What have the AA done for us?

[puwer]

http://www.totalarb.com/content/cm000192.htm

 

Original GTGCP (1999) Aerial Rescue Guidance Notes (1997)

 

Peer review group members:

 

Safe working methods with top handled chainsaws

Karabiner safety in the arboriculture industry

Determination of rope access and work positioning techniques in arboriculture

[puwer]

Guidance notes:

 

No1 - Trees and bats

No3 - Planting and managing amenity woodlands

No4, No6 and No7 etc

 

General guides: Tree work, choosing your arborist, a guide to qualifications and careers in arboriculture.

 

Examainers, invigilators, question writers Tech Cert.

[Amelanchier]

Don't see the problem myself.

 

Consider the ICF. They have a considerable hold over a hell of a lot of trees. They make decisions that I'm not involved in. They have the governments ear. They charge lots of money for courses. And as for entry requirements... passing a charter exam! Elitist b*stards eh!

[Lee Winger]

 

One little nick tho is why arnt people on here members.

 

Keep reading this thread and we might see why ad thats not meant to sound sarcastic! By the way do we have anyone on here from the AA, surely they are aware of this forum aren't they?

[Mr Ed]

Don't see the problem myself.

 

Consider the ICF. They have a considerable hold over a hell of a lot of trees. They make decisions that I'm not involved in. They have the governments ear. They charge lots of money for courses. And as for entry requirements... passing a charter exam! Elitist b*stards eh!

 

Good job I have a CF working for me eh?

[Jon Heuch]

By the way do we have anyone on here from the AA, surely they are aware of this forum aren't they?

 

First time here but yes, we are listening and others have been made aware of comments made both on this thread and others. Feedback, positive or negative, is always welcome but if it's criticism that's offered, it's useful to make it constructive criticism i.e. rather than just stating a problem, try to identify a way forward or solution.

 

Jon Heuch, Director/Trustee AA:wave:

[Marc]

Good to see you on the forums John.

[skyhuck]

First time here but yes, we are listening and others have been made aware of comments made both on this thread and others. Feedback, positive or negative, is always welcome but if it's criticism that's offered, it's useful to make it constructive criticism i.e. rather than just stating a problem, try to identify a way forward or solution.

 

Jon Heuch, Director/Trustee AA:wave:

 

Thanks for your input,if a way could found to draw all the professionals in our industry together in away that was financially viable for the little firms,we could try to leave the cowboys out in the cold,which could only be a good thing for everyone.

[Jon Heuch]

Thanks for your input,if a way could found to draw all the professionals in our industry together in away that was financially viable for the little firms,we could try to leave the cowboys out in the cold,which could only be a good thing for everyone.

 

AA, ISA, CAS, RFS, ICF...and if you do other things there are other trade and professional bodies to join....BALI, IEEM etc etc. You could spend significant sums keeping abreast with them all. Some competition is good but few of the "tree" organisations are of a sufficient size to provide a complete range of services needed. The AA/ISA overlap is perhaps the most obvious area where there is some room for consolidation...something that is easier to say than achieve to date. Not through lack of trying. The two bodies need to be given clear feedback from members as to what members want. A forum such is this (open, transparent) is a useful means for helping this process.

Jon

[Frimsley]

The AA were instrumental in averting an insurance crisis about 5 years ago. They worked with others to set up the Arboricultural Liaison Group, with reps from all the main industry bodies plus Lantra, NTPC, the HSE and the main insurers and worked hard to ensure that premiums didn't shoot up to a point that priced all the small contractors out of the market. It was a lot of behind the scenes work, but had it not happened I suspect that an awful lot of the smaller operators who complain about the AA wouldn't be trading now, or not legally anyway.

 

They actively promote higher standards of tree care and in my experience work hard for their members. I'm a member of both the AA and the ICF and have to say that though it's nice to have the letters after my name that being an ICF member brings, they do very little else for me. OK, you've probably guessed from that that I no longer lug saws up and down trees, so my interests may differ from many here. But something that might relate a bit more to others needs is this:

 

I'm trying to pull together a directory of accredited tree surgeons that combines AA approved and ISA certified. The AA have been extremely helpful, and as a result all the AAACs are listed at http://www.findtreesurgeons.com/. Getting anything out of the ISA, even if it has clear benefits to their members, seems to be like getting blood out of a stone.