Course Content:
- Introduction
- The legal framework
- The tree:
- As a dynamic living system
- An undamaged, self-optimized structure
- The law of the minimal lever arm and strategy of flexibility
- Visual Tree Assessment (VTA)
- Principle fungal decay organisms
- Mechanical symptoms of defects
- Tree inspection equipment
- Making and writing management recommendations
- Practical exercises
- Workshop sessions
- Hazard evaluation
- VTA tree walk
- Introduction to decay detection and measuring equipment
- Assessment
- Final round up
Facilities/Equipment required - Trainees:
- Trainees should bring with them outdoor clothing, including a ‘Hi-viz’ jacket or waistcoat, as there will be a number of practical tree inspection exercises over the three days.
- They should also bring any other equipment that they would normally use during tree inspection / survey, e.g: Clipboard, Pro-forma record sheets, Binoculars, Mallet and probe, Diameter tape, Height measuring device (Hypsometer, clinometer, etc).
Professional Tree Inspection Book List
Trainees are expected to be familiar with the following books:
- Lonsdale, D. (1999). Principles of Tree Hazard Assessment and Management, Research for Amenity Trees No, 7, Stationery Office, London
- Mattheck, C. & Breloer, H. (1994). The Body Language of Trees, Research for Amenity Trees No, 4, Stationery Office, London
- Strouts, R.G. & Winter, T.G. (1994). Diagnosis of Ill Health in Trees, Research for Amenity Trees No, 2, Stationery Office, London
- Davis, C., Fay, N & Mynors, C. (2000). Veteran Trees: a guide to risk and responsibility. English Nature, Peterborough
- Fay, N., Dowson, D.C., & Helliwell, R. (2005). Tree Surveys: A Guide to Good Practice. The Arboricultural Association. (Supplied as a “course deliverable”)
- Shigo, A.L. (1991). Modern Arboriculture. Shigo & Tree Associates, Durham, NH, USA
- Weber, K., & Mattheck, C. (2003). Manual of Wood Decay in Trees, The Arboricultural Association
- Mattheck, C. Field Guide for Visual Tree Assessment. (2007)
- AA Fungi on Trees: An arborist’s Field Guide (2011)
- Recommendations for Tree Work. BS 3998. (2010) British Standards Institute, London
- NTSG Common sense risk management of trees (2011)
- Tree identification book(s)
- Fungi identification book(s).
Other relevant publications:
- Ellison, M. (2005). Quantified Tree Risk Assessment: used in the management of amenity trees. Journal of Arboriculture Vol. 31, International Society of Arboriculture
- Clarke, J., & Matheny, N. (1993). A photographic guide to the evaluation of hazard trees in urban areas. 2nd edition, International Society of Arboriculture, USA
- Schwarze, F.W.M.R., Lonsdale, D., & Fink, S. (1997). An overview of wood degradation patterns and their implications for tree hazard assessment. Arboricultural Journal Vol 21. The Arboricultural Association
- Lonsdale, D. Hazards from Trees. FC Practice Guide 13, Forestry Commission
- Blanchard, R. O., & Tatter, T.A. (1997). Field and Laboratory Guide to Tree Pathology (2nd edition). Academic Press
- Mattheck, C. (2002). Tree Mechanics: Explained with sensitive words by Pauli the Bear. Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe
- Schwarze, F.W.M.R., Engals, J., & Mattheck, C. (1999). Fungal Strategies of Wood Decay in Trees. Springer-Verlag Berlin
- Mattheck, C., & Huber, H. (1995). Wood – The internal Optimization of Trees. Springer-Verlag Berlin
- Hayes, E. (2001). Evaluating Tree Defects: A field guide. Safetrees, Rochester, MN, USA
- ISA Glossary of Arboricultural Terms (2005). ISA Champaign, IL, USA
- AAIS Research Information Notes
- AAIS Tree Damage Alert Notes
- Rinn, F. (2008)Technical Inspection of Trees
- Percival, G. & Noviss, K. CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE – A BEGINNERS GUIDE Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory
James, K. R., Haritos, N. & Ades, P. K. (2006) Mechanical stability of trees under dynamic loads. American Journal Botany. vol. 93 no. 10 pp.1522-1530.
Publications included in package:
- Lantra Awards workbook for Professional Tree Inspection
- Arboricultural Association publication: ‘Tree surveys: a guide to good practice’
- Assessment forms and examination papers
- Site specific risk assessment form
- Certificate claim forms
- Course evaluation forms
The course will include some outdoor practical sessions (please bring suitable clothing for indoor and outdoor sessions). Refreshments and lunch are provided.
A minimum of arboricultural qualification at level three or equivalent, plus five years experience in carrying out tree survey and inspection, is expected.