Treework training courses in Sussex & Kent, tree surgery courses in Sussex & Kent, UK.

With over 18 years in the arboricultural industry and still actively involved on a commercial basis Scott is in an ideal position to relate the training you need to your commercial reality. As a Lantra Awards approved instructor and NPTC assessor you can be sure of the best possible training and individual attention.

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Meduim Tree Felling Course January 2012 - A good way to start the year!

By scott - Posted on 20 January 2012

Medium Tree Felling Course – 9thJanuary 2012

 

The first course of 2012 was medium tree felling, and, as is often the case on training courses, the outcomes were more than the skills training, including teamwork, self development and fun!

 

The course follows on from basic tree felling and is ideally suited to those who need the skills to fell larger trees but can also be appropriate as a refresher of safe chainsaw use and felling with the bonus of learning new skills too. For full course details see the PDF and website course pages.

 

The site in Lamberhurst has been used for many basic tree felling courses and this left a large number of medium trees, often in the open for an easier straight fell but with plenty with major hang up potential. Western hemlock removal under a PAWS restoration plan was the main species felled but there were also several broadleaves that were either in poor condition or overhanging rides, frequently heavily leaning too.

 

We used a smaller guidebar (13”) to practise techniques of boring and sweep cutting on the first morning, this built confidence and reduced the time taken to clear up! This set up was suited to the Husqvarna 346XP, with 357XP and Stihl 361 saws making up the rest, the latter was nicely balanced with the 15” bar.  Heavily forward leaning and then hung up tree techniques followed on the second day, including hand winch set up.

 

Weather and ground conditions were great, allowing a mechanised clear up and loading of fires, during breaks, greatly increasing the time spent felling rather than clearing up. This also made the purpose of a well laid out site very clear as the forwarder negotiated the product and brash.

 

The group were superb, and included two recent FDSc Arboriculture students (Plumpton College) and a two more experienced arborists.  Shame about the winch shear pin and the Land Rover  though Daf! A lot of trees were felled, with trainees working well together organising the site for safety towards the end of the course. Breaktime discussion was wide ranging, and of high quality, I loved David’s Fred Dibnah stories -  is there a topic he is not able to comment on?

 

A consistent comment throughout the week was the benefit of the time available to practise skills without the usual persistent commercial pressure, having said that a lot of trees were felled, and the site looked superb, and is well on it’s way to being completely cleared of hemlock.

 Course Feedback;

  • Excellent practical demonstrations with new felling techniques taught.
  • Educational & fun, well organised.
  • Working forestry site with actual objectives. Positive attitudes & teamwork. Tarp & tea!
  • Learnt a lot this week, many hung up!. Good group. 15 years bad habits to unlearn, good winching practice, made good progress on forestry skills!

Feedback in full, (PDF version of the forms) is available on request.