SteveW1000

I work on a closed churchyard that is designated by the local council as of local importance for nature conservation. Pay Back and a church member has been cutting down some small trees and also raising the crown of some trees we also have a number of dead trees that are planned to come down over the winter. There are some huge piles of brash to deal with. The church approached the councils tree surgeons and were quoted £1800 to bring a large chipper with crew to deal with this. This is obviously out of the churches budget. Is there anywhere near East London that would hire out a chipper for a day? I did have a wee chipper which got stolen recently so have some experience in running a chipper just need access to something bigger that a wee chipper. Steve

I've also had a Hyundai HYCH1500E-2 for about three years. Great bit of kit. Electric start works well even after leaving it for months unused. Was using it for over 3 hrs last week shredding Yew, bits of Christmas tree and some Ash in a churchyard . Only had two problems. Had a small piece of wood caught between the blade and anvil when I tried to start it and shredded some Wych Elm which ended up with a length of bark rapped around the drum and stalled the machine. Generally still shreds OK although its probably getting time to look at changing the blades.

Like a few people here I've a Hyundai 14Hp electric start, owed it for a few years. Looks similar to many of the chinese machine, starts first time. Will handle over the rated capacity of fresh or semi rotted wood, doesn't like larger dry timber but think that's the same with most machines. Comes in a crate for self assembly which I did mostly myself only got help from a neighbour to bolt on the feed shoot which is heavy. Only two issues with it is the elbow on the discharge shoot has a tenancy to work loose and move and the plastic curtain on the feed shoot is too light and I've had chunks ejected back out so learnt not to stand there while chipping, have a piece of heavy duty clear plastic to bolt on there at some time.

I would suggest you take things slowly. Wear PPE, tackle the easy stuff first, learn to read how the timber is going to move as you cut it. Watching YouTube videos can inform including some of the idiots with chainsaws ones you soon start to think why would anyone think that was safe to do. I'm retired and spend my time on a number of volunteer projects. I'm not keen on spending money on getting a CS30 / 31 although I would like to get one. Started cutting some small dead Wych Elms, removed some small ash stems and learnt to plunge cut on that one. Managed to get the bar stuck a few times failing to read how timber would twist. My collection of saws has now reached three. And yesterday was cutting a 24" stem hung up across a brook. Don't think I'm invincible and keep a very close eye and ear on movement and sound while cutting things under tension. Good luck with your endeavours and keep safe.

I buy Roundup 480 which seems to be the strongest. Have gone over to injection although I did spray some in the Autumn which was to thin to inject. Current good practice seems to be to inject in the autumn when the plant will take the weed killer down into the roots. Also suggested not to disturb the roots for a time as even if it appears dead it can come back from the grave if disturbed. Currently finding one session of injection seems to do the trick. Have yet to be asked about a PA1 or 6 when buying.

Before the wholesale use of plastics many tools used by plumbers and roofers for working lead were made of Box. Woodworkers could pay a premium to have Box handles on chisels rather than Ash which was commonly used and Chess pieces are made of Box. Develops a lowly patina on hand tools with use.

I've seen council contractors pollarding London Planes while they're in leaf but I think its better to do this before the tree is in full growth so depending upon where you are in the country and whether the tree is in a micro climate but generally before the end of the month. You are also at the start of nesting season so although you can do tree work you need to check for nest building.

One thing I was really impressed with the Stihl battery kit was the backpack batteries. I doubt if ever need one but are batteries and tools and harnesses all cross compatible? Don't think that there is currently anyway of using the backpack batteries with the harness. Think you would have to try wearing both which is likely to be impractical. I've the older RTS so things might have changed with the newer version.

I'm relived that I saw that picture before i eat and found out that I've a delicate stomach .

Don't think any colleges are running courses at the moment. There is someone offering a PA1 course on line thinking of doing this myself, still need to go to a college to get PA6. Capel Manor seems good and they run courses at several site around London.

Worth considering the Stihl RTS harness as well. Makes it much easier to handle a pole saw or long reach hedgecutter, supports the weigh so you just need to steer.

Hi looking for some suggestions on what chainsaw chaps to buy. I've a pair of Stihl chaps that cover the full leg but today even wearing shorts my legs were roasting, looking to get a pair of the ones with open backs hopefully they will keep me a bit cooler. Don't use my saw everyday but I work on the principal of cry once so want a decent pair.

Not sure whether should go here or landscape and posting on Arbtalk as the Landscape site seems rather quiet. Looking to buy a sprayer for treating Giant Hogweed. Have previously been lent a Stihl SG31 and was thinking of buying my own. I see Cooper & Pegler do a similar model at over twice the price so would I be better in buying the C&P CP5 or 8? Money is money but will pay the extra if I'm going to be getting a much better bit of kit. I have obtained two CP15s but they need work and may not be worth repairing and honestly I don't do that much spraying.

According to the catalogue the 25-2 will accept 2.7 line. I've just put a Autocut C26-2 on one of my KM131s and I'll be trying 2.7 line in it as soon as the first load in gone. Agree about the big Stihls I've four and they do drink.

Thanks for that. Have been working on the stream with Thames 21 with them getting permission for the work from the EA. T21 weren't sure but thought the even if we did the small amount we would be using they wouldn't have much of an issue. Contractor have been planting trees higher up on the site and been taking 1000L at a time in the back of a transit but not watering frequently enough and much of their trees have died. The fruit trees are going to be a community lead and delivered project so pumping water from a source is going to be much easier for us.