Where should I start?

[Stoatally]

I want to change my career across to arb. I've done some agricultural contracting and a little bit of saw work in the past but I want to make it into a career.

 

What should I do to start? I guess I need some tickets? C30/31 and others?

 

What about other information and learning? Are there any good online courses? I work full time so need evening or distance learning.

 

I'm based in bristol.

 

All advice and guidance welcome!

Matt

[MATTMOSS]

Try an get some weekend work with a local tree firm would be my advice.

[Stoatally]

Sent out a load of speculative emails. One of the most consistent bits of the replies so far was that no one round here works weekends!

[10 Bears]

Stoatally - there are several threads on here about different online courses, take a look through those and make your mind up. The most common college courses are run by Myerscough and Capel Manor (although other providers are available!)

 

What do you want from it? Do you have tree knowledge already? Do you want to be able to do more in the industry then just chop? If so then a college course is probably your best bet.

 

If you just want to be another cowboy who doesn't know a Quercus from an Acer but is more than happy to 'chog it down' - then just do some short courses (CS30, 31, 38, 39) and you can be a bona fide 'chopper' in a month.

 

Personally speaking though, I think the industry has far too many of the latter - particularly young guns who are all brass and no brains. Just my opinion, mind.

[Kveldssanger]

^ Agreed. There are certainly many who can differentiate native species of tree and common introduced ones, though many exist who can't. I would say one should also have at least a moderate understanding of fungal fruiting bodies, etc.

 

Having never done the practical side, I cannot relate too much, though it is certainly refreshing when the arborists I speak with have a sound awareness of tree physiology, pests & diseases, etc.

 

What happens if a customer asks you to look at "that tree" down the end of the garden that has a fruiting body on it, and you don't know what species of tree (or fungus) it is? The answer isn't always "just fell it" - it is situational and requires knowledge that extends beyond pure knowledge of how to correctly prune and fell trees.

[Two Acres]

^ Agreed. There are certainly many who can differentiate native species of tree and common introduced ones, though many exist who can't. I would say one should also have at least a moderate understanding of fungal fruiting bodies, etc.

 

Having never done the practical side, I cannot relate too much, though it is certainly refreshing when the arborists I speak with have a sound awareness of tree physiology, pests & diseases, etc.

 

What happens if a customer asks you to look at "that tree" down the end of the garden that has a fruiting body on it, and you don't know what species of tree (or fungus) it is? The answer isn't always "just fell it" - it is situational and requires knowledge that extends beyond pure knowledge of how to correctly prune and fell trees.

 

So which institution offers courses that cover the academic aside of the industry?

[Kveldssanger]

Myerscough College, Capel Manor College, Writtle College, Otley College, Treelife, and some other colleges and consultancies. I believe Edinburgh offers some forestry courses, and Cambridge and Oxford will by default provide courses I would imagine.

 

Myerscough and Treelife and probably the two most popular, alongside Capel Manor.

[10 Bears]

The most common college courses are run by Myerscough and Capel Manor (although other providers are available!)

 

These...

[Two Acres]

Myerscough College, Capel Manor College, Writtle College, Otley College, Treelife, and some other colleges and consultancies. I believe Edinburgh offers some forestry courses, and Cambridge and Oxford will by default provide courses I would imagine.

 

Myerscough and Treelife and probably the two most popular, alongside Capel Manor.

 

Thanks

[Stoatally]

The foundation course in arb from Myerscough sounds good. Can't see prices. I'll have to have a better look.

 

I'll have a look at the others later! What about Royal Ag and Bicton?