Issue 1 September 2005 by a World of Trees

Dedicated to Arboriculture

T O TA L A R B www.trustinsurance.co.uk

September 2005

Contractors

Back to Basics? B.A.S.E. – a new training and accreditation organisation – is launched at SALTEX.

Employers & Public Liability Insurance

New sites; New Trees Softening the landscape on development sites

Morbark chooses Multi-tip The American giant launches their stumpgrinder range with the British Multi-tip tooth system as standard.

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Going Bats All tree work must consider the legislation protecting bats

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Page 10

Welcome to Total Arb

Welcome to Total Arb! This is a totally new magazine dedicated to arboriculture, and by that we mean the whole of the tree care industry in the UK. What you will find in these pages will be relevant to those working at all levels in tree care, from trainers and educators to contractors and the self-employed, those whose operate in the amenity and private sectors, in private gardens and schools, tree nurseries and research stations. These all form what has developed into the modern practise of arboriculture. What you will not find is much about tree harvesting and papermaking. No bulk timber prices and no lengthy features on massive equipment that, well, tree care professionals just don’t use. We’ll be looking at the latest developments in arboriculture though, and testing the latest new products put out to the market. Actually we won’t be - testing will be done by those working in the field for whom the product has a particular relevance and the results published verbatim. Education and training will be featured regularly and will be assessed as to whether the current regimes deliver what they should and, indeed, what the customer really wants! Vehicles, insurance and finance all have a

regular place and readers are invited to ask questions or pose problems for the team to advise on. In fact we rather need to hear from YOU as the direction that this magazine takes is in your hands! Tell us what the Tree care industry wants and you shall have it! Consider Total Arb as a forum for discussion, argument and the exchange of ideas. Consider it your magazine – for that is what it is. Rather conveniently the launch of the magazine coincides with the SALTEX show and with the support of the IOG we have been able to sponsor a tree climbing demonstration during the course of the show. Featuring some of the best climbers in the business the display will demonstrate the very best techniques from the UKs finest exponents. The featured climbers are Josephine Hedger, Robert Knot and Paolo Bravesco. Check out the article by Josephine in the magazine. Also located at the central arena will be B.A.S.E., the British Arboricultural School of Excellence - a new organisation that aims to offer a superior training regime and proper accreditation, not just a ‘jobs for the boys’ talking shop! Read more about BASE inside and look for the in depth profile of the organisation and those driving it forward in the next issue.

Publisher & Managing Editor Ann Wright Telephone 01379 608528 email: ann@totalarb.co.uk Editor Steve Reynolds Telephone 01255 431166 email: steve@totalarb.co.uk Total Arb Magazine Ltd, Hobbers Cottage, The Street, Pulham St Mary, Diss, Norfolk IP21 4RD.

Total Arb September 2005

Index Four wheel drives get double whammy

Oi Wingnut

A Fast Woman

Trees on Development sites

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Back to Basics

Motoring

Business Finance 15 Meeting Tomorrow’s demands today Insurance

Industry first General Grabber now available in 255/55 HR18

Alternative Winch line outperforms steel rope

The futures bright the futures yellow

New Arboricultural supply 24 company launches on Deeside Morbark chooses Multi-Tip

Trees and Bats

The History of Axe Racing and Lumberjack Sports 35 Environmental Arboriculture 37 1

Four-wheel drives get double whammy! Issuing policy suggestions that tap into ‘green awareness’ is often a good way of scoring a few cheap points with the Soya and sandals brigade. So we shouldn’t be too surprised if the fringe parties make a few outrageous statements in order to get some much-needed publicity. It’s a bit more serious if the main parties across the country jump on the bandwagon and start to bang on about increased road tax for 4x4s and double congestion charges where they apply. Liberal Democrat spokesperson Stephanie Dearden warbled, “SUVs are great in rural areas but in city centres they are a danger to pedestrians, a potential hazard to other road users, can cause more damage than any other type of car and take up more road space, so increasing congestion.” Ms Dearden is talking rubbish. She is quite specifically talking about London, and its congestioncharging scheme will no doubt provide the model for others that will appear in towns and cities all over the country. What is unfortunate is that she is wrong on just about every one of her key ‘facts’, and plainly silly about some to boot! Dearden says that 4WDs are dangerous to pedestrians, which is strange when you consider that they are usually driven with more courtesy and a lower speeds than smaller vehicles. The greater danger to

the pedestrian is surely the ‘gary boys’ in souped up hatchbacks, which tear around just showing off! Her claim of the 4WD as a potential hazard is meaningless. Surely anything has the potential to be a hazard. This is just silliness, and as for taking up more space, well no more space is occupied by a 4x4 than by a family estate car or MPV. As for emissions, certainly 4x4s pollute more than small cars but this has nothing to do with how many wheels are powered, it’s down to engine size. Plenty of ordinary family cars have similar sized engines but would be exempt from double charging. Suffolk MP Tim Yeo on the other hand is not specifically talking about London and major cities when he called recently for a £1000.00 annual road tax for offroad vehicles. He wants it to apply all over the country! “ Why shouldn’t the higher emission cars be paying £1000.00 a year?” Yeo recently asked in a GMTV interview. Well I’ll tell you Tim.

Firstly, no driver gets value for money out of the current road tax system, so to ask any one segment to pay more is absurd and discriminatory. Secondly, the high level of fuel duty already means that 4x4 owners pay more because of their choice of car, although often they have sound reasons for that choice. I estimate that about 2% (500miles), of my annual milage is off-road and, of that, only perhaps 150 miles are in conditions where I need the all the low range power that I’ve got! Trouble is that’s the 150 miles that earn my money, and I doubt that I’m unique in this. The same can be said of those who never go off road but use their vehicle to tow plant or machinery to site. They choose the best tool for the job and should not be asked to pay a hefty additional tax as a result of that choice. Time to send an email, fax or letter to your local MP and see where they stand on this issue perhaps?

Total Arb September 2005

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Oi......… Wingnut! Storm damage, disease and old age are taking their toll on amenity trees across the country. Tree officers tasked with replacing dead trees and the revegetation of areas after damage have had limited choices of suitable trees. Could the Caucasian Wingnut be the answer? The Caucasian Wingnut, Pterocaryas fraxinifolia has been planted in the United Kingdom for a little over 100 years. The first specimens are recorded as appearing around 1800 and probably originated from French stock, as the tree was established in French botanical gardens some 50 years previously. Specimens can be found in arboretums across the country as well as established public and private gardens, particularly those that we either planted or improved upon during the Victorian period. The Victorian enthusiasm for exotic plant collecting has left us with a legacy of hidden gems; P. fraxinifolia may just be one of them! The most useful trait of P. fraxinifolia is its extraordinary growth rate. It can achieve up to one metre a year and will, in appropriate conditions do better. This alone would make it a useful landscape regeneration tree. It also has a place on new developments where it will swiftly soften a horizon when planted on golf courses or provide screening around industrial or retail sites. Vigorous growth also 4

makes it an attractive tree to plant on new housing estates, as it will rapidly give a sense of maturity to the development. Its only drawback is the extremely aggressive root system which precludes the tree being planted within 65’ (20 metres), of buildings, pathways and roads. P. fraxinifolia will usually form an interesting multiple trunk habit and will grow to about 80’(25metres). The spread of the canopy will often approach this in diameter. It is this trait that makes the tree so eye catching, as it is a wonder that the low spreading branches can carry the immense weight. This is attributable to the characteristics of the wood, which is very light and extremely strong. It is not prone to splitting or breakage and, indeed branches break rarely, even in high winds, making it suitable for shade tree planting in municipal areas and gardens, maturing in as little as 25 years to form an elegant tree not at all out of place in the landscape. The tree has the tendency to sucker from the base in a similar fashion to Lime. Some will find this attractive others not. In any event it is easily dealt with by annual pruning. P. fraxinifolia displays an abundance of luxurious foliage of alternate, pinnately compound leaves, with a good glossy deep green colour in summer. Autumn sees the leave turn to a brilliant golden yellow. In spring pendulous light green/yellow catkins form and it is on these that the fruits develop from which the tree takes its common name of ‘wingnut’. The nuts form in long strings on the remains of the catkin, looking not dissimilar to a string of beads. Each nut has a

small wing around it which assists seed distribution and hence the name – it looks like a wingnut! The tree is native to Central Asia, favouring a moist to wet habitat often in river valleys where it grows in the company of poplars and willows. Despite this the Caucasian Wingnut can also be successfully grown in dry soils and they do not seem to suffer unduly in this environment and will still show rapid, vigorous growth. Pest and disease problems are rare and, indeed, the tree can almost be considered to be problem-free in this respect. Propagation is by softwood cuttings taken in midsummer. Plants are vunerable in their first year and should be afforded frost protection through their first winter. Growing from seed is more difficult as the seeds require some months of frost to begin germination. Whilst this can be replicated in the freezer, the ease of which the cuttings will root means that it is hardly nessecary. The Caucasion Wingnut has a couple of close relatives that may also be of interest: a hybrid, P. stenoptera is even more vigorous but is otherwise very similar, whilst a native of China and Japan, P.x rehderiana is less likely to sucker and more likely to form a single trunk.

Total Arb September 2005

Made in Germany for the Unimog

A fast woman Josephine Hedger Complete Tree Care

As a child I was surrounded by the world of trees and chainsaws as my father ran a sawmill. After school I went to Sparsholt College near Winchester and began a twoyear course in horticulture. After a year of potting plants and laying turf I decided this wasn’t the career for me. Plant science and tree biology had always interested me, so after watching the arboriculture students in their practical lessons and having a go myself at climbing at a college open day, I transferred to the National Certificate in Arboriculture. I’m so glad I made that decision! After completing my course I worked the summer months as a climber for local tree firms. I enjoyed the varied work and the different wooded sites. The following September I returned to Sparsholt as a climbing instructor where I have worked for two years. For the past three years now, I have competed in the sport of pole

climbing. For those of you that have missed this mad exertion of energy, it’s basically a sport to find the fastest person to run up an 80 foot pole using home-made toe spikes and flip line. Last year, (2004) I gained the World Woman’s Pole Climbing title, having come second in the first competition I entered, the previous year. I am delighted that last year Stihl became my sponsors for pole climbing just prior to the World Finals. This year (2005) I have been preparing to retain the title and I have been able to make modifications to my equipment and improve my speed climbing technique. With the help of Stihl as sponsors, I attended the Great British Pole Climbing Championships at the Great Yorkshire Show in July. I competed alongside male counterparts, and I achieved a new personal best of 20.28 seconds, and set a new world record time. Pleased with this time I was keen to improve further still. With only two weeks to go until the New Forest Show World Women’s Championship I needed to do some “Damage It Yourself” repair work to my toe spikes and flip line. I tried out various bits and pieces found in my Dad’s barn and I was finally satisfied that all was ok two days before the competition. During the qualifying days at the New Forest Show I knocked time off my personal best at each run. The finals were held on the last day of the Show, when thankfully the weather had cleared and the wet poles had dried out. I gained another personal best time of 18.16 seconds in the finals and retained the World Title. I was ecstatic with the result and setting this new world record for females was a fantastic feeling.

I am determined to try to improve further on 18.16 seconds in next year’s competitions. Males naturally dominate Pole climbing but I soon hope to see this change. With more coverage and information on the sport I think other females would be interested in having a go, just as I had done. Unfortunately as with many other sports, females seem to loose out. Females need just as much time, effort, practice and determination, but the men get much bigger prize money (by a few hundred pounds) and get awards. The funding behind the sport is at present low. You can imagine how grateful I am therefore to Stihl for their sponsorship and their enthusiastic support. I hope to be able to make pole climbing a fully recognised and supported sport for females. I also am looking to opening up career opportunities for females within the tree care industry. I personally enjoy the challenge of doing a job just as well as any male arborists. I’m sure there are other females who are like-minded and can be encouraged to step into the industry. I have recently become selfemployed. I run LANTRA training courses and I am the first British female NPTC chainsaw assessor. I enjoy teaching students whether it is ground based or with ropes and harness, and like the challenge of addressing individual learning skills to help students achieve their best possible results. I also have a tree surgery business in the Bournemouth-Winchester area. I love practical tree work and it helps with my training as I relate straight from industrial practice to training.

Total Arb September 2005

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Trees on Development Sites Can we put theory into practice? Alister Rankine

This article expresses the personal views of the author

In my capacity as both a local authority Tree Officer and an independent Arboricultural Consultant, I find myself frequently on both sides of the Development Site ‘fence’. Sadly, the experience from both viewpoints can be an equally negative and frustrating experience – but why should this be the case?

ALISTER RANKINE Alister Rankine is a fully trained forester and arboriculturalist with more than thirty years’ experience. He is currently employed as a part-time Tree Officer with South Gloucestershire Council, and runs his tree and woodland management consultancy, ‘Hillside Trees’ based at Chilcompton in Somerset.

With a plethora of Standards, Guidance Notes, and Planning Conditions at our disposal, on paper at least, things are stacked heavily in favour of retention and protection of trees on development sites. However, despite the best endeavours of us professionals things are all too often a long way from achieving the ideals in the field.

How familiar, fellow arboriculturalists, is the following catalogue of disasters? …. 1. In the Beginning • Planning Applications submitted with no Tree survey (let alone one that complies with BS5837). • Plans and drawings that show existing tree canopies as regular circles, all the same size, instead of showing an accurate canopy spread. • Plans that fail to show existing and proposed ground levels. • Plans that do not show existing or proposed services runs. • Plans that do not show Tree Protection Zones. • Applications that do not provide a specification for protective fencing • No Method Statement relating to trees and tree protection prior and the proposed construction period.

2. During Construction • Failure to inform when work on site is due to start. • Failure to inform when / if protective fencing has been erected, and if it has been in accordance with agreed plans and specification. • Abuse of Tree Protection Zone in any one of the following ways: ■ Removal of Fencing ■ Storage of materials and / or machinery ■ Disposal / spillage of mixer outwash, diesel, chemicals. ■ Erection of site compound / huts (yes, it does happen!) ■ Lighting fires. ■ Trenching of services. • The canopies cut back to accommodate scaffolding or even to allow construction of buildings. • Roots severed to accommodate changes in ground level, construction of road and retaining walls. 3. Post-Construction • Threats from buyers that they will not complete a purchase until over-hanging branches are cut back • Complaints from owners once they have moved in that trees are too close, they block the light, their garden is too shady, and nothing will grow, leaves fall into their gutters and drains. • Local authorities refusing to adopt public open spaces because tree protection zones have been abused and the health and condition of the tree have been compromised. The list could go on, and we’ve heard it all before. When we get together we are all sympathetic to our colleagues’ tales of woe, and stand as one when it comes to sharing experiences of the grief and headaches, and coming up

Total Arb September 2005

Trees on Development Sites Can we put theory into practice? Let’s hear your views and ideas – and then do something about it. with all the solutions: • Involvement of architects, surveyors, and developers from the start of a development project. Having the opportunity to assess the tree-related issues and have these incorporated into the design concept. In a profit led environment constraints are viewed negatively. At present most developers consider trees to be a constraint rather than an asset – how many more units could be built if that tree wasn’t there? And yet, look at most sales literature and trees invariably feature somewhere (just think of the logo of one well known national developer!) • Local authority Tree Officers are finding it increasingly hard to be ahead of the game identifying potentially vulnerable trees on future development sites, anticipating the expedient use of Tree Preservation Orders. • As professionals we should strive to promote greater understanding of trees amongst the developer fraternity. Failure to do so will perpetuate the incipient spread of ‘tree blindness’ that blights our industry (i.e. “lets ignore the fact that there are trees on this site, and then perhaps the local authority planners and tree officers won’t notice either – just in case they object to what we want to do …”) • I consider myself to be fortunate working both for a local authority and in the private sector. I am only too aware of the prevalent ‘us and them’ culture that exists; possibly an unfortunate byproduct of our Panning system. • As professional arboriculturalists we should be working together regardless of who we are working for to achieve the best design and working practice that secures positive, and perhaps more

Total Arb September 2005

importantly, pragmatic consideration of trees on development sites. • We should be encouraging greater involvement of arboriculturalists at all stages of development projects. Local authority tree officers are invited to comment on planning applications where there are existing trees on the proposed development site. At least, for the majority of applications, as some, rather worryingly, do slip through un-noticed until a call comes from a site agent asking what he should do about the trees on the site he’s about to start work on! Or it might be a concerned local resident expressing concerns about what’s happening to the trees on the new development site opposite them…what trees?! • It is clear that many local authorities have neither the resources nor capacity to track and monitor the progress of a development project where trees are involved. All too often the tree officer fails to be informed if a scheme has been given consent, let alone when work is due to start on site. • Greater insistence on the use of Method Statements would go a long way to address this problem. We should be recommending to our clients that a Method Statement should be submitted with the Planning Application (preferably), or to meet a condition of consent (definitely). • The Method Statement should include a commitment to submit interim reports to the local authority tree officer at appropriate stages of the development – e.g. after remedial tree surgery, or after the erection of protective fencing. It is in our professional interests to build a

sound working relationship with the developer, and in particular the site agent. • Demands on tree officers are unrelenting, with the issues of trees on development sites representing only a proportion of their workload. Whilst enforcement officers are helpful allies when things go wrong, they often do not have the technical knowledge required to assess incidents, and often the active involvement of a tree officer is inevitable. • A possible solution? – deployment of a compliance officer by the local authority. This simple action could help to overcome, and indeed avoid breaches of conditions threatening the welfare of protected trees. All this will be very familiar to many readers, and we are good at coming up with solutions amongst ourselves. What, though, can we do about voicing our concerns beyond our immediate professional circles – to where it matters? This article is not intended to point the way to a panacea for all our development site ills. I hope, however, that it will stimulate discussion and dialogue across all factions, to develop a proactive strategy for an approach to resolving the issues raised here. A strategy that will, in the long term, be of benefit to us all. Perhaps, naively, I have a strongly held belief that our profession will be recognised and valued far more widely than it is at present. We know that what we do is good – we need to promote that knowledge beyond our professional comfort zone, to where it can make a difference.

Please complete and send to: Hobbers Cottage, The Street, Pulham St. Mary, Diss, Norfolk IP21 4RD

Back to Basics?

Arboriculture best practice – in action To encourage arborists to adopt best practices, TOTAL ARB –

Do we need another organisation telling us how when and why we should be trained? Well. If you develop one that had the support of the industry and in particular the employers, and it was able to provide the sort of quality training that people really wanted to take up, as opposed to the box ticking mediocrity that so blights vocational training at every level then the answer is YES!

*A fuller examination of BASE will appear in the next issue of TOTAL ARB, together with an interview with Chris Trivett and Ian Morgan

Total Arb September 2005

This is why Chris Trivett and Ian Morgan developed the concept of BASE, which stand for the British Arboricultural School of Excellence. Both experienced trainers they saw there was a need to improve the way that standards were both applied and measured. One of the means of achieving this is to set up a system of Continual Professional Development –CPDs – that are already a valued development tool in other industries. A BASE CPD programme would build on the existing skills adding and developing new skills and increasing the knowledge and understanding of particular skills. Another integral part of the BASE offer is the NVQ and the Modern Apprenticeship. Whilst it is acknowledged that these need to closely linked with employer expectations in order to give them value, the team are confident that they can produce an effective NVQ up to level 4. In fact, working with employers and learners is seen as a vital factor in the success of BASE. Another area in which BASE intends to take a lead is in the setting of the format of training. It perceives that the present system is too restrictive and leads to a dropping of standards. Trainers and assessors are not encouraged in educational best practice and this leads to a lackadaisical approach to delivery. Whether the advent of BASE ruffles any feathers we will have to see, but if it does, would that be a bad thing? It is about time there was some debate on training within the industry, and now is as good a time as any! Ultimately, BASE aims to deliver manageable and measurable training with passion and professionalism. There are few that can take exception to that. *

the new and only magazine dedicated to the arborist and tree care industry - has joined with several other companies to bring to IOG SALTEX a daily series of displays featuring climbers from The Tree Climbers Forum. New equipment and techniques have made tree surgery faster, easier and safer than ever, and the demonstrations – using a 30-foot tree and some of the best climbers in the country will help bring tree access methods, ariel rescue, lowering techniques and fall-arrest scenarios to the attention of IOG SALTEX visitors. TOTAL ARB would like to thank Civic Trees, The Terranova Group, Glendale and Greentech for all their help in the staging of these events, and the justannounced BASE (the British Arborists School of Excellence) for its involvement.

Motoring by Jeremy Underwood

Well, where to start? The boss, Ann Wright, asked me to write a few articles for her to place in this new magazine. “I need a motoring column,it’ll be easy,I only need 750/800 words” she said. “After all you’ve some thirty years experience of the motor trade - just tell it as it is!”

So, lured by the promise of exotic machinery to road test, a huge expense account and an enormous pay cheque at the end of it -(well apparently it’ll be in the post,one day!) I heard myself say “yes ok”. Of course, as always, the copy date arrived much quicker than anticipated and I realised the dreaded writers block had set in. What do I say, what can I write, what shall I ponificate on? Of course, in a complete miracle of human nature, an article complete with pictures words and common sense emerged and I was justifiably proud of it.All that was left to do was to send it via e-mail to our illustrious leader.Wrong!! I had not bargained for our old friends at BT. For those of you who know about these things the electronic era can be both a God-Send or a Curse.I fall into the latter.My computing skills have been likened to Cyril Smiths hanggliding abilities(for those not old enough ask Mum or Dad who he was).But in my own defence it really wasn’t my fault this time. It all began back in May,BT phoned the garage and said “guess what? we can now give you Broadband”Again I

found myself saying “oh yes please!”.Big mistake!! Why do I do it? Why does my mouth always beat my brain?So here we are midway in to August and still no functioning Broadband and, more importantly a very unreliable dial up connection.For some inexplicable reason BT keep cutting the line off completely. I truly didn’t realise BT employed so many ‘expert’ Broadband and computer engineers,not one of whom has managed to complete the original task of connecting Broadband. So, the last one arrived the day before copy was due. No problem, its nearly all done and then all I have to do is send it.Wrong.This engineer decides the problem - lies with our file server and its wonderful firewall.So, undeterred he turns off the file server, disconnects the machine at my desk from our small, but so far very efficient six computer network and trys to just get the dreaded Broadband working on just one machine - mine! Needless to say that didnt work, so he decides to restore my machine to an early date,oh the wonders of Windows XP.Its just so good and so easy to do these things.However,what was I doing just before he arrived,yup you guessed,finishing off my article.

Now, that in itself is not a disaster not saving the file before he did it was.No problem says I,I’ll just copy the file on to a CD, take it home and e-mail it from there.Get home somewhat frazzled after another day with no phone lines. How do you run a garage business without phones? - Even BT are a bit lost on that one! Stick cd in machine click on the right buttons, CD blank!! So hence this month you have me babbling on about a writers lot not being a happy one rather than cutting edge motoring matters. But,just so you don’t feel completely cheated, I will allow a few words of motoring wisdom.I had the opportunity to revist a couple of old favorites in the last few weeks,one of which provided me with a personal and expensive lesson. The first was the Subaru Forester, traded in by a customer. It reminded me of how well loved the old Subaru pickups were.The Forester was a bit of an ugly duckling in comparison. Subarus are loved by farmers and boy racers. The Forester is built on the same platform as the amazing Impreza, its’ rugged, reliable and in turbo form very quick.This sturdy go anywhere estate was in a market of its own when it first appeared in 1997 and it still is really. Perhaps thats why its never really sold in the numbers it perhaps should have done.As a second hand buy now they do make very good sense.Prices are very low and you get a lot of metal for your money. Its main problem has always been being a bit on the bland side.Find a turbo model preferably one of the latest XT 2002 facelifted versions, which, also has a lot more room in the

Total Arb September 2005

say enhanced by the ABS and Traction Control.

rear and a more Impreza inspired handling package. About £11000 buys a 52 plate car a huge saving on the £20000 plus list price,and it’s not so bland or lifeless as the early models.Well worth a look at. The second was an old favorite. Land Rovers Defender range has been on the go since 1983. I well remember the launch party.In the shape of the 90 it has always been the bench mark for off road vehicles to surpass.Only the electronic wizardry of the new Range Rover or the Disco 3 can really compare.Land Rover, however,in its wisdom, seem to have passed it by in the advertising stakes.Few people realise that a 90 XS Station Wagon is not only extremely well equipped,Leather trim, Air Con, ABS, Traction control,Electric Windows,Remote Central Locking,Heated Seats, Heated Windscreen and a CD player are amongst its standard fittings,but thanks to a largely unsung power boost from the TD5 engine, extremely quick.Because of its high and I must say with the bulkhead gone in these later models,very comfortable seating position, cross country progress was to say the least both fast and relaxing.If you haven’t tried one of the 2005 model Land Rovers I suggest you do.In 90 form a positive pocket rocket,with the handling to match and thats just on road.Its huge reserves of torque available in third and fourth gears makes overtaking not only superbly easy but a positive delight. All this in a proper Land Rover. Alas other commitments prevented any off roading,but I doubt its abilities are any the less for the creature comforts now included and I dare

However, my experience was soured by the major cause of most breakdowns: the nut holding the steering wheel. Having driven the petrol engined Forester around for a few days,interestingly at less miles to the gallon of petrol than the 90 averaged on diesel, 22mpg from the Forester,26mpg from the Land Rover,both vehicles were driven fairly hard.I had a definite blond moment at the fuel pump, managing to fill the Land Rover up with unleaded fuel!! You wouldn’t believe the number of customers that we have rescued from this situation over the years.Now I know how they felt. At this point its best to explain, if you get yourself in the same predicament and you realise you have done so, it is imperative that, in a modern diesel engine with a common rail injection system you do not even turn the ignition on, let alone start the engine.If the ignition is switched on you start the low pressure fuel pump up - on some this also starts the high pressure pump. This then circulates fuel around the low pressure system which in turn will damage this pump and many of the other fuel system components.Start the engine up and the high pressure pump, if not already running, and injectors will almost certainly be damaged.It won’t be covered by the vehicles warranty. Few insurance companies would entertain a claim under these circumstances and the bill could run into thousands.All this caused by a few moments lack of attention.The damaged is caused

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You have been warned! - Its such an easy mistake to make.The recovery, drain down, fuel disposal and a refill cost me £260.00.Had I have started the engine or switched the ignition on the cost would have been well over a £1000.00.Older vehicles with ordinary fuel distribution pumps can run without damage on upto a 20% mix of petrol in the diesel.Indeed, in really cold temperatures manufactures even recommend including petrol in a fill up to prevent the diesel from freezing or waxing up.In most modern common rail diesels there are fuel preheaters built in to the fuel system to heat the fuel up before it reaches the engine, thus the diesel doesn’t wax as hot fuel is being recirculated back into the fuel tank the whole time.

So take care at the pumps Happy motoring!

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Total Arb September 2005

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Arboricultural operations which cause partial or total obstruction of the Highways whether on the carriageway, footway, cycleway, verge or hard shoulder require the contractor to have sufficient knowledge of signing, lighting and guarding methods in order to minimize delays and minimize the risk of accidents, whilst maintaining a safe environment for the general public, road user and those engaged with the works.

The pack comes in two bags each containing four signs, each of the bags weigh less than 25 kilos and have been designed for ease of handling and compact storage. The kit consists of: 2 x Triangular ‘Men at work’ signs c/w information board ‘Tree cutting’. 2 x Triangular ‘Men at work’ signs c/w information board ‘End’. 2 x Triangular ‘Road narrows’ signs 2 X Circular ‘Keep left/right’ signs, white arrow on blue background. All of the signs are of the reflective type making them suitable for use in low-light conditions and poor weather. The kit will allow tree workers to position, erect and maintain the correct signs, warning and information notices, in the prescribed manner.

www.chapter-8.co.uk

SALTEX is the launch pad for a new product aimed at arboricultural contractors working in all environments where they may come into contact with the general public and are required to have warning signs displayed. Comprising of eight demountable signs complete with information boards where applicable, the pack aims to ensure Chapter 8 compliance for tree surgeons working in urban and semi urban areas.

Total Arb September 2005

Meeting Tomorrow’s Demands Today

secured against areas of property or other assets without considering whether there is any element of this property or assets which is surplus to requirements, and could therefore be sold. If, for example, there are shares, an outlying field or similar, it may prove to be more cost effective to sell that and to reinvest the sale proceeds either in reducing current debt or into new a enterprise, stock, machinery or buildings. Remember, in times when margins are being squeezed ever harder, it may be wisest to make those extra pennies really work for you. The second choice is an overdraft. These are a good and efficient way of funding a business’ short-term debt, and should be used to provide working capital. But remember they are not for making significant purchases of fixed assets, such as the much longed for replacement machine.

DUNCAN MARGETTS Duncan is a Business Consultant with many years experience as a consultant and strategic adviser for a wide range of businesses (in particular those operating in the Rural Sector).

In too many cases the subject of where the funds to continue in everyday business, or to change or grow is the last factor which is considered. This is a potentially fatal flaw for all businesses. It is not until the subject of financing has been addressed that any valuable business decisions can truly be made. So where should you look to raise the finance your business requires? There are more choices than people often consider. The first choice that you should consider is owner equity.

What is Owner Equity? Owner Equity is the value of the element of the business that belongs to the owner of the business – it is in essence the capital value of the business that can be attributed to the investment made by the owner. This is an asset which often people overlook when they are looking to raise further funds for a business. All too often people look no further than loans

Total Arb September 2005

The golden rule to remember with your overdraft is that it should be treated as a bridging facility to span a trough in your cashflow. If you are unable to clear it later during the next twelve months, or ideally a shorter period, then you have what is called a hardcore overdraft. This is the amount of overdraft debt which constantly sits on your account, and you need to look at refinancing that debt with a loan. Loans usually have an interest rate which is several percent lower than an overdraft, and will therefore cost you less in the long term. Short and medium term loans are an ideal way of funding those more expensive needs which you know will help you to earn enough money to pay back the amount borrowed over during the life of the loan. Ideally, whatever the exact use that you put these funds to, it will generate money over and above that requirement. These are usually used to finance the cost of items that will be used in the business for more than one year, for example machinery, or breeding stock. Often short-term loans are unsecured, however this raises the cost to you, as the lender will charge a higher rate of interest to reflect the higher level of risk that they are undertaking by doing so. Long-term loans and Mortgages can be used to fund your longer-term needs. Such loans are usually secured against your property and or other assets (in the case of mortgages, always against your house, buildings and/or land). This means that the risk

to the lender is lower, you will pay a lower rate of interest on your debt. You should therefore look to use these types of loans to fund the big purchases. The uses which you could put these loans to can range from land and property purchases through to refinancing your shorter term debts if you find that you are not making headway in reducing and ultimately paying them off – the lower rate of interest will result in lower, and more manageable payments. Bankers are human too and really do want to help – it is not in the interest of the bank to see any of the businesses to which they lend get into financial difficulty, or worse still to fail. However they cannot help if you keep them in the dark. Work with the bank, keeping them informed of significant changes in business strategy, potential cashflow problems, etc., well in advance of them actually taking place. You will show yourself to be a forward thinking businessperson, who has the ability to plan. This will make you a far more attractive lending proposition than some who merely appears to react by closing the gate after the horse has bolted. Additionally, you will be more likely to be able to negotiate more favourable interest rates by talking to the bank early. Telephoning your bank manager to ask for an extension on your overdraft AFTER you have written the cheque does not get you off to a good start in negotiations! Plan ahead. It is also important to remember that if you are refinancing a current debt which appears to be growing annually, there may be an underlying problem which should be addressed as a matter of urgency – selling assets or borrowing further monies may just be prolonging, or worse still adding to it. Radical changes may be needed, perhaps even changing the whole focus of the business, however unpleasant you may find it! At the end of the day the lender really does have your needs at heart, although at times you may feel otherwise. Yes, they do have to satisfy the requirements and goals of their shareholders, but they can only do so if their clients are running businesses which are as healthy as possible whilst operating within the economic parameters of their industry. If you have any queries regarding your own business please email duncan@totalarb.co.uk and he will answer as many as possible in the next issue

GreenMech Chips, and Shreds its way to success in the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2005 The Duke of Gloucester presenting the award to Tony Turner.

April 2005, Kings Coughton, Alcester, Warwickshire, UK. GreenMech were bursting with pride having been honoured with Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade 2005. This illustrious Award was presented by The Duke of Gloucester to the Founder of GreenMech Mr Tony Turner on Friday 22 April 2005 at No.1, Whitehall, London. There has been a further Award Ceremony presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire at GreenMech’s

factory in Kings Coughton, Alcester on 15 July 2005; This was for all of GreenMech’s Staff. GreenMech as Award Winners were also invited in July to Buckingham Palace to meet Her Majesty The Queen. GreenMech Ltd are the UK’s leading British designer and manufacturer of Wood Chippers, and Green Waste Shredders. Established in 1993 and with a previous 30 years of industry experience, they have built up an international reputation for

excellence in innovation, which includes the revolutionary ‘DiscBlades’ and the ‘SAFE-Trak’ all terrain tracked chipper. GreenMech now send machines to many parts of the world with approximately 40% of all production going abroad. Financial help from a Smart Award has lead to the design of the unique patented ‘Disc-Blade Technology’ and ‘SAFE-Trak System’ giving GreenMech distinct advantages over all other machines.

Timberville Ltd

We can make whatever size or style of log building you need, to your own design and specification. Sole U.K. Agents for HONKA Log Buildings. George George Smith Smith House, House, Quarry Quarry Works, Works, Dereham Dereham Road, Road, Honingham, Honingham, Norfolk Norfolk NR9 NR9 5AP 5AP Telephone Telephone 01603 01603 882205 882205 .. Fax Fax 01603 01603 882208 882208

Email: Email: timber_ville@hotmail.com timber_ville@hotmail.com .. www.timberville.co.uk www.timberville.co.uk

e c o s u l i s ltd

ecology groundwor k arbor iculture

ecosulis ltd is a growing ecological and arboricultural consultancy based in the South West. We offer a wide range of arboricultural and ecological solutions to land owners, land managers, engineers and developers. We provide a complete service from initial scoping and site survey through to project management, implementation and monitoring. Our reputation has been built up over fifteen years and we now have over twenty-five staff in three offices covering all of the UK. Ecology •

Vegetation and Habitat Surveys (Phase 1, II and NVC)

•

Protected Species Surveys (English Nature licence holders)

•

Ecological Appraisals and Impact Assessments

•

Conservation Mitigation, Enhancement & Habitat Creation

•

Ecological Management Plans

Arboriculture •

BS5837 Development Site Tree Surveys

•

Arboricultural Impact Assessments & Method Statements

•

Tree Hazard Assessments and Risk Management Strategies

•

Assessment for Potential of Trees for Roosting Bats

•

GIS/GPS Mapping

•

Project/Contract Management & Site Supervision

ecosulis ltd is currently looking to recruit suitably qualified and motivated staff for a range of positions, including Consultant Arboriculturalist, Assistant Arboricultural Surveyor, Field Ecologist and Project Manager. We offer a competitive package negotiable on experience and qualifications. If you are interested, please email your CV to the Bath office: info@ecosulis.co.uk

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Office Addresses Head Office 342 Bloomfield Road Bath BA2 2PB Claysend Barn Newton St Loe North Somerset BA2 9DE Y Beudy Buckholt Monmouth Wales NP25 5RD

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Engineering for a Greener Environment

Arboricultural Insurance David Harvey Managing Director Barry Grainger Ltd

2005 has seen yet another year of consolidation in the liability market in respect of insurers either restricting their schemes or withdrawing from the market completely. Barry Grainger Insurance Services continues to offer exclusive premiums from longstanding insurers. We are looking to specialise in Foresters who mainly deal in woodland and forests or nonresidential areas and this can include tree surgery / felling as well as coppice clearing / hedge cutting, planting, mowing etc. For clients who specialise in woodland and forestry Management but excluding tree climbing and abseiling we are able to offer rates from £275 + tax for £1 million Public Liability cover and an Employers Liability rate of £550 + tax per employee. This represents great value for money but does exclude any form of tree-climbing / abseiling although it does not restrict you from felling from base only. We are also able to offer you a quotation from £550 + tax for £1 million worth of Public Liability (£600+tax for Employers Liability) for tree surgeons who do no more than 20% of domestic work but this will exclude tree climbing and abseiling. Our rates do increase to £550 +tax for Public Liability (£1m) and £1000 + tax for Employer’s Liability should you require tree climbing and abseiling added to the above.

Obviously terms and warranties apply to the quotations given but as you can see, we are searching for the true Forester/Woodland Manager and believe our rates reflect this. We understand firms may indulge in private work from time to time and as long as this becomes no more than 20% of your annual turnover we are able to provide extremely competitive quotations on this basis too. We have several insurers that we use on a panel to provide quotations; all the insurers are specialists in this field and are able to provide various quotations for variations of this type of insurance. So should you require continuity in a difficult market I would advise you to contact us as for a free quotation on 01892 542736 and ask for the Commercial Department.

Arblite Technical Wear probably the lightest chainsaw safety clothing in the world First public airing at South West Woodland Show, Exeter Racecourse, September 16th 2005 Severnside Safety Supplies Limited of Cheltenham (www.sevsafe.co.uk) will be showing their new exclusive arblite Technical Wear protective clothing for chainsaw users. Final details not yet available but range will include Design C All round protection trousers) to EN 381 which weigh around 1250 grams. This compares with, e.g., SIP trousers at over 1950. Also included is a design A bib and brace the weight of which is, similarly about two thirds of that of Severnsides’s current Fristads model.

For future issues we have set up a panel of four insurance experts to answer your insurance queries. Write in or email insurance@totalarb.co.uk and we will publish as many questions and answers as we can in the next edition.

Similar weight loss is seen with the protective jacket even though this conforms to EN 381 Class 1 rather than the Class 0 rating of other jackets on the market. Design A trousers are also included in the range. Arblite Technical wear uses a combination of proven traditional materials and new technical products such as Kevlar and Teflon to give outstanding levels of protection, comfort and wearability as confirmed by early wearer trials.

Total Arb September 2005

Free Estimates Call Free

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Tree work Specified By Qualified Consultants, Local Trader For Over 20 Years

Practical Instructors And Assessors With All Work Undertaken By Experienced And Certified Arborists

Mobile 07 734 03 02 96 Hillside Farm, Rushmore Hill, Knockholt, Kent TN14

Industry first General Grabber AT2 now available in 255/55 HR18 4Site 4x4 Tyre Centres launched the highly successful General Grabber AT2 4x4 tyre back in 2004. The AT2 is fast becoming recognized, as a real technological breakthrough for 4x4 owners requiring un-compromised road performance yet maintaining superb off-road ability. The Grabber AT2 has already redefined the way that many predominantly on-road 4x4 users think about their vehicles. This is because the AT2 has all the features and benefits of a tyre that is capable of taking 4x4 vehicles across rough terrain, yet it also actually adds value to many drivers on-road motoring, which is where most 4x4 owners spend the majority of their time behind the wheel. The design of the AT2 was extensively tested and researched before being finalized. It has been made to perform admirably and quietly on the road (reflecting its unique 130mph speed rating), ensure that drivers have the confidence to tackle even the most extreme terrain, and finally, to enhance the styling and visual appeal of today’s modern 4x4 vehicles. Due to the nature of such a tyre, 4x4 owners running AT2’s benefit massively from improved tread-life over pure road-biased tyres as well as unbeatable resistance against damage and punctures. This 20

makes the AT2 a financially sound purchase for anyone wanting to maximize their personal ‘pence per mile’ ratio. In size 255/55 HR18, the AT2 will fit the • BMW X5, • P38 Range Rover, • Discovery II, • Range Rover Sport, • Porsche Cayenne and • VW Touareg as a direct replacement to the original equipment tyre. At last, owners of these 4x4’s can exploit the full off-road potential of their vehicle.

You can call the technical help line on 0870 9009 444 in order to discuss your 4x4 wheel and tyre requirements and to obtain details of your nearest 4Site 4x4 Tyre Centre.

The AT2 is the only new all-terrain tyre available in this important UK size. The range is being continually developed to bring out new fitments for modern 4x4 vehicles that run on large wheel rims, so watch this space. Total Arb September 2005

Alternative winch line outperforms steel rope Marlow Ropes Ltd based in Hailsham, East Sussex has more than a century or so of manufacturing history. The company is already known within the arboricultural industry for its high quality products, which are supplied to arborists across the country as either reels or cut lengths. However, the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest synthetic rope Dynaline is not a climbing rope but a replacement for the more traditional steel winch lines. Dynaline offers users a number of significant benefits over wire. It does not kink, it floats. It is easy to splice and it will not lose strength when overlapped on the winch drum. For the arborist who needs to winch plant onto trailers, tree trunks or machinery across soft ground or get their vehicle unstuck Dynaline offers a couple of additional benefits too. Firstly, it is six times lighter than wire, which makes it far easier to manhandle a lot of rope over the ground. Secondly, it is seventy per cent stronger than wire and does not

Sizes / Breaks / Weights Diameter

Spliced Break Load

Rope Break Load

Weight

7/32

3200

7055

3520

7760

1.78

1.19

5/16

6480

14286

7128

15714

3.31

2.22

3/8

7810

17218

8591

18940

4.07

2.73

13/32

9851

21718

10836

23889

5.08

3.41

7/16

11970

26389

13167

29028

6.10

4.09

1/2

13690

30181

15059

33199

7.12

4.78

(mm)

(inches)

(kg)

(lbs)

produce wire splinters. The product has been specifically designed to replace wire rope and is of a 12 strand construction coated with Armourcoat, which improves abrasion resistance and helps to prevent ingress of dirt and grit. Good resistance to Alkalies and Acids make make it suitable for general winching in most everyday situations.

(kg)

(lbs)

(kg/100m) (lbs/100ft)

Dynaline is available in standard reels of 100 and 200 metres as well as spliced cut lengths of 25, 30, and 40 metres. See table below for diameters and break loads. More information: www.marlow-ropes.com or tel: 01323 847234

Sherrill equipment now available at B-Trac! The full range of competitively priced arborist equipment is now available from sole UK and Ireland distributor for Vermeer products, B-Trac Equipment. The range includes knives, ropes, bags, clothing, climbing equipment and much more. Sherrill enjoys a long standing reputation for quality and value for money and B-Trac are proud to be supplying the Sherrill range to customers via their Wellingborough depot in Northamptonshire.

To request a free catalogue contact B-Trac Equipment on 01933 274400.

Total Arb September 2005

The futures bright... the futures...yellow! In order to comply with the 2003 EU directive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, national targets were set for member states to include renewable fuels as part of an integrated transport strategy to counter the threat of ‘global warming’. Guess who’s bottom of the table? The EU reference figure for renewable inclusion, has been set at 2% for 2005, rising to 5.75% by 2010. It is some how not surprising that the United Kingdom is languishing at the bottom of the table with a pathetic 0.3% inclusion figure predicted for 2005. Most of the bio-diesel that is produced in the country is either from waste cooking oil or imported vegetable oils. The UK produces virtually no bioethanol at all, despite copious amounts of the raw materials potentially available from existing and new sources. The knowledge concerning the manufacture of biofuels has been around for years. Brazil, for example, produces vast quantities of bioethanol as a petrol replacer from sugar cane. In Europe, France, Spain and Germany all make bio ethanol from wheat and sugar beet, Whilst sugar cane is not a viable crop in the northern hemisphere sugar beet, is and wheat has been over produced for years. There is no real obstacle to ‘growing fuel’ in the UK, except that there is not a single manufacturing plant to process the abundance of raw material that could be produced. Its not that there is a lack of will with the farming community. Farmers all over the country are keen to grow crops suitable for biofuel. Indeed, the biofuel industry offers a completely new income stream, one that has not been available -until now.

Total Arb September 2005

The news that a rapeseed derived biodiesel, (the yellow of the title), will be going on sale at garage forecourts across the UK is welcome if somewhat overdue. Up until now, drivers wishing to use an environmentally friendly diesel have had limited options. The fuel, which is being marketed as GlobalDiesel will be available at 150 Gulf service stations, starting from May. Manufactured by Greenergy, who have more that 10 years experience of biofuel manufacture, the new fuel is a blend of 5% biodiesel and 95% ultra low sulphur diesel. The company claims that users of the product will reduce their greenhouse gas output by a guaranteed 5% and can reduce particulate emissions by up to 20%. GlobalDiesel can be used in any diesel engine, without any engine modifications. Environmental benefits are achieved immediately the fuel is used and mixing with standard pump diesel will cause no problems. Engine warranties are unaffected as the fuel meets the British Diesel Standard BS EN5920 - as required by the engine manufacturers. I’ll be using GlobalDiesel for the next few months, which will take in some varied conditions; including offroad work some significant motorway miles and general around town trips. I’ll let you know how I get on. One of the most interesting things that has become apparent about biofuel and in particular bioethanol, is the fact that it can be produced from forestry waste and presumably the various waste arising from tree surgery and general groundscare operations. So why is it not happening? The answer is a lack of confidence on

the part of investors in the long term market. In order to give the whole market a kick start, the government needs to make a firm commitment to a renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO). This would require that a fixed percentage of road transport fuel comes from wholly renewable sources, including forestry. Committing to an RTFO would give investors the confidence in the long term market, and they need to have this as the cost of a plant producing 50,000 tonnes of bioethanol would be in excess of 50 million pounds. Which brings me to........The Forestry Commission. The state funded dinosaur that happily lost more that £350,000,000 of taxpayers’ money in its last reported financial year. No organisation in Britain whether private or public is better placed to take advantage of the embryonic biofuel revolution. It has at its disposal men and machinery, raw materials a seemingly bottomless pit of funding, and numerous potential plant locations across the country. A visit to the FC website does not look promising! The home page list various events and initiatives, inevitably most seem to be concerned with toddler trails, hog roasts and woodpecker watches, Deeper searching on the site does bring some substantial information about bio energy though. In fact a wealth of information is available including a fascinating paper concerning; ‘Carbon and energy balances for a range of biofuel options.’ This, at 341 pages long, makes for a challenging read; especially on the computer screen, but no less interesting for that. It is evident that the FC has a huge pool of

The futures bright... the futures... yellow!

Treeworks launches on Deeside

knowledge and skill in this area at its disposal. It does beg the question as to why they have not seized the opportunity. You would think that any initiative that turned the hundreds of thousands of acres of trees currently bleeding value into profit generators would we welcomed. You could be forgiven for thinking that DEFRA was pushing the biofuel concept with the FC at the heart of it. They aren’t. I returned just 2 results from 2695 documents available on the keyword search ‘biofuel’. Questions should be asked of the relevant bodies and of individual MPs. Biofuels are a real opportunity to build up UK forestry instead of watching it whither away. A massive increase in the use of biofuels for road transport would stimulate the markets for all other biomass energy production, from gassification to wood chip burners, from log burners to combined heat power installations, in the process making them and the production cycle publicly acceptable.

Father and son Allen and Chris Brereton have launched Treeworks Limited to meet the wide ranging needs of arborists across North Wales and the surrounding areas. Based at Deeside on the Express Way Business Park they have converted a 3000 square foot unit to provide capital plant hire and sales, servicing and a walk in retail area for arb equipment and small tools.

Farming is welcoming the prospect of growing oilseed rape for biodiesel production, and is making the required changes to maximise the opportunities. It is seen as new and profitable income generator for an industry beset by particularly difficult times in the last few years. UK forestry in all its forms should. without delay, pursue a similar strategy. It would nice to think that in a few years we could say; that the futures bright, the futures forestry!

Jensen Chippers, Ranger Platforms and Affordable Logsplitters have appointed Treeworks as exclusive regional distributors, and the business will stock and service the complete range of Stihl equipment. Treeworks will also carry a wide range of goods from other nationally recognised manufacturers. Says Allen “We are in the middle of a major geographic area for the arboriculture industry which has been under served in the past. Treeworks aims to fill all the gaps and deliver a professional service to individual operators and national companies alike”. And this support will extend beyond hire, sales and servicing into training. Accredited programmes will be delivered by Treeworks Training Manager, Tony Hughes, a long standing registered

instructor & assessor of arboricultural and forestry skills. Allen Brereton is a successful industrialist who has been drawn into arboriculture by son Chris who graduated from Newton Rigg in 1999. Says Chris “I’ve spent the last two years researching the potential for Treeworks and Allen’s support in developing the strategy and bringing the business to life has been invaluable”. Treeworks is launching with an open day at Reaseheath College in Nantwich on September 30th starting at 10.00 am. Treeworks Service and Fleet Hire Manager Mark Davies has arranged for Jensen and Ranger to do all day demonstrations and for a display of other arb equipment and small tools. Reaseheath College section manager for Arboriculture, Agriculture, Equine and Countryside management is Steve Roach. He says, “We wish Treeworks every success with filling a big gap in the market and are delighted to host their launch event, which will also enable visitors to explore all the facilities on offer at the college”.

More information: www.forestry.gov.uk www.defra.gov.uk www.greenergy.com www.biofuels.fsnet.co.uk www.biodiesel.co.uk

Total Arb September 2005

ALGARVE INSURANCE BROKERS Stand D3 at Saltex

Professional solutions to all your Forestry and Arboricultural Insurance needs Cover Available for: Cover Available for:

• Public/Products Liability • Public/Products Liability • Employers Liability • Employers Liability • Professional Indemnity • Professional Indemnity • Tools & Equipment • Tools & Equipment • Personal Accident • Personal Accident • Harvesting & Forwarding Machines • Harvesting & Forwarding Machines Tel: 01483 489291 Tel: 01483 489291 Fax: 01483 797301 Fax: 01483 797301 Email: enquires@algarve-ins.co.uk Email: enquires@algarve-ins.co.uk 14a High Street, Knaphill, Woking, Surrey GU21 2PE Algarve is a trading style of Lycett, Brown-Swinburne & Douglass Ltd (Reg. No. 706042) Lycett, Brown-Swinburne & Douglass Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Services Authority

WOODLINE LOGSPLITTERS

Affordable Log Splitters We offer a wide selection of wood processing equipment ranging from the full range of rosselli and metal plasma table saws which offer strong robust build with the flexibility of drive motor from electric

Affordable Log splitters and Plant Hire Ltd are already a very well known and established company who specialise in the forestry and arborist trade. Affordable Log Splitters also offer the full range of equipment from the well known and established Pezzolato company;

and petrol to pto units available. The log splitter range is covered by our woodline range of machinery starting at 6 tonne capacity in vertical electric drive and offers a full range of domestic, semi professional and professional splitters up to 35 tonne in capacity in both vertical and

A chippers ranging from the 4 inch pz100 model to the 12 inch h980 models are available in towable unit and tracked units and powered by petrol, diesel and pto. A Drum chippers for central heating systems from the pth480 14 inch to the vehicle-mounted pth900/1400m with a drum dia of 39 inches capable of producing 180 metric cube/hour. A Green waste hammer shredders with a production of 120 cube metres per hour.

horizontal options with the option of trailer mounted splitters in both petrol and diesel form that are able to hydraulic from a horizontal position through to a vertical position and can also be used at two angle settings. Affordable log splitters ltd are available to offer sound advice on sizing machinery

A Drum screening machinery and windrow turners are also available in a selection of power units. The Pezzolato range of log processors start from the tl750 with a log diameter of 10 inch, cut size of between 8 and 19 inch splitting two or four ways with a cycle time of 6 seconds with log conveyo. The tla140 offers huge firewood production capabilities of approx 100 tonnes of firewood in eight hours through 2x8 way splitters.

To complement this process Pezzolato manufacture a range of log evacuation units to transfer wood easily from the process machinery to the stocking pile. Pezzolato also offer a large range of fixed and mobile sawmills cutting with either band saw or circular blades again with different modes of power. Log splitters are also covered with a huge range of machinery available for domestic use through to professional mobile splitters powered by either tractor pto electric or petrol engine. This range is also available in 30, 40 or 50 tonne splitting force with interchangeable heads for 6 or 8fold splitting. The units also offer the capability of processing wood in 2 metre lengths with the option of log lift to splitting bed. Affordable Log Splitters and Plant Hire offer a service back up on all machinery with a warranty programme in place that leaves short downtime on machinery supplied. The new year will also bring a new member of staff who will be available for site visits and demo of machinery.

for your needs, experience which comes from running an established arborist and logging business.

Total Arb September 2005

Affordable Logsplitters can be contacted through our website www.logsplittersuk.co.uk or by free phone 0800 0151078 where a member of staff will be able to help on all your requirements.

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Unit 1 - Uplandside - Manor Road - Clopton - Woodbridge IP13 6SH http://wooders4x4.com email: parts@wooders4x4.com

Morbark Inc chooses Multi-Tip Founded in 1957, Morbark Inc. based in Michigan USA, has grown to become the world’s largest manufacturer of Forestry and Recycling equipment. In the tree-care sector, although less well known in the UK, they have long been worldwide market leaders for the supply of wood chippers, but until now, have not manufactured tree stump grinders.

In 2004 Morbark decided to change that and embarked upon a course to develop, manufacture and distribute worldwide a brand new range of stump grinders. Naturally they wanted the best. Even with their huge market leverage, they still needed to come up with an innovative and market beating range of equipment. From an early stage they analysed the key features and requirements of this type of machine and invited suppliers, under strict confidentiality, to join their internal project team and partner with them in delivering their imaginative designs. The result has been the successful launch in May 2005 of the first two models, now in full production, with new models to follow shortly. These models are the G52SP (27hp petrol, 52” swing) and the D52SP (34hp diesel). Clearly, the whole purpose of a stump grinder is to grind stumps and therefore the single most important element to the user is the cutting system. Recognising this and after comprehensive market

research, Morbark invited MULTITIP exclusively to partner with them and to design a version of their unique and highly innovative system for the new Morbark machines. After extensive beta testing of the result, Mick Gifford, Morbark’s stump grinder project manager confidently said “MULTI-TIP is without doubt, the best cutting system in the world.” Prior to MULTI-TIP, the science behind cutting tree stumps was much under-developed. Many of the early systems were simply adaptations of coal mining equipment and the fundamental approach that this led to has remained unchanged until design engineer Patrick Watts of MULTITIP, an experienced stump grinder himself, decided to redesign the whole approach from scratch. Stump grinders work laterally, not vertically (except where “plunging” is the only way). Wood is not “cut” but rather shaved and chipped; the forces involved would otherwise be too great. These observations lead to requiring tungsten cutting tips

Total Arb September 2005

mounted on a spinning disk, facing both downwards and sideways, set at different depths from the centre. These tips invariably wear, requiring frequent changing.

After much research and development, generously supported by a UK government innovation grant, Patrick developed and patented MULTI-TIP.

The traditional approach relies on taking a round wheel and clamping cutting teeth to it. The clamps are heavy and are bolted to the wheel using high-tension bolts – which require specialist tooling to change. The considerable forces created in stump grinding are then dispersed through the clamps and bolts, resulting in lateral and twisting dynamics as the wheel spins, exaggerated if the balance is even slightly out. There are three key problems with this approach:

MULTI-TIP uses a perfectly balanced, yet irregular shaped polygon as the wheel, into which four-tip teeth are slotted, held in by a “keeper” block and a single selflocking bolt. The bolt itself is screwed into a replaceable nut.

Each tooth has four tips, optimising performance, and there is only one tooth design – making it impossible to fit incorrectly. This design allows four tips to be changed in about 30 seconds, requiring no special tools and leaving the wheel perfectly balanced each time. The wheel can be fitted to virtually any stump grinder (MULTI-TIP have now got over 40 designs for Morbark, Predator, Rayco, Carlton, Vermeer, Bandit, Dosko, Greenmech, and others).

It takes 10-15 minutes to change a pair of worn or broken teeth, which a busy user might have to do several times a day, requiring special tools.

2. The wheel and its bearing suffer from excessive vibration, reducing their working life. 3. The running and lifetime ownership costs are high. Although many imaginative variations on this approach have emerged over the years, the basic principle has remained – teeth clamped to the face of a circular disk. Patrick Watt’s innovation was to realise that if the cutting teeth were slotted into the wheel, then the forces would be centralised and, more importantly, taken up by the wheel. This would leave him free to design an optimum tooth configuration, held to the wheel by a single, low tension and fast change bolt system. Total Arb September 2005

The wheel shape ensures that opposite pairs of teeth are set at different distances from the centre, providing the sideways cutting depth. The shape also clears debris more efficiently.

Each wheel is uniquely designed to optimise cutting performance for the individual machine. This means that the power, rotational speed and maximum diameter of each machine are considered and then such factors as the teeth spacing around the wheel, the distance from the centre and the tip pitch are all optimised for that individual machine. Thus, by working with Morbark from the outset, MULTI-TIP were

able to advise them of the best combination of factors to ensure optimum cutting performance. MULTI-TIP have agreed a deal with Morbark whereby they will manufacture the MULTI-TIP wheels for use on their own machines and their extensive dealer network will supply teeth and wheels for other manufacturers machines. Despite the many other unique and innovative features of the new Morbark machines, their use of the MULTI-TIP system will clearly be an important factor in making their machines a cut above the rest! Further contacts: MULTI-TIP – David Saul, 0118-940-1739, david@MULTI-TIP.com Morbark inc +1 989-866-2381, inquire@morbark.com

Peterborough Grass Machinery Ltd. 19 & 23 Ivatt Way, Westwood, Peterborough PE3 7PG Telephone: 01733 268168 www.pgmarb.co.uk Suppliers & stockists of specialist equipment for the arboricultural trade. Sole Arbessential dealer in Cambridgeshire.

Main dealers

Trees & Bats by Neil Redgate of NDR Environmental Services

All tree work must consider the legislation protecting bats There are 17 species of bats resident in Great Britain & Ireland and they contribute towards 30% of the UK mammal biodiversity. The smallest bat, the Pipistrelle, measures 4cm in body length and can fit inside a small matchbox. This is only half the size of the largest bat, the Greater Mouseeared bat. Their small size and general nocturnal activity make them very little understood and observed by people in their everyday activity. This should not detract from the important ecological role they play through feeding on insects, many of which could be regarded as pests to trees and humans, to indicators of a healthy environment. Bats use trees all year round, although the periods when they are particularly vulnerable are winter and summer. This is when they will either be hibernating or raising their young. All bats use trees depending on the species of bat, particular stages of their life cycle and the particular season. A tree may hold • a maternity roost of breeding females • bachelor roosts of male(s) • male harems • hibernation roosts during the winter

The foliage/canopy of a tree will support (or provide shelter for) a range of potential prey and so the tree is used as a foraging area. This can be at important stages in the life cycle (such as an early source of food to help replenish body weight lost during hibernation). Trees can also be used as navigational aids to allow bats to move between different areas. Pipistrelle males are known to use up to 30 different roosts in one year, all of which are important to the bat’s survival. The loss of these individual roosts may, at particular times of the year, be critical as there may not be any alternatives. Bats are very much creatures of habit, and will return to the same roost year after year. They may choose to roost in cracks where large branches have broken, inside cracks or crevices, in woodpecker holes and behind loose bark, in cavities and splits, under dense ivy cover and possibly even amongst the roots (of older trees). Some of our rarest bats, such Barabastelle and Bechstein’s roost in trees, which means that it is even more important for tree workers to consider the potential presence of bats before beginning any work. The loss of natural roost sites and feeding habitats has led to a decline in bat numbers.

Consequently, bats and their roosts are now very well-protected by British and European legislation. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, provides protection for all bats and their roosts, whether the bats are present or not. Another important legislation is the The Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994 (as amended), which states that it is an offence to damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of any bat, or to deliberately capture, kill or disturb a bat or to lower the ecological status of the populations affected. Two recent important legislative acts – the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (England & Wales) and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act, 2004 – have added greater protection by introducing the term “reckless” to the list of offences and reinforces the penalty category of level 5. If convicted, the courts can impose a potential fine of £5,000 per animal, possible forfeiture of equipment used to perpetrate the crime and/or a custodial sentence. In a recent court case in 2005, a local authority was fined £1,750 for failing to carry out a bat survey before tree works which resulted in the loss of a maternity roost. Protected species legislation can conflict with human health and

Total Arb September 2005

For further information, please contact Neil Redgate, NDR (Environmental Services) Ltd (see advert). Alternatively contact Bat Conservation Trust (Bat Helpline on 0845 1300 228 or visit www.bats.org.uk.) or your local SNCO office.

safety legislation, although compromises are sometimes achievable. If you believe that bats are present, you should contact the local Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation (such as English Nature, Countryside Council for Wales or Scottish Natural Heritage) and follow their advice. In certain cases where bat roosts are to be disturbed, as there are no alternatives, a detailed survey will be required to apply for an European Protected Species licence, which is issued by DEFRA (England & Wales) or SEERAD (Scotland).

Total Arb September 2005

It is very important that wherever there is management of trees, bats have to be considered. Therefore, all arborists will need to ensure that a bat survey has been undertaken of the tree(s)/wood as part of the management or felling plan. If no such survey has been undertaken, insist on such a survey by a competent person (i.e. member of Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management with bat experience) and be aware that a survey may well have to be undertaken at different seasons

throughout a full calendar year. In all cases, bat conservation is most successful if considered as part of the planning process, rather than trying to save roosts when work has already been approved. Talking at an early stage to those involved can often save a bat roost, or at least minimise the damaging effect by influencing the management plans for woodlands and open space, planning policies in development plans, and planning permissions of individual developments.

Wykin Shires

Est.1968

Hinckley Leicestershire • Horse Logging • Exhibition Ploughing • State Landau for Weddings • Rural Horsebus Tours

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Narrow Access Stump Grinders Danequip UK Ltd Unit 2 Inverallen Yd Main Road Kingsley Bordon Hants GU35 9LW Tel 01420 476248

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The History of Axe racing and Lumberjack Sports: A Sport is born Wood chopping as a sport has its origins as far back the 1800’s in the forests of Australia. The forestry camps that sprang up had their own tough culture of competition and contests started up quite naturally, fuelling the need to show off personal skills with axe and saw and the urge to bet and drink. The competition circuit was born with axemen and sawyers indulging in side betting, cheating and hustling and as competition days dragged on, alcohol contributed to unsportsman like behavior from competitors, judges, spectators and bookies alike. These early competitions often ended in spectacular brawls! The first recorded competition took place at the Sprent Hotel in Ulverstone, Tasmania in 1870. The result of a bet of £25 between Joseph Smith, a local Vet and Jack Briggs from Warrugul, Victoria. The block of wood to be cut was a three foot diameter standing block, (a big piece of wood as today most standing blocks are between 12” and 13”). The standing block is the vertical piece of wood that has to cut through as quickly as possible. Smith won after 30 minutes of chopping, his block hitting the ground just as Briggs log was about to fall. However in the true spirit of wood chopping at the time, there was a difference of opinion and a free-for-all fight developed. Fortunately we have come along way since these unruly days. The first set of rules came into force in 1883, instigated by a Captain J.A.Saunders. By 1891 the competition circuit was thriving, with highly skilled axemen battling it out in fierce competition. At a two-day show in Latrobe Tasmania prize money totaling £500 was on

Total Arb September 2005

offer, a very considerable sum of money at the time. This date is also important for three other reasons. Firstly it saw the formation of the Australian Axemen’s Association, secondly, the association became the governing body of the sport, setting the rules and introducing handicapping, different divisions and a system of heats, semi-finals and finals. Of course it included the ‘how to’ guide of being disqualified! Thirdly, the New Zealand Bush Craft Union was formed and the first World Championships where held.

Lumberjack sports in the UK During the Second World War at the request of the War Office, Australia, New Zealand and Canada provided the UK with forestry workers. Working all over England and Scotland their total production of sawn timber in just three years was almost 71,000 cubic metres. This was no mean feat considering that it was all felled by hand! In their leisure time it was inevitable that competition would start between the respective units, and the UK had its first taste of timber sports. However, it would be another twenty-one years before it would be a public spectacle and a common sight at show grounds. In 1966 a team of Australian axemen toured the British Isles. After this a number of likeminded individuals gathered together and started putting on demonstrations and competitions. By 1976 there were enough competitors for a governing body to be formed. This was known as the British Axemen’s Association. The BAA promoted timber sports in the UK until the formation of the British Lumberjack Sports Association in 2002.

Absorbing the old BAA the BLSA it has become the UK governing body. The sport has gathered momentum with more competitions and demonstration appearances than ever before. Exposure from the media has contributed to the sport reaching a much wider audience. The APF show in 2004 incorporated European competition for the first time and was held to be a great success. In the past few year’s timber sports have become a highly disciplined sport with chopping and sawing times getting faster and records being broken on a regular basis. Today, the main players on the wood chopping circuit are still the Australians and New Zealanders, closely followed by the Americans. In Europe it is a new and growing sport with many young, upcoming axemen and sawyers developing fast. The current European individual champion is Martin Komarek from Czechoslovakia and the European team champions are from the UK. With a strong competitive base in Holland, Germany, France, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Austria and Denmark the future is looking bright for lumberjack sports. Long may it continue! The last opportunity to watch axe in 2005 will be at the English Chainsaw Carving Championships to be held in Sandringham 16th, 17th and 18th September. This will be a three day competition ending with the British Championship underhand and standing block finals. For more information or to contact the BLSA please visit our website at www.britishlumberjack.co.uk

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Unobtrusive products which offer higher light transmission, more balanced growth and a ` of the clear view growing plants. Made using recycled HDPE and offered in Standard, High Exposure, Recyclable and Ventilated versions, all in a wide range of sizes.

Acorn Planting Products Ltd. Little Money Road, Loddon, Norwich, NR14 6JD Tel: (01508) 528763 or Fax: (01508) 528775 E-mail: sales@acorn-p-p.co.uk Internet: www.acorn-p-p.co.uk

To advertise in Total Arb Magazine or to discuss editorial please telephone Ann Wright 01379 608528

on ph ele x t w a ne d f rs te an mbe o N nu

Tel: 01506 400772 Fax: 01506 400 771

ArborEcology - Environmental Arboriculture Training in Environmental Arboriculture:

Ancient and Veteran Tree Management:

In this fast moving modern world training is essential if individuals, businesses and organisations are to keep up to date with current research and knowledge. ArborEcology as a company is committed to continued professional development (CPD) and now offers a range of site based, one day, training modules, designed as stand alone units for those requiring knowledge of a specific topic, or combined in situations where a broader understanding is needed. We are also working with LANTRA* in the development of courses like the new bats and trees awareness days organised by BCT and the Arboricultural Association.

The range of ancient and veteran tree management techniques including:

Treework operations whether associated with development work, engineering projects, woodland operations, parks and gardens or street trees, will have an influence on the ecology of an area. This may occur through the loss of a specialist food source or foraging area, nest and roost sites or sheltered flight corridors used for navigation. Land owners, consultants, contract managers and supervisors need to be aware of and understand these impacts and how to mitigate for them. ArborEcology can help fill the knowledge gap by providing dedicated technical and practical training designed specifically to cater to your needs, whether your organisation is responsible for specifying ecologically sensitive contracts or you manage a team of contractors asked to undertake the work, we can help.

Protected Species: In an age where technological advancements extend the influence of human existence further and further, at an ever increasing rate, our impact on the slower moving natural world can have a devastating impact. In an effort to reduce reckless damage and destruction legislation in Europe and the UK has been developed to safeguard threatened and endangered species of flora and fauna. Many such species are now listed within Acts and Regulations (in the UK) to protect them from harm and designate their habitat. It is therefore essential that management proposals incorporate greater consideration to the ecological impact of human activities. Even where such proposals are written specifically to conserve a habitat for a specific species, it is important to also understand the impact on other species using the area. Wherever possible an ecosystem based approach should be encouraged.

Contracting In Environmental Arboriculture: Due to the success of ArborEcology - Arboricultural & Ecological, Research and Consultancy, offering practical advice on the management, restoration, creation and repair of arboreal ecosystems, clients have requested that ArborEcology also oversee the contract work recommended. In some cases where specialist knowledge is required or where new techniques are being considered they have asked that ArborEcology provide the necessary expertise, or organise appropriate training for other contractors.

• Retrenchment pruning incorporating phasedreduction of the tree to alleviate any structural instabilitiesand stimulate the process of retrenchment; • Veteranisation techniques using destructive pruning to create new veteran features or enhance existing ones, with the associated biological and aesthetical benefits, these methods may also be used to bridge habitat gaps; • Pollarding of younger trees to improve the continuity in the pollards already existing, maintaining the sustainability of habitat for co-evolutionary species; • Restoration pruning of old redundant or lapsed pollards to reduce unpredictable structural failure eventually stabilising the tree close to the original pollard form, ensuring the continuity of habitat opportunities; • Natural fracture pruning techniques including coronet cuts often used in conjunction with the above specialist pruning methods to give a more natural aesthetic to reduced trees in a wild context and attempt to produce new growth stimulated by the exposure of a larger surface area of cambium.

Decaying Wood Habitat Construction: ArborEcology as a company is pioneering the commercial use or decaying wood timber resurrection, includes storm damaged trees or trees requiring felling due to large civil engineering projects such as road schemes. Often the timber used contains features with good potential to provide habitat for bats and other arboreal species, but additional features are also created to enhance the diversity offered. The creation of decaying wood habitats such as resurrected trunks, aerial features and a diversity of log piles can be used to enhance existing sites or as part of a new scheme in the buffer zone around the edge, or to add a new feature to the landscape mosaic. Resurrected timber features can also be incorporated within landscape corridors to enhance the connectivity of the broader landscape for a greater diversity of organisms, while also offering transient, roosting and nesting, habitats for mobile species such as small terrestrial mammals, birds and bats.

Andrew Cowan N.D.Arb.Tech.Cert.(Arbor.A) 2005

ArborEcology recognise the need for experienced, professionally trained operatives who can undertake these specialised contracts that often include work on niche habitats that require very careful consideration.

The Brown Long-eared Bat (Plecotus auritus) is an arboreal species that also makes regular use of man made structures and has been found roosting in old mines, tunnels, barns and residential houses. Photograph John Altingham

Call Local Rate for a National Service 0845-658-1400 or log onto www.arborecology.co.uk

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Arb and Narrow Access plant hire

See us at Saltex Stand A30

LISTON EQUIPMENT LTD Unit 30 , The Old Brickworks Plumpton Green Lewes East Sussex BN7 3DF Tel; +44(0)1273 891890 Fax; +44(0)1273 891892 email; info@listonequipment.co.uk

Green teeth for your stump grinder that will increase • Teeth productivity and lower

•

operating costs Change green teeth in under 30 seconds easy as A.B.C.