After seeing some big branches cut up that were across country lanes ,due to gales ,I was wondering if it is in any contract farming agreements, that the contract farmer is responsible for having an emergency plan ,to clear trees/ branches from those that are on the land contract farmed, and have blown down onto a public highway.
Unusual question to contract farmers
- Thread starter Pilatus
- Start date
Simon Chiles
DD Moderator
- Location
- Surrey/ Kent Border, UK
We’ve nothing in writing but would do it anyway. Keeps a good relationship with the landowner, keeps local non farmers happy and generally good PR for the industry, I sometimes think that locally we’re regarded as the 4th emergency service. After all it doesn’t take us long to cut a tree at each end and shovel the main bit up with the pallet forks and move it to the nearest gateway. Doesn’t take long to cut it up either and quite often get offered to keep the wood for our log burner.
masseybreaker
Member
- Location
- wakefield
really its nothing to do with the contractor its the landowners problem seeing as its nothing to do with growing the crop
ridger
Member
- Location
- Tyrone, Northern Ireland
I cut up a tree once and brought it home, then the landowners son (very unlikeable person) came on the phone to claim the wood, had to get it built into his shed and gave no money for the hassle. Needless to say I don't rent the land anymore and he has a field up for sale to try and sort out his gambling debts
I am not sure how true it is , but I was told by several older people over the years , that if a branch has fallen on the road , whoever clears it , is then entitled to that branch , NOT the tree owner.
We had a case very near here , where a very rotten hollow Chestnut tree blew down on top of a 3 week old Skoda Octavia , with the lady driver , sitting in it waiting for a school bus. I honestly do not know how she wasn't killed , as the car was flattened to the level of the seats. She was relatively unhurt , except or a very sore neck for a couple of weeks , and severely traumatised.
Half a dozen locals cut the tree up , and left it in a gateway nearby . The cantankerous elderly owner gave the tree away to a man , who wasn't even there.
One of the treecutters pointed out to the owner that it was now the property of those who cut it up . He was laughed at by the tree owner who also took offence to being told to cut the other similar trees as they were rotten. The County council gave him 1 week to have the rest cut , or they would do so at whatever cost they deemed it to cost . So he very reluctantly got a qualified man to fell them.
We cut the tree to help the car owner , obviously, not to get free firewood , but the tree owners attitude did not go unnoticed
glasshouse
Member
- Location
- lothians
You should have shoved it where the sun dont shine
glasshouse
Member
- Location
- lothians
All owners of trees should be made to cut them back from the highway,esp from signs and not leave curtainsiders to trim them
glasshouse
Member
- Location
- lothians
Unlikeable person?
You mean a class 1 arsehole??
they are round here, should someone make representation to 'highways'..... i know this as I've had the letter on more than one site!
ridger
Member
- Location
- Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Yes, glad I've no more to do with him, every dog has its day
glasshouse
Member
- Location
- lothians
If its not in the contract, the " contractor" should have nothing to do with it.
The landlord will be calling you round to wipe his arse next.
glasshouse
Member
- Location
- lothians
I wouldn’t tar everyone one with the same brush. I know plenty of people who have made good money from contract farming and plenty who are doing it all for ego. Unfortunately now I think it is becoming so competative and ridiculous the latter is ruling many decisions.
I asked the question as I was wondering who aged landowners of smaller farms ,say 400 acres , that do not have a handyman/gardener call up ,when they get a call from the police at 2am in the morning telling them that a tree "on their land has blown down across x road".
glasshouse
Member
- Location
- lothians