Arbgirl

H&S requirements are exactly the same for volunteers as they are for employees

Also, I printed out loads of BS5837 tree reports that I found on the internet and memorised them - I bullet pointed the headings and revised them so I had a quick aide memoire for how to rough out a report quickly

If any of those reports were yours - many thanks

Hi Arborist,

I dont have any idea what I previously failed on as we dont get any feedback as to our previous papers unfortunately - so your guess is as good as mine !

I think the first time I just ran out of time and wasnt that good on the oral questions

The trick that helped me pass was making sure I was familiar with the unit - look at all the learning outcomes and make sure you know all of them

Get very fast at doing the surveys and most importantly concentrate on where the marks are given

Also make sure you dont waste time surveying trees that you dont need to survey

Last time one question gave 40 marks and the survey only gave 15 so I just concentrated on the 40 mark question and wrote like crazy everything I could think of - I didnt bother much with faffing about surveying trees until I had exhausted my knowledge of the 40 mark question

I got 72 so cant have been doing too badly (I was shocked but it just shows that exam "technique" is sometimes more important that getting the surveys right/completed

I also had luckily revised exactly what she asked in the oral questions so was able to get full marks there as I had memorised the standards (BS3998) and just regurgitated exactly what is stated in it

I found this the hardest unit as I have never done a real 5937 survey as it is not something I cover in my current job

Getting experience of doing them without computer assistance and as fast as you can and then getting feedback from someone who knows what they are doing would (in my opinion) be a good way to get good at it

It must be a pain to have to wait till next Oct to retake though...........

Dont forget- it isnt just BS5837 it included questions about BS3998 - get the unit out and make sure your knowledge covers both standards and everything stated in the unit.

I passed! Finally!! Only took 2 resits of the 5837 unit but I have finally done it:biggrin::biggrin:

Best of luck with your resits guys - keep at it - it is worth it in the end!

Odd bird - sorry to ask but are you a female (lol)

If so, try Lantra's Women at Work for funding too!

Not sure when the next round of funding starts but get your name on the waiting list as it is very popular

I think Train to Gain used to fund these type of courses - but it no longer exists following the funding cuts.........

I have one more question...

Why do they put the gob cuts upside down in US Forestry? Are US foresters all deaf as well, as they dont wear ear defenders?

Ok yes, its two questions

Thanks everyone for your comments

I shall take them all on board:001_smile:

It's always good to get some feedback on these things

I may be back with more "discussion" topics ..............

I can see the desire to prevent the loss of old skills - I need to focus on safe working techniques and the publication is aimed at everyone from the completely inexperienced to the more experienced - so it has to be safety first

I have heard some of the pros - what about the cons?

Anyone know of any H&S guidance that I can look at as I cant find anything when I google and I assumed the HSE would have said something about it if it caused accidents

Maybe there arent any? But then how many people fell trees with axes? Would you recommend an inexperienced worker use an axe to fell?

Do you think I could just state that using axes is for those experienced in felling or small trees?

My examiner made me read a numberplate from the correct distance before letting me in the car

How did your mate get away without doing that?

Hi chaps

I have been asked to help rewrite a publication on tree stuff which at present contains instructions on how to fell trees with axes

I am of the opinion that axe felling is not a safe way to fell a tree (less control etc) but would like to hear your opinions

I certainly dont allow the use of axes to fell stuff at work and would smite anybody who tried - what do you think?

Many thanks in advance

OMG

That warning wasnt strong enough!

At least thats one injury I will never have!

Look after yourselves chaps!

I thought 100 sounded a little on the low side, considering insurance, travel costs and seeing/hearing anywhere between 65 and 100 per hour for this sort of work.

 

And hopefully results will be soon, was told by one examiner they may well be sooner than 8 weeks as papers don't need to be sent from here to there and back again for marking/moderating, fingers crossed, will be pulling out hair by Xmas!

Did you notice the manhole cover......

I didnt

Did you notice the cavity at 3 metres? I did at least spot that one

Once again thanks for all the replies, really appreciate it! I just did tech cert at chorley last week, and guessing from one the other threads I'd say was in the same 5837 as you, I was the hairy faced pony tail toting hippy hope it went ok for you, I'm worried I spent too long on the first question, only leaving about 20 mins for the 40 marker at the end! Silly git, sure the others went ok though

Yep it was the Tech Cert at Chorley

I focussed mainly on the 40 mark bit as I thought thats where I can pick up points - didnt do much on the plan (quickly shoved the car park in "somewhere" lol) and didnt finish calculating the RPAs but did most of the survey

Results arent until Xmas - hopefully they will be released before the colleges break up for Xmas hols or people will have to wait until Jan

I was the ginger hippy BTW

I think there will be a move towards more MEWP use

not telling:001_tt2:

What are people's thoughts on Celox?

I carry it, (plus a field dressing) and make sure my buddies know how to apply it if required (I NEVER plan to need it lol)

Its worth making sure that anyone who could have to administer it knows what it is, where it is and how to use it! As there is not time to read the instructions if it is ever required!

You mention doing an exam in BS5837

I did one last week and it had to all be done on paper so it is possible although much quicker on a computer

What exam are you going to do (out of interest as I am nosey)!

A developer is going to want a piece of paper to look at at the end of the day - well OK they dont WANT to have to deal with trees but most planners make sure an arb survey is done nowadays....

Well it made me laugh out loud !

Does no one think that lighting that chiminea that close to the hedge (particularly if the prevailing wind blows the heat towards the hedge) would cause this damage too? They chuck out a lot of heat!

How long has the decking been down too? Did they sever or damage any roots when installing it?

I agree it does look to have been trimmed to close as well...

Or burning the chiminea thingy too close to the hedge!!

Thanks armybloke

I have the 5837 one today and have always found it hard to work out what the examiner is getting at! Im pretty sure last time I did exactly what you said not to do - that is - wrote loads of carp that didnt answer the question as I couldnt work out what the question was getting at!

Lets hope it is more straightforward this time

And that I wont be doing a fifth resit like some.........

Right now I must start this revising lark - the exam's at 3.30!

i have some manualy operated round files that work very well,try them you mite like them

Did my exam monday - my tip is... take your time and read the question....I say again... read the question and ONLY do what the question wants you todo and do not be smart and show you know stuff they do not need!!

 

If you went to the 3 day prep at Sparsholt you will find this is only half the stress (if you put the work in obviously)

For which particular exam please? *flutters eyelashes*

Ive arrived!! I'm in Chorley at last! Erm tips for tomorrow...

Have you got your hi viz and all your surveying equipment?

For fungi Id - go through the list in the syllabus and then look at the fungi directory on here to ID stuff

Then do the same for pests and diseases (you will have to google for them - but I found it the best way to learn - by finding it out myself)

Read woodland management plans and have a good knowledge of woodland management for timber and biodiversity

You get plenty of time in the plant ID - again, go through the syllabus list and google each one you cant ID so you know whats what..

Good luck Tim and Theo - see ya tomorrow!!

Err anyone else got any ideas or are you all in the pub?? On my way...!:thumbup::thumbup:

me too - just doing the 5837 exam tomorrow

Which one you doing?

Good luck by the way!

I shouldnt be hard to find if you are there tomorrow afternoon as there is a distinct lack of females on this course!

Got to jump on my bus now for the long journey - but hopefully see you there! Im a tall and auburn haired hippy so I shouldnt be hard to spot lol