AA Teccie (Paul)

Thanks Ed, albeit I'm not involved in its delivery (Paul Elcoat & Simon Cox, my colleague here at the Arb Assoc are) it does seem to be very well received. Its a 2-day course and cost, on average (member / none member rates) is £550 +VAT (inc. B&B). They had some evening speakers on Day 1 this year, people from the industry, which apparently went down very well too. Delegate feedback also rated "networking" very highly...an added bonus. The point being is that to successfully manage a business, including allocation of resources and roles etc, generally requires a different skill set to that most arb's will have experienced previously and hence something like this can help. Regards.. Paul

Kinda along the lines of what Edward's said above. Whilst waiting at IoM airport for flight back to Glos. (exciting stuff) I read an article in a business magazine and whilst I can't just remember the phraseology it was something like are you the manager "in" the business, inferring you're probably meddling in stuff you should be getting others to do, OR the manager "of" where delegation has happened n your role is more strategic etc. Okay, she, the author, was referring to SME's but probably ones employing upto 20 people say so quite, quite different scenario, and available resources and knowledge / experience, to a micro-business. Nevertheless an interesting read and perhaps something worth thinking about, i.e. what exactly is your role and are you delegating...where / if you can. Tc Ian, stress manifests itself in many different ways and can be very bad news...stating the obvious BUT! Paul

I would hazard a guess at Dryads Saddle on the Sycamore, often present on old pruning wounds IME. The Beech could be an emergent Gannoderma perhaps. There, now where did that "Mr Humphries" disappear to? TTFN.. Paul

Just to throw another option into the pot you could consider the FdSc Arb (level 5), if you're existing level 3 would give you access. The ISA Certified Arborist, whilst an excellent course of study, is probably not where you want to be aiming given what you've got already and where your aspirations lie. I did the ABC level 4 / level 6 (equivalents, AA Tech Cert & RFS Prof Dip as they were at the time and found them both very good.) Cheers, n good luck.. Paul

Hi Mark, Simon has responded by saying look here http://www.trees.org.uk/Trees.org.uk/files/20/20e15007-09c7-4900-a91f-a8605a3bd623.pdf and advised it is best to check with CSCS / BALI about fees (for tests / cards etc.) to ensure current prices are quoted. Hope this helps.. Paul

Hi Peter, We offer 'bespoke' courses all over the place and usually need 6-8 people to make it viable. If you can find a suitable venue, and ideally the other 6 or 7 delegates, just let Tiff know at Head Office...she may already have people looking for the same. Her contact details are [email protected] or call Head Office on 01242 522152. Cheers.. Paul

I'm not sure here Mark TBH. Whilst I have heard of "others" doing so I think you have to declare what industry sector your working in before you do the test and obviously if you sat tree surgery / landscape it probably won't allow you to proceed...I don't know this to be a fact tho! The other possible issue is that if you do manage to do so, say for construction labourer for instance, and you get a stickler of a site manager who says that card doesn't cover your activities whilst on HIS site, he doesn't let you on...worse case scenario and yes, of course I would say that...BUT what a PITA if that happened. I know the formal route is convoluted but its probably safer. Maybe, ask your clients / prospective client, what type/colour of CSCS card they would expect to see before deciding on a course of action. Cheers, n good luck.. Paul

Hi Mark, thanks for the post here. TBH I dunno exactly n my "go to person", my colleague Simon Cox, is currently on holiday. Hence I will check next week when he's back in and get back to you with a fuller, and more accurate, reply. In the interim, if you approached CSCS saying you needed a card, usually for either construction site work or Highways Agency land, and said you were from the tree surgery / arb industry sector, they would direct you to BALI in the first instance (BALI are the pan-industry representative organization for the landscape and related sectors including arb.) With BALI you have to first do their 1-day H&S foundation course (which we offer), a theory session in effect, and do the related test (multi-choice n pretty straight forward.) Once you are successful you then do your CSCS 'on-screen' test, which used to be a doddle but I'm told by some it is now more challenging and hence obtaining the work book beforehand may be worth considering. Once successful there you then apply as climber arborist / grounds arborist ect etc, sending in your related evidence of qualification, and you are issued with a CSCS/LISS (Landscape Industry Sector Scheme) card. There, simples I've no idea of costs for CSCS but £30 rings a bell. As I say I will check all of the above with Simon n get back to you next week. Cheers.. Paul

Hmmm, as others have said you do not need any permissions from the tree owner to cut back encroaching branches provided in so doing you do not cut beyond the boundary. Further, and again as others have said, you don't need permission to access the tree provided you can do so from the neighboring property and again you do not encroach their boundary, AKA trespass. So, if it were me, and if I anticipated needing to enter the tree owners land / air-space, and you preferred to have something in writing rather than "witnessed" verbally, I would produce a simple statement myself (dated) and ask the tree owner to sign it, ideally in the presence of a family member if they are elderly...or maybe speak to Age Concern to see if they could help / advise / get involved. Hoping this helps, at least a little. Cheers.. Paul

Hi Dan, I hope you're well. Thanks for your post / reply here. As you are obviously aware 'arbs' do the ROLO course because it is now effectively a pre-requisite to follow through and do the CSCS test to obtain a blue card as a chainsaw user etc. However the ROLO course is designed as a basic / foundation H&S awareness course for operatives and can be very useful either as part of a new entrants induction training and/or as a H&S refresher for existing / experienced operatives. There would be some overlap with some aspects of the C&G's / NPTC training but some areas would be new. Hope this helps to clarify the situation...at least a little. Cheers.. Paul

Theory n academia (mid Summer avoiding prolonged drought spells / winter avoiding prolonged frost) "versus" practicalities n economics ("anytime the customer has the money!") Suggest making an assessment of the trees ability to withstand the pruning and, "less is more" generally with Birch. Avoiding Spring when they bleed is good but largely unsightly / concerning to owner rather than significant from tree health point of view. So, "crack on"... Paul

The HSE are involved, as I understand it, the company itself is undertaking an internal investigation as to the circumstances surrounding the incident and we will review the situation at a later date and may, or may not, take action accordingly. The analogy with the health care industry isn't really wholly comparable as the GMC have much greater powers than we do, and/or the HSE even, and hence they can "strike off" medical professionals. On an individual basis that would more be the equivalent to whichever was the awarding body involved, IF involved, i.e. NPTC or Lantra. Not "passing the buck" here as we clearly have a role to play but simply commenting on the analogy. We are currently in communication with the company involved, initiated by themselves on the day, a positive move. Cheers all.. Paul

Whilst I (think) I acknowledge your point here, in practice it is too simplistic...I would suggest. The AAAC / ArbAC process checks that skilled and competent personnel are in place at the time of the assessment visit (every 2 years.) Thereafter, and for the time in between, it is the nominated manger's responsibility and to ensure they are working in accord with industry good practice. Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing. Paul

But if you don't give it YOUR best shot, and thereby the trees the best chance, what's saying anyone else will. You have, by virtue of enquiring with the LPA about the presence of any TPO's, indirectly / consequentially alerted them. Trees are a material consideration in the planning process and hence they are obliged to consider them. Further, as the professional arb engaged you are duty bound to establish any constraints to construction, inc. TPOs, aren't you? Be professional, do the necessary and your conscience is / "should be" clear. Understand your predicament but you don't know it will all end in a mess really. Cheers.. Paul

I would also advise trying to establish what exemptions / exclusions, if any, apply to the policy as, IME, these can vary significantly and some (one in particular) can be restrictive in terms of the type of work etc. you may be covered for. Cheers.. Paul

Indeed'tis, albeit not such a comfy one today at HQ. Okay, I know I'm essentially "out of the game" here, so to speak, but I really would urge caution at any proposal to rig off that stem...particularly if I was attached at the same time. Cheers.. Paul

Sirococcus maybe? (see p.11 of attached) Cheers.. Paul FC Pest and diseases symptoms panels_2016.pdf

Could the fence / gate not be removed to allow access? (Know this adds to the job complexity and time/money/resource/hassle etc but I sense you're not happy to climb it...and I empathise.) Dynamite? Tc whichever way you go.. Paul

Mewp?

Maybe he/she has read the advice contained in the public leaflet "Choosing Your Tree Surgeon (Arborist)" that we produce, copy below. TBH I don't think what they're requesting is unreasonable, perhaps 'unusual' and that's why there's an air of suspicion, and perhaps you could ask for the copy documents to be returned at the end of the job...just so you can pass them on to the next enquirer. Dunno, just mi thoughts Cheers, n hope the job goes smoothly.. Paul ChoosingYourArborist.pdf

"Old friends"...but not yet sat on their park bench like bookends (an old Paul Simon song, how sad eh!) Cheers Wolter, hope you get a definitive which will doubtless involve some level of lab analysis. Paul

Hi, I recently heard Henry Kuppen from Netherlands speak very authoritively on OPM but got the impression he does a lot of other stuff too see http://www.kuppen-bomen.nl/ziekte-plaagbeheer/httpwwwkuppen-bomenceasarnlziekte-plaagbeheerinsec.html which may be worth a contact Regards.. Paul

Precisely, n not forgetting that metal band strapped round too, just for good measure

Stand to be corrected here, and think it could be open to legal challenge, but the 2012 regs combined(?) n superseded all previous regs did they not? Therefore the 2 year rule for expiry of permissions would logically apply...perhaps. Further, as mentioned, a 5-day notice is a safety issue thing and technically consent cannot be granted. The words messy n confused come to mind so to safe guard yourself, and your client, I would go back to the LPA for guidance / advice n don't be surprised they say to 'apply for consent.' Cheers.. Paul