Tim

This all seems like a real no-brainer to me. As I have read, there will always be someone willing to push it a little further than you, for the glory, and because unfortunately common sense doesn't really apply to everyone in the arboriculture, or more accurately the tree surgery business. I am not a qualified tree surgeon, but I work at height every day, usually about 60ft above ground on a high wire course in mixed coniferous and broadleaved woodland. On days when the wind is above 28mph (force 6) or excessive dead wood is falling we close. in my time that has been about once every week or two. Customers are disappointed and business lost, but with no injuries or lives lost, this is a small price. The guy who advises us on the trees paints an accurate picture of the impossibility to accurately predict what a tree may do. A dead tree standing could stay standing for many years, a healthy tree could go in strong winds because of factors you couldn't predict easily from the ground. Personal judgement is key and you can't expect a customer to want you to climb in dangerous conditions, if they do then they can get someone who is braver, and potentially at higher risk to do it. No sleep lost.

This one always gets me... it's the 'I can not fall anymore' and the amount of slack he has pulled through. I don't want to work out the fall factor but you can be sure he's climbed more than 30cm above his last anchor point...'pure joy'! [ame] [/ame]

heres a video that reminds me of why I like to be in trees.Inspiring... What do you guys think? [ame] [/ame]

Thanks very much, just bought it on ebay, I felt a little odd phoning and asking for Barry to buy some lube!

Hi there, does anyone know where I can get some of this??? much obliged, Tim

Just an update... I spoke to the tutor of the online tech cert at Mysercough, and he said that with my qualifications and experience I could be accepted on to either the Technicians Certificate or the Foundation Degree, which is great! question is which one? the TC is a one year course which will allow me (with the NCPT tickets) to potentially get a job as a trainee climber after that. I will also by that time have done a few years as a groundie. but do you thing I should go straight for the 3 year Foundation degree? It seems like a lot more work when at the moment I would rather be up in the canopy! I have also given Kingswood training a call, so hopefully they will get back to me soon. the ball seems to have started rolling.

That's great, thanks everyone for all the info. I was thinking of doing my NPTC's in 2 blocks, one in a few months (30 and 31), and one closer to autumn (38 and 39). Perhaps from a groundies point of view though it would be better to do the 30 and 38, and leave the 31 and 39 until a bit later. Thanks again for your time, and I'll give you a ring tomorrow if that's ok Jonesie.

Hi Mr Bish and Yorkshireman, and thanks for the sound advice, I will keep you all posted on which direction I chose to go in, but I agree entirely when you say that qualifications are only a start, and there is always more you can learn through actually doing it. Mr Bish, unless I am wrong, the beauty in the online courses is that you don't have to live anywhere near, and you can fit the around your schedule, so can work at the same time. heres the link: http://www.myerscough.ac.uk/?page=courseinfo-online-arboriculture I think I may well do the ABC lvl 2 RFS for 2 years part time, to hopefully lead in to the technicians cert online at myerscough. I am just hoping that a ND Arb or NC Arb are not prerequisites these days. It is a little confusing!

Hello everyone, First of all I would like to say what a great forum this is, with so much good advice from people who seem to genuinely love what they are doing. Let me introduce myself, my name is Tim, I'm 25 and I have chosen to embark on a career in Arboriculture. I have a bit of a background in landscape gardening, having worked with my brother in London seasonally for the last 4 years or so. I have also worked in our local woodland, coppicing and clearing rides over the last few winters, so I know the basics of using a chainsaw, and am no stranger to hard work! My interest in Arboriculture and tree surgery comes from combining my love of working in the outdoors, with a keen habit / addiction to rock climbing. I have always loved trees, and I am interested particularly in the ecology and sustainability side of arb work. Oh an I also have a degree in film, but that's on hold for a while! I am writing this post because I would really appreciate some good advice from the pros!... you. I have done some research, and know that there are qualifications that you need (ncpt tickets), and qualifications that would be a very good idea to have if you want to stay in the career once you come to the end of your climbing days (which I do) (I think) S the big question is, What would you advise being the best route in? I am working part time for a good local tree surgeon at the moment which I love, so I would definitely like to continue to get the practical experience like that. I am thinking of a ABC Lvl 2 cert in Arb that my local college (Hadlow) does part time (one evening a week) for 2 years but I would definately like to do a much more in depth course at some point. To put another twist in it, I don't really think I can afford to take a full year or 2 out to do a NC or ND as we are expecting our first child (due 4 days ago) Perhaps the online foundation degree at Myerscough? Well thanks for reading all of this, and I really appreciate any suggestions you guys have. Cheers for now, Tim