CTS Forestry & Arboriculture Ltd

23/05/2026

We had quite a few heavy downpours of rain on Tuesday whilst training, always check your kit to make sure it’s dry, as you can see in the video there is moisture in the bottom of one of the rope bags. Always essential to check for wet equipment and allow a good drying time before storage.

23/05/2026

The handheld sink cut is a really useful cut which gives great control for smaller sections of timber. Trainees will need to demonstrate this cut on their assessments for chainsaw from a rope and harness. One thing I do is to get trainees to practice this technique with a handsaw on the floor first of all, this enables them to understand the position of the cuts before they are let loose in the canopies with a chainsaw.

23/05/2026

If you’re saws are not being used for a few weeks as is the case here with various courses running. Quite often these top handles sit on the shelf not being used, it’s important to drain the fuel from them and run them dry to help reduce damage to the carburettors. Unleaded fuel contains quite a high ethanol content which can draw moisture back into the saws and cause the carbs to gel up and block. STIHL

19/05/2026

Built for the toughest tree work 🌲🪢
The RIGIQ OMEGA-RQ 12mm Rigging Line delivers strength, control, and smooth handling when it matters most.

✔️ Low stretch for precise lowering
✔️ Balanced cover/core construction
✔️ Flexible handling with serious durability
✔️ Long service life with proper care
✔️ SMARTPPE .io traceability built in

Engineered for arborists who demand reliable performance in every rigging setup. 💪🌿

15/05/2026

The Singing tree Rope Wrench made in rope. This is the first piece of project iconic completed. This fantastic piece will be up for grabs in September in a raffle to raise money for the Air Ambulance Service at this years APF Forestry show.

12/05/2026

Tying of the Distel hitch. This is one of my personal favourites and loved by trainees when they start using the hitch and system. Made up of a 8mm eye 2 eye prussic cord, 2 stein oval karabiners and a multi attachment pulley. Really smooth and easy to tie. 👍👍🌳 STEIN Products Limited Yale Cordage

02/05/2026

Not tree related but I finally got round to seeing my friends pullers. These have been a massive project for my 2 friends and labour of love.

29/04/2026

Today’s discussion on what a “Step down” method actually is. When dealing with hung up trees the base of the stem can become jammed against natural features or the stump itself. Cutting lengths of the base of the tree is not a step down method. Removing lumps from the base of the tree can be very dangerous and unpredictable especially for trainees and beginners and goes against industry best practices in the UK (FISA 302). Not only can you trap the saw in compression but whilst cutting up through tension on a hung up tree the sideways movement of the stem can and has caused serious injuries to operators. Cutting lumps of the base is just taking short cuts and overall ruins lengths of usable product. Always take time to plan and make use of safe zones when dealing with hung up trees. STIHL Arboricultural Association Forestry Journal

25/04/2026

Great little feature added to the defender max chainsaw boots from Stein. Tension bottom section of laces and click click tension held👍👍🌳 STEIN Products Limited

22/04/2026

Small demonstration to trainees of an overreach or J cut technique for severing stems on windblown trees. 1st cut being the overreach bringing the saw back in a vertical position. 2nd cut from under side of the stem matching in to meet the 1st cut. 3rd and Final Cut is the final severing cut. This cut needs to be planned out well !!! Place the final cut inboard or outboard to the root/ stem, whichever there will be least movement from the tree sections be it the root or the stem. Always lean back away from the stem when undertaking the final cut in readiness for sideways stem movement. If sideways tension is possible secure the main stem with a tensioned winch system to secure the stem. The root plate should fall away from the stem back into the ground especially when the root plate is secured with a winch system. Plan well, work safe. STIHL

21/04/2026