into reputable companies/arborists. So because of "customers like these" we will continue to miss out on jobs, and we will continue to see **** work with no regard for the health of a tree and a total lack of moral standing to the people they rip off.