AA Teccie (Paul)

Hi there, we are enquiring about an possible opportunities to promote the industry as you say. I'll keep you posted but wouldn't hold your breath as it doesn't make "breaking news." Cheers.. Paul

Apologies if so, I thought it was 'new' news...still worth another look though. Cheers.. Paul

I couldn't possibly comment...but glad others can!

LiveLeak video: Fallen tree cutting fail caught on camera | Metro News Unbelievable...or sadly maybe not. I hope he's okay. Paul

Hi there, I think there are some piccies plus good n bad practice highlighted in the report here RR668: Evaluation of current rigging and dismantling practices used in arboriculture which may be of interest / use. Don't be put off by the size of the report, just flick through n observe the piccies which are very informative in themselves. Cheers.. Paul PS Just don't return asking any technical questions as I'd have to defer to my far more learn-ED colleagues here on forum PPS as others have said, a porta-wrap device (the larger the better, probably), a whoopee sling (for round the base of the tree) and a heavy duty rigging pulley (for up in the tree) is the way to go as a minimum really. BIG stuff should be using a bollard or rigging block really.

Hi all, Some of the best examples I've seen of fibre buckling on Oak are at Merrist Wood College. There's one, of two / twin-stemmed, on the green near the accommodation blocks where it looks like it's swallowed a tyre...amazing! Tony, THANK YOU (again), I am familiar with fibre buckling on Oak but not the association with brown rot / residual wall thickness, which, on reflection, is common place and probably obvious Keep up the good work, and contributions everyone Cheers.. Paul

We can also offer a freebie, an AA baseball cap (worth 32p) but I've no nice piccies like Steve I'll consider myself 'top-trumped'

Hi Simon, As a small business you should find all you need, and probably more, here Help becoming an ARB Approved Contractor . As others have said, if you are an AA member, or ARB Approved Contractor (which also includes CHAS), you could state that as a source of competent advice...BUT not myself as your H&S competence person. That would have to be yourself, or A-N-other, internal or external. As others have said, CHAS can 'open doors' in the commercial arena and certainly ARB Approved Contractor status has benefitted greatly from the relationship. Cheers, n 'good luck'.. Paul

...or, alternatively, I know of one too, but you have to let me come and have a look first. See Become an ARB Approved Contractor and give me a call / 'pm' if you wish to know more (just to clarify this is a business accreditation, which also bring CHAS (see CHAS - The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme), and is not the individual arborist.) Cheers.. Paul

Previously someone posted on forum that they consider the difference is a 'tree surgeon' knows where to cut the branch correctly, and can do so safely, and the arborist understands why and the effects on the tree etc. (I kinda like that.) Does that mean you need an academic qualification...no, but it might help. Also, as an industry / profession, the more academically qualified people we have (level 2 - 6) and for the latter at the FdSc / BSc / MSc level the better recognition we will have from others. Cheers all.. Paul

Hence the phrase..."all the gear but no idea" yeah?

Hi there, sorry for late reply and others have probably done so already Basically it's the same as tomorrow I could set up as a builder, or roofer or landscaper and provided I could convince 'Mrs Miggins' to give me some work, away I go. The only 'trade' industry's that have a 'governing body', in effect, is gas installers (CORGI / GAS SAFE) and electricians (NICEIC) and that's because they could potentially blow up / burned down someone's home or premises. Hence a 'self-governing' industry is the only viable option for which we need a recognised and credible bench-mark...and I'll stop there. I understand your frustrations believe me. Cheers.. Paul PS Oh yeah, NPTC's etc. are qualifications, albeit it little ones involving practical skills, in the same way 'academic' ones are, albeit much bigger and involving other skills.

Hi David, thanks for the reply. Interestingly the 'age' thing doesn't seem to apply particularly. I guess you're referring to the fact that there are far more opportunities and routes to higher level study than previously..."when we were lads." That said I am encountering more people with FdSc's and BSc's, and in arb specifically, which is fantastic for the industry as a profession going forward...but they must ensure they have the basics, as I refer to them, in there too. Anyhow's, 'AALGO', hmmm, "a blast from the past" and no plans for it to be reborn as far as I'm aware. Whilst it was deemed to be the LA Tree Officer equivalent to the AA Registered Consultant, i.e. a professional competent in their field (or is that a 'farmer'? ) it never really took off and it was very resource heavy. Cheers fer now Paul

Hi all, hope you don't mind me making a quick post here but I'm still, too often, receiving enquiries from contractors about manager 'academic' qualifications and citing that as the reason why they're not applying to be ARB Approved. This is either because they don't have a formal arb qual. OR they do but it's not "Tech Cert" (which is 'no more' of course) and only RFS Cert Arb or City & Guilds Arb at level 2. FIRSTLY, there is NO requirement for a formal academic arb qualification. I guess in the world of recruitment we would be saying it is 'DESIRABLE' as opposed to 'ESSENTIAL.' SECONDLY, tis 'the (arb) knowledge' that is all conquering and you do need to have that to a reasonable level, as a contractor, and know when to refer upwards, i.e to the tree advisor / arb consultant. To, briefly, explain. Whilst we do encourage arb etc. quals., and indeed we do like to see them, it is the knowledge and the ability to impart it verbally, and to a point in writing (quotes), that is important / essential. This also recognises that there are many very good and knowledgeable people out there who for whatever reason have never formalised this into a qualification and they shouldn't be precluded from becoming ARB Approved...and they absolutely aren't! Conversely, I have experienced people presenting themselves with higher level arb quals who struggle either with the knowledge in the specific areas required, i.e. tree protections / trees and fungi / trees and the law / tree pruning etc. standards, or the ability to effectively impart it verbally. So, in conclusion, please don't be put off from getting 'ARB Approved' if you don't have a formal arb qualification because if you've worked in the industry for 5+ yrs, and you're engaged, you will have the knowledge required. If however you're a little bit short in a couple of areas we'll agree a CPD plan with you to address it..."no worries!":thumbup1: Thanks all.. Paul

BUMP... Have a good weekend everyone. Cheers.. Paul

Hi there, this might help...a little. Further guide to qualifications and careers in arboriculture The RFS Cert Arb, as was, now level 2 award, is a good platform to build from, as equally, the ISA Certified Arborist or EAC Tree Worker quals. are. In part it depends if you have any academic quals perhaps at A level of above in related areas, i.e. countryside management / environmental science as these would likely satisfy access to the on-line Foundation Degree at level 5 which is available from several colleges. OR you could look at the old Tech Cert, now level 4 award in ARB, with Treelife etc. Good luck.. Paul

Nice one...you've let Polly know yeah? ([email protected]) Cheers..! Paul

Hi Dave, Jules has already given the answer = 'YES' but see guidance at Dead trees and branches | National Planning Practice Guidance 'Other Regs' = poss. Forestry Act, i.e. felling licence requirements? Cheers.. Paul

Not according to the EA's national policy team, although I acknowledge that often contractors are advised differently / contradictory by their EA regional office. The guidance "Who Should Register", which I posted previously, is later guidance than the Position Statement on Virgin Timber and it quite clearly makes reference to tree surgery waste and the requirement to register as a lower tier carrier. The fact it is now a 'registration' process, and FoC, rather than a 'licence' process incurring a £150 cost, at least makes it a (little) bit more palatable. At the end of the day, as I said earlier, IF your regional EA office is prepared to put it in writing that you are either exempt or that the requirement doesn't apply then so be it. (However, please bear in mind that in the event of a prosecution, highly unlikely I know, this may not be a defence as EA could simply say they issued guidance to the best of their knowledge based on the information you supplied at the time...BUT the 'person in the white wig' may determine otherwise given the national guidance...MADNESS, but!) I know this is a contentious, and emotive, issue as we don't consider our arising's to be waste, but this is my best interpretation of the regulations and guidance and we do require ARB Approved Contractors to register. Cheers.. Paul

Sorry for my tardiness here. WCLs are no more, it's now an online register and YES it is waste (in the eyes of the EA and it has 3 different listings on the Euro. Waste Catalogue). See document below which specifically mentions tree surgery waste and means you have to register, on-line & FoC, as a lower tier carrier. Cheers.. Paul PS IF your regional EA office says your exempt under the 'virgin timber' scenario, or otherwise, ask them to confirm in writing, and, as other have said, laminate it and keep it in the vehicle. Who_should_register.pdf

Sorry all, again See ARB Approved Contractor Preparation Workshop for further details. Hope to see you there.. Paul

SORRY, this should say Wed. 12th February, not March "Less haste = more speed!" Paul

Soooo, who'm I gonna have the pleeeeeasure of at Houghall? : biggrin: Please come along to this FREE event, and bring a friend, see ARB Approved Contractor Preparation Workshop for further details. Cheers all.. Paul

My view is, that whilst there has to be an acceptance that this sort of work will be required (probably, said a little bit through gritted teeth) where dictated by others, our role as professionals is to ensure they understand why it is not recommended, why it does not accord with industry standards (BS3998) AND the consequences of doing it. With all due respect this work will hasten the decline of the tree in my opinion. the other thing that struck me was the possibility of using natural fracture pruning, i.e. coronet cuts, to soften the visual impact. Good on you for posting and making us think and please keep questioning things as it is through be challenged we learn and advance (very philosophical statement for me ) Cheers all.. Paul

You know what...I'm not surprised, you can gauge the generosity on here from the amount of time, effort and 'wisdom' everyone gives (me excepted of course, the 'wisdom' bit, ha)...BUT I am really. Topping £10k is a phenomenal achievement and, as someone who's cause The Children's Trust is very close to, I too would like to pass on my sincere thanks to all sponsors, ticket buyers, partakers, supporters and to Steve personally. Thanks all and incredibly well done. Have a great weekend all. Paul