The Hayter 56 model is one of the largest pedestrian lawnmowers ever built. Hayter has several rear roller rotary models but its Harrier range offers an impressive 22-inch cutting width. This allows you to cut a wider path on your lawn which could speed up your work.
The Hayter Harrier 56 lawnmower comes in three new models. However, all models have steel rear rollers with slightly raised cut height. These features will enable you to mow rough areas and finish lawn edges with ease. The machine also provides a striped finish for your lawn giving it a more formal look. With a powerful built-in suction, you will be mowing and vacuuming your lawn like a professional gardener.
There are several benefits that you can enjoy from the Hayter 56 lawnmower. For one thing, the machine offers superior traction and easier turning abilities. This is due to the ingenious ribbed split differential rear roller. So even if you are navigating on an inclined and tight area, the Hayter Harrier 56 can perform excellently.
Another advantage that you can get from this machine is its tough ABS under deck. The under deck lining is specifically designed to enhance performance during cutting and collecting operation. Because of this feature, total mowing time on your lawn can be cut in half. Most important of all, the design minimizes the noise of the machine which is good for your ear.
The lawnmower of Hayter is made from die-cast aluminum. This is the best material that can effectively resist corrosion. The rust-free aluminum body minimizes the maintenance of the lawnmower and guarantees longer life span.
Lastly, the Harrier 56 model has excellent safety features and it is especially built for efficiency. It features variable speed at ground level allowing the operator to easily adjust the performance of the mower based on the condition of the lawn. You can also save on gas because Hayter is using the Series 825 efficient engine of Briggs & Stratton.
So if you are in the market for a powerful and highly efficient lawnmower, then the Hayter 56 mower should be seriously considered.
Wednesday 4 August 2010
Tuesday 13 April 2010
How to Choose the Right Honda Lawnmower
Honda's lawn mowers are built to commercial landscaping standards, meaning that they can handle jobs from the roughest backyard work to everyday commercial use. Honda mowers have long been considered the leader in the field by professionals for delivering durable, reliable, quiet, and fuel efficient performance. These features are the result of advanced engineering, using only the highest quality components, and Honda's cutting edge designs. Honda's mowers consistently do the job while meeting the toughest emission regulations in the country.
Choosing the right Honda lawn mower is a matter of defining the types of usage which will be required and deciding on the level of features, convenience, and performance that will be necessary. The HRX series, considered to be the top of the line for Honda lawn mowers, comes loaded with features including the "Versamow System" which allows for 4 in 1 convenience of mulching, bagging, discharging, and leaf shredding with no additional tools or attachments. Additional features include Honda's cruise control hydrostatic transmission and Roto- Stop, which allows for the blades to stop while the engine continues to run.
The HRR series of Honda lawnmowers offers outstanding options, features, and value. There are several models to choose from including features such as Smart Drive variable speed, Auto Choke, two position EZ fold handles, and the exclusive Honda QuadraCut twin blade system for state of the art mulching and bagging.
Honda HRS mowers offer Honda reliability, durability, and quality, with exceptional maneuverability and performance at a fantastic value. Features include 6 variable cutting heights ranging from 1" to 3 1/2" and features ergonomic design advances for superior handling, safety, convenience & comfort. The HRR series is also self-propelled, single speed and features side discharge and mulching capabilities.
The reliability and versatility of Honda lawnmowers series means that there are no bad choices when it comes to buying a lawnmower. Determining how the lawnmower is going to be used can ensure that all lawn maintenance needs can be taken care of in the most efficient way possible.
Choosing the right Honda lawn mower is a matter of defining the types of usage which will be required and deciding on the level of features, convenience, and performance that will be necessary. The HRX series, considered to be the top of the line for Honda lawn mowers, comes loaded with features including the "Versamow System" which allows for 4 in 1 convenience of mulching, bagging, discharging, and leaf shredding with no additional tools or attachments. Additional features include Honda's cruise control hydrostatic transmission and Roto- Stop, which allows for the blades to stop while the engine continues to run.
The HRR series of Honda lawnmowers offers outstanding options, features, and value. There are several models to choose from including features such as Smart Drive variable speed, Auto Choke, two position EZ fold handles, and the exclusive Honda QuadraCut twin blade system for state of the art mulching and bagging.
Honda HRS mowers offer Honda reliability, durability, and quality, with exceptional maneuverability and performance at a fantastic value. Features include 6 variable cutting heights ranging from 1" to 3 1/2" and features ergonomic design advances for superior handling, safety, convenience & comfort. The HRR series is also self-propelled, single speed and features side discharge and mulching capabilities.
The reliability and versatility of Honda lawnmowers series means that there are no bad choices when it comes to buying a lawnmower. Determining how the lawnmower is going to be used can ensure that all lawn maintenance needs can be taken care of in the most efficient way possible.
Thursday 25 March 2010
Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Doncaster, South Yorkshire is an historic English market town where the bustling pace of the town centre meets unspoiled countryside and pictorial villages. Transport has played a major role in Doncaster's heritage. The town's wealth was generated by the lucrative stagecoach trade during the 17th and 18th Centuries.
The magnificent keep in Conisbrough Castle, which is made of limestone, dates back as far as 1180. Circular in shape, it is the oldest of its kind in the whole of England. One of Doncaster's most significant landmarks is St George's Church which has a long and interesting history. Designed by Sir Gilbert Scott, this architectural masterpiece houses an extraordinary Schulze organ.
In Doncaster you will also find one of England's most comprehensive Victorian houses, Brodsworth Hall, which boasts more than 30 rooms. Another fascinating place is Cusworth Hill, a grand 18th Century country home which is now the Museum of South Yorkshire Life. Here you can see how life in this area evolved over the past 250 years.
There are plenty of other attractions in Doncaster for families and those who are young at heart. Hatfield Water Park has superb water sport facilities and there are always helpful instructors on standby to give beginners a helping hand. Britain's biggest collection of functional trolley buses can be seen at the Trolley Bus Museum at Sandtoft which is just 15 miles from Doncaster.
Just a few minutes from the center of Doncaster is The Dome which is one of Britain's top leisure and sporting attractions. Here you will find a fascinating water world called The Lagoons which features 7 pools. Other attractions at The Dome include a split-level ice rink, fitness and health facilities and an indoor climbing wall.
Anyone visiting Doncaster - South Yorkshire just has to see the Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery. Using decorative and fine art, archaeology and natural history, this museum which opened in 1964 tells the extremely interesting story of the region. There are plenty of other fine galleries and museums worth a visit in this area of England.
The magnificent keep in Conisbrough Castle, which is made of limestone, dates back as far as 1180. Circular in shape, it is the oldest of its kind in the whole of England. One of Doncaster's most significant landmarks is St George's Church which has a long and interesting history. Designed by Sir Gilbert Scott, this architectural masterpiece houses an extraordinary Schulze organ.
In Doncaster you will also find one of England's most comprehensive Victorian houses, Brodsworth Hall, which boasts more than 30 rooms. Another fascinating place is Cusworth Hill, a grand 18th Century country home which is now the Museum of South Yorkshire Life. Here you can see how life in this area evolved over the past 250 years.
There are plenty of other attractions in Doncaster for families and those who are young at heart. Hatfield Water Park has superb water sport facilities and there are always helpful instructors on standby to give beginners a helping hand. Britain's biggest collection of functional trolley buses can be seen at the Trolley Bus Museum at Sandtoft which is just 15 miles from Doncaster.
Just a few minutes from the center of Doncaster is The Dome which is one of Britain's top leisure and sporting attractions. Here you will find a fascinating water world called The Lagoons which features 7 pools. Other attractions at The Dome include a split-level ice rink, fitness and health facilities and an indoor climbing wall.
Anyone visiting Doncaster - South Yorkshire just has to see the Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery. Using decorative and fine art, archaeology and natural history, this museum which opened in 1964 tells the extremely interesting story of the region. There are plenty of other fine galleries and museums worth a visit in this area of England.
Saturday 20 March 2010
The Petrol Chainsaw - Always Adhere to Safety Measures
The petrol chainsaw is a useful and very efficient tool to have for sawing down trees, lopping off branches and tidying up the garden or just sawing logs to make them into firewood. But you must consider that if the chainsaw can saw down a tree then it is obviously a very powerful and potentially dangerous tool to use. Whenever I hear the word chainsaw I have visions of that old horror movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. But that is to the extreme. A petrol chainsaw is safe to use providing you use common sense and wear the correct protective gear.
The protective clothing you should be wearing are suitable trousers and jacket that allow you to move freely yet offer some form of protection to the body by being of strengthened materials. A head protector of some sort, like the helmets builders wear when on site, are a wise choice to protect against falling branches and other such items that may just drop unrepentantly from the skies. And when actually sawing, to protect your eyes from flying debris or sawdust, a good pair of goggles or face visor is a must. The chainsaw when in full throw can be a noisy creature so to deter any possible damage to your hearing try out some ear plugs or ear protectors. All of these protective items can be purchased from hardware stores or even the place where you bought the chainsaw.
Common sense though you cannot buy from any outlet. When sawing something with the chainsaw try to envisage first where it will land when cut. Always stand aside of this spot. If it is branches of a tree you are lopping off and you need to be in the tree make sure you are stable and secure in your position before even thinking of switching on the chainsaw. And finally never let yourself be distracted when operating the chainsaw. Even if you are working together with a friend, keep conversations or any general chit chat until the chainsaw is switched off. Focus and concentration will ensure safe usage of your petrol chainsaw. And last but not least, if you are planning on using a chainsaw it maybe not so wise to watch a video of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre the night before1 There are many other films you could watch instead.
My name is Paul Garnett and I live and work in Sweden.I have a love for the outdoors and most outdoor activities.My home bound hobbies include making web sites.If you are on the search for new petrol chainsaw then check out Petrol Chainsaws. Something else that might interest you in the garden/outdoor tool theme is the Petrol Strimmer.
The protective clothing you should be wearing are suitable trousers and jacket that allow you to move freely yet offer some form of protection to the body by being of strengthened materials. A head protector of some sort, like the helmets builders wear when on site, are a wise choice to protect against falling branches and other such items that may just drop unrepentantly from the skies. And when actually sawing, to protect your eyes from flying debris or sawdust, a good pair of goggles or face visor is a must. The chainsaw when in full throw can be a noisy creature so to deter any possible damage to your hearing try out some ear plugs or ear protectors. All of these protective items can be purchased from hardware stores or even the place where you bought the chainsaw.
Common sense though you cannot buy from any outlet. When sawing something with the chainsaw try to envisage first where it will land when cut. Always stand aside of this spot. If it is branches of a tree you are lopping off and you need to be in the tree make sure you are stable and secure in your position before even thinking of switching on the chainsaw. And finally never let yourself be distracted when operating the chainsaw. Even if you are working together with a friend, keep conversations or any general chit chat until the chainsaw is switched off. Focus and concentration will ensure safe usage of your petrol chainsaw. And last but not least, if you are planning on using a chainsaw it maybe not so wise to watch a video of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre the night before1 There are many other films you could watch instead.
My name is Paul Garnett and I live and work in Sweden.I have a love for the outdoors and most outdoor activities.My home bound hobbies include making web sites.If you are on the search for new petrol chainsaw then check out Petrol Chainsaws. Something else that might interest you in the garden/outdoor tool theme is the Petrol Strimmer.
Step by Step Instructions For Repairing Your Lawnmower
There are many different types of lawnmowers and many different brands as well. John Deere is one of the more classy lawnmowers. They sell your smaller basic lawnmowers to the more expensive and nicer running lawn mowers. A good John Deere running lawnmower starts at around $1500. Toro also makes some really nice lawnmowers. For a basic push Toro mower, your going to pay at least $300. As you can see, lawnmowers are an investment, which is why so many people want to know how to fix your lawnmower yourself. There are basic fixes that are simple or much more complex problems but both can be fixed with a little bit of knowledge.
There are some basic things that every person should be aware of in order to fix your lawnmower yourself. The first things are simple common sense. Keep your lawnmower in a cool dry place and as clean as when you first bought it. These simple things will greatly lengthen the life of your lawnmower. Also you want to keep good gas in your mower and make sure you have plenty of it. Insufficient gas could make your mower run funny. Just about anyone can check spark plugs, filters and chains to make sure the are working properly.
If you have followed all these basic things and your lawnmower still isn't running, you might have to dive into the engine. In order to fix your lawnmower yourself then you might have to do some reading. Your mower may have engine problems. Instructables.com is a very informative site, that has the step by step process to fixing your lawnmower engine. This site starts with how to remove the spark plugs and then goes to removing your flywheel, ignition and your carburetor. Each part has a purpose and you need to be aware of everything that the parts does.
Owning a lawnmower is simple but keeping it in good condition and learning how to fix your lawnmower yourself is a lot of work. The most important thing to know is that if you take the time to learn about your lawnmower, then you could save yourself a lot of money over the years. It's also important to read all the instructions and manuals thoroughly because fixing a lawnmower could be dangerous, if you don't know what you're doing. When in doubt call for help. There is no reason to risk hurting yourself or to cause more problems by doing insufficient repairs.
There are some basic things that every person should be aware of in order to fix your lawnmower yourself. The first things are simple common sense. Keep your lawnmower in a cool dry place and as clean as when you first bought it. These simple things will greatly lengthen the life of your lawnmower. Also you want to keep good gas in your mower and make sure you have plenty of it. Insufficient gas could make your mower run funny. Just about anyone can check spark plugs, filters and chains to make sure the are working properly.
If you have followed all these basic things and your lawnmower still isn't running, you might have to dive into the engine. In order to fix your lawnmower yourself then you might have to do some reading. Your mower may have engine problems. Instructables.com is a very informative site, that has the step by step process to fixing your lawnmower engine. This site starts with how to remove the spark plugs and then goes to removing your flywheel, ignition and your carburetor. Each part has a purpose and you need to be aware of everything that the parts does.
Owning a lawnmower is simple but keeping it in good condition and learning how to fix your lawnmower yourself is a lot of work. The most important thing to know is that if you take the time to learn about your lawnmower, then you could save yourself a lot of money over the years. It's also important to read all the instructions and manuals thoroughly because fixing a lawnmower could be dangerous, if you don't know what you're doing. When in doubt call for help. There is no reason to risk hurting yourself or to cause more problems by doing insufficient repairs.
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Zero Turn Lawnmower
Spring is just around the corner and some people say that spring is the time for a young man's fancy to turn to love. In most cases the young man has to turn his thoughts and ideas to mowing the lawn or if he works for a landscaper than his thoughts turn even more toward mowing lawns. Lawns come in a variety of sizes and configurations. The average lawnmower does not do the job and in order to have that well manicured look you have to finish the job by hand. If you are savvy in lawn mowing equipment and you have a lot of lawn to mow or you are a landscaper, you may want the zero turn lawnmower.
The zero turn lawnmower is like a front loading tractor. The rear wheels turn separately without turning the body of the mower. This sort of movement enables the mower to move completely around and work in places that would not be possible with a push lawnmower.
The zero turn lawnmower does the best job on large lawns of at least half an acre and is best on lawns with obstacles such as trees, sheds, shrubs and other obstacles with which the sit on lawnmower cannot do well. There is one warning concerning the zero turn mower and that it has a tendency to roll over. If you have a flat terrain this is not a problem but if your lawn has any amount of ups and downs and hilly spots than the mower should have a roll-over bar attached.
The tractor type lawnmower is generally bought by the homeowner because it is cheaper. If you have a lot of lawn to mow or are a professional landscaper, than the zero turn mower is your best choice. The zero turn lawnmower may not be cheap but works faster than the standard tractor mower. For the commercial lawn care professional time is of the essence. Time is important as well for today's busy home owner. If you are thinking tractor mower, the zero turn lawnmower is worth looking into.
The zero turn lawnmower is like a front loading tractor. The rear wheels turn separately without turning the body of the mower. This sort of movement enables the mower to move completely around and work in places that would not be possible with a push lawnmower.
The zero turn lawnmower does the best job on large lawns of at least half an acre and is best on lawns with obstacles such as trees, sheds, shrubs and other obstacles with which the sit on lawnmower cannot do well. There is one warning concerning the zero turn mower and that it has a tendency to roll over. If you have a flat terrain this is not a problem but if your lawn has any amount of ups and downs and hilly spots than the mower should have a roll-over bar attached.
The tractor type lawnmower is generally bought by the homeowner because it is cheaper. If you have a lot of lawn to mow or are a professional landscaper, than the zero turn mower is your best choice. The zero turn lawnmower may not be cheap but works faster than the standard tractor mower. For the commercial lawn care professional time is of the essence. Time is important as well for today's busy home owner. If you are thinking tractor mower, the zero turn lawnmower is worth looking into.
Tree-thanasia - The Many Methods For Mercifully Murdering a Tree
Normally, killing a tree is a crime to the environment. But there are instances when it just can't be helped. Sometimes the tree may have become an unwanted obstruction, or perhaps it may be diseased, in which case getting rid of it is the merciful thing to do. Whichever the case may be, one may choose from a number of efficient means of how to kill a tree.
Of course, the typical way for how to kill a tree, and probably the first idea that comes to most people's minds, is to simply cut it down. One may decide to chop it down with an axe, or if the tree is just too big for it, cutting it down with a chainsaw. However, there are environmental laws that govern the act of cutting trees, so one should first confer with the proper authorities about the legalities and the proper procedures before carrying out the deed.
A slow but sure approach for killing a tree is to poison it with herbicides. One should be very careful though, as these chemicals could also be hazardous to one's own health if not handled properly. The instructions for using the herbicide must be followed exactly as written; haphazard use of it may result in affecting and destroying other neighboring plants, as well.
A brand of weed-killer called "Roundup" is another effective way to poison a tree. Again, caution must be exercised in handling it so as not to endanger other trees and plants in the vicinity. To apply it safely, one should drill several holes around the tree trunk at a vertical angle, and then pour the weed-killer into the holes (be sure to use a funnel to prevent spilling). The tree should be dead in not longer than 2 weeks.
A somewhat natural method of how to kill a tree is by having moist and fungus, which is poisonous to trees, grow on it. This is done by first drilling holes measuring a diameter of approximately 1 ½ inches around the trunk. The hole is then filled with nitrogen fertilizer in order to keep the tree moist and thus causing fungus to grow. The tree should then decay within a period of 4 up to 6 weeks. A very slow process, but effective nonetheless.
The easiest way to kill a tree involves nothing more than ordinary salt and water. A trench is dug around a tree, into which a mixture of one-part salt and two-parts water is poured. Preferably, the salt-water mix should be poured in 4 times for the best results. As with the fungus technique, it should take between 4 up to 6 weeks for the tree to deteriorate.
It isn't very hard to figure out how to kill a tree. The methods that we have just presented are pretty straightforward and easy to follow. But as with any other act of taking a life, the killing of a tree should be done only when absolutely necessary. Trees are, after all, a very important and beautiful part of nature. But should the need to put one out of its misery arise, one should have the right tools and the proper knowledge to get the job done.
Of course, the typical way for how to kill a tree, and probably the first idea that comes to most people's minds, is to simply cut it down. One may decide to chop it down with an axe, or if the tree is just too big for it, cutting it down with a chainsaw. However, there are environmental laws that govern the act of cutting trees, so one should first confer with the proper authorities about the legalities and the proper procedures before carrying out the deed.
A slow but sure approach for killing a tree is to poison it with herbicides. One should be very careful though, as these chemicals could also be hazardous to one's own health if not handled properly. The instructions for using the herbicide must be followed exactly as written; haphazard use of it may result in affecting and destroying other neighboring plants, as well.
A brand of weed-killer called "Roundup" is another effective way to poison a tree. Again, caution must be exercised in handling it so as not to endanger other trees and plants in the vicinity. To apply it safely, one should drill several holes around the tree trunk at a vertical angle, and then pour the weed-killer into the holes (be sure to use a funnel to prevent spilling). The tree should be dead in not longer than 2 weeks.
A somewhat natural method of how to kill a tree is by having moist and fungus, which is poisonous to trees, grow on it. This is done by first drilling holes measuring a diameter of approximately 1 ½ inches around the trunk. The hole is then filled with nitrogen fertilizer in order to keep the tree moist and thus causing fungus to grow. The tree should then decay within a period of 4 up to 6 weeks. A very slow process, but effective nonetheless.
The easiest way to kill a tree involves nothing more than ordinary salt and water. A trench is dug around a tree, into which a mixture of one-part salt and two-parts water is poured. Preferably, the salt-water mix should be poured in 4 times for the best results. As with the fungus technique, it should take between 4 up to 6 weeks for the tree to deteriorate.
It isn't very hard to figure out how to kill a tree. The methods that we have just presented are pretty straightforward and easy to follow. But as with any other act of taking a life, the killing of a tree should be done only when absolutely necessary. Trees are, after all, a very important and beautiful part of nature. But should the need to put one out of its misery arise, one should have the right tools and the proper knowledge to get the job done.
Friday 22 January 2010
Lawnmower History
It is hard to imagine doing the gardening without the lawnmower. Lawnmowers are common place nowadays, but where did they originate from? The lawnmower was invented around 1930 by a British engineer called Edwin Beard Budding, who was from Gloucestershire, England.
Budding's invention began when he noticed how a machine in a cloth mill used a cutting cylinder, which was mounted on a bench to trim cloth. Budding being an engineer could see how the same principle could be applied to cutting grass and set about designing a machine that could utilise similar principles.
Budding decided to form a partnership with another engineer called John Ferrabee and they made mowers in a factory in Stroud. Budding and Ferrabee then decided that they would license other manufacturers to build mowers, which became a shrewd idea.
This early mower was designed with a cutting cylinder in front of a larger rear roller. A gear mechanism was used to transmit power to the front cutting cylinder and were not to dissimilar to the human powered lawn mowers of today.
In 1859 Thomas Green, invented the chain driven mower. The benefit of using the chain driven mower over the geared mower was the fact that the machine was lighter and more quiet, however, they did cost more. After some years, a further innovation came about with the sidewheel machines, which had a wheel either side of the cutting cylinder. The benefit to this style of mower was the fact that they were light and relatively cheap, which made them popular world wide.
Over the years various manufacturers began to appear, one of the more famous ones being Ransomes Automation, which were a British company, who developed chain and geared mowers. In Around 1902, Ransomes introduced a petrol engine mower which led the market until the First World War. The company is still a leading producer of mowers to this day.
After the First World War, there was a growth in the production of lawn mowers. More people were moving to the suburbs, which had homes with small gardens. During this period companies such as Atco and Qualcast began to become successful and still producing lawn mowers to this day.
Over the years there have been further developments with the mower, such as the invention of the rotary hover mower and the large sit on mowers that are used to tend for larger turfed areas. Although many of the original manufacturers may have disappeared, some of the companies still trade, which has helped the lawnmowers become a common site in most garden sheds.
Budding's invention began when he noticed how a machine in a cloth mill used a cutting cylinder, which was mounted on a bench to trim cloth. Budding being an engineer could see how the same principle could be applied to cutting grass and set about designing a machine that could utilise similar principles.
Budding decided to form a partnership with another engineer called John Ferrabee and they made mowers in a factory in Stroud. Budding and Ferrabee then decided that they would license other manufacturers to build mowers, which became a shrewd idea.
This early mower was designed with a cutting cylinder in front of a larger rear roller. A gear mechanism was used to transmit power to the front cutting cylinder and were not to dissimilar to the human powered lawn mowers of today.
In 1859 Thomas Green, invented the chain driven mower. The benefit of using the chain driven mower over the geared mower was the fact that the machine was lighter and more quiet, however, they did cost more. After some years, a further innovation came about with the sidewheel machines, which had a wheel either side of the cutting cylinder. The benefit to this style of mower was the fact that they were light and relatively cheap, which made them popular world wide.
Over the years various manufacturers began to appear, one of the more famous ones being Ransomes Automation, which were a British company, who developed chain and geared mowers. In Around 1902, Ransomes introduced a petrol engine mower which led the market until the First World War. The company is still a leading producer of mowers to this day.
After the First World War, there was a growth in the production of lawn mowers. More people were moving to the suburbs, which had homes with small gardens. During this period companies such as Atco and Qualcast began to become successful and still producing lawn mowers to this day.
Over the years there have been further developments with the mower, such as the invention of the rotary hover mower and the large sit on mowers that are used to tend for larger turfed areas. Although many of the original manufacturers may have disappeared, some of the companies still trade, which has helped the lawnmowers become a common site in most garden sheds.
MTD Lawnmower
If you own a home or if you opted to cut the grass for an apartment to get a cut in your rent, you know that the job is a stressful one. Or, at least it has been stressful up to this day and age of advanced technology. The strain and back pain of cutting the grass has been alleviated but, advanced technology has not yet answered the question of "do I have to do it today?"
Cutting grass is an easy task when you decide what kind of lawnmower you want to buy and use. You have a choice of a push power lawnmower or electric or gas powered lawnmowers. Again you have a choice of the push power lawnmower or one you can sit on. The latter would depend upon how much grass you have to mow. Whatever your choice, the MTD lawnmower could be your choice.
The MTD lawnmower can be had with a side-discharge push lawnmower that has three positions for height adjustment, a strong engine and long life wheels to assist you to easily maneuver the lawnmower. Another MTD lawnmower is the chipper and shredder which can handle branches that are up to two inches in diameter. It shreds grass and chips twigs for mulch. It has a drop down chipper chute which allows you to rake grass and leaves in to it.
Perhaps the most favored MTD lawnmower is the 2 in 1 push mower. It has the ability to change nine height settings and has a back bag into which leaves and grass can be mulched. All of the MTD lawn products are listed as MTD Yard Machines.
The company which makes the MTD lawnmower is a reputable company which has been in business for approximately thirty six years. Their lawnmower designs are attractive and easy to use. In addition, if you have to replace parts for the lawnmower they are readily available wherever lawn mower parts are sold. If purchasing an MTD Lawnmower you are probably getting the most efficient and technologically advanced machine on the market.
Cutting grass is an easy task when you decide what kind of lawnmower you want to buy and use. You have a choice of a push power lawnmower or electric or gas powered lawnmowers. Again you have a choice of the push power lawnmower or one you can sit on. The latter would depend upon how much grass you have to mow. Whatever your choice, the MTD lawnmower could be your choice.
The MTD lawnmower can be had with a side-discharge push lawnmower that has three positions for height adjustment, a strong engine and long life wheels to assist you to easily maneuver the lawnmower. Another MTD lawnmower is the chipper and shredder which can handle branches that are up to two inches in diameter. It shreds grass and chips twigs for mulch. It has a drop down chipper chute which allows you to rake grass and leaves in to it.
Perhaps the most favored MTD lawnmower is the 2 in 1 push mower. It has the ability to change nine height settings and has a back bag into which leaves and grass can be mulched. All of the MTD lawn products are listed as MTD Yard Machines.
The company which makes the MTD lawnmower is a reputable company which has been in business for approximately thirty six years. Their lawnmower designs are attractive and easy to use. In addition, if you have to replace parts for the lawnmower they are readily available wherever lawn mower parts are sold. If purchasing an MTD Lawnmower you are probably getting the most efficient and technologically advanced machine on the market.
Saturday 16 January 2010
Some Helpful Tips For Selecting the Right Lawn Mower
Choosing the right mower for your yard can be a hard choice to make if you don't know what to look for. There are so many different sizes and many different brands that can turn an easy job into a headache. But it doesn't have to be. You only have to know what you want. The first thing you need to notice is how large your yard is. You don't want to buy something that is too small and will take you all day. Getting the right size mower for your yard is one of the most important tips. If you have a yard that is small and is perhaps terraced with a few steps, you want to be looking for something more light weight and easy to move. However, if you are looking for something to help you manage a large piece of land, then commercial lawn mowers will come in handy.
The next thing you want to consider is how much work you actually want to do. Do you want to do most of the work with your arms by pushing the mower, and collect all the clippings and fallen leaves by hand? Or would you like your mower to do most of the work? There are great mowers that will do fantastically on doing both of these jobs at the same time, and cut the amount of time you spend on the job.
Another consideration is how you would want to store your new mower. If you don't have a lot of space then buying a large riding lawn mower is not the thing for you. If your space is limited, look for something smaller and a mower that can be easily stored. There are many mowers that have a fold-able handle and are light weight making it easy to store in small places. Likewise, if you have the convenience of a large shed or some other way of taking care of your mower, and you have a large lawn, then perhaps getting a large riding lawn mower would be more practical for your yard.
Whatever type of yard you have, you can always find something that is right for you. You just need to know what to look for. So take notice of the size of your yard, how much work you want to do and how much storage space is available to you. Taking note of these few things will help you in finding that perfect mower that you will be happy with for years to come.
for great petrol lawnmower deals check out http://petrollawnmowerdeals.co.uk
The next thing you want to consider is how much work you actually want to do. Do you want to do most of the work with your arms by pushing the mower, and collect all the clippings and fallen leaves by hand? Or would you like your mower to do most of the work? There are great mowers that will do fantastically on doing both of these jobs at the same time, and cut the amount of time you spend on the job.
Another consideration is how you would want to store your new mower. If you don't have a lot of space then buying a large riding lawn mower is not the thing for you. If your space is limited, look for something smaller and a mower that can be easily stored. There are many mowers that have a fold-able handle and are light weight making it easy to store in small places. Likewise, if you have the convenience of a large shed or some other way of taking care of your mower, and you have a large lawn, then perhaps getting a large riding lawn mower would be more practical for your yard.
Whatever type of yard you have, you can always find something that is right for you. You just need to know what to look for. So take notice of the size of your yard, how much work you want to do and how much storage space is available to you. Taking note of these few things will help you in finding that perfect mower that you will be happy with for years to come.
for great petrol lawnmower deals check out http://petrollawnmowerdeals.co.uk
Chainsaw Maintenance and Safety
A chainsaw is an indispensable tool for any serious home handy person. Unfortunately, surprisingly few people know all they need to do in order to maintain their chainsaw safely! There are two main parts of the chainsaw that you should pay regular attention to - the chain blade and the engine or motor. There is a fair amount of information available online about how to sharpen the teeth of a chainsaw chain blade, but a basic overview is that you use a round file of the appropriate size to restore the cutting edge on each tooth. File guides are available that help you hold the file at the right angle, so fortunately it is pretty hard to get it wrong.
The other part of maintaining a chain gauge that is more often overlooked is the condition of the depth gauges. Depth gauges are the raised 'tooth' that trails behind the cutting edge of the chainsaw blade. These are responsible for the depth of the cut of each tooth, and if these are not the correct height the chain blade can stick in the cut, with dangerous results. A specific tool is used to measure the distance between the cutting tooth and the depth gauge, which is measured in fractions of an inch. Settings can vary between models of saw, so consult the manual to find the right details for your own saw.
Your chain blade should be sharpened after every use, with just a few light strokes of the file. Depth gauges should be checked and adjusted if required after a few sessions with the chainsaw. To adjust a depth gauge, you use your depth gauge guide tool to get the file to cut at the right depth, and simply file down the tooth as required.
It's important to adjust each depth gauge evenly, so you should turn the chain blade and check every tooth before using the chainsaw next. Including this simple step in your maintenance program will help to ensure continued safe use of your chainsaw!
The other part of maintaining a chain gauge that is more often overlooked is the condition of the depth gauges. Depth gauges are the raised 'tooth' that trails behind the cutting edge of the chainsaw blade. These are responsible for the depth of the cut of each tooth, and if these are not the correct height the chain blade can stick in the cut, with dangerous results. A specific tool is used to measure the distance between the cutting tooth and the depth gauge, which is measured in fractions of an inch. Settings can vary between models of saw, so consult the manual to find the right details for your own saw.
Your chain blade should be sharpened after every use, with just a few light strokes of the file. Depth gauges should be checked and adjusted if required after a few sessions with the chainsaw. To adjust a depth gauge, you use your depth gauge guide tool to get the file to cut at the right depth, and simply file down the tooth as required.
It's important to adjust each depth gauge evenly, so you should turn the chain blade and check every tooth before using the chainsaw next. Including this simple step in your maintenance program will help to ensure continued safe use of your chainsaw!
Chainsaw sharpeners come in a range of models, either electric or manually operated. These make sharpening a chain blade much easier, and are a worthwhile addition to your tool box!
Tuesday 12 January 2010
DIY Tree Cutters - Horror Stories Revealed
It's approaching the summer season in Manchester. People are making the most of their time in the sun with BBQ's and other garden-related activities.
However, if you think that now is the time to do a spot of landscaping with the chain saw then think again.
The number of people admitted to hospital has been increasing steadily in correlation with the prices of chainsaws decreasing.
Jon, a local tree surgeon says:
"We have had numerous accidents caused by members of the public thinking they can fell a tree with what they see on TV and a cheap chainsaw. The reality is completely different. If you don't call a professional to do the job then you can risk damage to your (or worse the neighbor's) property".
We had Jon tell us his worst story and he recalled a time a group of lads thought it be a good idea to get rid of the old tree at the end of the garden in Chorlton, Manchester.
"They figured that if you cut a 'V' in the direction you want the tree to fall, it will inevitably fall in that direction. Unfortunately what most people fail to take into account is the significance of the weight of the branches. They didn't and as a result the tree fell into the main road and crushed a parked car!"
As Jon points out, luckily the car was empty at the time but it caused thousands of pounds worth of damages as well as shutting down the road for the day.
"It may cost a little extra but call out the experts. They are there not just to fell trees but also to do a professional analysis of the risks involved in cutting the tree."
If in doubt ring your local council first for assistance before carrying out work on large trees.
However, if you think that now is the time to do a spot of landscaping with the chain saw then think again.
The number of people admitted to hospital has been increasing steadily in correlation with the prices of chainsaws decreasing.
Jon, a local tree surgeon says:
"We have had numerous accidents caused by members of the public thinking they can fell a tree with what they see on TV and a cheap chainsaw. The reality is completely different. If you don't call a professional to do the job then you can risk damage to your (or worse the neighbor's) property".
We had Jon tell us his worst story and he recalled a time a group of lads thought it be a good idea to get rid of the old tree at the end of the garden in Chorlton, Manchester.
"They figured that if you cut a 'V' in the direction you want the tree to fall, it will inevitably fall in that direction. Unfortunately what most people fail to take into account is the significance of the weight of the branches. They didn't and as a result the tree fell into the main road and crushed a parked car!"
As Jon points out, luckily the car was empty at the time but it caused thousands of pounds worth of damages as well as shutting down the road for the day.
"It may cost a little extra but call out the experts. They are there not just to fell trees but also to do a professional analysis of the risks involved in cutting the tree."
If in doubt ring your local council first for assistance before carrying out work on large trees.
The Most Adventurous Jobs
The majority of the jobs on the market these days are the dependable, yet monotonous day in and day out desk jobs. However, for those audacious and venturesome types, there are careers out there that are everything except monotonous, but still just as dependable as well as lucrative. Examples of these intriguing and adventurous professions include military work, Alaskan fishing, guiding hunters, as well as a career as an Arborist.
A military career is not only exciting and constantly varied work, it is also an exceptionally rewarding career with countless benefits for those in service as well as their families. From the land-based Army, to the sea-based Navy and air-based Air Force, a career in the military is sure to offer one exhilarating experiences day in and day out as they are required to be clued in, alert, and always ready to think on their toes. The U.S. Army and the Army Reserve are the foundation of the United States' military land operations, however, a more technically minded individual would presumably be more attracted to a career in the US Navy or the US Air Force, both notorious for their forward thinking technological equipment and machinery.
One interested in employment in one of the most profitable and risky jobs available should consider a vocation of fishing in Alaska. Obtaining a career as an Alaska fisherman is not always an easy task, as current crewmembers rarely leave their positions. Nevertheless, one who does secure a job on a fishing crew is sure to understand just how lucrative a career in fishing and crew work can be. With wages based upon a share and/or percentage of harvest/catch earnings ranging from 1.5-10% for newcomers. Bear in mind that anyone looking into these careers is advised to obtain a signed contract/work agreement concerning pay and job responsibilities before heading out to sea.
An individual who is already interested in game hunting should be pleased to know that they can get paid to hunt every day if they were to choose the unique career of a hunting guide. Hunting guides are generally trained through schools and/or programs which help those interested in guiding to learn the principal environments where the game is to be found, as well as training in protection of those they are to lead in case something goes amiss in the wilderness. The compensation for work as a hunting guide, unfortunately, is not its main appeal, however, if one truly is a hunting enthusiast the possibility of hunting as a career is a job perk within itself.
An Arborist, or a tree surgeon, is yet another professional option for those looking for an adventurous career, which is far from monotonous desk work. An arborist's responsibilities include the management and maintenance of various plantlife, as well as focusing on the health and safety of individual trees and/or wooded areas. Requiring certification, those interested in this one of a kind profession must first pass a somewhat difficult written exam, alongside three years minimum of field experience. One interested in arboriculture and is interested in the care and preservation of nature should definitely examine further a career as an Arborist.
A military career is not only exciting and constantly varied work, it is also an exceptionally rewarding career with countless benefits for those in service as well as their families. From the land-based Army, to the sea-based Navy and air-based Air Force, a career in the military is sure to offer one exhilarating experiences day in and day out as they are required to be clued in, alert, and always ready to think on their toes. The U.S. Army and the Army Reserve are the foundation of the United States' military land operations, however, a more technically minded individual would presumably be more attracted to a career in the US Navy or the US Air Force, both notorious for their forward thinking technological equipment and machinery.
One interested in employment in one of the most profitable and risky jobs available should consider a vocation of fishing in Alaska. Obtaining a career as an Alaska fisherman is not always an easy task, as current crewmembers rarely leave their positions. Nevertheless, one who does secure a job on a fishing crew is sure to understand just how lucrative a career in fishing and crew work can be. With wages based upon a share and/or percentage of harvest/catch earnings ranging from 1.5-10% for newcomers. Bear in mind that anyone looking into these careers is advised to obtain a signed contract/work agreement concerning pay and job responsibilities before heading out to sea.
An individual who is already interested in game hunting should be pleased to know that they can get paid to hunt every day if they were to choose the unique career of a hunting guide. Hunting guides are generally trained through schools and/or programs which help those interested in guiding to learn the principal environments where the game is to be found, as well as training in protection of those they are to lead in case something goes amiss in the wilderness. The compensation for work as a hunting guide, unfortunately, is not its main appeal, however, if one truly is a hunting enthusiast the possibility of hunting as a career is a job perk within itself.
An Arborist, or a tree surgeon, is yet another professional option for those looking for an adventurous career, which is far from monotonous desk work. An arborist's responsibilities include the management and maintenance of various plantlife, as well as focusing on the health and safety of individual trees and/or wooded areas. Requiring certification, those interested in this one of a kind profession must first pass a somewhat difficult written exam, alongside three years minimum of field experience. One interested in arboriculture and is interested in the care and preservation of nature should definitely examine further a career as an Arborist.
Sunday 10 January 2010
Chainsaw Maintenance - What You Need to Know
Owning a chainsaw is a wonderful thing. You now have the ability to lop off unsightly dead branches with ease, size chunks of firewood, and recreate scenes from Texas Chainsaw Massacre at will. However with great power comes great responsibility. Maintaining your chainsaw is an essential task, but luckily you can learn to do so quickly. Sharpening your chainsaw blade and carrying out regular maintenance will greatly extend the working life of your saw - and it will cut better too.
Safety gear is important when carrying out maintenance on a sharp tool - leather gloves and some eye protection are the advisable minimum standard. You will also want your chainsaw sharpening tool of choice, a hook or hooked piece of wire for cleaning the chain bar groove, screwdriver and socket to remove the chainsaw cover, and the manual for your chainsaw.
Your daily maintenance routine should consist of checking the oil and petrol are topped up, or checking power cords for any sign of wear if you have an electric chainsaw. Also, check that the chain blade is properly tensioned.
Every few uses, you will want to use your sharpening tool to keep each tooth on your blade properly sharp. A good indication that you have a blunt blade is if the saw starts producing sawdust instead of even small chips. If you have a petrol driven chainsaw, checking the fuel filters regularly is advised.
Although you can sharpen your own chainsaw easily enough, field sharpening is only intended to keep an edge on the cutting tooth. Once your tooth becomes more seriously worn, it should be sharpened by a professional who will be able to restore the correct cutting angle.
Safety gear is important when carrying out maintenance on a sharp tool - leather gloves and some eye protection are the advisable minimum standard. You will also want your chainsaw sharpening tool of choice, a hook or hooked piece of wire for cleaning the chain bar groove, screwdriver and socket to remove the chainsaw cover, and the manual for your chainsaw.
Your daily maintenance routine should consist of checking the oil and petrol are topped up, or checking power cords for any sign of wear if you have an electric chainsaw. Also, check that the chain blade is properly tensioned.
Every few uses, you will want to use your sharpening tool to keep each tooth on your blade properly sharp. A good indication that you have a blunt blade is if the saw starts producing sawdust instead of even small chips. If you have a petrol driven chainsaw, checking the fuel filters regularly is advised.
Although you can sharpen your own chainsaw easily enough, field sharpening is only intended to keep an edge on the cutting tooth. Once your tooth becomes more seriously worn, it should be sharpened by a professional who will be able to restore the correct cutting angle.
There are many models of chainsaw sharpener on the market. Purists will use a round file of the appropriate gauge for the tooth, with or without a file guide. Electric sharpeners also exist which can make your life easier, but at the expense of some degree of portability.
Identifying the Best Tree Removal Services
A good tree removal service provider offers a complete service: trimming, pruning, removal, stump removal, land clearing, and even emergency clean up. They are also aware on how to properly address needs of trees or tree care. They would suggest clients to refrain tree topping and offer other alternatives. It is very important to hire services of knowledgeable contractors to lessen the chance of accidents and damages.
Tree removal is strenuous and dangerous work. It is important to use the latest and state-of-the-art tools and equipment. The best services also include 'round the clock services in cases of disasters. But before deciding on which service contractor to get, one must identify the reason of the tree removal service. Some of the most common tree problems are dead trees and branches, fungus growths and leaning trees.
Problem diagnosis will ensure the type of service needed. To get a good tree removal service provider, it is important to check on the following concerns:
• Contractors must have a Tree Care Industry Certification or International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) proof. They should be arborists with knowledge on arboriculture.
• Price estimates or quotes if not a written contract of the service offered including time frame based on ANSI A300 standards. The American National Standards Institute set qualified standards on tree removal and also on safe work practices.
• Provide proof of insurance to workers and cover damages to property and better yet call the insurance company for verification
• Ask for references from friends or neighbors on their past tree removal services.
• Determine the need for city or government permits.
One should beware on the following situations/cases which lead to violation:
• Requesting payments in advance
• The use of climbing spikes which damages the tree
• Lion's tailing practices
Tree removal is strenuous and dangerous work. It is important to use the latest and state-of-the-art tools and equipment. The best services also include 'round the clock services in cases of disasters. But before deciding on which service contractor to get, one must identify the reason of the tree removal service. Some of the most common tree problems are dead trees and branches, fungus growths and leaning trees.
Problem diagnosis will ensure the type of service needed. To get a good tree removal service provider, it is important to check on the following concerns:
• Contractors must have a Tree Care Industry Certification or International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) proof. They should be arborists with knowledge on arboriculture.
• Price estimates or quotes if not a written contract of the service offered including time frame based on ANSI A300 standards. The American National Standards Institute set qualified standards on tree removal and also on safe work practices.
• Provide proof of insurance to workers and cover damages to property and better yet call the insurance company for verification
• Ask for references from friends or neighbors on their past tree removal services.
• Determine the need for city or government permits.
One should beware on the following situations/cases which lead to violation:
• Requesting payments in advance
• The use of climbing spikes which damages the tree
• Lion's tailing practices
Behind the Scenes at TEP Conferences
Imagine coming across a fascinating book on earthworms by an American entomologist, phoning him up, and bingo, you've got a conference on tree health and soil ecology.
That's what I do for a living these days, as well as working as an interpreter and translator. It is bound to happen at some point when you've got an arboriculturist for a father and a botanist for a mother. When I was growing up, trees and plants were almost all anyone talked about. My earliest memory is of bilberry bushes at about eye-height. It may not be a real memory but one suggested by a tatty black-and-white photo of a naked infant me covered in dark juice stains.
As a child born into a happy hippy household based in rural Aberdeenshire and later in the West Country, I was climbing trees practically before I could walk - usually to escape my elder brother. My childhood memories smell of wood and wood smoke, both from fires and from the grownups around me: sculptors, wood carvers, sociologists with a chainsaw (my Dad). My memories of him are mostly of two feet sticking out either from the canopy of a tree or else from under our constantly sick Land Rover. When we could get at the rest of him, we had a great time picking the sawdust out of his ears and belly button as he lay in an exhausted heap after a long day doing what people did back then with dead elm trees if they suddenly found themselves with a family to feed.
Later, I dedicatedly ignored all things botanical and arboricultural and studied fine art and modern languages, working as a conference interpreter and translator in Spain, Russia, Argentina, Brazil, France ... However, much as I love my little language business, it was inevitable that I would gravitate back to trees. And here was the perfect means: Treework Environmental Practice conference series.
What started out as seminars for local authorities really took off when the Arboricultural Association went out on a limb to endorse TEP's principle consultant Neville Fay's vision of turning the seminars into powerful events capable of influencing national policy. I feel privileged to have been part of such an enterprise and we are forever grateful to the AA for its backing and belief in this innovative process. We're also very grateful to the Institute for Chartered Foresters and others for their continued support.
Arboricultural practice - what to do in what circumstances - is at the heart of the series. But the series is directly influenced and informed by the science behind arboriculture, as well as the art of observing trees and what is natural versus what is imposed by people. What is natural - ecology and environment - increasingly influences practice, but so do the hard legalistic implications that drive management for public safety within the context of environmental law.
Through organising the conferences I've discovered that arboriculture is peopled by passionate, highly committed, deeply concerned professionals. It's a population that's widening as arboriculture extends its net into the world of the corporations and utilities, as well as the concerned public. Behind the scenes, the science influencing arboricultural practice blurs into new areas of soil science, ecology, climate, risk, to name but a few fields of research.
In the TEP seminars and conference series we are given a magical capacity to speak with, meet and learn from researchers and practitioners who often go on to become dedicated colleagues. As a consequence of these relationships we have been instrumental in contributing to new organisations such as the National Tree Safety Group and the current urban canopy cover and soils initiatives. We also have the opportunity to forge professional links with organisations such as the Forestry Commission, the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), the Linnean Society and the Town & Country Planning Association.
We have built up highly fruitful relationships with academic departments, such as Middlesex University's Centre for Decision Analysis and Risk Management (DARM) which has been deeply involved in all three TEP conferences on risk management. After the third of these, led by the Forestry Commission, the risk debate became a national issue following the formation of the National Tree Safety Group, in which the Arboricultural Association played a key role. The risk profession's contribution to arboriculture and the breadth of stakeholder involvement are helping to protect the UK from descending into a highly litigious culture around trees such as can be seen in the US. In a separate new initiative we are working with Coventry University on a conference on trees and conflict resolution.
Similarly, last year with Barrell Tree Consultancy we held a conference based on the University of Manchester's research concerning using trees to climate-proof our cities. The vision here was to use the conference as a vehicle to optimise national policy on urban canopy cover. We recognised that arborists have a key contribution to ensuring that large trees are planned for and retained in urban environments. A year on, we are working with the Forestry Commission in stage two of this highly successful initiative. This will be our 15th conference. It will be held this November and is to be chaired by the Forestry Commission's Director General, Tim Rollinson. It will focus on existing and emerging policies and on how to make urban canopy cover part of the wider climate adaptation movement. Speakers include Professor John Handley OBE, the country's leading expert on urban regeneration, and, we hope, Boris Johnson, Mayor of London.
This is how we work: each conference starts with an idea - for example, trees and human survival. We explore the important issues behind the idea, look at where we can get sound and solid knowledge about it, track down the field's leading thinkers and most influential people, and over several months persuade them to come and speak at the conference, as well as write a paper for it. For example, the latest conference idea came from an unusual paper on olive trees in Palestine in the Arboricultural Journal. The concept of trees meaning human survival struck a chord with TEP, which maintains close links with Tree Aid, founded by Neville in 1987 as a response to the famine in Africa. We decided to extend the concept to look at trees and conflict resolution and at projects growing fruit trees instead of opium poppies in Afghanistan. It also gave us the opportunity to work more closely with Dr Mark Johnston of Myerscough College who is writing a book on trees and the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The breadth of Mark's knowledge is reflected in his recent Award of Merit, the highest honour from the International Society of Arboriculture. The conference will be held at the RSA, London, on 3 November.
It is the process of putting together a conference that, either by chance or through the sheer challenge of doing it, places us in the privileged position of having an overview of the influences in and around the tree profession and industry.
One of the biggest influences on what happens to the nation's treed ecosystems comes from the utility companies: the cable and pipe layers, the road diggers, the rail track owners. For 2010 we are planning a conference with Dealga O'Callaghan at Central Networks (part of energy company E-On), exploring how arboriculture can work with the utilities to establish sound conservation arboriculture principles and practices at a nationwide level.
The conferences give us the chance to explore areas one wouldn't otherwise have time to investigate. We can pursue lines of enquiry on behalf of others who are busy working within commercial or organisational practices. We know, for example, that there are people out there working on evapotranspiration. Hydrology is fundamental to trees, but we don't have much time to explore it. So water and trees is a theme for 2010.
I'm constantly surprised by how much I've learnt about trees and arboriculture through organising these conferences and I am happy to have come back to trees after some years away. The organising is always a steep learning curve and there's a lot to do. Hardest of all is accepting that you can't do everything yourself and you can't get anyone else to do it for you either. However, apparently there are no problems, only solutions, so to solve this challenge I'm learning ventriloquism and cross-dressing for those moments when a Mini Me just isn't enough. And the future looks ... all I can see is trees.
That's what I do for a living these days, as well as working as an interpreter and translator. It is bound to happen at some point when you've got an arboriculturist for a father and a botanist for a mother. When I was growing up, trees and plants were almost all anyone talked about. My earliest memory is of bilberry bushes at about eye-height. It may not be a real memory but one suggested by a tatty black-and-white photo of a naked infant me covered in dark juice stains.
As a child born into a happy hippy household based in rural Aberdeenshire and later in the West Country, I was climbing trees practically before I could walk - usually to escape my elder brother. My childhood memories smell of wood and wood smoke, both from fires and from the grownups around me: sculptors, wood carvers, sociologists with a chainsaw (my Dad). My memories of him are mostly of two feet sticking out either from the canopy of a tree or else from under our constantly sick Land Rover. When we could get at the rest of him, we had a great time picking the sawdust out of his ears and belly button as he lay in an exhausted heap after a long day doing what people did back then with dead elm trees if they suddenly found themselves with a family to feed.
Later, I dedicatedly ignored all things botanical and arboricultural and studied fine art and modern languages, working as a conference interpreter and translator in Spain, Russia, Argentina, Brazil, France ... However, much as I love my little language business, it was inevitable that I would gravitate back to trees. And here was the perfect means: Treework Environmental Practice conference series.
What started out as seminars for local authorities really took off when the Arboricultural Association went out on a limb to endorse TEP's principle consultant Neville Fay's vision of turning the seminars into powerful events capable of influencing national policy. I feel privileged to have been part of such an enterprise and we are forever grateful to the AA for its backing and belief in this innovative process. We're also very grateful to the Institute for Chartered Foresters and others for their continued support.
Arboricultural practice - what to do in what circumstances - is at the heart of the series. But the series is directly influenced and informed by the science behind arboriculture, as well as the art of observing trees and what is natural versus what is imposed by people. What is natural - ecology and environment - increasingly influences practice, but so do the hard legalistic implications that drive management for public safety within the context of environmental law.
Through organising the conferences I've discovered that arboriculture is peopled by passionate, highly committed, deeply concerned professionals. It's a population that's widening as arboriculture extends its net into the world of the corporations and utilities, as well as the concerned public. Behind the scenes, the science influencing arboricultural practice blurs into new areas of soil science, ecology, climate, risk, to name but a few fields of research.
In the TEP seminars and conference series we are given a magical capacity to speak with, meet and learn from researchers and practitioners who often go on to become dedicated colleagues. As a consequence of these relationships we have been instrumental in contributing to new organisations such as the National Tree Safety Group and the current urban canopy cover and soils initiatives. We also have the opportunity to forge professional links with organisations such as the Forestry Commission, the RSA (Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), the Linnean Society and the Town & Country Planning Association.
We have built up highly fruitful relationships with academic departments, such as Middlesex University's Centre for Decision Analysis and Risk Management (DARM) which has been deeply involved in all three TEP conferences on risk management. After the third of these, led by the Forestry Commission, the risk debate became a national issue following the formation of the National Tree Safety Group, in which the Arboricultural Association played a key role. The risk profession's contribution to arboriculture and the breadth of stakeholder involvement are helping to protect the UK from descending into a highly litigious culture around trees such as can be seen in the US. In a separate new initiative we are working with Coventry University on a conference on trees and conflict resolution.
Similarly, last year with Barrell Tree Consultancy we held a conference based on the University of Manchester's research concerning using trees to climate-proof our cities. The vision here was to use the conference as a vehicle to optimise national policy on urban canopy cover. We recognised that arborists have a key contribution to ensuring that large trees are planned for and retained in urban environments. A year on, we are working with the Forestry Commission in stage two of this highly successful initiative. This will be our 15th conference. It will be held this November and is to be chaired by the Forestry Commission's Director General, Tim Rollinson. It will focus on existing and emerging policies and on how to make urban canopy cover part of the wider climate adaptation movement. Speakers include Professor John Handley OBE, the country's leading expert on urban regeneration, and, we hope, Boris Johnson, Mayor of London.
This is how we work: each conference starts with an idea - for example, trees and human survival. We explore the important issues behind the idea, look at where we can get sound and solid knowledge about it, track down the field's leading thinkers and most influential people, and over several months persuade them to come and speak at the conference, as well as write a paper for it. For example, the latest conference idea came from an unusual paper on olive trees in Palestine in the Arboricultural Journal. The concept of trees meaning human survival struck a chord with TEP, which maintains close links with Tree Aid, founded by Neville in 1987 as a response to the famine in Africa. We decided to extend the concept to look at trees and conflict resolution and at projects growing fruit trees instead of opium poppies in Afghanistan. It also gave us the opportunity to work more closely with Dr Mark Johnston of Myerscough College who is writing a book on trees and the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The breadth of Mark's knowledge is reflected in his recent Award of Merit, the highest honour from the International Society of Arboriculture. The conference will be held at the RSA, London, on 3 November.
It is the process of putting together a conference that, either by chance or through the sheer challenge of doing it, places us in the privileged position of having an overview of the influences in and around the tree profession and industry.
One of the biggest influences on what happens to the nation's treed ecosystems comes from the utility companies: the cable and pipe layers, the road diggers, the rail track owners. For 2010 we are planning a conference with Dealga O'Callaghan at Central Networks (part of energy company E-On), exploring how arboriculture can work with the utilities to establish sound conservation arboriculture principles and practices at a nationwide level.
The conferences give us the chance to explore areas one wouldn't otherwise have time to investigate. We can pursue lines of enquiry on behalf of others who are busy working within commercial or organisational practices. We know, for example, that there are people out there working on evapotranspiration. Hydrology is fundamental to trees, but we don't have much time to explore it. So water and trees is a theme for 2010.
I'm constantly surprised by how much I've learnt about trees and arboriculture through organising these conferences and I am happy to have come back to trees after some years away. The organising is always a steep learning curve and there's a lot to do. Hardest of all is accepting that you can't do everything yourself and you can't get anyone else to do it for you either. However, apparently there are no problems, only solutions, so to solve this challenge I'm learning ventriloquism and cross-dressing for those moments when a Mini Me just isn't enough. And the future looks ... all I can see is trees.
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