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Training & Events

Online training courses are now available


The Arboricultural Association offers around 100 training courses per year for arborists and tree surgeons. We aim to raise standards of education and knowledge across the industry through our events and training activities. All courses and events are open to members and non-members, and there’s something for everyone, from professional arborists and environmentalists to those with an interest in trees.

Members can benefit from up to 35% discount on arboricultural training courses at all levels, covering everything from basic tree inspection skills to Arboricultural consultancy.

Please be aware the member discount DOES NOT apply to those with our Foundation membership.

List of Courses

Tree Pests, Diseases and Disorders

This interactive course is ideal for tree work contractors and others who need to identify and diagnose tree pests, diseases and disorders as part of their regular work.

Dates/Venues

 16/04/2024

 Gloucestershire

 04/11/2024

 Gloucestershire

Course Fees

Arboricultural Association Conference On-Demand

Catch up on the UK's biggest Arboriculture Conference featuring a world-class lineup of speakers and covering a huge range of topics with over 12 hours of CPD.

Over 400 attendees enjoyed the conference live in session at the University of Warwick, enjoying the chance to network, collaborate and share ideas. Now you can access the latest knowledge on-demand and watch an event which has become a highlight on the calendar for arborists and internationals expert speakers.

*Please ignore the arbitrary start date for this course. You will receive on-demand access immediately after purchase.

Dates/Venues

 02/10/2024

 Online

Course Fees

Arboricultural Knowledge

A short ‘signposting’ course designed to help professional arboriculturists assess and update their Arboricultural Knowledge across a broad range of topics.

Dates/Venues

 16/07/2024

 Stirling, Scotland

Course Fees

Arboricultural Knowledge - ONLINE

A short online ‘signposting’ course designed to help professional arboriculturists assess and update their Arboricultural Knowledge across a broad range of topics.

Dates/Venues

 22/01/2024

 ONLINE

 08/04/2024

 ONLINE

 07/10/2024

 ONLINE

Course Fees

Basic Tree Survey and Inspection

A one-day Lantra Awards accredited course for those who want to obtain the skills and know-how that will enable them to recognise basic hazards and report onwards.

If you are looking to take your first step in Arboricultural training, this is the ideal course for you.

Dates/Venues

 05/12/2023

 Nantwich

 11/01/2024

 Staffordshire

 27/02/2024

 Gloucestershire

 12/03/2024

 Stirling, Scotland

 15/04/2024

 Gloucestershire

 16/04/2024

 National Botanical Garden

 22/07/2024

 Gloucestershire

 24/09/2024

 Staffordshire

 21/10/2024

 East Budleigh, Devon

 05/11/2024

 Gloucestershire

 26/11/2024

 Preston

 02/12/2024

 Gloucestershire

Course Fees

BS3998: 2010 Tree Work Recommendations - elearning course

British Standard 3998: Tree Work – Recommendations was published in 2010 but many within the industry still appear to be unfamiliar with the standard and its implications for tree management and tree work operations. This online learning course from the Arboricultural Association gives you the opportunity to better understand this key industry standard and will help you to improve your tree work management advice and tree work operations.

The AA BS3998 course is attended by hundreds of arborists in the UK and Ireland every year, and by creating this online version we hope to make the learning experience more accessible and affordable for the industry whilst maintaining the same high quality standard of the original.

The course is divided into four modules; at the end of each module will be a set of questions, and upon answering more than 70% of the questions correctly the next module will be unlocked. Upon successful completion of the test at the end of the final module you will receive a course certificate as you would on the original face to face course.

Please ignore the arbitrary start date for this online course. You will be able to start the course within 1 working day of your booking.

Dates/Venues

 31/12/2023

 Online

Course Fees

BS5837: Tree Surveying and Categorisation

A short course for professional arboriculturists who wish to learn more about undertaking BS5837 surveys.

Dates/Venues

 22/01/2024

 Gloucestershire

 17/04/2024

 Gloucestershire

 16/09/2024

 Gloucestershire

Course Fees

Getting to Grips with Subsidence - ONLINE

A specialised online course for tree officers, arboricultural consultants, contractors and other arboricultural professionals who may be required to manage tree-related subsidence cases. 

Dates/Venues

 29/01/2024

 ONLINE

 18/03/2024

 ONLINE

 23/09/2024

 ONLINE

 04/11/2024

 ONLINE

Course Fees

Professional Tree Inspection

This three day (non residential) course is designed for experienced arboriculturists with a Level 3 (or equivalent) qualification who are entrusted to make the right decision regarding tree safety issues. 

The well respected course is Lantra Awards accredited and those who are successful in the exam will be awarded with a certificate of achievement. 

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS IS A NON-RESIDENTIAL COURSE. Hotels are available nearby. 

Dates/Venues

 15/01/2024

 Gloucestershire

 26/02/2024

 National Botanical Garden

 19/03/2024

 Seckford Hall, Suffolk

 29/04/2024

 Stirling, Scotland

 10/06/2024

 Gloucestershire

 08/07/2024

 East Budleigh, Devon

 23/09/2024

 Gloucestershire

 01/10/2024

 County Durham

 11/11/2024

 Gloucestershire

Course Fees

Professional Tree Inspection Refresher

Are you looking to sharpen your skills in professional tree inspection?

This one day refresher course is perfect for those who have previously attended the Lantra Awards 3-day course and need to keep up to date with the ever changing thoughts and policies surrounding tree survey and inspection. 

Dates/Venues

 18/01/2024

 Gloucestershire

 29/02/2024

 National Botanical Garden

 02/05/2024

 Stirling, Scotland

 13/06/2024

 Gloucestershire

 11/07/2024

 East Budleigh, Devon

 26/09/2024

 Gloucestershire

 04/10/2024

 County Durham

 14/11/2024

 Gloucestershire

Course Fees

Subsidence Investigation Workshop - ONLINE

This online workshop is an extension of the  'Getting to Grips with Subsidence' course. 

If you are a Tree officer, Arboricultural Consultant or an arboricultural professional this workshop is designed with you in mind.

Dates/Venues

 26/02/2024

 ONLINE

 15/04/2024

 ONLINE

 21/10/2024

 ONLINE

 18/11/2024

 ONLINE

Course Fees

The AA Risk Assessment System - online

This half-day course will provide attendees with a comprehensive guide for practical arborists and managers to ensure a safe work environment that will meet the requirements of the law and many insurers.

Dates/Venues

 02/02/2024

 ONLINE

 04/04/2024

 ONLINE

 31/05/2024

 ONLINE

 27/08/2024

 ONLINE

 09/10/2024

 ONLINE

 16/12/2024

 ONLINE

Course Fees

Tree Pests, Diseases and Disorders

This interactive course is ideal for tree work contractors and others who need to identify and diagnose tree pests, diseases and disorders as part of their regular work.

Dates/Venues

 09/01/2024

 ONLINE

 05/03/2024

 ONLINE

 14/05/2024

 ONLINE

 13/08/2024

 ONLINE

 08/10/2024

 ONLINE

Course Fees

Trees and Planning - England: eLearning course

‘Trees and planning – England’ is an online course giving you the opportunity to better understand the planning system and processes in relation to trees.

Please ignore the arbitrary start date for this online course. You will be able to start the course within 1 working day of your booking.

Dates/Venues

 31/12/2023

 Online

Course Fees

Winter Seminar and AGM 2024

Saturday 3rd February 2024 9:30am to 4:00pm


The Scottish Branch’s winter seminar and AGM will take place at Crathes Castle, on Saturday 3rd February 2024.

Managed by the National Trust for Scotland, Crathes Castle is a stunning 16th century castle set in glorious gardens that are home to impressive policy woodland, walled garden, nature trails and iconic yew hedges.
We hope you can meet up with us the evening before (Friday 2nd February) for a social gathering, to be held at the nearby ‘Banchory Lodge’.


Social Event Friday 2nd February 2024

Venue:
Banchory Lodge Hotel,
Dee Street,
Banchory
AB31 5HS.

Tel: 01330 822625

Meal and drinks at the hotel, meeting from 6:30pm. Restaurant from 7:30pm.

Please book your room and dinner reservations directly with the hotel, and quote ‘Arboricultural Association’ for discounted room rates.
There is no requirement to book attendance at the evening event but please let our secretary (Struan Dalgleish) know if you plan to come along. Contact: struan@sdarbor.com


Dates/Venues

 03/02/2024

 Crathes Castle, Gardens &

Course Fees

AA Training – Tips for using Zoom

All of our online courses use Zoom video conferencing. Here are some tips to help you get set started:

Zoom tutorials

Please ensure you are familiar with zoom before attending the first session. This YouTube video is a useful introduction. Not all of the content is relevant, below is a series of shortcuts to the most relevant parts:

0:13 – Sign up with Zoom

2:00 – Navigate dashboard & change profile picture

2:30 – Download Zoom

4:30 – Understand meeting controls

4:47 – Mute/unmute host

5:00 – Disable video/enable video

8:00 – Raise hands

10:10 – Chat

11:09 – Reactions

12:19 – Join a meeting

Workspace and computer setup

Attending an online meeting can be taxing. We plan to take frequent breaks and include a diversity of tasks to help you get the most from the sessions. Here are some things you can do to you to improve your experience:

  • Distraction free space - where possible, set yourself up in a spare room/quiet corner to minimise distractions.
  • Ergonomic setup – working at a well setup station can reduce fatigue. See this video for more guidance.
  • Monitor – we would suggest calling in on a desktop PC or laptop (rather than a phone or tablet). If you are using a laptop, you may want to consider purchasing a monitor. This will help in a couple of ways; firstly monitors are usually larger than laptop screens (helping to reduce squinting and a tendency to lean forward) and secondly it is usually easier to elevate a monitor to an appropriate height (good for ergonomic posture). If using a monitor you also have the benefit of ‘extending’ your screen so that you have Zoom open on one and another application on the other.
  • Separate keyboard and mouse – if using a laptop the compact keyboards and trackpad mouse can lead to fatigue and issues such as RSI or carpal tunnel. Whilst the amount of typing during sessions will be limited, a separate keyboard and mouse can help prevent injury.
  • Headphone and microphone headset – the benefit of a headset is twofold; it can help block out background noise and makes it easier for others to hear you. If you purchase one with inline volume controls, it can also make it easier to mute your microphone when not speaking.
  • External webcam – this is by no means essential. However, if you are using an separate monitor it enables you to position the camera on top of the monitor, rather than having to turn to look at the laptop.
  • Lighting – we would like to see your lovely faces! Having a setup with good lighting makes this experience easier. Try positioning your workspace so you are facing a window. Alternatively, a lamp can help with this.