Slad

I have two nests on my land. The first nest was evacuated and I spotted spur marks going up the tree, so nothing good had happened there. The Raptor club people said it was unusual for people to take eggs now, so I am guessing the climb was not to ring birds but probably just their necks. People usually shoot the nest with a shotgun according to them, but with me/neighbours so close, this charmer went for a more direct approach. They or some others moved to a second nest. Birds fledged and the adults, as said above, are sharp eyed and noisy; if you go to have a look, you have to go quietly otherwise there is a warning cry and the chicks duck down and the parents try and lead you off by calling and flying in large circles. Then it all went quiet. Then a young fledgling started flying around crying and making a lot of noise. It's done so for about 2 weeks. I checked the nest; gaff marks up the side. Parents and other chick gone. When we first found out about the goshawks, I phoned the local Raptor club up. They were really keen to know where they are, to come and ring them and do whatever else makes them happy. But when I asked about protecting the second nest, they were completely bl**dy useless. Nothing. So I'm doing my CS38/2013, I'll be getting a license to disturb and I will be putting up cameras - and not some academic with a spreadsheet to fill. As sort of pointed out above, I don't want other people with constant video coverage of my land thanks. I'm on the verge of a rant - so I'll continue. (Get some popcorn folks) I ask if there is anything I can do to protect them. "Sure, cease all operations within 450m". Question to the floor: how big is your garden?! 450m covers our place, an agricultural yard, a number of paddocks and fields, 5 public footpaths, about 12 neighbours, three busy roads and a pub. And as soon as I tell any of them about the nest, in theory they can all be done if they 'recklessly' do what they normally do, or in other words disturb the nest. Bearing in mind the goshawks were happy to nest there "as is" (and in places like Germany, they are an urban bird). The point of this venting is that if people who are masters of their own window box, but nothing else, invoke laws affecting people who have actual land, they need to be sensitive to the unintended consequences. I stopped work immediately on our land and have done what I can to protect the nests, despite the fact it has set me back by 4 months. I've kept quiet so that the birds don't get more enemies amongst the locals. But despite that, it looks like someone has taken the law into their own hands because of the risk the birds will affect them (be it on their shoots, their businesses etc) or because they just want eggs/birds- and those who profess an academic interest in the birds appear unwilling and unable to do anything to assist, but are happy to turn the landowner and all living close by against the birds by spouting pointless restrictions better suited to the Scottish wilderness. I feel better for that. I'll feel even better when I catch the b*stards climbing my trees next year. Rant over.

My read of it is that outside nesting season, you can destroy the tree/nest. So if the labourer had waited until September, there would have been no further action.

Yes, we mainly want wood downhill. At the moment, just clearing out the dead trees/leaners for winter, plus the recent ash dieback/suicides. I can cut to whatever lengths but we'd like to get 4" lengths and bigger logs down to split at the house. A big tractor can make it up the slope; I tried a 1.5 T digger and it was not going to happen. Would a gaitor or polaris handle steep slopes? Are tracked dumpers stable enough when full going down a 1:1? Thanks for the thinking on the winches. Everything could be done by gravity as I can get the logs across to the top of the main slope. I've got lots of rigging gear; are there any big downsides to sending wood down on a continuous loop of rope? I can use an ID for control... Am I just going to shred my ropes? I've got 12mm polyprop I don't mind losing, but it is very "dynamic", and you need swivels everywhere or you end up with blue dreadlocks.

We have some woodland, <20 acres, which is on a steep slope - 100m from top to bottom. Road access is possible at the top and bottom but we don't have anything other than domestic cars and trailer (and driving in the wood is probably too difficult). The wood is a mix of mature coniferous and some deciduous (W8). Getting wood down to the house is tricky; getting equipment up the slope is also tricky. We don't want to spend just fortunes, just make life a little easier as we manage the wood and feed the log burners. What would you suggest please?

Thank you everyone - every day is a school day! Dropped the tree as recommended - many thanks everyone. Learnt a couple of things: A new chain is so much better than a re-sharpened one (I'm not good at this it turns out) I need a bigger bar You end up with an 8 inch hinge if your ash has rot in it Thanks - great forum

I can't really leave it - the powerline is just out of reach, but there is a house at the bottom of the slope and they'd probably appreciate it being moved. Thanks Patrick, I have a 8m ladder so that's definitely an option. Update - the fallen "branch" is actually an uprooted ash. The standing ash has been damaged by it. Slight lean to the left of the picture (and where all the weight is). The tree is in a steep slope so the ground on the downhill side is much lower than the uphill side (so awkward to cut, and a dangling branch up above). Does that change things?

Yes, I think so

(Putting this in the Training section as I'm new to all this - please move if it's in the wrong place) Came home last night to find an ash in this state. No wind, no lightening. Guessing dieback? (never been close to a tree with dieback before). Two split branches. I wouldn't climb this (and my course isn't for a few weeks anyway); any thoughts on the best approach to dropping this? Power cable is some way off, ash at top of hill. Was thinking of dropping it across the slope to the left as there is plenty of room and the hanging branch is on that side anyway.

I'm doing my climbing course shortly so thought I would cheer myself up reading the HSE Case studies on chainsaw fatalities, as you do. There are a surprising number of chainsaw fatalities where the person died due to a cut to the neck but I can't see any helmets with side neck protection. Is this just because they'd be too hot to use? Health and Safety Case in Forestry and Arboriculture: Case studies WWW.HSE.GOV.UK A selection of case studies relating to incidents and accidents in Tree Work.

Thank you for the link and the advice on knots. Good point - I'm paying to be taught these things 🙂

I can see why a VT is called a VT - I didn't know I'd need to learn a foreign language! 🙂 Struggling to find Tech Guide 1 - is it the .pdf in Draft please? https://www.trees.org.uk/Trees.org.uk/media/Trees-org.uk/Documents/Tech Guides/Tech-Guide-1-Draft-Consultation.pdf

Thank you - that's very useful. I have some kit but was hoping not to need to buy e.g. helmets before learning what is best. (The trainer has just told me everything is supplied so that's all good.) Thank you for the knot information; could you tell me if there is another name for double bowline and scaffold knot please? (A lot of the knots mentioned have different names/variations on the knot-tying sites.)

Hi, I'm looking to do the (CS38) 2013 Tree climbing and Aerial rescue course soon and was wondering if anyone had any tips for this course please? Also, is all kit provided/hired on these courses or do you usually bring your own kit/helmets etc? Cheers, John