Pro Arb August 2016

AUGUST 2016

AN INTERVIEW WITH

ALASTAIR DURKIN

TANDRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL

BUYER’S GUIDE STUMP GRINDERS

URBAN TREE MANAGEMENT WITH ANDREAS ROLOFF

TREE WORK IN SCHOOLS OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

APF 2016 SHOW PREVIEW

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CONTENTS

PRO ARB MAGAZINE August 2016 | Volume 3 | Issue 8

Welcome 04 AGENDA

Has the National Living Wage affected arb businesses?

06 NEWS

A roundup of industry news

Business 11

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Alastair Durkin, senior tree officer at Tandridge District Council, talks his involvement with the AA

15

TOOLS FOR CONSULTANTS

Jonathan Hazell explains the tools of the consultancy trade

16

PESTS AND DISEASES

19

ARB ASSISTANT

Bartlett Tree Experts warns of the threat to cedars from Sirococcus The new software designed to help arborists run their businesses

20 SOCIAL MEDIA

Ross Hewitt advises on content planning with social media

21

COMMUNICATION

23

URBAN TREE MANAGEMENT

How you communication can affect your business, says Adam Corrie

Andreas Roloff on the importance of how we manage our urban trees

28 TREE CARE IN SCHOOLS

Phil Hyatt of Glendale explains how to overcome the challenges associated with tree work in schools

Kit 32

35

38

TREES IN DEVELOPMENTS Pro Arb speaks to Thomas Steven about guidelines for trees in urban redevelopments

APF

The biennial show returns in September.

Pro Arb takes a look at the 2016 line-up

GO SEE AT APF

44 WHICH WOULD YOU BUY? Stump grinders

46 LATEST KIT: ROPES 49 BOOK REVIEW

Pro Arb reviews Tree Morphogenesis

Regulars 50 CAREERS 51

ANCIENT TREE COLUMN WWW.PROARBMAGAZINE.COM

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W

WELCOME

elcome to the August issue of Pro Arb. The biennial APF exhibition is almost upon us. Pro Arb will be there in force, so it would be great to meet you. Come along to our stand see how working with Pro Arb can be beneficial to you and your company.

We’ve got a bumper issue for you this month.

It’s our biggest issue of the year so far, and is packed full of great content. We’ve interviewed Alastair urkin, senior tree o cer for Tandridge District Council, about his work with the Arb Association, his consultancy business and what he thinks about the industry as a whole.

As well as our regular contributions from Jonathan Hazell and Bartlett Tree Experts, who are talking about the technology used in tree surveying and the Sirococcus disease respectively, we’ve got a feature on new software designed to help arborists run their business.

Check out page 19 for this. We’ve also caught up with Andreas oloff, editor of rban Tree Management, about his views on the issues surrounding our urban trees. It’s page 23 for that.

We’ve got an interesting feature on arb work in schools on page 28. Pro Arb spoke with Phil

ALL ENQUIRIES Tel: 01903 777 570 Eljays44 Ltd 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA EDITORIAL Commissioning Editor – Joe Wilkinson joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com Director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Editorial Assistant – Holly Gillespie holly.gillespie@eljays44.com Production Editor Susie uff susie uff e a s om Subeditor – Charlotte Cook charlotte.cook@eljays44.com ADVERTISING Business Development Manager – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Sales Manager – Luke Chaplin luke.chaplin@eljays44.com Sales Executive – Laura Harris laura.harris@eljays44.com Horticulture Careers – Amber Bernabe amber.bernabe@eljays44.com

Hyatt at Glendale and discussed the legislations and challenges facing this area of work.

Our APF feature includes a host of companies we recommend you visit at the show. See the latest stump grinders in our Which Would You Buy feature, and we take a closer look at the ropes available on the market.

Finally, FutureArb returns for a second year as part of the FutureScape event on Tuesday 15 November. Last year was a great success, and we’ve built on that to create a show that you shouldn't miss this year, so put it in your diary now.

Have a great month, see you at the APF. Joe and the Pro Arb team

JOE WILKINSON

PRODUCTION Design – Kara Thomas, Fay Pritchard Printed by Pensord Press Ltd Published by ©Eljays44 Ltd CIRCULATION Subscription enquiries: amber.bernabe@eljays44.com Pro Arb is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2016 subscription price is £95. Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA, . Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

MANAGEMENT Managing Director – Jim Wilkinson Director – Lisa Wilkinson Business Development Manager – Jamie Wilkinson

FOLLOW US ONLINE www.proarbmagazine.com Follow us on Twitter @ProArbmagazine Like us on Facebook Proarbmagazine Connect to our LinkedIn group Pro Arb UK For careers in arboriculture and horticulture go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk Every week we send out ‘Pro Arb: The Tuesday Recap’, in which we highlight the most popular news stories from the last week. If you aren’t subscribed to The Tuesday Recap but would like to be, please email Amber Bernabe at amber.bernabe@eljays44.com If you would like to send us press releases to post online and potentially feature in The Tuesday Recap, please email Joe Wilkinson at joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com

Pro Arb | November 2015

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AGENDA

AGENDA PRO ARB ASKS INDUSTRY INSIDERS

“HOW HAS THE NATIONAL LIVING WAGE AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS?” NICK EDDISON

JON COULINGS

“If a worker is in a skilled industry then they should be paid more than the minimum wage from the offset”

“I support the increase. We’ve got to be realistic – you can’t leave workers struggling to live”

Overall, the increase hasn’t affected our business at all, and I believe it unlikely to affect the industry as a whole. I’ve increased one apprentice’s wage to the new minimum, but I wasn’t obliged to do that. e already pay more than the minimum wage as standard.

I entirely support the increase, I believe people should be paid a fair wage for hard graft. If a worker is in a skilled industry then they should be paid more than the minimum wage from the offset.

I think minimum wage should continue to increase until it is known as the living wage.

In this country in particular, the difference between the lowest paid and highest paid in many organisations, not necessarily applying to arb, is totally out of kilter. I don’t think it would harm the British economy at all if a realistic differential was put in place. In Swit erland the chief executive is not allowed to earn more than 17 times the amount of the lowest paid worker.

That form of legislation in this country would be hugely beneficial.

As a larger corporate company, our workers are paid above the minimum wage, meaning its increase holds limited implications for us. I don’t feel that the increase in the minimum wage will be too much of a problem for us as an industry, either. However, smaller companies and those operating local authority contracts, which generally attract lesser skilled workers, might be affected.

The increase in the apprentice wage is unlikely to affect us either. e’ve always looked after our apprentices and treated them as intermediate staff. e pay for their training and equipment, and often pay more than their level might warrant. e are working with the government at the moment to create a whole new apprenticeship scheme within the arboricultural industry.

Overall, I support the increase. e’ve got to be realistic – you can’t leave workers struggling to live on their current wage. In my o ce, we have bonus opportunities that are often hit, such as our safety bonuses.

Arboricultural manager, G. Burley and Sons

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Arborist representative, Bartlett Trees

I think the minimum wage should continue to increase wherever the economy allows. e should increase our staff’s wages in line with our increased charges to clients. It’s vital not be penny pinching with staff if you pay peanuts you’ll only get monkeys. If your staff are happy, you’ll have a lower staff turnover.

YVETTE ETCELL

Business development and human resources management, Gavin Jones “Clients in London are very supportive of our commitment to pay the London living wage” e are happy to report that the increase in the national minimum wage has had little impact on our business to date, since all our staff were already paid at this level or above when the changes were put into effect. In addition, we can report that our private and corporate clients in London are very supportive of our commitment to pay the enhanced London living wage to those employees living and working in the capital. e have always been robust in ensuring any work quoted can support the required resources to meet and exceed customer expectations. e believe that our focus on

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best practice service delivery and exceptional customer care is something which our clients are willing to pay for, because they appreciate that highly ualified staff deserve suitable recompense.

DARREN KILBY Head of sales, Gristwood and Toms

“The direct impact to our business is miniscule... it will hit other sectors with low skilled workers” Socially, it is the right thing to do – I think everyone deserves to earn a fair wage.

At ristwood and Toms, all our staff are compensated above the current minimum wage anyway, so the direct impact to our business is miniscule.

However, it will hit other sectors with low skilled, low paid workers. Especially businesses tied into long term, fixed price contracts with local authorities, with no option to pass on higher wage costs through higher prices. ationally, we may experience rising unemployment as companies scale back on recruitment. Also, the competitiveness of exports may suffer, compared with lower wage economies. And that’s before we even consider the impact of Brexit.

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DEBORAH EVANS Company secretary, Acme Tree Care

“The minimum wage should increase, but the government needs to support businesses” The increase hasn’t affected us because our staff were already paid above the minimum wage. We support the increase because people can’t live on low wages. I think the minimum wage should continue to increase at a realistic rate, but the government needs to support businesses in this growth.

An increased minimum wage is another hurdle for new start-ups who are trying to get off the ground. I think help needs to be given to new businesses when increasing the minimum wage, otherwise it’s likely they’ll end up working just to pay their employees. or smaller businesses, profits tend to be a lot less, so when you add corporation tax and the maintenance of your equipment into the mix, you’re often left with very little.

NEXT MONTH

It’s not a simple case of putting the prices up, as it’s too competitive. Unless the industry was regulated in such a manner where businesses must be accredited, it would be counterproductive for us to increase our prices.

EDWARD HAUNTON Company owner, EH Tree Care

“The minimum wage increase can only be a good thing” This industry is full of different wage scales, with labour rates for the employed based upon that of the building industry’s. Therefore, the minimum wage increase can only be a good thing. It doesn’t affect us greatly at E as we pay above that anyway.

The right person joins our family on an average wage. However, we like to think we provide great continuing professional development alongside a lot of added benefits.

As a member of staff, your development is key.

Pro Arb asks: Recruiting and staffing – how do you do it?

Have your say: joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com

Pro Arb | August 2016

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NEWS

NEWSBEAT

A roundup of all the latest arboriculture news from around the UK. For more stories visit www.proarbmagazine.com

ARB ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES NEW CEO Stewart Wardrop has been announced as the new CEO of the Arboricultural Association, following Karen’s parting last month. Stewart will be in post from Monday 2 October.

Stewart has a passionate love of the outdoors which has always played an important part in his life. He built his career in the manufacturing sector to become the European technical director for a large company. In 2002 Stewart’s priorities changed and, wanting to see his children grow

up, he chose to run more local manufacturing businesses.

In 2010 Stewart took a new career path and became the general manager of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association

APP REVIEW (RPRA). He describes the last five years as “En oyable, fun and hard work.” The RPRA, with 23,000 members, needed considerable modernising and restructuring, albeit in a manner that ensured services to members were not diminished but actually substantially improved.

Stewart recognises the solid foundations laid in place by the previous CEO and is looking forward to using his previous experience in the new role. www.trees.org.uk

NEW CONTRACT SIGNED FOR FÖRST MACHINERY

Tree Identifier DEVELOPER: CleverMatrix Ltd PRICE: £1.49

Crashes. A lot. Other than that, and on the pages that do not cause a meltdown, it’s a good app. It contains a very good identification chart in which you input details about the tree you are trying to identify, and the app gives the answer at the other side. It also contains uality images of different leaf

BTS Group, one of the leading utility arboricultural companies in the UK, has signed its first ma or contract with high performance wood chipper supplier Först.

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Pro Arb | August 2016

BTS is expanding its machinery eet after winning a new three and a half year contract to cut trees in Lincolnshire. The company, which provides vegetation management services to electricity distribution network operators (DNOs), is enjoying growth based on its commitment to delivering excellence.

The new deal with Först sees BTS Group add 12 new wood

chippers, including the Först ST6 and T 6, to its eet.

Tim Berry, senior project manager at BTS Group, said: “It’s vital that the machines we use never let us down, can be maintained easily and perform to the highest standards. It’s testament to the quality of Först’s products that we have no issues with the machines to date.” www.forst-woodchippers.com

shapes and the technical names for them. The pictures can be a little on the small side and there isn’t much description about the tree, but if you just want the name, do you need the other info? Unfortunately, the amount of times that the app pauses, stops or crashes takes away from what a great app this could be.

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NEWS

EXOTIC PEST TROUBLING UK TREES The Forestry Commission is asking people to join its tree health surveyors in keeping an eye out for an exotic pest.

Oriental chestnut gall wasp (OCGW), a pest of sweet chestnut trees first found in the in 201 , has been spotted in South East England.

The current impact of OCGW on sweet chestnut in this country is low. It poses no threat to people or animals, nor does it affect horse chestnut trees. It can weaken sweet chestnut trees and make them vulnerable to other threats, such as drought or other pests and diseases.

Forestry Commission surveyors have found the species at several localities in and close to London, as well as at arningham oods in ent, which was the first site found last year. The survey across South East England will continue into August, supported by volunteer tree health surveyors from the Observatree initiative.

Andy all, plant health manager for Forestry Commission England, said “Protecting our country from plant pests and diseases is important for our economy, environment and health, and we and our partners in government are committed to protecting our borders from pests and diseases, and building the resilience of our trees and plants. www.forestry.gov.uk

SURVEY PHOTOMAPS HELPING ENGLAND’S TREE ASSESSMENTS Bluesky’s aerial survey photomaps are helping ArbAdvice, a specialist UK arboriculture company, to improve the management of trees. The aerial surveys are currently monitoring trees on the Isle of Wight.

Map accurate imagery covering the Isle of Wight is being used by ArbAdvice as an integral part of consultancy services for reports, Tree Preservation Order applications, and tree risk management surveys alike.

The real world detail and accuracy of the images provide context for decision making, while the quality allows for communication of proposed works, risk statements and conservation plans.

The photomaps can be downloaded directly from Bluesky’s online Mapshop.

ArbAdvice owner Ben iches

said “The Bluesky aerial photographs are an essential tool, allowing us to identify and assess trees in their real world context.

“This reduces the need for multiple site visits, improves the uality of decision making and allows us to effectively communicate plans and proposals with property owners, the council and other third party organisations, such as insurance companies. www.blueskymapshop.com

URBAN TREES BREATHE LIFE INTO REGENERATION PLANS Viridor and Stockport Council have supported urban street tree planting in historic heart of Stockport, connecting key pro ects of the town’s wider £1bn regeneration programme.

As part of Manchester City of Trees and the Viridor Street Tree programme, 10 sweet gum and serviceberry trees have been planted on St Petersgate in Stockport town centre, helping to bring greenery and improved biodiversity to the

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urban environment, as well as linking key new development sites via pedestrian friendly tree line routes.

The trees were planted in the heart of Stockport’s urban centre, delivering key

aspirations from the council’s Green Infrastructure Strategy.

The planting also forms part of Stockport Council’s Investing in Growth programme, which will see £1bn going into a range of ambitious projects across the borough, bringing 5,000 new obs and 1,100 new homes to the town.

Patrick Killeen, operations manager at Greater Manchester for Viridor, said “Street trees provide environmental benefits

including reducing harmful pollutants in the air, aiding urban cooling due to climate change, reducing the risk of ooding and capturing carbon.

“They are a positive way we can contribute to improving the local streetscape as part of this fantastic investment programme, which can only serve to strengthen the conurbation and enable further economic growth. www.cityoftrees.org.uk

Pro Arb | August 2016

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NEWS

ARB ASSOCIATION HOSTS 50TH CONFERENCE 2016 marks the 50th conference to be held by the Arb Association. The event has been designed to accommodate a wide range of topics for both the arboricultural and landscape sectors. Speakers, delegates and exhibitors have been booking their places well in advance.

Keynote speakers will be landscape architect and urban designer Martin Kelly, Merrick Denton-Thompson, Landscape Institute president and Paul Ries,

director of the Urban Forestry Program at Oregon University.

Simon Richmond, conference manager, commented on the build up to the conference: “This year’s event marks a special moment in the association’s history – our 50th conference and a great opportunity to share ideas and network with our colleagues from the Landscape Institute and the landscape sector.” www.trees.org.uk

COUNCIL UPDATES TREE MANAGEMENT PLANS Stafford Borough Council has updated its tree management policies in order to better maintain its 30,000 trees.

The council had not updated the previous tree management policy since its adoption back in 2007.

The updated policy will cover the next five years until 2021. It focuses on common enquiries received relating to the management of trees, how the council will respond to these enquiries and additional customer advice.

All trees on Stafford Borough Council-owned land have already been inspected for arboricultural condition, and a programme of works to address any remedial actions required is underway.

Frank Finlay, councillor at Stafford Borough Council, said at the policy meeting: “We did a big survey of tree stock back in 2015.

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Pro Arb | August 2016

CHURCH TREE CONFERENCES LAUNCH The Church of England is responsible for a large number of trees which, like churches, need managing. Two free churchyard trees conferences supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund are being held this autumn, which will promote greater awareness of the importance of churchyard trees and encourage maintenance and future growth with the support of the community.

No one knows exactly how many trees the Church of England has on its land. It has some 10,000 churchyards and many often provide the only ‘green

TREE DISEASE COULD WIPE OUT HISTORIC VISTAS “You will find the proposed policy going forward doesn’t vary much from the previous one. There is one notable change, that when a tree on council land is removed, we will endeavour to plant a suitable species on an appropriate site. It is not always possible to get a tree of the same size and the same type.”

Meeting chairman and cabinet member for leisure Mike Smith said the tree policy was brought in following an accident in the grounds of Stafford Castle, although the tree involved was not one the council was responsible for.

Famous tree-lined avenues such as the Mall in London could be rendered unrecognisable for decades by a tree disease spreading across Europe.

The head of the UK’s largest tree management body has warned that it is only a matter of time before ‘plane tree wilt’, also known as canker stain of plane, reaches British shores.

With sturdy trunks and a lush green summer canopy, plane trees account for more than half of London’s tree population and are synonymous with Hyde

lung’ within a community as well as being rare habitats for a wide range of biodiversity.

Whilst churchyard yews are well known for their great age, there are many other species which provide a wealth of value to local communities.

They may hold the secret to fighting threats to trees such as ash dieback and those affecting chestnuts, elms and oaks, suggests David Shreeve, environmental adviser to the Archbishops’ Council.

The conferences will be held in Liverpool Cathedral on 6 October and St John’s Waterloo on 2 Nov. conservationfoundation.co.uk

Park, the Victoria Embankment and other major cities.

The disease, which has already ruined miles of the historic tree-lined Canal du Midi in Southern France, is not native to Europe and is thought to have arrived in Italy in wooden US ammunition crates during the Second World War. The spread is thought to have began when the crates rotted and airborne spores came into contact with Italian trees in the Seventies.

The disease attacks the vascular system and prevents water circulating, killing the tree and resulting in lifeless hanging branches. www.telegraph.co.uk

staffordshirenewsletter.co.uk

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For a smooth, efficient and ergonomically correct ascent.

The Velox HAAS is a unique ascent tool designed by Michael Frankhauser from the U.S. The Velox HAAS improves upon the already ingenious HAAS system, adding an additional 18 inches of bungee to the system, giving you a total of 30 inches. The Velox has a double tube system that allows those 30 inches of in-line bungee to be contained within the unit, allowing over 30 inches of elongation. The result is a smooth efficient ergonomically correct ascent that uses major muscle groups evenly and drastically reduces fatigue and stress. If you ever thought it would be cool to use two foot ascenders here is your chance.

The snap ties just above the ascender and will extend out 30 inches, which eliminates any set up, as well as any “dead spots� in the return action. The bungee is terminated at the top of the Velox then travels down through a channel to the bottom where it is wrapped around a small pulley with stainless steel sealed bearings, inside a machined aluminium block for reducing the amount of friction. It then returns back up a second channel where it is tied to the snap. This ascent system that has zero set up, one size fits all, and can be used by multiple users without any adjusting. The Velox HAAS can be added to double rope systems or SRT systems.

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BUSINESS

An interview with

ALASTAIR DURKIN TANDRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL Alastair Durkin is the senior tree officer at Tandridge District Council and runs his own consultancy, AD Trees. Alastair spoke to Pro Arb about his views on the industry and involvement with the AA Can you explain your role as a tree officer?

My main roles involve giving consultancy advice to the planning officers for trees and landscaping within the planning process, consultancy to the planners for high hedge disputes and the discharge of the council’s duties and powers as regards Tree Preservation Orders.

What started you in arboriculture?

While I was doing my A Levels, I hitched a lift in a Land Rover with a tree surgeon who sold me the concept of swinging from trees with a chainsaw.

Sometime later, I decided to move to South

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Wales and studied for my national diploma in forestry, before moving into the grounds maintenance sector. After a few years, I applied for a job as an assistant tree officer at the council, and here I am today. While I’ve been here I’ve studied for both a foundation degree and honours degree in arboriculture. I’ve also completed the LANTRA professional tree inspection certificate whilst working for the council and they are supporting me through the process of becoming a chartered arboriculturist.

What is your history with the Arboricultural Association (AA)?

I joined as a member about ten years ago; I went to a couple of general meetings hosted by the south east branch, where a member persuaded me to get involved. I’m now a trustee, chair of the media and communications (M&C) committee, and treasurer of the south east (SE) branch.

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BUSINESS

A lot of time goes into my voluntary work, but I get a lot of satisfaction from meeting great people and continually learning.

The board of the AA, the M&C committee and the SE branch committee all have four meetings a year. The remit of M&C includes the marketing and communications that the AA undertakes, the Arboricultural Journal, social media and plenty more besides.

Engaging the public is just as important as working with professionals and associations The SE branch arranges local training events, trying to keep costs down as much as we can, which enables arborists in the south east and London to get training and education at a reasonable price. We also exhibit at the South of England Show and try to raise awareness, because engaging with the public is just as important as working with professionals and associations.

As a tree officer you can get a bit isolated, and that seems to be a recurring theme with local authority officers in general. Being part of the AA enables me to get out and meet many more people within the industry than if my work was confined to council duties.

What kinds of changes have you seen over the past six years at the AA? The association has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years, with the engagement increasing hugely. The previous chief executive, Karen Martin, treated the association as a business, which was exactly what it needed – somebody who knew about engaging with membership and marketing.

Membership has grown substantially, we’ve embraced social media, and we have marketing people in house now. The AA has definitely come a long way.

What is it that’s driven you to become more involved in the association?

I want to avoid simply moaning about issues, and instead focus on contributing to the

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solution. In an organisation like the AA, it’s your choice to be a member, and they welcome people who want to make change.

That has influenced my approach, and hopefully I’ve added a little value.

Are there any changes you’d like to see made in the AA? I believe it would benefit us to get out more to the public. It’s something that’s on the association’s agenda, alongside political engagement. Over the last few years, I’ve been concerned that we’re not engaging with the public or government enough, which is important for urban trees. However, that’s beginning to change. We’ve begun talking to a number of lords and MPs, and have been involved with the educating of parliamentary members.

Next, we need to focus on engaging the public further, and aim to increase the amount of contact we have with industries such as gardening.

How do you combat professional landscapers and gardeners failing to appreciate the trade of arboriculture?

Only by quality of work and adding value to your customers can you combat this. When

a client comes to you, fix the problem and add value to their applications, especially on technical issues.

There’s always going to be multidisciplinary consultants who employ arboriculturists, ecologists and landscape architects. In my opinion, that’s fine, as long as they are providing a complete service and giving the best value to their client.

A lot of time goes into my voluntary work, but I get a lot of satisfaction from meeting great people and continually learning What do you think are some other issues in the industry?

Everything is centred around money, space and conflicting priorities when it comes to land value. We need to demonstrate the value of urban trees continuously, but the problem is that the value of urban trees is not an instant thing. The value accumulates over decades, and it extends right out to things like public healthcare. It’s important to get the value of urban trees on the government’s radar, but it’s challenging.

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BUSINESS

Will the decision to leave the EU affect arboriculture?

That’s a very complex issue. In general I think the EU has been good for trees, as Europe tends to have a more proactive approach to arboriculture and urban tree management.

Bio-security could be improved if we make the right laws and secure our borders against the importation of contaminated stock a little better. However, it could have a huge negative effect on our businesses that are importing tree stock at the moment – a lot of that business comes from the EU. It’s going to affect people differently.

A good tree surgeon will explain that the customers’ desires may not necessarily be the best route to take, whereas a rogue trader may not consider the tree’s wellbeing.

Therefore, focus must be placed on public education and raising awareness of the risks rogue traders can carry.

How do you think the public’s awareness of the industry can be raised?

We probably need to do more of that as an association. As a branch we’ve attended the South of England Show, for example, and have given people advice about their trees and handing out leaflets, but there’s a lot more work to be done.

It’s important to promote the logo, and spread the word of the approved contractor and consultants scheme. A large part of the problem is that the public can’t recognise good tree work straight away, which is why it’s harder to grasp the concept of an approved contractor in arboriculture. If a tree surgeon comes and the client tells the surgeon what they want, they don’t necessarily know what’s good for the tree.

There’s a conflict between what the tree needs and what the customer desires.

I know some great tree surgeons, and they are consistently undercut by rogue traders. Unfortunately it’s unlikely that we’re going to persuade the government to introduce a mandatory scheme like Gas Safe. We’ve just got to improve education.

Sometimes clients are more concerned with the price of the work than the qualifications of the contractor undertaking it

The AA has been heavily involved in the Register of Tree Work Operatives. Do you see something like that changing the industry?

I hope so, but a lot of workers aren’t in the industry for the trees. All we can do is promote quality tree work and best practice, and the best workers will get repeat work because they’ll be recommended by clients.

You’ll never fully eradicate rogue traders.

Sometimes clients are more concerned with the price of the work than the qualifications of the contractor undertaking it.

What is the best way to deal with the issues surrounding urban trees?

There are so many satellite issues around urban trees, and the benefits they provide are so wide ranging, I think you have to focus a bit sometimes in order to avoid being deemed a ‘tree hugger’. I think concentrating on single issues is a good idea.

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Recently consideration has been given to planting more tree belts and woodland in upland areas to reduce rainwater run-off and prevent flooding, but we really need to look at planting trees and increasing soft landscape in our urban areas. We need to reduce the amount of cement and tarmac in cities, and increase the amount of shared spaces where trees are granted enough soil to thrive.

Do you think that councils are beginning to realise the benefits of trees?

Not in urban areas necessarily, partly due to conflicts with regard to space and how we use it. We’ve got too many organisations that are responsible for that space, which results in conflicting responsibilities, even if you work in the same organisations.

Before, when a tree was planted, it may not have had much hard standing and it didn’t have nearly as many services. But these trees survived as they were able to adapt to changes in their environment over time. New trees that are being planted to replace those trees can’t survive, because the environment is far too hostile from the outset. Frankly, many of our spaces need to be ripped up and redeveloped, but that costs a lot of money.

What’s next for you personally?

I’m currently going through the process to become chartered with the ICF. My consultancy work has benefitted my work for the council as it has taught me to appreciate both sides of the coin. For example, when we ask for further details on an application sent to the council, I can now appreciate the impact that has on the whole process. It’s helped me to service clients because I know what tree officers want to see, meaning I can better inform my client of the right path to take.

CONTACT AD Tree Consulting 9 Saxon Court Godstone Road Whyteleafe Surrey CR3 0GA Tel 07976 780 785 Email info@adtrees.co.uk Web www.adtrees.co.uk

Pro Arb | August 2016 13

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BUSINESS

Jonathan Hazell advises on the best tools for consultants working with a range of trees

C

onsultants look at trees all the time, as well as their location and surroundings, and use all the evidence and information together to come to an opinion that will address the client’s question. The most basic and essential tools therefore are eyes and ears, and the essential techniques are to question everything and listen to the evidence you have gathered.

Some instructions require the consultant to design tree protection measures, and so measurements will have to be taken. The essential tools that I always carry with me are a diameter tape and a clinometer.

A straightforward measuring tape is also quite useful, just so you can show a client what a particular dimension might mean as a constraint to their vaulting ambition.

Because consultants look at trees all the time, they have an intuition about whether a particular tree looks to be in good health and condition from its morphology. A more detailed examination can be had by getting closer, perhaps by climbing the tree or from a platform of some kind, or by using binoculars. A much more intimate view of a small piece of the tree’s bark or leaf, or of a fungal fruiting body, can be had by looking through a hand lens which offers a certain degree of magnification.

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TOOLS for CONSULTANTS But when it comes to knowing what’s going on beneath the bark, what aids are available?

A hefty screwdriver or similar is useful for ferreting around in cavities or pockets to test the tree’s structure – I know of one consultant who uses a piece of rebar for this. For a crude but effective test for the presence of sub-surface cavities on certain

They have an intuition about whether a particular tree looks to be in good health and condition from its morphology species, a soft-nosed mallet can be used to tap the tree’s stem, but don’t try this on Wellingtonia, for example, as the bark is too fibrous. More detailed results that purport to show what’s happening inside the tree can be gained by using tools such as a resistograph or sonic

important tools for the consultant, and there are a number of authoritative web-based chat rooms available where questions may be posed.

tomograph, but like so many pieces of specialist equipment the interpretation of the output is what really counts and that takes experience – so I would entrust an investigation that required the use of such equipment to a specialist. An appropriately licensed ecologist will use an endoscope to investigate cracks and crevices in a tree’s bark or structure for the presence.

What about below the surface – what tools will help there?

Observation and intuition is good, hard surfaces or walls might limit root development in certain areas, as might a water course for example. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is another specialist tool that may help with a particular instruction, but as with the resistograph and tomograph I would entrust an investigation that required the use of GPR to a specialist.

A reference library and network of contacts are also

ABOUT JONATHAN HAZELL Jonathan Hazell’s career began on the tools with the Ealing tree gang in 1980.

Senior roles in the public, charity and commercial sectors followed and in October 2011 Jonathan established his own arboricultural consultancy practice. www.jhazell.com

Pro Arb | August 2016 15

02/08/2016 14:19

BUSINESS

Cedar trees in the UK are increasingly at risk from a new fungal blight disease: Sirococcus. Bartlett Tree Experts gives us the rundown of the problem, and how to combat it

A

tlantic cedar has recently become threatened by the risk of a new fungal blight disease. It was first identified by the orestry Commission in 2013 and now poses a threat to cedar trees across the UK. There are several species of Sirococcus that are the causal agents of cedar dieback, although most scientists until recently believed it to be solely caused by Sirococcus conigenus. It is now known to be three species affecting cedars, as well as other conifers such as Larix, Tsuga and Pinus; Sirococcus conigenus, S. tsugae and S. piceicola. The conidia of this fungal disease are spread mainly by rain splash and wind dispersal, although S. conigenus can also be dispersed through

SIROCOCCUS BLIGHT seed infection. The disease usually infects at the base of new needles, progressing into the shoots and stems over time.

S. tsugae has been detected at several locations in England, Scotland and Wales, and has been confirmed to be present on Scottish herbarium samples dating from 2004.

Any suspected cases of this group of pathogens should be reported to the orestry Commission as they could potentially threaten forestry, although are thought to be mainly an issue for ornamental specimens.

Symptoms Symptoms mainly manifest as shoot dieback which is

Dead cedar tree

16 Pro Arb | August 2016

Bartlett.indd 16

usually distinctively pink in colour, changing to brown later in the season. Infections on expanding shoots often cause a characteristic shepherd’s crook shape. ruiting Healthy cedar bodies of S. tsugae can be observed on dead needles, discolouration of the bark from green to dark purple/red and bleeds of resin from the stems. Brown lesions are also visible in the phloem tissue which spread longitudinally from affected shoots into main branches and stems. As with many diseases if the cankers become too developed they can cause stem girdling and branch death.

Weeping cedar

Treatment Apart from hygiene measures to reduce transmission of the disease through human means, there is little that can be done to control this disease. Plant defence activator products are recommended to

increase vitality and enhance the tree’s immune system. ungicidal treatments are advisable at early stages of infection, alongside the removal of infected material to prevent reinfection. However, control is not guaranteed and little research has been conducted into the e cacy of fungicides on Sirococcus spp so far.

ABOUT BARTLETT Emma Schaffert is a research technician at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory.

Luke Hailey is a research technician and plant ecologist at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory.

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BUSINESS

ARB ASSISTANT Arb Assistant is an online tool that allows you to centralise multiple aspects of your business. Pro Arb spoke to Tom Alexander to find out more What experience do you have in the arb market?

After studying at college in Liverpool, I ran my own tree team in the East Midlands for about five years.

After an accident left me unable to climb trees full time, I shifted focus to the bidding of works and improving relationships with clients.

This is when the idea for Arb Assistant came to me.

How did Arb Assistant come about?

There were no applications on the market that could monitor my calendar and accounts, check on an application’s status, remind me of equipment service needs, and update all my risk assessments

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Arb Assistant.indd 19

at the same time. This led me to establish Arb Assistant as a means to cater for those specific needs.

I have self-funded the entire project and collaborated with web developers to turn Arb Assistant into a competitive product. We launched in May of this year and have had many users, including Arb Approved businesses, consider using Arb Assistant as their main tool.

Why should somebody invest in Arb Assistant?

If you’re looking for a way to manage your business more e ciently, Arb Assistant can help you achieve this.

It can assist in numerous areas of your business, including your customer accounts, equipment reporting, and communication between you and your clients. We offer a free 1 day trial alongside detailed demos to ensure you get the most out of the application.

With Arb Assistant you can issue new clients with a login,

meaning you can communicate with them easily. You’re able to send the customer a quote via the customer portal where they can then accept the proposed works, which eliminates the need for follow ups.

Once the work has been accepted you can book it into your calendar and assign a team to complete the job. You can convert quotes to invoices easily and share links for payment. If you have any assisted costs, you can record them by uploading a photograph.

How much does it cost?

We have a variety of plans to suit every individual using Arb Assistant, from our free plan to our enterprise plan. Our main plan is £35 per month and covers everything that you would need to run your business in the cloud.

Who can use it?

We largely cater for the domestic side of tree surgery, specifically small three to six man teams.

However, we are now reaching out to larger businesses and consultants to help create extra features for larger teams looking to use the application.

What does the future hold for Arb Assistant?

We have started to work with health and safety recordkeeping app Papertrail in making sure tree surgeons have a safe and practical way of monitoring the condition of equipment. We have also started to improve our mobile apps.

We are developing a ‘planning portal’ integration feature for the app, where users will be able to quickly submit Tree Preservation Orders and conservation order applications direct from Arb Assistant to their local authority via our online integration.

We are always listening to our users and continue to make changes from the feedback we are given. The tool was created by one person, but continues to be improved by the opinions of many.

Visit the website at www.arbassistant.com or email hello@arbassistant.com for more information.

Pro Arb | August 2016 19

02/08/2016 14:57

BUSINESS

ACTION PLAN

Planning and content on social media The key to success on social media? Planning.

Ross Hewitt advises on making the most of your time and resources online

“Better to remain silent and thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt”

T

hose were the wise words of Abraham Lincoln, and I am yet to find a more fitting uote that can be applied to social media. ave a look at your last five posts or tweets. What sort of response would you get if you stood outside and shouted them or stopped a group of your customers and said them?

Telling people how nice that soup was, or who you are rooting for in Strictly Celebrity Baking On Ice probably won’t have them following you around for the rest of the day hoping to hear more.

So what are your next five posts or tweets going to be about?

If you can answer that then you probably have some sort of plan in place, and to you I tip my hat. If you’re not sure, take your foot off the gas and put some time aside to start a content plan.

You need to drive your social media activity in a way that attracts new customers and helps to retain the existing ones.

You will drive it off a cliff if you do not operate to a plan. This risk

20 Pro Arb | August 2016

Ross Hewitt.indd 20

is also compounded if you try to take on too much activity across too many different platforms.

Having links on your website to six different social media accounts does not work if only Facebook gets updated.

Be brutally honest and assess your time and resources.

If you only have time to manage a Twitter account really well, then just plan for that. If you can manage a fortnightly blog article, just do that.

Planning activity does not need to be an arduous task.

A couple of hours each month to keep the plan up to date is all that is re uired and it will save you time. You will approach your accounts on any given day with an idea about what you will be posting and why you are doing it. You might have days where you have nothing to say, and that’s okay – you don’t need to post every day, but you do need some consistency and regularity.

I recommend pulling together a three month rolling plan. Based on client

Soon, like Hannibal from the A-Team, you will be loving it when a plan comes together – and your audience will thank you for it. experience I have found that this time period is most manageable.

Give it a whirl; block out a couple of hours, grab a diary or open a spreadsheet and start listing the things that are happening soon. It might be attendance at a gardening show, the start of a new season, or a great time to start planting perennials. Think about the posts that can bring each one to life.

ABOUT ROSS HEWITT Ross Hewitt is managing director of digital marketing consultancy Secret Pie and author of ‘Savvy Social Media’. Ross began his digital marketing career in 1998 and set up Secret Pie in 2010. www.secretpie.co.uk Twitter: @Secret_Pie

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02/08/2016 14:51

BUSINESS

COMMUNICATION

How to achieve the best outcome Adam Corrie advises on the importance of communication and how it can positively affect you and your business

E

nhancing your communication skills is a key area in business development and problem solving, and it can lead to achieving the right outcome in any situation.

Whether negotiating a tender or settling a contractual dispute, how you communicate and conduct yourself is key to a positive result. e all know how uickly a situation can gather momentum and it is important to remain in control of the direction it’s going.

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Adam Corrie Communication.indd 21

In a world of perpetual emails, many of us have stopped communicating as much as we used to by telephone. Although it’s easy to think we’re too busy to spend time on the phone, this still remains the very best form of communication.

Emails can often be misinterpreted both in tone and content. Verbal dialogue leads to uicker solutions, as you are able to gauge with certainty the other person’s position on a matter.

Once someone has stated a point in writing, they will rarely withdraw from that position.

A telephone call, or alternatively a face to face meeting, will always produce a better outcome.

Emails are here to stay, so let’s get it right. If you want to achieve the best result, a strategy on all matters is important. Never rush even a simple outgoing email –

Whether negotiating a tender or settling a contractual dispute, how you communicate and conduct yourself is key to a positive result always remember what you are trying to achieve: • If you receive an email that you do not agree with or that angers you, never reply immediately. e ect and respond’ is always the best advice. A uick or angry response to this type of email can often do more harm than good.

Always read what you have written before pressing the send button. This may sound very basic, but it can and will save your life.

• Often communication can come too late. It becomes forced

rather than proactive, and the difference is huge.

Always try and predict what may be coming your way and act accordingly with a one step ahead’ approach.

Social media, such as Twitter and acebook, has really developed over the last five years and many companies are now choosing this path as a positive form of communication. It is important that potential clients are aware of your presence in the market, and social media is a very powerful way of achieving this and making you as easy to find as possible.

The message is that positive communication is something you can learn it can significantly help to avoid the unexpected, and lead to much more worthwhile engagement with your clients and the public.

Developing these skills can and will undoubtedly be beneficial for your business.

ABOUT SYNERGY 3 LTD Synergy 3 Ltd is a design company based in central Manchester. They offer graphic design, website design, professional photography and related services to the landscaping and construction industry. www.synergy3ltd.com

Pro Arb | August 2016 21

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BUSINESS

URBAN TREE MANAGEMENT Pro Arb spoke to Andreas Roloff, editor of Urban Tree Management, about his views concerning the importance and overall management of trees in urban areas Urban trees are being discussed more frequently in the arboriculture industry as increasing numbers of trees are found to be residing in the heart of redevelopment programmes across the UK. In an increasingly urban world, the benefits made available by urban trees is growing in importance.

Trees host a multitude of benefits, Andreas explains “Trees cool the air, improve its general quality, increase air moisture and reduce the amount of dust and pollution.” Recent research suggests that the planting of trees along roadsides could reduce nitrogen dioxide concentrations, in addition to providing greater

Andreas Roloff

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Urban Tree Management.indd 23

amenity value. “They help with noise attenuation, improve human health and wellbeing, have a high aesthetic value, are useful for environmental education and have many economic and social advantages, adds Andreas. The positive impact of broadleaved woodland on property prices is well known, with increases in property values ranging from 5-18%. Trees are also statistically less costly to maintain than grassy plains.

Disadvantages The very few potential disadvantages to the planting of urban trees can be avoided if the trees are maintained properly.

Ailanthus Avenue at Beijing, China

Trees cool the air, improve its general quality, increase air moisture and reduce the amount of dust and pollution Without regular tree surveys, Andreas explains “There is the risk that falling trees and branches will cause damage or hurt someone, or the roots could damage pipelines and buildings.” However, it is normally the tree’s failure to establish itself in its given urban landscape that is the cause of its premature death. Around 0 of urban trees don’t make it to 0 years old, whether through poor planting, aftercare, damage or change in land use. This means urban areas are rarely granted the chance to experience all that mature urban trees have to offer.

With this in mind, it is essential to be selective when choosing

species of trees to plant in an urban landscape, as conditions can be testing. Andreas clarified “ isks include tra c, diseases, damage by people, air pollution, leaks from pipes, road salt, rooting space restrictions, soil disturbances and many more.”

Urban tree species Commonly, the trees most suitable for planting in urban areas are hardy, about 20m tall and resilient in various soils. Trees capable of adapting to urban areas successfully include the Corylus colurna, the Ginkgo biloba, and the Metasequoia glyptostroboides. The Ginkgo biloba, related to the conifer, is an all-rounder. In recent years it has become very popular for street planting as it is resistant to almost all pests and diseases and copes well with pollution.

Maintenance Once a tree has established itself in a landscape, focus then transfers to the management of the tree.

Urban tree requirements, though

Pro Arb | August 2016 23

02/08/2016 14:26

BUSINESS

Europe’s largest and oldest Quercus petraea: Queen Elizabeth oak near Midhurst, Sussex

minimal, are essential. “Some need pruning, shelter or protection and watering. They need enough suitable rooting space, clarifies Andreas. “Experts well educated in tree biology and tree maintenance, who have as much experience as possible, should carry out the work.”

Interestingly, the maintenance required for urban trees is relatively

dissimilar to the maintenance of woodland trees. Andreas explains “It depends on the specific situation. For park trees it is similar to forest trees, for roadside trees it is completely different because of restrictions and safety regulations.”

As is the case with woodland trees, an urban tree belongs to the owner of the land surrounding it.

Common law states that landowners must uphold their ‘duty of care’ in the management of these trees, and should ensure ‘reasonable safety’.

Fear of litigation is rife amongst landowners, as any harm resulting from a lack of ‘reasonable care’ can be deemed as negligence on their part.

Consequently, this often results in hypersensitive tree management as the relative accessibility of urban trees provides numerous risks for landowners if they are not appropriately maintained.

Vitality classes 0-3: assessment by branching pattern, developed by Andreas Roloff

24 Pro Arb | August 2016

Urban Tree Management.indd 24

Implementation Although the named benefits provided by urban trees are widely acknowledged, towns

The urban tree research team at work

and cities are still lacking urban greenery. In 2013, it was reported that the baseline tree canopy cover of London was only 19.5%.

Around 50% of urban trees don’t make it to 30 years old, whether through poor planting, aftercare, damage or change in land use This is set to increase to 25% by 2025, with research conducted by Manchester University signalling that a 10% increase in London’s tree cover is capable of reducing the city’s surface temperature by 3-4°.

Yet, despite knowledge surrounding the benefits of urban trees and their required maintenance being on the rise, implementation remains the real issue in urban tree management.

Andreas reasons that the slow progress in fulfilling urban tree requirements is largely due to finances. e explains “Lack of money, time and knowledge, along with competition from other resources and priorities, is taking its toll.” In Andreas’ view, the government should be investing

more money into the planting of trees. “The advantages outweigh the disadvantages by far. Trees can completely improve the quality of life in a city. They are an investment into the health and future of cities and people.”

The future The UK is not the only country currently in the process of incorporating greenery into its urban landscapes, but Andreas reasons that the UK are heading in the right direction with their efforts. “I am very much impressed with the intense care given to older trees in the . The regulations and financing support in place for veteran and ancient trees is very good. I am studying your methods in the UK for when I visit England in autumn, and I am hoping to introduce the UK’s system to Germany and other countries.”

ABOUT ANDREAS ROLOFF Andreas oloff has a Master’s degree in forestry and over 30 years of experience in the field of tree biology. e is director of the Institute of Forest Botany and Forest Zoology at Dresden niversity of Technology. e specialises in tree biology and urban tree management, covering all aspects from species determination and selection to biology, ecology and adaptation.

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02/08/2016 14:29

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26 Pro Arb | August 2016

FutureArb article.indd 26

utureArb is back for its second year, promising to be a highlight for trade professionals throughout the sector with its informative seminars, lively debate and huge range of trade stands from lead industry suppliers.

Guests will have the opportunity to browse, discuss and network with a wide variety of industry professionals and companies, as well as being part of a live audience for our numerous events and meet the Pro Landscaper and Pro Arb team, who will be present and happy for a chat throughout the day.

Registration has now opened, and though tickets will be available on the door at FutureArb we recommend registering to ensure you don’t miss out on our range of seminars, debates and special events throughout the day. When registering you are able to book yourself onto any event you’d like to attend in advance to guarantee yourself a space – be sure to do this as events can get fully booked.

Our live debate focuses on ‘The Future of Arboriculture’, where our panel of four industry experts will discuss where the sector is headed and the future challenges that may be ahead. The debate will be hosted by regular Pro Arb contributor and independent arboriculture consultant Jonathan Hazell, who began his career ‘on the tools’ with the tree gang in Ealing in 1980, before moving into several roles in the public, charity and commercial sectors and opening his own arboriculture consultancy business in 2011.

We will also be running a seminar on the Trailblazer apprenticeship scheme, which

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03/08/2016 14:36

F

BUSINESS FOR LEAD INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS • REGISTER NOW AT WWW.FUTURESCAPEEVENT.COM

aims to inform businesses of all sizes considering or already running apprenticeships of the recent government ‘green light’ to apply Trailblazer to the arboriculture and forestry sector, and what this will mean for them.

Developed as a result of a 2012 government review on existing apprenticeships and the failings within them, Trailblazer aims to ensure that apprenticeships are employer-led, and that they are exible and tailored appropriately to the needs of each industry.

We also have a seminar which covers everything to do with Single Rope Technique (SRT), from its beginnings to a step-by-step guide on executing the technique that is increasingly being recognised as one of the most e cient and safe ways of accessing tall trees. Led by two experts who have been practising SRT since its conception, the seminar will clarify the differences and suitability of SRT in various tree climbing situations, and offers audience members the opportunity to sign up for a workshop where they can learn SRT hands-on at a later date.

All seminars and debates will conclude with a question and answer session to ensure audience members can voice any opinions or queries they may have with the panel or speaker. We expect our seminars and debate to be very popular, so don’t forget to register if you would like to attend any of the events before they get booked up.

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FutureArb article.indd 27

Seminar Programme 10am - 11am The Future of Arboriculture debate 11am - 12pm Trailblazer apprenticeship scheme 1pm - 2pm Insurance 3pm - 4pm Single Rope Technique

For more updates on events at FutureArb keep an eye out for our newsletters, with new seminars to be announced over the next few weeks. You can also take a look on our website for all the latest news and a list of exhibitors attending FutureArb 2016.

Please note: All sessions and personnel in the FutureArb seminar programme are subject to change.

The organisers cannot be held responsible for inconvenience, expense or disappointment resulting from such changes, so please check the latest version on the website before planning your visit.

registration

NOW OPEN

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Pro Arb | August 2016 27

03/08/2016 14:37

Tree care

WITHIN SCHOOLS Working with trees on school grounds comes with its own limitations and obstacles. Pro Arb spoke to Phil Hyatt, contract manager at Glendale, to gain his advice on best practice for tackling tree care within schools

Councils, governmental authorities and organisations alike have expressed their eagerness to educate schoolchildren on the importance of trees.

Support for the movement has swelled over recent months, with the Department of Environment, ood and ural Affairs supporting the oodland Trust to offer an additional 400,000 British native trees to up to 7,000 state funded primary schools across England.

Equally as important as the planting of trees in schools is the maintenance of both new saplings and mature trees. Pro Arb spoke to Phil Hyatt, contract manager at Glendale, to investigate the processes involved with school tree care management, and any common challenges businesses venturing into the field may encounter.

Arb surveys in schools Schools are legally obliged to ensure that their trees are safe, and trees must be regularly inspected by a suitably ualified person.

Though there is no legislation which details how frequently a school is required to conduct tree surveys within its grounds, Phil suggests that surveys should be undertaken annually.

He said: “Tree surveys are essential in identifying trees which are either at risk of

28 Pro Arb | August 2016

Tree Care within schools.indd 28

failure, or likely to cause harm to person and property. The health and safety of pupils and staff is paramount, so carrying out regular inspections also provides local authorities with a stronger case against unforeseeable failures.

It mitigates the risk. After any major storms or events, we advise that schools have their trees checked for any loose hanging branches or structural defects. It may be that although the tree looks fine, the wind has caused the roots to move, meaning it’s at risk of falling over.”

We’ve been sure to build a good rapport with caretakers who then allow us to work at the school on weekends and during holidays Restrictions and challenges In similar fashion to other specialisations within the arb industry, the maintenance of trees within school grounds holds its own unique challenges.

A common procedure associated with the management of trees in schools, a procedure often unnecessary in other arb specialities, is a thorough screening of arb staff who could potentially come into contact with children.

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BUSINESS

Phil said: “The only restriction we face is the legislation associated with working around children. All staff must have a BS check prior to working on school grounds. The only issue with this practice for us, is that they can take a long time to get back to us. There’s a lot of mandatory paperwork which must be signed off by the director in our company before being sent off. It can take months before we receive a response. And in addition to the lengthy turnaround, there are costs to consider. Each BS form costs us about 0. eadlines are of course essential in any business, yet tree work in a school can present its own set of challenges when meeting these deadlines. One of the main challenges of working in schools is the mandatory breaks which teams must take during children’s breaks.

Phil clarified “ e can’t keep an eye on 0 kids at the same time. To avoid any potential accidents, we pause when the whistle goes and anything dangerous is packed away until they return indoors. The increased frequency of occasions when you have to stop work often means the pro ect may take longer to complete than you’d like.

In addition to the potential safety implications involved

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with working at schools, arborists working must also be conscious of the disruption they could be causing to students’ education. “In senior schools, exams are a huge factor in

It’s important to be diligent with health and safety – it’s not unheard of for kids to try and jump on the chipper time restrictions. If you’ve got chippers and chainsaws working outside, it’s not fair. “ e have to be mindful of when we do the heavy arb work, so we tend to try and complete it during half terms, holidays and weekends.

It means you can avoid that interaction and disrupting their day to day activity. e’ve been sure to build a good rapport with caretakers who then allow us to work at the school on weekends and during holidays. It’s definitely easier to work in an empty school as you don’t have to be constantly keeping an eye out, though that’s not to say you can be negligent with your health and safety.

Health and safety “ lendale is very stringent on health and safety measures and the carrying out of specific risk assessments, explains Phil.

In addition to the traditional risks associated with arb work, schools present a uni ue situation in which the health and safety measures must account for the curiosity of children. “It’s important to be diligent with health and safety it’s not unheard of for kids to try and ump on the chipper for a ride, warns Phil. In addition to the risks for children,

Pro Arb | August 2016 29

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BUSINESS

arborists in schools must also account for the potential dangers to the public.

“Our processes relating to risk assessments are very thorough. Alongside specific risk assessments conducted by the team on site, the highest risk we must be aware of is the potential for either the staff or the public to come into the work zone.

“The movement of vehicles is also important, as obviously they’re large vehicles with a lot of blind spots. If you’re arriving early in the morning and there are people and children around, you’ll be sure to switch on your full ashing lights, and you’ll have workers walking in front and behind.”

Phil remains adamant that the best way to combat all potential risks, as well as guarantee the delivery works in a timely manner, is to maintain a positive relationship with both teaching staff and workers. e said: “Frequently, as is common with all businesses, messages don’t get passed down the line e ciently. But you can tackle miscommunication by maintaining a good relationship with staff both in your team and at the school.”

Processes Pro Arb asked if there were any noticeable differences in the processes associated with obtaining work at schools, and if the speed at which work is begun is timely. Phil explained: “Generally, it’s not too competitive to get work in schools, as they are often involved in the framework agreement. This means whoever their grounds maintenance provider is, that provider can opt into a scheduled framework which

30 Pro Arb | August 2016

Tree Care within schools.indd 30

We have to be mindful of when we do the heavy arb work, so we tend to try and complete it during half terms, holidays and weekends

allows them to detail how much it’s going to cost them before you even go there. The schools that are governed by local councils will have a tender process similar to the councils.

“With regard to when we start the work, we’ll try and arrange it around school holidays. But if it’s urgent, it becomes a case of liaising with the headteacher and caretaker as to when their quietest day is.”

Legislation Many schools are also either conservation areas or hold Tree Preservation Orders. Phil explained this is increasingly common within Surrey, as the county seeks to be the greenest in the country.

“Our success in obtaining permission to work on the trees is incredibly tree o cer dependant.

Tree Preservation Orders are placed on trees to prevent buildings being prioritised over a tree’s welfare. owever, as we’re not planning on building anything, they know we won’t treat the tree unfairly. Normally they’d prefer we just get to work, rather than wait six to eight weeks for a PTO application’s paperwork to come back.”

rofit Lastly, Pro Arb asked Phil whether he thought there was a profit to be made for arborists who are looking to venture into school tree work. Phil advised smaller businesses against the investment. e explained “ or a big business, yes, there are reasonable profitable opportunities. enerally schools tend to go with larger firms anyway because of their health and safety records, and the percieved confidence of companies with strength in depth. owever, for smaller businesses, domestic work is probably the focus as that’s more profitable and easier for firms with less overheads that can sometimes struggle to cope with the policies and procedures imposed by the customer.

“This is not to say that larger businesses are to be guaranteed work, clarifies Phil.

“Although schools are council run, often schools in charge of their own budgets want to fund money into education, meaning the amenity value of the trees and grass is moved to the bottom of the list.”

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03/08/2016 15:10

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01/08/2016 13:59

BUSINESS

TREES

IN REDEVELOPMENTS Can guidelines be condensed into operative manuals?

Pro Arb investigates the viability and effectiveness of worker friendly operative handbooks regarding trees in urban developments, gaining an insight from Thomas Steven, a landscape architect with over 15 years of experience working with tree protection measures on construction sites

Trees in urban landscapes are proven to host a multitude of benefits. In an ideal world, trees would be left undisturbed, but in today’s climate of continuous development and improvement, it’s increasingly common for trees to find their surrounding habitats entirely restructured. hen sites are under construction, trees and shrubs remaining on the site are often subjected to many abuses. Common causes of tree mortality in construction sites include the destruction of roots by trenching, soil compaction of the roots by heavy equipment and grade changes resulting in a lowering of the water table.

The better it can be communicated to operatives on site, the better it’s going to be implemented Guidelines provided by both the British Standards Institution BSI and the ational oint tility roup seek to detail the appropriate procedures involved when trees come into contact with developments.

In many instances the documents have been adapted into versions catered to suit a particular council or company wishing to educate workers on the correct practices.

However, it has been debated whether such information can be successfully condensed

32 Pro Arb | August 2016

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into a two page operative’s handbook, a venture attempted by the .

The guidelines for trees situated in redevelopments was last updated in 200 .

The publication provides an overview of the potential dangers to both tree livelihood and valuable apparatus, with section three detailing planning considerations that cater for both existing and new trees. This includes reference to the health and safety executive guidance note S when excavating. The publication moves to detailing legislation associated with Tree Preservation Orders and the appropriate acts that control what work is permitted.

The has attempted to condense these guidelines into an operative’s handbook, which reiterates the same information in a more e cient manner. The operative’s handbook incorporates the Tree Protection Zone’ graph which outlines the restricted areas of trees, alongside a description of permitted and prohibited movements appropriate in each one. owever, it neglects to include details of the appropriate person s to contact for advice, and seemingly generalises complicated processes which often vary for individual trees.

Thomas Steven is largely unconvinced by the handbook. e admits “Though it’s an admirable venture, I believe it is oversimplified.

I do always try to make tree protection measures and the way we communicate them site friendly; the better it can be

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BUSINESS

communicated to operatives on site, the better it’s going to be implemented. But there’s a limit as to how far you can go with that, and I think this document doesn’t provide enough information.” In addition to the lack of information available within it, Thomas believes that the ubiquity of the handbook itself is limited.

There is a failure in construction to engage with the practical aspect of planting trees in urban areas Instead, Thomas praises the BSI guidelines, which attempt to implement a four stage programme to ensure trees are appropriately considered during developments.

The document details the appropriate considerations that need to be made of possible constraints, such as root areas and shading, typically associated with work near significant trees. It highlights that the possible effects of tree constraints on design proposals should be detailed in an arboricultural impact assessment. The steps taken to protect trees due to be retained during the redevelopment process should then be discussed in a tree protection plan, prior to providing the local planning authority with a draft arboricultural method statement.

Pro Arb spoke to Thomas about the applicability of the BSI document in construction contexts. He explained that the clear and concise manner in which the BSI

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document is written makes its implementation considerably smoother.

He explained: “It’s a document which we all know we can refer to. As a landscape architect, I know that I could share the guidelines with fellow architects and various consultants alike, and we’d all be able to understand and put into practice its methods. It’s a great benchmark and recognisable standard, and it is the most up to date document available.”

Thomas mentioned to Pro Arb that the main issue with trees in redevelopment works is the lack of standard practice in their care. He clarified “There doesn’t seem to be a standard for putting services in the ground. It seems to be almost entirely dependent on what plant equipment you have on site. I’ve witnessed services as low as 300mm below ground level, and that’s not going to work.

There is a failure in the construction industry to engage with the practical aspect of planting trees in urban areas, as they’re not aware of its importance. I think we need more workers to engage with the guidelines, and we should begin to challenge site managers who fail to follow them.”

Thomas expressed reluctance in recommending the handbook as a single point of reference for those considering trees in development programmes. He said: “I think if people don’t know about BS5837, there is the potential for using mechanical equipment much closer to the tree stem than is advisable, particularly when considering the storage of equipment, building materials and chemicals.

The way it is written suggests that it’s permitted, but it’s actually tree dependent.”

The NJUG’s handbook has the potential to be interpreted as devaluing the

We should begin to challenge site managers who fail to follow the guidelines importance of trees, as it fails to separate and appreciate them as individuals. That, combined with a lack of su cient information to make suitably informed decisions about trees in redevelopments, undermines the efforts of these particular projects. However, this is not to suggest that all ventures of this kind are doomed to fail.

The BSI and NJUG have the necessary information to create a well-rounded guide which can be used by workers from multiple disciplines, but they must find a way of presenting the information which highlights the significance of retaining trees in developments, to those who are perhaps not innately appreciative of their importance.

Pro Arb | August 2016 33

03/08/2016 14:16

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r arborists the appeal fo s re lo p ex hire, from Pro Arb in War wicks year of APF, e d at 2n st 4 E e y th le e. brate e Rag event to dat ntil we cele g place at th biggest APF onth to go u ain be takin e m ag th a r ce ly n fo n o o rd h ill Wit e reco A PF w t to break th med event. ’s show is se at the acclai ar ye is h T . mber 15-17 Septe

Who will be exhibiting?

What is APF? • APF is a biennial event bringing together the industries of forestry and arboriculture. The event is hosted by Confor, an organisation specialising in modern forestry, and is the largest of its kind in the UK. • The APF 2016 show will stretch over 6,500 acres of farmland and woodland, and is set to be the most successful APF yet.

• With an expectant number of over 280 exhibitors and around 17,000 visitors, organisers are hopeful the three day event will be the busiest yet.

• The event is set to showcase the latest state of the art machinery available along a 2,040m stretch of demonstration circuit, where machines are to be exhibited in a realistic setting. Following feedback that there was not enough timber processing in the last event, APF is set to witness over 300t of timber being harvested and processed by high-tech machines over the course of the event this year.

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APF intro.indd 35

Businesses small and large will showcase their services and products this September, with big names Stihl, Makita and Timberwolf appearing in the line-up. Established organisations such as the Arboricultural Association and the Consulting Arborist Society will be represented at the event, alongside businesses including Marlow Ropes and Arborcheck. APF is unique in its method of situating smaller independent businesses next to established names in the industry.

The exhibition secretary, Ian Millward, has expressed great satisfaction in the amount of first time exhibitors appearing at AP 2016. e said “There will be several makes of machines never before seen in the UK. The UK market for equipment for both the forestry and arboricultural sectors is seen as very important and the APF exhibition renowned as the place visitors come to buy new equipment. We currently have exhibitors from over 12 different countries from as far afield as America and Japan. It’s fair to say that every major chipper manufacturer will be represented and showing their machines in action.”

Pro Arb | August 2016 35

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BUSINESS What are the highlights for arborists?

APF will host a wide range of events and activities to interest every arborist, including competitions such as the Pole Climbing Championships and European Chainsaw Carving Competition. Alongside competitive displays is the opportunity to engage with businesses in the sector, both independent and multinational. Visitors will be able to discuss technical issues with a range of industry experts, with plenty of opportunities to learn about the latest developments in the arboricultural industry.

Technical updates and seminars APF 2016 is set to host numerous discussions on a range of topical issues.

Plant health continues to grow in importance in the industry, and the Forestry Commission will be promoting its ‘Keep It Clean’ campaign at APF 2016. The Forestry Commission will host a series of topical seminars to bring you up to date with current research and news on the latest pests and diseases. In addition, workshops will be hosted discussing worker health, training and safety issues. Every major woodland, forest and tree related association is represented.

The Husqvarna World 25m Pole Climbing Championships The competition is set to be fierce for the climbers, with competitor numbers for the event greater than ever before. The championship will to include 50 of the world’s top climbers competing for the coveted trophy and the offer of a tempting ,000 in cash, and ,000 in us varna goods for first place.

The UPM Tilhill and A W Jenkinson European Chainsaw Carving Competition The carving competition will run over the course of the three days and boasts over 25 competitors, the greatest number of competitors to date.

Each competitor will be given a 2m high x 1m diameter piece of redwood timber, and may carve it into any design they desire, with trends over previous years observing a wide range of technical sculptures. First prize for the event will be 00 and the PM Tilhill A enkinson Tilhill orestry trophy. This is followed by second pri e of 00 and third pri e of 1 0.

Where can I get my ticket?

The event is being held at the agley Estate in arwickshire, with tickets on sale now. Tickets will be available on the gate for £20. Advance tickets can be purchased online from £18 for one day. Tickets admit one person on any one day and include a catalogue on arrival, parking and VAT. If you would like to order and buy advance tickets, you can call the the credit card hotline on 01737 245 081 or visit www.apfexhibiton.co.uk

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KIT STAND

KaarbonTech Asset Management

KaarbonTech provides tree survey and tree management software for the private arborist, local government or major landowner. Its award-winning asset management software is part of a suite of solutions used by more than 20 local authorities. Developed especially for tablet or smartphone technology, the systems combine Ordnance Survey topographical mapping, high speed data entry and exporting to a variety of formats. Access data from any browser or tablet and plot confidently with location accuracy of up to 1cm. Bring your Android or iOS tablet to life with KaarbonTech technology.

H6c

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STAND

Arboricultural Association

The Arboricultural Association (AA) is the largest body in the UK for the amenity tree care professional. Celebrating its 50th year in 2014, the association continues to grow its range of activities and membership working with professionals in the sector and promoting the safe, professional management of our urban and rural trees’ environments. The AA supports its 2,400 members and the wider community of arborists through training, education, events and the accreditation of ARB Approved Contractors and Registered Consultants. The association provides a wide range of resources and events to help maintain professional standards within the sector.

F15a

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GO SEE AT APF

Pro Arb’s picks of the top exhibitors at the show Back this year, APF 2016 is set to be a great show. Pro Arb has picked out a few of the stands that we recommend you visit, from the full range of over 280 exhibitors spanning the arboriculture and foresty industries

STAND

19402000 in

Global Recycling Solutions Ltd On display at the show will be the full range of Jo Beau wood chippers and stump grinders. Designed and manufactured in Belgium, Jo Beau prides itself on the quality of its workmanship. Come and test before you buy – there will be a range of machines available for demonstration during the show. This will complement the current Bandit range of wood chippers and stump grinders, enabling us to offer wood chippers from 1in through to 36in capacity. www.globalrecycling.eu

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STAND

Green-tech

Green-tech is the leading UK supplier of products for landscape solutions to architects, contractors and garden designers. They have over 6,000 products available from stock for national delivery; whether your project includes tree planting in a woodland, maintenance of a public open space or creating an urban landscape, Green-tech has a range of products to suit. They will be showcasing an extensive range of rural tree planting equipment and sundries in addition to their award-winning range of soils and growing media for landscapes and green roofs. They will also have John Chambers Wildflower seed available, along with a range of conservation wildlife habitats to promote biodiversity.

C8

www.green-tech.co.uk

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KIT

STAND

FoxMedics

FoxMedics First Aid Training uses its 10 years’ experience in the prehospital setting to develop first aid training courses that are tailored for your industry and interests. All courses are delivered to a high standard and by a current practising HCPC paramedic. o edics accredited arborist specific first aid training course provides the learner with various life-saving and self-preservation skills, benefiting both teams and the loan wor er. Course discount vouchers will be available at the show.

G10b

www.foxmedics.co.uk

STAND

Makita UK Ltd

Visit Makita UK for the very latest 520-560 chainsaw additions to the outstanding & C4 outdoor power equipment range, and experience the very best technology in the MM4 patented four stroke range of grounds maintenance equipment. A comprehensive range of battery operated tools are gaining popularity with the new and ever expanding 36v Lithium-ion battery. This can now feature the latest twin 18v battery configuration which is ideal for those owners who already possess a quantity of Makita 18v batteries. Twin 18v tools include lawnmowers, blowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, brush cutters and a brushless linetrimmer.

STAND

16401680 in

www.makitauk.com

STAND

Timberwolf The UK’s leading manufacturer of wood chippers and shredders is proud to announce the launch of the new TW 280 TFTR, a tracked variant of the new TW 280 TDHB. Designed with the professional contractor in mind, the TW 280 TFTR combines an infeed of 280 x 200mm together with Timberwolf’s well known performance to deliver a truly outstanding 8in wood chipper.

Timberwolf is also celebrating its 30th anniversary in the industry by giving everyone the chance to win an industry leading sub 750kg TW 230DHB. www.timberwolf-uk.com

Arbortec Forestwear

This will be the first year that Arbortec orestwear has exhibited at the APF show. Building on their success at the International KWF Show in Germany 2016, they have decided to take one of the larger spaces at the UK’s largest show. At the show Arbortec will be displaying its full product range to those within the industry.

They will also be running a competition which will give visitors the chance to win free kit. As a team they look forward to the show, visiting their customers and meeting those within the industry.

DS8

www.arbortecforestwear.com

STAND

Predator Power

Predator Power is the leading supplier of compact tracked tree stump grinders in the UK, Europe and Australasia.

Come and see the demo stand to see latest kit, grab the latest deals and have a chat. The entire range of machines will be available to try from the smallest pedestrian to the largest tracked machines.

10801120 in

www.predator-mfg.com

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KIT

STAND

PSD Groundscare

PSD Groundscare specialises in supplying high uality professional machinery, offering a comprehensive product range from leading innovative European manufacturers such as Eliet and TS ndustrie including chippers, flail mowers and banks mowers.

In 1994 with the launch of the Super Prof, Eliet introduced the first professional shredder, a revolution in the market. Today liet shredders offer a range of comfortable, e cient, environmentally friendly and smart machines. The range of multi-vegetation chipper-shredders from TS Industrie brings versatility, fle ibility and e ciency in all cutting and pruning activities, while the range of professional chippers allows you to chip branches of an even larger diameter for forestry use.

H12 & 120-140

www.psdgroundscare.co.uk

STAND

GreenMech

GreenMech, Europe’s largest manufacturer of wood chippers, will be showcasing at this year’s APF show its newest innovations. out Stand 80 to 110, in the outside area, will be showing a selection of GreenMech wood chippers in a new livery and sporting a new folding table, bottom control bars and all new infeed touch controls. Amongst them will be the first showing of the new loo Arborist 1 0 and Arborist 1 0 chippers. reen ech staff will be on hand to offer comprehensive technical advice and e plain the fle ible finance options that are currently available.

80-110

www.greenmech.co.uk

STAND

Caledonian Forestry Services Ltd

Caledonian Forestry has been suppling forestry equipment for over 0 years in the and aims to fulfil all your re uirements.

They will be launching the new range of ala firewood processors, including the D 0, C 00 and the Titan. They will also be demonstrating the e siting range of well established ala firewood processors from which there are several models to choose from. On display will also be a select few of the esla loaders and trailers they supply which can be custom fit to your specifications, whether it be a drag trailer with a small or large loader or a three point linkage mounted loader. Customers who require log splitting machinery can choose from the Rabaud range of cone, vertical or horizontal splitters, with the option of being PTO driven or engine powered. Rabaud has been a leading manufacturer in log splitting for 0 years.

20002040 in

STAND

Timbery

Timbery sawmills enable hobbyists and entrylevel sawyers to get started with their own sawmill, offering low priced sawmills from 2, 00 , bandsaw blades 10 blades from , board edgers, and all-in-one blade maintenance equipment.

Timbery will debut at APF this year with an M100 sawmill, a board edger, bandsaw blades and a blade sharpener. Visit our stand and try sawmilling for yourself. ou ll see how easy and affordable it can be with Timbery. Timbery products are C certified and made in the USA and Europe.

120160

www.timbery.co.uk

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www.caledonianforestryservices.co.uk

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SINCE 1968

New vehicles for the Arb industry supplied throughout the UK

WOW! DANequip’s stump grinders have the advantage of narrow access - down to 26”

01420 476248

Available on all Chassis Makes & Models Call 020 8539 0611

Pro Arb August Ads.indd 33

www.perkinscs.com

www.danequip.co.uk

Leading the way in narrow access stump grinding

02/08/2016 15:46

Pede

KIT

STAND

Wrekin Products

Wrekin manufactures and supplies landscaping systems, geotextiles, geogrids and other ground engineering products. Our innovative approach to product design and commitment to quality and service has firmly embedded our position as a mar et leader in civil engineering solutions. With more than 30 years of technical expertise, Wrekin intends to use APF to showcase the latest in rotectaWeb tree root protection systems alongside grass protection systems and gravel or grass retention paving systems. The expert team will be on hand to answer any uestions you may have regarding products.

G10c

www.wrekinproducts.com

STAND

Tipmaster Ltd

Tipmaster td, tipping body manufacturer and bespo e body builder, will be e hibiting a selection of . t W arb tippers including an all wheel drive ord Transit. Tipmaster produces body wor for all major chassis manufacturers and hold manufacturer approval as well as whole vehicle type approval. Tipmaster supplies body wor to new and used chassis cabs up to t W as well as new chassis complete with body wor on a national basis. At this year s show Tipmaster will be displaying a range of Arbmaster welded aluminium bodies, with light, strong construction giving the best pay load.

G1

www.tipmaster.co.uk

STAND

Ryetec Industrial Equipment

STAND

Bucket Warehouse (Hardlife UK Ltd)

As a company that s new to the industry, we will be showcasing one of our newest and most exclusive products, the ‘Hardlife’ hydraulic excavator TSH model tree shear. Engineered as a heavy duty, professional work tool, the shear has a service attachment that wor s off your e isting hammer circuit, with one powerful hydraulic ram. With a removable blade, it also doubles as a hydraulic grab and is one of the fastest and easiest to maintain tree shears on the market. We hope to generate a lot of interest, meet some influential people and tal e tensively about trees

E9a

www.bucketwarehouse.com

T forestry trailers and cranes, grabs and grapples for telehandlers and tractor loaders.

Rabauds ylog 0, the firewood processor that holds the world record of producing 4 cubic metres of clean logs in 24 hours. High capacity horizontal cordwood splitters to split large diameter material up to 3.5m in length with splitting power from 13t to 80t and remote controlled versions with self loading and tables to collect split logs for further processing.

Vertical log splitters with winch and log lifting options up to 22t and circular saws and separate or combined elevators.

16401680 out

www.ryetec.co.uk

42 Pro Arb | August 2016

Go see at APF.indd 42

WWW.PROARBMAGAZINE.COM

02/08/2016 15:17

TIMBERWOLF CHIPPER DEALER

Eliet Green Waste Shredder dealer Toro Stumpgrinder dealer Supplier of Husqvarna, Arbortec, Treehog, Marlow, Silky Saws, Stein, Petzl Chain and chipper blade sharpening Sales, service, spares for all makes and manufacturers

FOR HIRE or SALE Call us today for more information Telephone: 0118 940 1740 Email: info@dbm-hire.co.uk Web: www.dbm-hire.co.uk

Tel 0115 9615431 Email info@psmmowers.co.uk

WWW.PSMMOWERS.CO.UK

Level 4 diploma in arboriculture Now in Surrey, Leeds, Stafford or online.

Join us now to climb your career ladder.

Why wait?

01252 850096 www.thetrainingtree.co.uk learn@thetrainingtree.co.uk

Pro Arb August Ads.indd 34

awards Recognised Centre

02/08/2016 15:47

WHICH WOULD YOU BUY? STUMP GRINDERS

Pro Arb rounds up the best of the stump grinders available on the market

Vermeer SC362 Width 35in Weight 00 g Engine hp Briggs Cutting depth 15in Cutting height 24in Cost A

tratton

The new C 2 stump cutter was developed with rental yards and tree care contractors in mind providing a compact, high horsepower machine for stump removal. uipped with a hp anguard engine, hydraulic ground drive, belt driven cutter head, operator presence system, ellow Jac et cutter system and optional Auto weep, the C 2 provides operators with ample power and manoeuvrability to ta e out medium si ed stumps. www.vermeer-uk.co.uk

Predator 460 Width 29.5in Weight 230kg Engine 25hp Kohler Cutting depth 12in Cutting height 20in Cost £5,995 + VAT nnovative, powerful and affordable, the self propelled 4 0 stump grinder has uic ly become one of redator s top sellers. Combine plenty of power, an innovative pivot and the high performance ulti Tip cutting system, and arborists can deliver results on a host of sites. The pivot is a feature that veteran operators will appreciate the wide 4ft swing reduces fatigue significantly, truly ta ing the grind out of stump grinding. redator s trademar build uality and compact design will ensure you can rely on accessing narrow sites and getting the ob done, hassle free, every time. www.predator-mfg.com

44 Pro Arb | August 2016

Compare stump grinders.indd 44

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02/08/2016 15:00

KIT Bandit 2250R Width 29in Weight 625kg Engine 25hp Kohler Cutting depth 14in Cutting height 24.5in Cost £14,750 + VAT This is the new model Bandit 2250R, a revolutionary machine in the smaller stump grinder arena. itted with a 2 hp petrol engine it uses a heavy duty hydrostatic motor to directly power the cutter wheel, eliminating the need for many components. This results in a reduced downtime for maintenance translating to a lower ownership cost. Compared with traditional grinders, costs have been seen to be reduced by up to 0 . The grinder can be purchased with either the Bandit Revolution wheel or 00 series reenteeth. Coupled with this, the 22 0R model has a 0in swing arc. A lot of the components from its predecessor have been removed or redesigned ma ing the machine lighter, cheaper and less comple . verall it is only 44in in height with a low centre of gravity. www.globalrecycling.eu

DANequip 25SP Camon SG30 Width 63cm Weight 135kg Engine Honda GX30 petrol banks Cutting depth 33cm Cutting height 56cm Cost £2,396 + VAT Designed and built by Tracmaster in the , the Camon 0 is fitted with eight hard wearing and long lasting reenteeth which can be rotated three times to prolong their lifespan. These teeth are not only cost effective, but also provide a very e cient cut and put less strain on the machine than regular teeth. The Honda banks engine will eep going even when the machine is tipped, and the narrow width means that access isn’t a problem. Other features include a reinforced chassis for additional strength, top of the range belts for optimum performance, and a folding and adjustable handlebar. www.tracmaster.co.uk

WWW.PROARBMAGAZINE.COM

Compare stump grinders.indd 45

Width 28in Weight 275kg Engine 25hp Kohler Cutting depth 14in Cutting height 14in Cost £6,600

The DANequip 25SP pedestrian stump grinder has the advantage of narrow access at only 2 in wide, so will fit through most places. A set of even narrower wheels comes with the machine, bringing the width down to 2 in. The 2 is compact and well balanced, ma ing it a little easier on the operator to use. The engine is a 2 hp ohler Command, with electric start and low oil pressure alert fitted as standard. The 36cm diameter cutter wheel is 12mm thic , using just eight standard teeth, producing more than enough inertia but keeping running costs down. The 2 has a powerful, variable hydrostatic drive allowing the operator to get the machine to the stump quickly. www.danequip.co.uk

NEXT MONTH: hand saws

Pro Arb | August 2016 45

02/08/2016 15:01

KIT

CLIMBING ROPES latest kit

Yale Blue Tongue 11.7mm Climbing Rope 1 Splice Yale Blue Tongue rope represents a uantum leap in tree climbing line technology. Made out of premium grade polyester this 2 strand climbing line has been made for exceptional performance through mechanical ascent descent devices as well as the traditional arborist climbing techni ues. The 11. mm diameter provides the perfect balance between the weight of 11mm line and the feel of 1 mm line. The highly vibrant colour guarantees exceptional visibility in the tree. It is possibly the most vibrant and visible rope on the market.

www.frjonesandson.co.uk

Marlow Ropes Venom Lighter and suppler than traditional 1 mm climbing lines, the 2 plait, 100 nylon Venom has been specifi cally designed to be used in con unction with the latest mechanical ascenders. Extensive fi eld trials have already demonstrated marked performance improvements over e uivalent ropes on the market in both single and double rope techni ue. Venom is available in 2 m, m or m lengths with spliced or sewn terminations, or by the metre off the reel.

www.honeybros.com

Yale XTC from Treekit The Yale TC is one of the first climbing ropes specifically manufactured for double rope techni ue in tree climbing and features excellent characteristics. Practically non-rotating, extremely tight woven sheath, easy to knot and handle, long lasting because of its abrasion-resistant construction. reat with all friction hitches and Lock ack operations. A classic that to this day has no reason to shy away from any comparison with other climbing ropes.

Sterling opes’ newest, fully certified addition to the climbing line roster, the Scion Climbing Line’s burly construction and the ability to absorb dynamic forces makes this rope ideal for doubled rope techni ue T and single rope techni ue S T . The 11. mm Scion has a polyester 2 strand cover and doublebraided construction, engineered to have decreased elongation, soft handling and easy notability. This rope has a tight, durable sheath that can handle mechanical devices and hardware.

Meets E 1 1 type A, A SI 1 and CE 0120 re uirements. www.buxtons.net

LK Ropes.indd 46

Braided Safety Blue is the industry standard 16 strand climbing rope. Engineered design and attention to manufacturing details set Braided Safety Blue apart from similar ropes. irst, each strand in Braided Safety Blue is comprised of tightly plied fibres.

Other manufacturers skip the step of plying the strand yarns which makes their ropes more susceptible to snagging.

Second, strands feature fibrillated polyolefi n.

This fibre is a better uality fibre than the stiff M P monofilament polypropylene used in other 16 strand climbing ropes. ibrillated polyolefi n is softer and more exible which translates into a rope with superior knotability, better handling and no memory’ the rope coils nicely and does not have kinks after it’s untied. The entire rope is coated with a protective fi nish to enhance abrasion resistance.

www.marlowropes.com

Sterling Ropes Scion Climbing Line

46 Pro Arb | August 2016

New England Hi-Vee Rope Spliced from Honey Bros

www.treekit.com

WWW.PROARBMAGAZINE.COM

02/08/2016 14:08

IT WORKS FOR ARBORICULTURE

OVER10,000 JOBSEEKERS VISIT OUR SITE A MONTH

48,000

OVER 450 cvs online to browse

OVER emails are sent to candidates monthly

cv

on average there are strong candidate applications per ARB job

5

Weekly jobs mailer

Feature jobs inside relevant print magazine

Jobs featured on weekly news and round up emails

Different solutions to secure quality applicants

official job board:

visit the website at horticulturecareers.co.uk call amber today on 01903 777 581 Horticulture Careers Full Page PRO ARB AUGUST 16.indd 1

04/08/2016 09:27

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Secateurs, hedgeshears and the world’s finest pruning saws in superb, tempered Japanese steel KST 230

KST 217

Silky Fox Saws

KST 103

Foxley Estate Office, Mansel Lacy, Hereford HR4 7HQ

Hayauchi 490

Pocketboy 170

Tel: 01981 590224 Fax: 01981 590355 enquiries@silkyfox.co.uk

Visit silkyfox.co.uk to find your local stockist

unfogable mesh eye protection

www.meshsafetyglasses.com 0845 2222 039

www.woodchipper-pro.com

ALL MATERIALS The New Prof 5 Shredder • • • • Makes easy work of branches, wet green waste and mixed leafage 4 Season shredder is effective in all conditions Smooth and easy suction feed system Produces easily compostable BioTech™ chips

Call: 08450 773 773

www.psdgroundscare.co.uk

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ALL YEAR 13/03/2013 12:38 01/08/2016 15:15

BUSINESS

Pro Arb reviews the first book in the Tree Morphogenesis series

by David Lloyd-Jones

A

ccording to David LloydJones, humans maintain an innate capacity to both subliminally appreciate natural beauty, and recognise unnatural shapes and structures in nature. With this in mind, Tree Morphogenesis guides us through how trees grow and why.

It can aid tree owners and arborists alike in the way it challenges perception, understanding and management of trees

BOOK REVIEW Tree Morphogenesis by David Lloyd-Jones Tree Morphogenesis explores how trees use environmental extremes to grow and diversify their structures, whilst highlighting how e cient, impressive, and yet strikingly simple these structures are. Lloyd-Jones is an advocate of tree pruning methods that seek to promote natural growth, rather than hinder it, and he provides both logical and biological explanations for our innate and instinctive perceptions.

Lloyd-Jones determines that the shape of wild trees is in uenced by what is known as ‘growth phase shifts’, which

can be defined as a permanent structural mark that proceeds to dictate the shape of a tree.

Growth phase shifts can happen when a tree’s apical bud is lost through natural causes; a growth phase shift occurs when the side buds are given a chance to grow, before a new apical bud takes over. During periods free of apical dominance, branches can grow freely, oftentimes leading to unexpected and awkward growths. Deviation in the growth phase shift can then be used to establish a tree’s history.

Pruning methods Lloyd-Jones provides an interesting insight into the reasons why trees continue to exhibit ‘evolved weaknesses’. e clarifies that they’re not actually defects at all, but act instead as an essential part of tree survival. The tree prepares certain branches for partial failure so that, in extreme climactic events, the tree is pruned back to its weakest forks in order to preserve the structural integrity of the whole. This is what is known as the ‘wind pruning’ process, which avoids the stress traditionally associated with pruning.

Lloyd-Jones draws attention to the effects of an unnecessary significant reduction in the leaf area, and highlights how it should be avoided if the health, vitality and disease resistance of the tree is to continue strong. Instead, he favours the practice and accommodation of wind pruning.

WWW.PROARBMAGAZINE.COM

Book review.indd 49

The book caters for audiences both professional and nonprofessional, with positive tree healthcare as its overriding principle.

It can aid tree owners and arborists alike in the way it challenges perception, understanding and management of trees. Tree Morphogenesis is a considerately written, informative guide. It seeks to remind the reader how impressive trees are. The book, though dense, is easy to read. It boasts over 29 years of experience from the writer, which transfers to an abundance of personal experience in copy. It details multiple contexts where new found knowledge may be utilised, with the assurance that all techniques within the book have been tried, tested and applied to thousands of trees.

When placed in a wider context, it is apparent that wind pruning will only gain popularity if those who own

It is apparent that wind pruning will only gain popularity if those who own trees directly request it trees directly re uest it. It redefines sensitive tree care, and directly contradicts traditional methods of arboriculture, which can often witness the unnecessary felling of trees in favour of clients’ interest.

Though Lloyd-Jones’ method of pruning becoming the industry standard is improbable, it calls for a refocus on what is best for the tree.

Pro Arb | August 2016 49

02/08/2016 14:33

CAREERS

For full details on all jobs, please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

Call 01903 777 570 or email hortcareers@eljays44.com with your vacancy

SKILLED ARBORIST

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE OPERATIVE

Our client is looking for a skilled arborist to join their team on their estate based in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. You will have excellent knowledge of tree and fungus identification, must have climbing experience, tree identification and disease identification skills and experience in arboricultural operations. You will be responsible for the implementation of tree work specifications, completing health and safety checks and all site risk assessments. The successful candidate will hold the relevant arborist qualifications as standard which include the NPTC units CS30, CS31, CS32, CS38 and CS39 and you will carry out other landscape duties on the estate when tree work is not required.

Barge Group Ltd is expanding and requires new crew members to join our dynamic company. Barge Group operates from our main depot near Dartford in Kent and undertakes a range of services, serving a multitude of sectors including traffic management, highway vegetation management, arboriculture, stump grinding, fencing, 24/7 emergency callout, weed control and facilities maintenance. We are seeking applicants from across the range of divisions, ideally formally trained in the aspect of work that they specialise in.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

ARBORICULTURE SURVEYOR / CONSULTANT

TEAM LEADER / CLIMBING ARBORIST

Initially self-employed, you will work two to three days per week. The schedule can be flexible, but must be available to work during school holidays and be happy working from home. You will be asked to undertake a variety of different tasks, mostly surveying trees with potential to attend meetings and assist staff with reports and day-to-day administrative tasks. Pay is negotiable and subject to experience and there is the possibility of a growing role within the company.

You will have a relevant degree / foundation degree or diploma, experience and a thorough understanding of BS 5837 and BS 3998 is desirable. You need to be very detail orientated and have precise communication skills, a great sense of enthusiasm and a nice email manner.

The arboriculture department at Burleys is seeking to employ a team leader and climber operating from our base near Dorking. Candidates must hold these or equivalent qualifications: 002001 City & Guilds NPTC Chainsaw Maintenance, 002002 City & Guilds NPTC Cross-cut Using a Chainsaw or 002003 City & Guilds Chainsaw Maintenance & Cross-cutting, 002013 City & Guilds Tree Climbing & Aerial Rescue or 002106 City & Guilds Aerial Rescue Operations and 002108 City & Guilds Aerial Cutting of Trees with Chainsaw Using Free-fall techniques. Ideal candidates will hold additional qualifications such as 002109 City & Guilds Aerial Tree Rigging, 002113 City & Guilds Aerial Tree Pruning, 002115 City & Guilds Safe Use of Chainsaw from a MEWP and ROLO Certification & CSCS Card.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

SITE OPERATIVE

ARBORICULTURAL CLIMBER

You will be involved in all aspects of forestry / landscaping maintenance including grass seeding and cutting, weeding, pruning, turfing, planting, felling, spraying, fencing and all other general forestry maintenance operations. You will be expected to carry out practical skilled maintenance and new work operations to set standards and schedules.

You will be expected to willingly participate in all required training, have the ability to communicate well, have a mature attitude to safety procedures, be willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions and have the ability to work as a valued team member and on your own initiative where necessary. It would be an advantage if you held your CS30 and CS31.

Bartlett Tree Experts is a privately owned arboricultural company in the UK and Ireland and leaders in the tree care industry with offices nationwide. Bartlett provides a discerning service to private and public clients who require an exceptional level of tree work and customer service. Services are not only limited to tree surgery but extend to soil management, pest and disease control, mature tree planting, research and development, diagnostic services and consultancy. Applicants must have all relevant NPTC qualifications (minimum of CS30, 31, 38, 39), a full driving licence ideally with C1 plus E, a proven track record in all aspects of tree work and the ability to demonstrate excellent climbing and tree surgery skills. Salary dependent on experience. Additional incentive schemes and company pension scheme.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk

OXFORDSHIRE

LONDON

LEICESTERSHIRE

50 Pro Arb | August 2016

Jobs.indd 50

ERITH

DORKING, SURREY

NATIONWIDE

WWW.PROARBMAGAZINE.COM

04/08/2016 09:46

The

ANCIENT TREE

ANCIENT TREE COLUMN

column

Each month we feature an ancient British tree. This month the Ancient Tree Forum introduces us to...

The birch with the upturned hands, Cumbria Geltsdale, in north Cumbria, is a wonderful example of ancient wood pasture habitat. Among its numerous veteran trees is this special silver birch. Iris Glimmerveen, of the Ancient Tree Forum’s new Cumbria group, explains that the ‘birch with upturned hands’ as she calls it, was blown over by a strong easterly wind, and as a result lost some of its roots, and its branches crashed to the ground. “Where the branches touched the soil they managed to put out roots, which then nourished and revitalised them.

The remaining stems have taken the shape of upturned hands. The tree may appear as nine separate stems, but when you look more closely you can see that the stems are linked and can be traced back all the way to the

Fallen but regenerating trees are one of the features you might expect to see in wood pasture

fallen main stem. This birch has taught me to be a tree detective.”

Fallen but regenerating trees are one of the features you might expect to see in wood pasture, along with a mosaic of open grassland, patches of shrubs, and large ancient and other veteran trees. Geltsdale is grazed by cattle, but the trees have not been utilised within living memory as they would have been in earlier days. “Neither the owner nor the tenant had any need to manage Geltsdale’s trees for timber so only branches blocking paths were cut,” said Iris. “This birch and many others were left

gained a valuable experience, can regain control and allow myself to move on.”

To contact Ancient Tree Forum Cumbria, call Ian Jack on 01931 712 218 or email ian.jack@lowther.co.uk.

The Ancient Tree Forum champions the biological, cultural and heritage value of Britain’s ancient and veteran trees, and provides advice at www.ancienttreeforum.co.uk

WWW.PROARBMAGAZINE.COM

Ancient Tree.indd 51

This birch and many others were left as they fell.

As they recovered, many took on peculiar shapes

© Iris Glimmerveen

as they fell. As they recovered, many took on peculiar shapes.”

The birch with the upturned hands has been nominated as one of Cumbria’s top fifty trees by Iris, who explains why it’s her favourite tree: “Its characteristic shape clearly shows that it fell, but turned it into a positive event by putting out roots and continuing to grow. For me, this is the e uivalent of dusting yourself off and starting all over again’, so when life deals me a blow, my tree reminds me that I have

Pro Arb | August 2016 51

02/08/2016 14:24

light on track Contact your nearest dealer for August offer

Pro Arb August Ads.indd 25

01/08/2016 12:52