Tree surveying qualification

[daltontrees]

I've been in the game a long time, but I don't have a level 3 arb qual would it still be learnable without this?

 

What game? The PTI set-up says "As a pre-requisite of attending the course it is fully expected that learners will have a detailed knowledge of tree biology, the tree as an undamaged self-optimised structure, biological and mechanical weaknesses, pathology, legislation, remedial options and their likely implications and the British Standard 3998 Recommendations for Treework." If you haven't got that, you will struggle, it's a 3 day intensive course and an assessment at the end where you have to produce a written report on a few random trees with no assistance from anyone in a tight timeslot. I'd add that if you haven't got that you shouldn't be doing tree inspections for money even if you do sneak through. When I did the PTI a few guys were trying to wing it on general contracting experience and they failed, one didn't even finish the course.

 

And you probably won't get valid PI cover without this level of qualification. Surveyign without insurance would be nuts almost as nuts as anyone paying for a report that isn't backed by insurance.

 

Surveying trees is easy. Assessing risk and making appropriate cost-effective recommendations that are relevant to the client's legal responsibilities and the physiological needs of the tree is a whole different ballgame. That's what quality is about. Do it right and it can be very rewarding, or I'd say don't do it at all.

[Betula]

The industry standard for inspection is the PTI which has entry requirements (detailed above) and PI insurance can be acquired without the PTI (dependant on insurer) but only if you have a qualification such as a L5 or L6 course. These courses cover a lot of the required information for surveying and are aimed for a management or consultants level. Not having an L3 qualification the providers may not allow you on the course.

 

BUT....

 

Having the qualifications alone does not make you a good surveyor; in the same way having CS tickets doesn't make you a good tree surgeon. It's about experience and understanding of the tree; essentially being able to see the same tree with the same conditions being in a number of different situations and being able to make appropriate recommendations and being able to convey that to the client.