Doug Tait

John read the OP again, I'm convinced you've completely misunderstood.

I've no idea if the cost is excessive but what you say the report recommends sounds reasonable enough to me. Can't comment on the reasons for Tree removal, but the other stuff I'd have expected. Everywhere I go I see trees damaged by builders, usually they have no regard for trees. The fencing protects the tree/root system by stopping them hitting it with machinery or storing supplies in a sensitive position. The boarding will spread the weight of any traffic over the root system and lessen the chance of compaction of the roots. The Arb Consultant supervision of demolition and foundations seems reasonable too, they want to be sure that their recommendations are followed correctly. I don't imagine it matters how "interested" you are in complying with the report if it's a condition of your planning permission, but be aware that if the Council get the feeling that you aren't being up front about this they could decide to make things a lot less favourable than it sounds currently.

The worst thing I think is that the botched work has revealed what's going into the river. The whole area stank of it and so many wipes in it, this can't be treated waste surely. To think it's compulsory to pay for these "services". Edit. I can imagine the contractors ticked all the boxes, met all the paperwork criteria etc...

On a Wednesday I usually have a day off from tree work and do my own stuff. Part of it is looking after a stretch of river bank and adjacent ground, its on the River Tweed with fishing rights and Southern Upland Way walking route. A couple weeks back Scottish Water sub contractors came to fix the leaking sewer pipe unannounced. Having damaged a tarmac driveway and 2 trees while unloading their digger, the work took 2 days. I saw it when strimming today and it makes me angry. End result is a section of smaller diameter pipe pieced in but unsupported and leaking both ends, and they've damaged the original pipe above the repair which has become the new outlet, leading to a pond of shit water and wet wipes on the river bank. The landowner has complained but no response yet. It's ridiculous they can treat our Rivers like this.

If you search "Australia" on here you might find other adverts of interest to you. Good luck.

This may be the post Dan referred to

Thought per se was a minor one really, John would have a stroke if folk started talking ploggish again! I know a guy that would struggle to spell "tree" correctly but can ID anything he walks past like an he's an encyclopedia. We all got oor strungths an weeknuses

Have you tried checking for a tip site on here? https://arbtalk.co.uk/recycling/

Reduced a Paper Bark Birch this morning with this beauty in the neighbouring garden. It was very interested in the noise of the battery top handle when cutting. They did sound similar, when it called out through the hedge I'd trigger the saw to imitate it and we had quite a conversation but no idea what we talked about!

Been a dull day in the Borders, around 16 but very muggy. Had the odd shower, not enough to clear the air.

Never an easy time. Be nice to see some pics from happier times.

Sad day, I feel for you.

Been a long, hot day for the old boy, glad of a comfortable bed to come home to.

How far in does it reach, do you need to handball forward once they're on?

The charm factor is much underrated.

Saw this on the little tractor wheel this morning, anyone know it? There was also a Field Mouse (I think) that was trying to pull a banana skin under a stack of hardwood but too elusive for a pic.

A cycle to work sounds ideal, and a rant about the roads will probably help too! When you say you can't summon the interest to start with doing something mindless, that's familiar to me. I've found when you do manage to achieve something though the next thing is a bit less effort and so on. Maybe more structure would help. Every Monday gardening, Tuesday brewery, Wednesday inside the house etc...

I'm under the impression that Marcus is well occupied in retirement, stand to be corrected though. Does anyone else find the clock changing affects their mood? People I know say it's fine after a day or two they're ok again, bit like jet lag, but as I get older it's becoming more obvious that it doesn't suit me at all. Soon as the time "springs forward" I feel out of sorts, struggle to get to sleep early enough then struggle to get up in the morning resulting in a lack of sleep. My appetite seems to be affected too meaning I'm less interested in eating, it just becomes a necessity. Generally I'm a lot more irritable as well.

@JDon

I was thinking that but held my tongue, it was different in the days of yore

Sorry about your dog. Is it getting enough water? Looks to be a lot of grass competing with the roots.

Rob D. https://arbtalk.co.uk/profile/24842-rob-d/

The onus must be on the person or business doing the work to know if they are acting within the law. What people say is often vague or untrue, and they often have no idea about their neighbours anyway. Whatever the job, tree removal, pruning or a hedge we'll always try to engage anyone affected prior to starting. They can be very happy to see the tree go or the hedge reduced, but there are times it benefits us to be the diplomatic intermediary. One example, a large TPO Sycamore near boundary on development site. Had Consultant Report saying remove due to condition and the TO's go ahead. Winch attached, about to fell when neighbouring lady starts pushing paperwork through fence a metre from tree, crying and screaming the usual stuff about Birds and Bats etc, quoting her past correspondence with TO, then her solicitor (also sister!) arrived beside her. It was a difficult day, I felt for her situation but ultimately she had no grounds to stop us. 5hrs later they went inside and we felled it. In hindsight we should've gone to her door first to have a chat.

What are your feelings about using it in a harness then John, still keen?