Gordon S

Well done, when you didn't update us last night I thought that now you had passed 30/31 you were too good for us and were off in some exotic tree climbers forum discussing '2 ton crane picks over a row of town houses in Cheshire!' Keep practicing and all the mystery with become clearer.

Oh yeah, I should have checked before typing.

So.... how did you get on? You had the assessment today?

Hi, Unfortunately like trying anything new (driving a car, playing guitar) it seams impossible at first and you think you will never be able to do it. Brushcutter has covered it but practice is the best method to get better, as previously mentioned getting the balance right to get horizontal cuts is tricky at first. We balanced a tennis ball on the bar, just get used to how the saw feels horizontal. When doing felling cuts, if you are allowed you could try to start with a high stump then once you have felled the tree you still have a few feet of stem left. You can then have another practice at a face cut and back cut on the same trunk. Moving the bar away and towards yourself during the back cut can also help to see your progress and you will have a better chance of meeting your face cut parallel. Also read the notes and the assessment questions and practice the chainsaw maintenance over the weekend. You will feel much better going into the felling if you haven't had to sweat and be constantly prompted through the questions by the assessor. Good luck, you clearly care about getting it right so you will be fine. Also look at all the thickos on here who have passed (myself included) it can't be that hard you got this.

You are very light on detail but In answer to your question, if you are in England then anyone can request a TPO, it doesn't need to be the owner of the tree. As the trees are not able to be seen by the public then it is less likely to be granted. Also your neighbour is removing them and replanting so I'm assuming the existing trees are not the greatest specimens or they would not be bothering. You have answered your own question, talk to your neighbour to find a resolution that works for you both. Why do they want to remove the trees? Do they know you like the trees? Is there a compromise by getting them pruned/reduced or remove less trees to lessen the impact on you? Going to war by trying to get a TPO that appears unlikely to be successful will probably just agitate your neighbour and make them less likely to be cooperative. As others have already said these are their trees in their garden. You are negotiating from a position of weakness so be nice, you come across as entitled. Many people have gone insane or broke arguing over boundary disputes with neighbours don't become the next one!

UMM... I'm not an expert but.. A couple of things spring to mind, if you are in England and have put an application into the council then they will put orange planning notices on lamppost/gates of the property when the tree officer goes to visit the site to allow neighbours an opportunity to comment. Also the tree owners details should be put on the application so they will be copied in on any correspondence. Going onto a neighbours property without the owners permission to remove a tree will be trespassing. I think you need to give us some more details and greater minds than mine can comment. Where are you? Whose tree is it? Who made the application? Is it in a conservation area or does it have a tree preservation order. Why does the tree need to be removed? Has anything been discussed with the tree owner?

I can't comment on MSA200 or 300 but I've used an MSA220 and was surprised how well it cut. Price wise I think it's only a small step (£50ish) over a 200 but I decent bit more powerful.

Hi, you obviously have a strong connection with the trees so why not look at putting a TPO on them?

Hi, yes both sides are the same, nose matches bar as per my photos.

This one works well but is fragile. It fits the Stihl Combi can Spout with Cap for Stihl Combination Fuel/Oil Canister - 0000 881 0128 | L&S Engineers WWW.LSENGINEERS.CO.UK Spout with Cap for Stihl Combination Fuel/Oil Canister Genuine Stihl part OEM No. 0000 881 0128

Are you implying it has a Mountain Man vibe?

That got me wondering so I checked mine. It's 1.6mm and lines up both sides. I've attached photos but they are from Mac so not everyone can open them.

I try to use a car analogy with customers when they seam to think their trees needs a 'service' because it hasn't had any previous work done and must be due. Most trees just want to be left alone unless there is a customer requirement to reduce/lift/thin etc. My most common frustration is when a customer thinks a 70% reduction will benefit the tree and allow it to come back rejuvenated! Trying to explain that topping the crap out of it will look awful and if it survives will look shocking and not just a smaller version of what they have at the moment as they expect. All that aside though... I believe if they really want it done and you have explained the risks/results etc then take the money and get it done. Just make sure you tidy up well, it is what this type of customer will notice the most.

My son has used it for a couple of years too. He used to get in a right state with it, now he seems to be getting along well. What was your concern/view? I don't think any of the applications work especially well, we also have ARBOR, seneca and tassomai.

I thought it was a sixty year old man and his teenage son? They had a grievance regarding a rented property? Have I missed something? Do we know why these two have been charged?