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At APF 2022, in collaboration with Keely at Tree Life AC, we are offering information, support and two amazing prizes for the Arboriculture community. Our theme for the show is – 'Supporting arborists in creating a long and satisfying career in trees'. We want to help the aspiring Arborist who is aiming to get off the tools and head into their first technical role - working with trees, but from the ground. We know from many years in the industry talking to arb employers that the PTI is the course that helps consolidate a climbing Arborists’ CV The PTI (Professional Tree Inspector) is a 3-day course which is respected throughout the industry. In combination with a Level 3 in Arboriculture it gets you the leg up to an interview for a technical post - from climber to tree surveyor/tree officer and beyond. Now’s not the time? Not sure whether you’re ready? Or already have a PTI? Never fear – we are also offering a one-day Fungi course – another useful arb qualification. The prizes are being offered by Tree Life in collaboration with us and they are both courses which will support Arborists on their career path and other technical positions. For a chance to WIN either a Professional Tree Inspector course or a Fungi Recognition and Response course All you have to do is: TO ENTER: Either drop us a line at [email protected], follow and message us on Instagram or LinkedIn, or pop along at the show and say hello. That’s all! Once we’ve said hello back and had a short conversation, we’ll pop your name in the pot and you’ll be in with a chance to win. *Small print: The course financial values are £450+vat and £120+vat respectively but it’s the value to a career we’re interested in. There is no cash alternative – the winners will be decided by Tree Life and CTC Recruitment and the judge’s decision is final. We’re doing this to spread the word; start conversations; support Arb careers and the industry and hope you’ll approach the competition in the spirit intended – thanks. Winners will be annonced by the end of September. Links for further exploration: CTC Recruitment Ltd Tree Life AC Ltd Professional Tree Inspector course (PTI) Fungi 'recognition & response' 1 Day Course

With 20 years' experience in the industry, we are well aware that there comes a time in every climbing arborists' life that being up trees for a living becomes harder. Often that moment is what pre-empts the conversation we then have with climbers about next steps but it pays to think about this before that moment arrives. There are several ways that experienced climbers and groundsmen can advance their careers. There are lots of options, whether it's going on to become a tree surveyor, a planning officer, a practical assessor, a teacher or college lecturer, an expert witness, and lots more - there's something for everyone in the arb industry. The thing is that decades of experience and chainsaw tickets usually just isn't enough. However, a bit of forward planning and some extra time and effort will gain you the qualification you need to progress higher while your feet are on the ground. Watching who's about you on a daily basis in the arb world and seeing what draws your attention might help you decide a direction. The following links will take you to the Arboriculture Association website and they offer a wealth of information and support in this area. For a simple page of the possible careers in this sector click here and for a more detailed, clear view of the qualifications needed for different roles it's here. You can also access a list of training providers which offer suitable courses across the UK here. We would love to hear from education providers and those who have gone on to qualify at Level 3 or above in the arb sector about other options that will enrich this blog. We'll keep it updated so that it's useful on an ongoing basis. In the meantime it's really worth thinking about what your plan is for when climbing looses its shine. We're here when the time comes and we usually have a good range of technical as well as practical jobs available. Please comment if there are roles you think should be included above or if you have any questions. Kate & Beccy 😊

Hi guys and girls. I am looking to further my career in the direction of tree officer/consultant. I have around 9 years experience in the land based sector including woodland management and I hold a city and guilds level 3 extended diploma in forestry and arboriculture. What is the best way to go and what further training/tickets would be required. Tia

Hi all, So I work as a tree officer for a large housing association. We own a lot of open spaces, including parks, canals and trees near housing. A lot of the enquiries I get through come from residents with trees near their properties. Recently I have had a number of complaints relating to trees damaging hard surfaces - in particular block paved driveways, patios etc. Usually it is quite clear that it is the roots of our trees causing the issues. My question is... how do local authority tree officers respond to such enquiries/complaints? (Obviously each situation is assessed individually based on merits of the tree etc) but for example, lets say theres a line of leylandi on the boundary of our property, acting as screening between a large block of flats and some private housing on a neighbouring street. Neighbouring homeowner calls to complain that the leylandi are lifting the block paving in her garden. You go to assess, clearly it is leylandi tree roots causing the issue... Would a LA agree to repair the damage to the paving? In this particular situation I believe it would have a knock on effect where other neighbours would expect us to repair their paving too (felling the trees wouldnt be an option as they act as screening, and in my mind, the trees are more valuable than the block paving, but obviously the homeowner would disagree). Are we, as the owners of the trees, liable for minor damage such as lifting block paving? It may seem like an easy fix to just repair the paving, but this would end up being a massive cost if neighbours followed suit to put in similar complaints and requests for repair... (Sorry for babbling on!) Appreciate your responses in advance. R

Dear all, We have places available on our next Lantra Professional Tree Inspection. The three-day course aims to provide specific tree inspection training at an advanced level for competent arboriculturists to enable them to identify defects. At the end of the course candidates will undertake a competence based assessment directly related to tree inspection. The course is not aimed at covering report writing; however, presentation of findings will be examined and advice given. Course objectives · Recognise the role of the tree inspector in risk management. · Identify the legal framework in the context of statute and common law that affect tree inspection and the duties and liabilities of the owner, manager and inspector. · Summarise how a tree system functions · Adopt a systematic and consistent methodology for carrying out visual tree inspection at an advanced level with the aid of binoculars, mallet and probe. · Collect data out in the field in accordance with the inspection instructions. (For this course a written survey template with appropriate headings will be used). · Recognise a range of observable mechanical and biological defects as seen in trees and confirm by the use of textbooks where necessary. · Identify a range of commonly seen pests, diseases and disorders that affect tree safety · State the appropriate control/remedial measures required to eliminate or reduce risks identified. Determine when an aerial inspection is required, also if pro-active management recommendations can be made which may eliminate future defects from forming. · Prioritise the necessary tree/management works with time scales based on a broad category of risk assessment. · Identify when it is appropriate to recommend the use of decay detecting or measuring equipment, based on a basic knowledge of the working principles of commonly available equipment. Start Date Wednesday 20th June to Friday 22nd June 2018 Cost £500 Contact us on 0303 003 1234 ex 1245 Or mail us @ [email protected]

Our client is a busy local authority in the south east encompassing five towns to make up the largest urban area outside of London. As such the arboricultural section is a very active place to work. The tree section at the council currently requires 1 temporary Tree Inspector to provide extra cover until the end of March . Based out of Gillingham, the role will involve managing the council owned tree stock, in particular undertaking ad-hoc inspections of trees that are the source of a back log of customer enquiries. The Tree Officer will inspect the trees in accordance with the council's tree policy and where remedial work is required, issue instruction orders to the term contractor. They will also monitor work undertaken. Candidates will be expected to be qualified to ND arboriculture as a minimum and ideally have some post qualification experience. The ability to use GIS and Microsoft office software is also essential. The post holder will need to have access to a suitably insured vehicle for work use (mileage paid). A rate of £12-£16 P/H PAYE is offered dependant upon experience. For more information please contact [email protected] or call 01743 344466 quoting reference 1708-9.

I am looking for work in a tree officer, surveyor or inspector role anywhere in the UK. I am currently based in Leicestershire. I have 2 and a half years industry experience as a climber. I have a FdSc in Arboriculture and a BSc in Ecology. Have experience completing surveys and inspections. Ready to start work immediately. Personal message me if you have any vacancy's

We are currently recruiting for a permanent tree officer to join myself and one other tree officer here in beautiful North Somerset. This is a perfect opportunity for someone who has perhaps been on the tools for a while, has a level 3 qualification (AA Tech cert or equivalent) with knwoledge and experience of tree risk assessment and tree law. Here at North Somerset, each tree officer deals both with managing council owned trees and planning issues relating to privately owned trees, which makes the job varied and very interesting. I've attached the job advert which has got contact and website details. Closing date is 24 July, and the interview date is likely to be mid-August. If you will be on holiday mid-August, please mention this in your application, so that we can accomodate you, should you be short-listed for the interview. You can contact me for an informal discussion about the job. My contact details are in the job advert. You can find several useful documents on our website, relating to our tree team responsibilities. Cheers Linda Saretok Senior Tree Officer North Somerset Council 2013 Tree Officer Advert.doc

I hear on the radio this morning (I suppose its true, you never can tell, given the date) that the South Downs that run along the south coast of the UK have become a national park. South Downs National Park Authority - Homepage When I lived in the dartmoor national park, we had plenty of hoops to jump through when we wanted to do tree work. Looking back it may not really have been all that nessessary. Has anyone ever got themselves into national-park-hot-water? Or are they really just a pretty toothless planning authority? cheers mate :thumbup:

The London Borough of Waltham Forest is commencing the tender process for two contracts (i) a 6 year term contract for the maintenance of 20,000 street trees and trees upon Ascham Homes properties, and (ii) to provide a client officer function to manage the term maintenance contract. The 2012 Olympic Games will focus the eyes of the world upon our borough and these contracts are intended to address a range of arboricultural issues, Waltham Forest is especially keen to take a holistic approach to amenity trees and their maintenance with all stakeholders. Interested contractors and consultants are invited to attend a briefing that will inform the tender process and provides an excellent opportunity to meet the client in the spirit of developing a true partnership between Contractor, Consultant and Client. The aim is to find new ideas and approaches that will help shape the service. The meeting will be held on Thursday 25th March 2010 at the Olympic Suite, Leyton Orient Football Club, Oliver Road, London, E10 5NF start 10.30am to 2pm. Contact To reserve your free place and find further details please contact: Name: Jonathan Mills Phone: 07885 224596 Email: [email protected]