Mick Dempsey

A hard prune on a tree like that, in a totally rural situation would look incongruous imo.

I’d be more inclined to use proper cable bracing, you’ve got the big drill there anyway.

I imagine you are. Sadly he’s lost his conviction and ‘skulked off’ to use his own words.

You can’t leave us hanging! Tell all.

Oh yes!

Using rods is not unusual on trees like these. Not that I’ve ever done it, or ever will. It doesn’t look easy to do (right) so do your research. You could cable it as well if you want the belt and braces approach. If it’s been like that since last summer I don’t see why you shouldn’t climb it on a non windy day. I suspect it’s a tree grown out of a hedge that has escaped after years of being kept down, hence the unusual form. If the client wants to spend the money, why not?

I reckon I have (been lucky) reading around elsewhere. I have been reading of your issues, no bueno.

From a business pov. The 3 Rangers I’ve had over the last ten or so years have been reliable, one problem on the old one, fixed two months before the end of the guarantee. If something does go wrong there’s a franchise full of mechanics and plug ins to fix it with available spares. The yankee Ford my mate had developed a gearbox fault and no garage would touch it. I would like one, my wife even sanctioned it! But I’m scared of getting deep into a nightmare ownership scenario. A couple of months ago I was driving along and one of those Dodges filled my rear view mirror coming up to a dual carriage way, clearly looking to put me in my place. I slipped my twin turbo into sport mode and waited till we got to the carriage way and floored it. He was 100 mètres ahead of me in about 5 seconds! Completely blew me away, you had to laugh really. Yes… maybe I will get one. Just checked price €140k! Not going to happen.

If I was to buy a vanity, ill advised, ‘look at me’ pick up it would be a yankee effort. A mate of mine had one of these for a while, bloody lovely!

Don’t reverse over the cones!

Good luck!

Like this, but thawing fast.

I’m the same about step cuts, drives me mad watching someone doing them and then it not cracking off, then doing it again, waste of time and energy Teaching someone about going through in one cut at the moment, we call it ‘feathering it through’ ie. Not blasting through the back at full throttle. I often just jam a twig of the like behind the kerf to stop it pinching, all about throttle control. I often cut off the Ivy, or at least saw off the horizontal stuff. Any other advice on how to suck eggs, I’m here!😀

Glad you’re ok, lesson learned without serious consequence. Looking back where were the mistakes?

Yeah, what happened Joe?

Had the transit and some old climbing line pulling it.

Topping a few connys in a back garden..

Pickup and Ifor would struggle with that telehandler every day mind.

Today I will be mostly carrying bloody great lumps of wood.

Ah, thought so. I only use a local free paper/magazine, don’t bother with google etc. Not cheap, but in a local area you build up a kind of momentum/recognisability. People always go on about ‘word of mouth’ which, of course is good, but it does lead to some awkward conversations about why you charged their friend €xxx and you’re charging them €yyy. You cannot beat the buzz of a new client saying yes to some decent work at a good price.

What do you mean when you say ‘more traditional ways’?

Apart from really big trees, anything bigger than a 70cc saw for firewood is overkill.

Ken Bruce now, never been his biggest fan, but he was ok. Could see the way the wind was blowing and jumped ship. The only one I really like is Sara Cox these days. Interesting to see who they replace him with.

It’s not really a cow is it? Nit picking I know

More info…