Off topic ... but I just wanted to let you know that one of the books you recommended, "Applied Tree Biology" landed in my letterbox two days ago. Leafed through it last night before sleep ... just to get a feel for the content and look at the graphics ... It's just the sort of book I was thinking of when I asked for your advice :-) All about trees; what they are and what they're up to before they are killed, dried, sliced and sold to butchers like me.
I will not have the time to study and understand it's contents as thoroughly as you do during your education, but I will read it through, some of it will stick and I will be a better informed woodworker for it. That's not nothing! Pluss, I'll leave behind a more comprehensive shop-library -- my little contribution to a better future :-)
The thing with such books is that you can take as long as you like to get through them because the laws of the universe that govern life, won't be changing anytime in the next X billion years.
Take your time, you'll never look at medullary rays again in the same way, and you may gain a deeper understanding of exactly what happened to the tree, that when made into boards, suddenly pinches the table saw blade or bananas when it is rip cut.
That was really high, looking down from one of the photos showed just how high…you know how I am with heights so I think you are very brave indeed…SO Jamie, congratulations on passing your tests, dare I say (many more)…
You get used to the heights - you really do. It's just a case of mind over matter and it REALLY helps knowing that you were the one that set your own ropes. It eliminates nearly all of the list of things that your fear can use to torture you with.
Thanks for the vibes and yes - many qualifications to come - basic tractor skills, felling medium sized trees (380mm - 720mm), using a chainsaw from a rope and harness, using a chainsaw from a mobile elevated working platform (MEWP) and aerial pruning. Then in a few years, once my climbing skills are at the point where I can happily get to any point in the tree as second nature, then I'll go for aerial rigging and dismantling.
Honestly: that was surprisingly exciting to read :-) I'm seriously afraid of hights; I get a sinking feeling in my stomach from just seeing pictures of hights and get afraid on a step-ladder. I belong on the ground, where gravity can't hurt me. My house-building buddies tell me you get used to heights. Good for them! I think you're brave, it all looks dangerous to me, so it's reassuring that you take the safety bit seriously.
Are there many monkey-jokes among you tree-climbers?
I checked the link for the throw-line catapult. I want one :-)
You really do get used to the fear of the heights. The more you learn about your gear, how to use it and how it uses you then you do start to come to terms with it. However, never a good idea to get too comfortable up there. No one wants to fall in any way.
Most of the jokes involve peoples mothers or sex organs. Given that my mother actually reads my substack, I'll leave that where it is. But it is all good old fashioned workplace banter. The kind that is lacking in the hyper sterile environment of todays workplace where everyone is afraid to say anything for fear of upsetting someone or violating an HR policy somewhere about something. Suffice to say the banter is one of my favourite things about this work.
Yes, the throw line catapults are like dutch arrows on steroids. Ping, whoosh and zoom.
Interesting. I imagine the heat caurtorises to some extent in the same way that charred wood isn't as susceptible to rot or insect habitat.
The darker part of me suspects they're just testing the accuracy of the tech before deploying it at peoples necks on the battle field, or street. Don't worry though, it'll only be the ones committing that most terrible of acts - thought crimes.
Off topic ... but I just wanted to let you know that one of the books you recommended, "Applied Tree Biology" landed in my letterbox two days ago. Leafed through it last night before sleep ... just to get a feel for the content and look at the graphics ... It's just the sort of book I was thinking of when I asked for your advice :-) All about trees; what they are and what they're up to before they are killed, dried, sliced and sold to butchers like me.
I will not have the time to study and understand it's contents as thoroughly as you do during your education, but I will read it through, some of it will stick and I will be a better informed woodworker for it. That's not nothing! Pluss, I'll leave behind a more comprehensive shop-library -- my little contribution to a better future :-)
Thanks for the tip!
This is great news.
The thing with such books is that you can take as long as you like to get through them because the laws of the universe that govern life, won't be changing anytime in the next X billion years.
Take your time, you'll never look at medullary rays again in the same way, and you may gain a deeper understanding of exactly what happened to the tree, that when made into boards, suddenly pinches the table saw blade or bananas when it is rip cut.
Happy reading!
That was really high, looking down from one of the photos showed just how high…you know how I am with heights so I think you are very brave indeed…SO Jamie, congratulations on passing your tests, dare I say (many more)…
You get used to the heights - you really do. It's just a case of mind over matter and it REALLY helps knowing that you were the one that set your own ropes. It eliminates nearly all of the list of things that your fear can use to torture you with.
Thanks for the vibes and yes - many qualifications to come - basic tractor skills, felling medium sized trees (380mm - 720mm), using a chainsaw from a rope and harness, using a chainsaw from a mobile elevated working platform (MEWP) and aerial pruning. Then in a few years, once my climbing skills are at the point where I can happily get to any point in the tree as second nature, then I'll go for aerial rigging and dismantling.
Congratulations!
Honestly: that was surprisingly exciting to read :-) I'm seriously afraid of hights; I get a sinking feeling in my stomach from just seeing pictures of hights and get afraid on a step-ladder. I belong on the ground, where gravity can't hurt me. My house-building buddies tell me you get used to heights. Good for them! I think you're brave, it all looks dangerous to me, so it's reassuring that you take the safety bit seriously.
Are there many monkey-jokes among you tree-climbers?
I checked the link for the throw-line catapult. I want one :-)
Thanks :)
You really do get used to the fear of the heights. The more you learn about your gear, how to use it and how it uses you then you do start to come to terms with it. However, never a good idea to get too comfortable up there. No one wants to fall in any way.
Most of the jokes involve peoples mothers or sex organs. Given that my mother actually reads my substack, I'll leave that where it is. But it is all good old fashioned workplace banter. The kind that is lacking in the hyper sterile environment of todays workplace where everyone is afraid to say anything for fear of upsetting someone or violating an HR policy somewhere about something. Suffice to say the banter is one of my favourite things about this work.
Yes, the throw line catapults are like dutch arrows on steroids. Ping, whoosh and zoom.
Maybe you might not have to climb those trees after all ...
https://twitter.com/EngineeringInsd/status/1646885001517056009
... or perhaps not all of them.
Interesting. I imagine the heat caurtorises to some extent in the same way that charred wood isn't as susceptible to rot or insect habitat.
The darker part of me suspects they're just testing the accuracy of the tech before deploying it at peoples necks on the battle field, or street. Don't worry though, it'll only be the ones committing that most terrible of acts - thought crimes.