AA Teccie (Paul)

The attached, an excerpt from TG4 may be of use / interest.

A purchase worth considering Arboricultural Association - Technical Guide 4: Use of Mobile Cranes in Tree Work WWW.TREES.ORG.UK A source of publications, guidance notes and leaflets for arboriculturists. Competitively priced available to members... Whilst the AA generic risk assessments cover crane use it wouldn't meet the needs discussed here as it only a very simple one.

Agriculture - Lung disease WWW.HSE.GOV.UK See attached. Obvioulsy much worse is stored indoors / under cover with restricted air-flow.

This is quite helpful: If you disagree with your neighbour about a tree or hedge WWW.CITIZENSADVICE.ORG.UK What to do if you and your neighbour can’t agree about a tree or hedge that’s causing problems. That said most Council's actually won't get involved in what they perceive to be a neighbourly dispute but it's worth asking. Remind your neighbour they have a 'duty of care' responsibility to you, and others, and as the tree is clearly dead/hazardous (assuming it is) if it fell and caused damage / harm they would almost certainly be liable. Maybe worth a conversation with your house insurers too, if that part of the property is insured. Good luck..

The qualification titles are consistent between NPTC and Lantra, the 2 current assessing organisations (previously just City & Guilds NPTC of course, Lantra covered only training and 'ITA' previously but now offer quals too.) Hence I would forget the nos., in either case and as wildly different, and stick with the titles, e.g. Level 2 tree felling upto 380mm dia. / Level 3 cutting using free-fall techniques etc. Cheers, Paul

IN summary, and if you're staying in the UK long-term, the NPTCs / Lantra quals are highly recommended but, from a HSE point of view (insurers may think/say differently) if the employer deems you competent, and ideally records / evidences such rather than simply a 'nod-n-a-wink", you can work here whilst familiarising yourself with UK techniques and systems etc. Having a training/assessment plan, with timescales in place, based on what you've already posted, would be a good idea too. Good luck with it all and I hope you're happy to leave the sunshine behind. Paul

WWW.WOODLANDTRUST.ORG.UK

We always have been involved in industry practices, both directly and through our membership of AFAG (HSE sub-group.) See Arboricultural Association - Tree work at height – Regulations and guidance WWW.TREES.ORG.UK <p class= dgreen lead bold >Over the last couple of years there has been a significant shift in practical guidance on safe and... for more insight.

Hmmm, previous wind-rock that has (temporarily) stabilized but absolutely of concern if there are 'targets' within the likely failure zone (it looks very 'weighted' in the direction of fall'). As a matter of course, I'm very careful in my use of the term "leaning tree". Where the tree in question is, for instance a woodland edge tree that then grows vertical in the upper crown, I describe it as "growing on an angle" (a mouthful but hopefully removes any concern to the tree owner that may be associated with the word "leaning"...still, that said, the Tower of Pisa is still there...or 'was' last I heard )

Phytopthora perhaps...fungi loom similar to Daldinia, something saprophytic perhaps. Perhaps too much "perhaps'ing until Mr Humphries come along 😉

Ivy covered Field Maple maybe

I use an i-Pad these days Swinny, binned my clipboard years ago

No particular updates but the Arb Assn is reviewing the previous 'R2' development (Register of Tree Work Operatives) in conjunction with Lantra, and with a view to simplify it (previously was very complex.) Also City & Guilds / NPTC have developed a means of digital badging individuals to evidence qualifications, and the details of the qual (it also have the facility to record additional information, e.g. time served / experience .) Hence this is an ongoing project being 'driven', to some extent by HSE/AFAG, but will be for industry to deliver.

I think FISA have set, "are setting", the standards for demonstrating chainsaw competency, including recording training / quals and 'hours logged', and Callum has developed an app based system for recording this which also includes machinery operations (I've seen the system demo'd and it appears very comprehensive for the forestry industry sector.) AFAG are looking at the opportunity for an 'arb industry' equivalent but this is in relatively early stages (I'm in a AFAG meeting his morning so will report back anything worthy of note.) Cheers, Paul

This is worth a look NPORS Training Courses WWW.CONSTRUCTIONTRAININGPROVIDERS.CO.UK The NPORS card is an alternative to the CPCS. NPORS training courses for operators of cranes, grass cutters, skip lorries...

Malus purpurea...variety / cultivar would be my guess. Paul

Hi Sam, have you registered with us (ARB Assoc) [email protected] I don't know what the current situation is but email and Sarah will advise. Good luck Paul

Probable cause of initial decline / dieback was Verticillium Wilt. Maples are very prone to the disease. Good luck with getting it removed and be sure to plant a nice replacement...Small-leaf Lime Cheers, Paul

The 3-day First Aid at Work course is not obligatory. The requirement is to do a FA 'needs assessment' and train etc. accordingly. Hence, for the majority of operational staff the 1-day 'industry specific' (+F) course is suitable. Many FA providers offer this ow often labelled as EFAW for Tree Surgeons or similar, and usually include the '+F' suffix on the certificate. Paul

..because it's increasingly becoming the bench-mark for detailed tree inspections by the competent person and hence demonstrates such. Many job ads / contracts / insurers increasingly reference PTI as a requirement. It's a great CPD opportunity too. Cheers Paul

Hi Jon, I hope you're well and thank you for raising a relevant point. However, a tad disingenuous I feel in relation to the Arb Assn (still it amused Mr Johnson...Kevin, not Boris!) The AA website does attempt to differentiate between a Tree Surgeon and a Consultant, both with words and pictorially (albeit i do acknowledge improvements could still be made.) My personal view is that akin to requesting a building surveyor, or structural engineer, be engaged by insurers, with a little effort they could refer to a 'tree expert' at least rather than a tree surgeon (or maybe a tree surgeon competent to undertake subsidence risk assessments etc....which would hopefully get to the right people.) The AA 'Approved Contractor' is a business accreditation opportunity, which involves competent tree surgeons of course, and hence that is why it is referred to as such...behind the "Find the Right Tree Surgeon" pitch on the homepage. The bigger picture - maybe we could collectively write to the' ABI'(?) pointing out the error of their members ways. Thanks, Paul (Arboricultural Association)

Absolutely...however a competent person is implied, who may of course be a "qualified tree surgeon" tòo but I'd be very cautious about getting involved if you didn't consider yourself competent to do a detailed site investigation and tree related damage potential report...and have the appropriate insurance of course. Generally the domain of an arb consultant...and with relevant experience. (Tbh PTI isnt relevant here as not a tree risk/hazard assessment report.) ATB Paul

Good evening Kevin, not sure if you're being 'facetious' here or a genuine question 😊. If the latter, there no TO accreditation opportunity, we did offer a scheme many moons ago but it lapsed. The TO may well be a member of course, possibly/probably a qualified member if so, but tis for them to disclose such really. This situation assumes the TO is responsible which of course he/She may not be, it may be a planning dept legacy issue (haven't read the DN.) Regards, and hope you have a good Easter. Paul

An "Informative" on the DN - drawing the applicants attention to other relevant legislation/regulation etc. (same for wildlife / nesting birds etc.)

Hi there, IMHO / IME the problem will come when/if you buy the property and the insurers get involved, they'll probably want an 'arboricultural report', which will doubtless conclude that the tree is within influencing distance etc. etc., and probably recommend a structural engineer be engaged to investigate the cause of damage...often resulting in a recommendation for tree removal essentially as a process of elimination (of causation.) The underground stream issue you mentioned, I haven't looked at the planing application, is a cause for concern / possible causation and that should be fully investigated first before you have to consider removal of the tree, and incurring the associated cost of course, which may not be actual the cause. Not that it always happens consistently but there appears to be other similar sized trees to he front of adjacent properties...have they had any similar issues previously, or currently...may be worth asking. Bottom line = structural engineer FULL investigation (which may also be a condition of any mortgage offer if applicable.) Just my (personal) thoughts out loud. Good luck, tis a lovely house n lovely setting..."Emmerdale"? Paul