averagearborist

Anyone know the answer to this?

The 230 is good value. For the money, you get a lot of chipping done, and it's pretty easy to handle.

Got the Echo 8010 or whatever its called. Looked like a photon accelerator, which sold me in the end.

Yeah that's sweet man.

Thanks for the advice. Really appreciate it. Now it's a toss up on Stihl or Echo. I have a soft spot for Stihl, but Echo tools look like such good value. Love battery tools, but for getting that extra efficiency on clean up, I think I'm going to want the power that comes with regular fuel.

I'm feeling that we'll get a more of a efficient tidy up with a fat backpack blower. Question is, is the Stihl BR800 worth all the money? Or should we get the 600? Or what? Some feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

Savage.

The main point that was clarified for me was both lines do not have to reach the ground. As long as the second attachment point is weight bearing, it can be moved around like a lanyard or secondary rope. Also - it is acceptable to be on only one attachment point as long as you are stationary. To give the arb association some credit, I think these are the comprises they squeezed out of the HSE.

Just saw this pop up as a HB promo. Has anyone used one of these? A decent helmet?

Is there a video on how to use this thing? It looks awesome.

Vinegar works well at getting the rust off, although the semi-shiny finish on a battered vintage tool can look a bit nasty. Evaporust is the best product - it pulls the rust off beautifully. However, get the wire wheel on your grinder or drill and spend a bit of time abrading the rust off and you get an awesome finish - it retains the dark patina. Only good if it isn't too rusty. The best method is electrolysis - it's not as much of a ball ache as it looks. And it costs pretty much nothing to do.

This links to the AA's summary of the CoA findings, and reviews some implications. https://www.trees.org.uk/News-Blog/Latest-News/Witley-Parish-Council-v-Cavanagh-Judgement-and-Imp

Great summary John H. The wording from the FC guidance 'Tree Felling - Getting Permission' is as follows: "If we issue a felling licence for trees covered by a TPO or which are in a Conservation Area and you have not declared the existence of the TPO or Conservation Area, then the felling licence will not cover the felling of these trees and you may commit an offence by felling them. If we grant a felling licence and the local planning authority objects to your proposals, the application will be referred to the Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions."

I don't think there is a fast-track option in getting higher pay. Your efficiency on a job will (usually) be reflected in your pay, especially as a climber. As has been said, putting in time and getting experience is the only way to get quicker, more efficient and more capable. The 'fastest' way of getting more pay is to work places that enable you to get that experience. Some smaller organisations take on trainees, but larger companies are often more able to absorb the cost of your inexperience and give you opportunity to take part in the more complex aspects of arboriculture (like climbing or lowering operations). Get good as a groundie, take any and every opportunity to climb. Try to get a team leader who is good and is willing to teach. Watch some legends on YouTube but don't get any funny ideas. You will be on a pretty low wage for a while, probably. Starting out with a large company as a trainee, £8.50 - £9.50 per hour ish maybe (southern England, outside of London).

Like Stere says, possibly the most grievous loss will be in the hedgerows. The implications have so far been explored in a woodland context, whereas the impact of open grown ash in a non woodland context, for both landscape and ecology, will certainly be difficult to study and will be markedly felt by everyone. The point about flailing is also particularly relevant, as it reduces the likelihood of the hedgerow tree population being replaced by other species in the medium term, or resistant ash in the long term. Perhaps when the dieback takes the ashes from our landacape, there will be sufficient motivation to nurture hedgerow trees and encourage some kind of restocking.

Here is a recent journal entry that explores responses to H. fraxinea. It looks at the medium and long term impact on species composition resulting from ash dieback. https://academic.oup.com/forestry/advance-article/doi/10.1093/forestry/cpy040/5161158

Here is a recent journal entry looking at the current thoughts on responses to H. fraxinea, and the outlook for species composition in the medium and long term. https://academic.oup.com/forestry/advance-article/doi/10.1093/forestry/cpy040/5161158