Level 3 Extended Diploma in Forestry & Arboriculture at College

[Troska]

Hi, I'm starting college soon to become a Tree Surgeon at 23 years of age with no prior experience in the industry. Can anyone offer me any advice on the training and climbing? Perhaps things that you wished you had known when you started training in this business.

I did an induction where we practiced different climbing knots, which at first I found hard to remember the processes but managed okay in the end. I also got to go up a tree for the first time, which is more difficult than it looks for me personally but I got the hand of it in the end and it was pretty fun. Maybe it is pre college nerves but I want to succeed at this course, but I have worries in my mind that I'm going to struggle with it for some reason.

 

Thanks

Edited September 2, 2015 by Troska

[Kveldssanger]

For the academic side...

 

Read, read, read, and read some more. Immerse yourself in information, find the bits you need to learn the quickest, nail those, then knuckle down with the more luxurious stuff you want to learn more about.

 

A few good books that may be of use:

 

1. Managing Native Broadleaved Woodland (Forestry Commission book - a massive archive for only £25 or so)

2. Woodland Management - Chris Starr. 2nd edition. (very cheap - prob. under £20)

3. Stupsi Explains the Tree (Mattheck)

4. Tree Mechanics (Mattheck)

5. A Critique of Silviculture (Puettmann et al.)

 

Best of luck! Don't go in with the mindset of thinking you'll struggle - go in with the mindset that is one of being ready to learn.

 

Check this too - So, You own a Woodland.

[Christopher Schroeter]

Which college?

Dont be nervous. I went back into education at 32 on the same course. To tell you the truth I was scared!!

Advice- LISTEN to everything they tell you. Make notes. Read them again afterwards. Ask questions. And believe in yourself 100%. Have fun, make friends because they could be you contacts in the near future. But remember, there will be smart arses in your class who think they know the lot. Take them with a pinch of salt.

Use all the resources the college has to offer. And last but not least, use these guys on arbtalk. They are a wealth of information. In a couple of years time some guys or gals will be asking YOU for advice.

 

All the very best in your studies.

[Troska]

For the academic side...

 

Read, read, read, and read some more. Immerse yourself in information, find the bits you need to learn the quickest, nail those, then knuckle down with the more luxurious stuff you want to learn more about.

 

A few good books that may be of use:

 

1. Managing Native Broadleaved Woodland (Forestry Commission book - a massive archive for only £25 or so)

2. Woodland Management - Chris Starr. 2nd edition. (very cheap - prob. under £20)

3. Stupsi Explains the Tree (Mattheck)

4. Tree Mechanics (Mattheck)

5. A Critique of Silviculture (Puettmann et al.)

 

Best of luck! Don't go in with the mindset of thinking you'll struggle - go in with the mindset that is one of being ready to learn.

 

Check this too - So, You own a Woodland.

 

Thanks, I'll look into those books you've mentioned!

[Troska]

Which college?

Dont be nervous. I went back into education at 32 on the same course. To tell you the truth I was scared!!

Advice- LISTEN to everything they tell you. Make notes. Read them again afterwards. Ask questions. And believe in yourself 100%. Have fun, make friends because they could be you contacts in the near future. But remember, there will be smart arses in your class who think they know the lot. Take them with a pinch of salt.

Use all the resources the college has to offer. And last but not least, use these guys on arbtalk. They are a wealth of information. In a couple of years time some guys or gals will be asking YOU for advice.

 

All the very best in your studies.

 

I'm at Otley college currently. And thanks for the advice!