AA Teccie (Paul)

Wadda'bout a bog standard 'Shortbread' with a strong coffee...my occasional treat being as how my body is a temple...and doomed! This thread is addictive..

Apparently, according to Peter Kay, "Hobbs Nobbs" are the SAS when it comes to dunkers...very funny (but then I am a noverner!) Cheers...or should that be "aaaaaaaaaaaah" (that Typhoo Tea moment) Paul

Excellent post / thread...CPD / CPD / CPD. Thank you.. Paul

The above is very much a competent/proficient operator, OR employers, view on training and assessment, with which I wholly agree...as someone from the 'arb' industry. The point I was making was that the legal system seems to have a different take on it, apparently Good post, cheers! Paul

PS As a matter of (related) interest, as informed by several colleagues who undertake 'expert witness' work, in the event of an accident the legal system seems to be very much more interested in the training, including refreshers / updates, of individuals rather than their "certificates of competence" (as was.)

Hmmm, not sure. Is independent assessment "a guarantee of competence"...or merely an assessment / test that the, often basic level, skills trained prior are in place. I would suggest the reference to NPTC is more historic, particularly within the 'arb' sector, as a benchmark of 'competence' (a word and not necessarily a fact) and the fact it is associated with City & Guilds, which service many other industry sectors, means it has a wider recognition, perhaps. At the end of the day as an industry you now have a choice / options of Lantra Awards or C&Gs/NPTC and, at the end of the day, AND as it has always been, it is very much down to the individual instructor/assessor and trainee/assesse(?) as to how effective the process actually is...AND don't forget YOUR very important role in the "competence development" process by assisting with the consolidation of those trained/assessed skills in the workplace. Reet, time to head fer the hills me thinks Cheers.. Paul

As 'crobinson' points out, the fact the "less than 5m3" gives you an exemption from the felling licence requirement it doesn't give a TPO exemption...as far as I'm aware, so you'll still need to apply to the LPA to undertake the works. Tread carefully... Cheers.. Paul

In a previous TO life our legal dept. took a prosecution primarily against the tree surgeon, as the "axe-wielder" (their description), and also the tree owner for "aiding and abetting" (or similar, can't remember the exact phrase.) At the end of the day, and often not as simply as this...or is it, the 'professional' tree surgeon / arborist should be making the tree protection checks anyway and despite what the tree owner says. However, in so doing I would always inform them (the tree owner) of your intentions to make a TPO check which gives them the option to say "no thank you" and you'll probably then walk away. Cheers.. Paul PS The above prosecution was successful but small fry financially as it was wilful damage.

A FUNGUS OF COURSE..!!!! Okay, Ganny yep, reckons, appens, hope sa! Cheers Gary 'et al' have good weekend. Paul

Yup, an emergent conk.

AND to the level to which you are qualified / competent / experienced, i.e. "know your limitations." SORRY if that sounds a bit patronising, absolutely not meant but I am concerned when people see what they consider may be an opportunity to earn a few quid n go out of their depth n risk coming unstuck. My point about the Conservation Area is that is of no relevance to hedges in terms of legal protections, well not under the TCPA, although it may be considered a contributory factor to heighten the amenity / wildlife / ecological value...perhaps. Don't forget about the appropriate PI insurance too. Cheers Paul

Relevance? Don't stray beyond your field of expertise and competence I would strongly advise. Tc.. Paul

Excellent, cheers Andy, I look forward to meeting you there. Be sure to "bring a friend" too Cheers.. Paul

...at Edinburgh Botanical Gardens:thumbup1: For further information on this FREE event, and to book, please see ARB Approved Contractor Preparation Workshop Hope to see you there. Thanks all.. Paul

Ash bacterial canker (Pseudomonas syringae) maybe? Paul

BUMP...n anyone who wants to join me "last-minute.com" we're in the 'Seminar Room', Greenmount Campus, Antrim BT41 4PU just 'pm' me before. Cheers fer now.. Paul

"...and some don't." Hopefully meaning some aren't bothered whether you're qualified or not rather than some don't like / recognise your ISA qualification yeah? Paul

Sorry, I'm never the best at finding my way back to previous threads...usually coz I post nonsense n don't want to embarrass myself again. So, here in the UK ISA Certified Arborist is recognised at level 2, i.e. craftsman level. However, informally, and including myself (personally), many see it at level 3...or certainly 2.5. This has be borne out when I do contractor assessments and speak to / question (in the nicest possible way) nominated managers on arb technical stuff. My experience being they're just below the old AA Tech Cert, an absolute level 3 maybe 4, and above other level 2 quals...a very general observation. As with many things, much of it's value/use is down to the individual and their application. Regards.. Paul

Yep, fair point. In the London Boro's they refer to it as "high pollarding" which is in essence "high topping/lopping" but to selective species, usually Plane n Lime, which respond positively...seemingly. Cheers.. Paul

If it is Sycamore / Acer, generally quite a vigorous species, and the tree has good vitality (general health) as it usually compartmentalises quite well I'd be fairly relaxed about further works ranging from: - doing a height reduction of the regrowth stems, not more than 50% (this assumes an abundance of regrowth) - thinning out the regrowth stems, not more than a third - re-pollard...your in France afterall. So, fairly non-committal really Cheers.. Paul PS I'm only really familiar with seeing Tar Spot on Sycamore.

I recently did mine with 'experienced' trainers, 3 in total, one a para-medic and para-medic trainer, another a tree surgeon / ex-marine, and the other an ex-marine and close quarter security specialists...all a bit scary really, but they delivered an excellent day. Anyway, onto more important things like getting your business 'ARB Approved.." "Nice one!" Cheers.. Paul PS You joining me at Edinburgh Botanics on 2nd Dec to "find out more"

Workplace FA training providers previously had to register with HSE (Health and Safety Executive) as the regulatory body but that requirement / restriction was removed in 2013. Hence no need to register / certify FA courses unless a provider sees perhaps commercial benefits in so doing, e.g. Lantra perhaps. The responsibility lies with the employer to ensure the training he/her/their staff receive is current, relevant and useful. Hence listening what others say on ARBTALK is a very useful indicator. This is a really useful guide http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/approved-training.htm Cheers.. Paul

Hi David, someone's already mentioned NJUG v.4 (attached) but this is more focused on protection of tree roots. Have you tried that very well known search engine and perhaps some keys words, e.g. "method statement for excavations for underground services" ...hint, hint. Cheers.. Paul PS Think BS5837 has a section as awell but again focused on tree protection measures. V4-Trees-Issue-2-16-11-2007.pdf

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....dunno! I rate the 'ISA Certified Arborist' qualification very highly and would suggest the contrary in terms of UK recognition. Albeit we had a range of level 2 'arbs quals' existing at the time it became available, eg City & Guilds Phase II Arb / RFS Cert Arb / NC Arb, and hence didn't readily take off perhaps. Who knows what the future holds? Cheers.. Paul

This is "how I understand the situation", albeit not said as a LOLER qualified person (the course is too hard n scary ) However, IF you propose to use, in particular textile items, beyond the manufacturers recommended lifespan, e.g. usually 5 years, I would also seek the view of your insurance company. Good thread, thank you all. Paul