Chris at eden

Yeah that's arbosonic. Not great, bit old school really. I saw one back in 97 when I first started training to be a tree surgeon. Apparently it couldn't tell the difference between a cavity and a crack.

What is that then, the old arborsonic decay detector?

Sorbus cultivar for me.

Additional to the above. The following link shows how a comparison can be made between RQF and other NQF's throughout the world. There is a fee for anything outside of Europe though. https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/overview Cheers

Whilst I agree that the diploma would be a good idea (education has to be) and of course you know more about the place than me as you work there but I would point out the following. I assume as you went out 6 years ago the chainsaw units you took were the old CS units. You are correct in what you say these were competency certificates and as far as I am aware were not recognised on the qualifications framework which at that time was the NQF. When NQF was replaced by QCF part of the reason was that qualifications were to become more accessible and easier to build up over time. As such the old CS units were replaced by the new city and guilds / NPTC qualifications. These were included as L2 and L3 awards on QCF and so became recognised as qualifications and assigned a relevant level. When RQF replaced QCF last year (I think) the levels transferred across so they should still be recognised as proper qualifications. As such it would be a bit ridiculous if other countries didn't recognise them as that is kind of the point of the framework at least partly. But, I suppose stranger things have happened. What would be bonkers though is that, if they accept a level 3 diploma as it is recognised by RQF and then dismiss chainsaw qualifications which are on the same framework. If a diploma wasn't on RQF then I wouldn't bother, its not recognised. HCC were running an L6 like this a few years ago, the syllabus was years out of date. There is a PDF to download on the AA website which gives info on arb qualifications although it still references the QCF so a little out of date, but it still does the job. Cheers

The new chainsaw units are recognised on the RQF mainly at Level 2 and level 3. This essentially means they can be cross referenced with the EQF making them recognisable in Europe and beyond so you should be able get a job with just those. I was looking a few years ago when I was climbing and they were really keen to get me out there as I had a National Certificate in Arb as well which made me more appealing to employers apparently. Mate of mine went to New Zealand with just the CS units though. Cheers

Hi You need a tree consultant by the sound of it. Where are you located? There are several on here. What information do you require?

I did mine at the same time as Andrew above and also came in via tech cert so can't really comment on the L4. What I would say though is that I don't see how it could be any more work if you want to get it done in 2 years. I was working every minute that I could, even during my sons day time naps at the weekend. You can take up to 5 years if you want though with either. I spoke with Dave a couple of weeks ago and that is essentially why they are not delivering the qualification, they cant commit 5 years to it. People struggled with one of two aspects of this course. Either writing at L6 or keeping up with the work. Like Andrew I thought the level was ok, the first critical evaluation was a challenge but once you have done one its ok, more of the same really and just a skill you need to learn. Getting going with the IRP was also difficult but again once you get going it just unfolds in front of you. Not quite but you know what i mean. The work load is intense though. I was told on several occasions not to underestimate it but I still did. On day one we were given 6 assignments to do in three weeks. One was to critically evaluate import controls for plants, organisations and agreements. At the time I knew nothing about the WTO or EPPO so a lot of research. I think I did 3 so was playing catch up for the whole of the first year. I made sure I stayed on top of the work in year two and this really helped. That would be my number one tip, stay on top of the work. Second would be do your re-submissions as soon as you get them back. You can knock them out in 30mins sometimes. You'll get a sheet with all the units on and the AC which you are supposed to tick. I colour coded mine. Red - not stated, amber - underway, green - done, blue - to re-sub. Sounds a bit geeky but i could see exactly where i was and what was a priority. Gives you a little bit of a boost every time you put a green box in. I found it quite motivating when i could see the whole thing turning green over time and you will need something to motivate you so if not this then something. In terms of cost, from your posts I assume you already have a pretty good library so don't go mad. See what you really need. I think I bought about 5 books over the two years. You have to be prepared to scour the internet for free guidance though, there is a lot of info out there. You will also need access to the online journals from the AA so get that set up. There is an ISA site also that has all their papers on for free that are older than 1 year. This can help to keep the costs down. These are things you can start putting in place now. You can probably start doing your tree profiles also. The nursery/landscape unit is the same as the one on the L4 (its at L5) so not difficult but still takes time. Hope this helps

To add to what Reuben said I would look at getting up to L4 asap doing L2 first. You will realistically need minimum L3 to do any kind of consultancy work. You will also ideally need L3 before you do the Lantra PTI. L6 is a good idea if you want to do development site surveys, subsidence investigations and definitely for expert witness work. Its a good idea to do L4 and have 5 years working with that before going to L6 unless you have previous experience at an advisory level. I agree, Tree life are an excellent training provider. Well worth a look.

I use workwear express. embroidered logos are really good quality.

Hi Adam Not sure what exp is? The OP was about trees which are removed because they are dead or dangerous and that the replacement was automatically protected. This is essentially correct although the wording for those exemption or exceptions has now changed. Ah, maybe that is what exp is? I got the impression from your post that you were saying this was not correct and that the replacements were only automatically protected if the tree was removed in contravention. Apologies if I misunderstood you post, just trying to advise the op. Cheers

Sorry but not in my opinion. Trees which are replaced in accordance with section 206 are automatically protected by the original order. This would include: 1. As Adam said if the tree is removed in contravention. 2. or, if the tree is removed as it was dead, or an immediate risk of serious harm. This second one doesn't apply in woodlands. Trees replaced subject to condition are not protected so a new order would be needed. You could vary but in my experience the council's legal department would prefer that a new one is made. The other distinction is that 206 is a duty so cannot be appealed whereas conditions can. Although in reality you could ignore the duty and appeal the TRN as a work around. Doubt it would get you far though. Cheers

My initial thoughts were some kind of evergreen oak. Would never have known what species though. Interesting comments about foundation damage. Why is that? Do you have a lot of shrinkable / expansive soils in Florida? I wouldn't expect direct damage at that distance in the UK?

I know what you are saying in respect of the royal charter but in my experience in discussing with consultants who have both, they all say the AA reg consultant status is more difficult to achieve. The professional interview is twice as long apparently. I know a few chartered arbs who are no where near registered consultant level. I know a couple of really good arbs who have recently achieved chartered arb who's long term aim is reg consultant also. I also often get called by mortgage companies who want an AA reg consultant but I am never asked the same question for chartered arb. Dave Dowson once told me he gets calls every week from people looking for a reg consultant. I personally think as a consultant you should be looking at getting both along with the Bond Solon expert witness accreditation. But that's just my opinion and everyone is different. Cheers

Not saying you are wrong but I don't see how it can unless they radically change the way the QCF works. A requirement of the QCF is that you must meet 100% of the assessment criteria. Its the way it is set up so you can build up qualifications gradually. It would be virtually impossible to get 100% in every exam you sat. Like I said though could be wrong.

Hi Ed Are you comparing the professional membership of the AA and the ICF? If so I agree but the equivalent membership for AA of chartered arb must be reg consultant. I personally think that reg consultant is at least the same in terms of accreditation within the arb industry although its probably not as well known outside of the arb world. Cheers

When I signed up for L6 I also looked at the BSc at Warwick. The lecturer told me that if I didn't have the time to commit then do the BSc as the L6 is a lot more work. It assessed in a different way and this makes it more labour inventive. Not saying the academic route isn't hard as it clearly is but its not as much work. You only have to meet 50% of the AC for the degree but the L6 requires that the AC is met 100%. On the flip side though you have the high stakes situation of the exams which is something you don't have to deal with with the L6. I had a conversation with Dealga O'Callaghan about it also. He isn't a fan of the L6 as he said it was way too much work for the student and the lecturer.

To add to what Reuben said the one app form states professional advice although there does seem to be different versions of the form floating around. If you think about what is required for professional membership of the AA that would be a minimum of a level 5 qualification. CAS is level 4 and I think ICF is 6, although there is some flexibility with the last one. That kind of backs up the professional bit. NTSG also makes reference to detailed investigations being carried out by those with an L3 qualification. The problem with the term arboriculturist is that it is not a protected designation such as architect or dentist unless you are going for Chartered Arboriculturist which is issued by the ICF. Again for chartered arb you are required to have a suitable level of qualification and experience. When I was doing my L6 we were taught that professions are represented by seats of learning in higher education so L4 and up. Which again pushes it toward the qualification route. The basic idea was that tree consultants were professionals, while tree surgeons were skilled trades. This will probably upset a few people but its not intended to, I see nowt wrong with being a skilled trade. You wouldn't hire a tree consultant to cut a tree down as they probably don't have the skills although some may. I worked as a tree surgeon for years but I couldn't do it commercially anymore. Too old and the fitness isn't there anymore. That said I know a few tree surgeons with L3 and L4 qualifications and I see no problem with them writing tree reports. I think they would be on slightly dodgy ground though writing them based purely on experience and chainsaw tickets. As Reuben said if you ended up in court. Remember you would be trying to convince the judge you know more than the other bloke and if he has a degree you are on an uphill battle before you even start as the judge will consider that as would the planning inspector if it was a TPO appeal. Of course this all falls down when you consider that there is a chap on the AA reg consultant list who has an ND Arb (L3) and professional membership of both the AA and ICF so no idea how that works. I assume he based his entry on experience and maybe a higher qualification in a related discipline. Not sure. Its not a straight forward issue. Hope this helps. Cheers

I was doing about 20 hours a week on top of full time work. My son was born 3 months into my first year. Its still doable but hard. Just don't watch TV. That will easily make up the 20 hours for most folk.

I agree. I don't get that question about experience or qualifications that people ask. Why not both with a bit of work ethic thrown in. Job done.

Sounds like a plan and pretty much what I did although you are fast tracking more than I did. I did L2 and chainsaw/climbing tickets in 1998, tech cert in 2005, and L6 in 2012. It helps if you have the experience as you work your way up. Definitely with L6.

You could just do the chainsaw and climbing tickets like starscream said and do your L2 certificate while you are working. Then go to L4 and L6 over the year if you wanted to.

Yes maybe you can learn that stuff from books but that wouldn't get you a job as junior consultant or tree officer. You wouldn't even get an interview. A level 3 qualification would at least get you an interview, maybe. L4 would be better.

Yes L6 with the 30%. I did tech cert before the L4 came out which was a lot easier. I think the L4 is probably similar content to the TC but more work due to the format.