Arboriculture & Tree Surgery Training Blog

We love to keep up to date with new practices, courses, assessment news and much more in the arboriculture industry. Over the years that Scott Fraser Training, we have been documenting activities that have been taking place daily. Have a read through some of our blog posts below and let us know what you think; we'd love to hear from you.

Chainsaw Accidents – PPE choice, training and bad chain brake practice.

02.03.2018

I recently heard about a chainsaw accident caused by a range of different factors, but ultimately it was due to not applying the chain brake...

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Stihl MS201 TC Chain brake handle mounting replaced, cleaned housing

Chainsaw Training with top-handled chainsaws – chain brake repair Stihl MS201TC

20.01.2018

Evaluating conditions of arborist equipment is a fundamental part of our training courses...

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Manual Chainsaw Felling - Musculoskeletal injuries and getting support with The Huntly Hinge

29.11.2017

Felling trees manually is hard work and it can also take its toll on the body. Looking at the typical pattern of work from tree preparation,...

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Aerial Cutting & Rigging – Contracting links to training

07.11.2017

Aerial Cutting & Rigging – Contracting links to training

We recently integrated two of our training courses, aerial...

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Lantra Awards Chainsaw Training Instructors

06.11.2017

Lantra Awards Chainsaw Training Instructors – are they any good – how do we know?

Recertification Event – Kent, October...

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Oak pole top levelled off using Husqvarna 550XP

Tree work & Networking - The Woodland Enterprise Centre

04.11.2017

Nick Meech recently asked us to help out supplying a few chestnut poles for a signpost concept. He also asked for some help installing a dragonfly...

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First Aid Course - Is It Needed?

11.10.2017

Take the First Aid challenge

We often get asked ‘Do I have to have had...

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Indeed chute comes off, handle with care it's heavy!

Bushwood Chipper Maintenance

08.09.2017

On a recent Lantra Awards brushwood chipper course, the anvil or counter knife was maintained on our...

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Tree Surgery Contracting Project in Mayfield, East Sussex – links to rigging & chainsaw training.

07.08.2017

Whilst at a higher technical level than the many courses we typically deliver, a complex...

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Kevin Bingham SRT Basic Climbing Systems

Tree Climbing Competition

17.05.2017

As Inventor of the Rope Wrench and rope runner, what Kevin Bingham has to say about SRT is obviously of great interest so when I heard he was...

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The method of instruction was exactly what I needed. I will try to broaden my knowledge of woodland and forestry work. It could be even better if...it was longer - I didn't want the course to end.

Jacob

June 22

Good mix of knowledge and skills. I learnt...proper safe felling techniques.

Matt

June 22

Course was very well planned and the venue and facilities were perfect. Learned the operations of an electric chasinaw.

Thomas

June 21

The work area provided good opportunities to develop good processing and practice a wide variety of cuts. I learnt methods to keep the site efficient and organised.

Charlie

March 21

Probably the best course I've been on!

Dan

Scott had a great persona. I felt at ease and his instruction and training made me feel confident using al machinery. Very informative and interesting.

Sarah

Nov 20

The whole course worked well. Scott and his wife are lovely and very accomodating and friendly.

Working with Scott not only taught me what I needed to know regarding the assessment but also how to focus and how to trust myself and not to overthink things. Scott has a unique way of being supportive but also firm and direct and I'm looking forward to returning for further training.

Sept 21

As always, everything was clear, well organised, safe.

I learnt...that I can help other people that are less experienced than me. Scott is the best instructor I have had for these types of courses. I know I am getting a thorough training experience by coming here.

Georgia

Sept 21

Worked well - going through techniques, practising & reviewing

Learnt? - best practice. How to be safe. Built on my confidence

Feb 21

Excellent worksite and trees to climb. Improved my head for heights and various insects and pests that affect different trees.

Arlo

Aug 20

What worked well - time in the tree. work positioning - Scott's demo helped with this

What did you learn - be more dynamic with body

July 21

Everything was very positive and felt Scott overcame obstacles. I learnt to have a positive outlook on everything.

Danny

July 21

Lots of opportunity for practice and questions.

Aug 20

I like the interated assessment.

Oliver

Aug 20

The new style of rescue was great. (I learnt) lots of background on other methods / techniques and the ones we were using. I thought it was all great.

James

July 20

Excellent instruction and equipment

Arlo

July 20

When I had a bad day, Scott gave me lots of positive points and helpful feedback

Pat

July 20

What worked well - dummy for rescue allowing for more flexibility / more practice with rescue. It was all good!

Tom

June 20

The demonstration and description of everything worked well

Mark

July 22

What worked well - Everything = knowledgeable and experienced (first hand)

Gareth

June 20

Good pace, well delivered. Small group size

Andrew

June 20

Trainer was adaptable to personal issues. Climbing isn't as hard as expected with new climbing techniques and technology. Really good

Sarah

March 20

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you both. We have had such a lovely day as a family and learnt so many new things. I am very aware of muscles I never knew I had and the marks on my arms from hugging a tree through sheer terror are still very present!!! Such a brilliant day.

The location you have to operate in is stunning and having the beautifully made hut only makes this better. Great fire, great chat, great kit, awesome kettle and amazing experience......
Thank you again and I look forward to tying down the chainsaw course as soon as we can.

Guy

Aug 20

Good feeback, constructive. Reinforced good, systematic working.

Sean

March 20

Course is very good. I will definately come back to do more courses and tell others about it.

Reece

Sept 19

Very professional approach, enjoyable and educational course. Good to talk about climbing techniques with the team and look at new devices and climbing aids/ equipment

James

Pruning Jan 19

Very good course for knowledge

Matthew Jan 19

Pruning

Working with a new crew was good. I learnt countless bits of information!

Moby

Oct 18

The structure of the course and plenty of individual time with Scott. Highest quality of tuition and location

Harry

Sept 18

One to one time in the tree worked well. Better understanding of the whole job spec through to completion process

Andy

Aug 18

Excellent trainer. Detailed information clearly communicated. Superb background knowledge and information made applicable to our worksite. A great day, cheers.

Harry

Nov 20

Very good course as it is very hands on and practical. Enjoyed the course a lot. Feel confident in using machinery

Clarke

Sept 19

Leant new, useful and functional information that will improve me as an arborist, as well as refreshing the skills I already had.

I learnt how to be more efficient, alternative techniques, applying the right technique to the correct scenario

Martin

Worked well - site location.

Learnt - new cuts

Even better if - it was summer!

Carrie

Was given a personal 'crown reduction' lesson. Excellent

Tony

Location, equipment, trees. I learnt how to further improve my general technique

Plumpton College Lecturer

The theory and visual learning techniques were superb

Jon

Jan 18

Well thought our guidance. I learnt different approacjes to learning.

Oliver

Oliver 18

What worked well - the whole day.

I learnt that there is a lot more to learn about using a chainsaw than cutting wood

Patrick

May 18

Enjoyed it all. I learnt new felling techniques and in depth maintenance.

Gary

All of it (worked well) - the group being small helped. I learnt understanding winching angles, cutting to spec as you go.

Martin

Sept 18

What worked well - Range of trees to access, use of different saws

Simon

Nov 17

Good range of trees.

What will I change...work positioning

Mark

July 22

From start to finish the course was brilliant. Thank you.

Robert

April 21

Good balance between classroom and practical

Chris

July 22

Excellent instruction with comprehensive knowledge and course content

Keith

Oct 17

Great knowledge from Scott as well as equipment provided

Jack

Sept 19

All the systems worked well, now just need to find one to suit. Lots of different ways to access trees and ease stress on the body. A perfect course

Stuart

Good feedback about my technique and how to improve.

Guy

July 18

Theory was excellent and was tremendously in depth. I learnt a lot about rigging research!

An informative and productive course. Well delivered. I learnt lots of tips and tricks dealing with large trees.

David

August 21

Worked well - Working as a team.

Learnt - knots and Dukes of Hazzard!

James

July 18

Lots of practical experiences, discussions, visual learning (met different learning styles). As a complete novice I learnt more about my safety and the safety of others than anything!

Paul

April 18

Just a brief thank you for the course on Friday. It was exactly what we had hoped for – an excellent mix of theory and practical, with plenty of food for thought.

Keith

Connick Tree Care

Assessment feedback - Great delivery of questions, which helped the asnwers develop naturally. Very encouraging at all stages

Sam

Assessment feedback - Great mixture of support and leaving us to it. Encouraging and helpful when needed of physical assistance. Approachable, professional and enjoyable assessor

Sam

Highly experienced staff, in both teaching and technique

Dan

Training was professional. I struggled with little things but over came that from the advice I got.

Baillie

July 22

I learnt the safe parctices of forrestry and some insight into the industry

William

Nov 18

Scott has a natural talent for teaching. A really excellent course. It's all about preparation and simple safety checks.

Paul

May 18

Chainsaw refresher - It was good to get up to date with new safety checks and legislation.

Uckfield town Council

I found the course very informative and educational with a great relaxed feel.

Sean

Your first aid course was superb, both in content and presentation and it was quite an eye opener of what products are out there.

Duncan

Being given the chance and freedom to go and try alone when shown techniques.

Will

July 18

Style of tuition and engagement with instructor worked well.

What did I learn...don't over complicate it for yourself!

Jacob

July 22

What will I change as a result of the course? Relex, calm mindset when working

Myles

Sept 22

Well tailored to individuals. Above and beyond the course objectives

Plumpton College Lecturer

Very useful and in depth refresher. Covered all aspects, trainer very helpful

Andrew

Sept 22

A lot more techniques than expected

Darrel

May 18

One of the best courses I have done in a long time. I am a trainer and learnt a lot. Good pace. Good commuincation. Nice size group. Course absolutely met my needs. Comments very appropriate and gives me good advice for the future.

Jerry

April 21

Professional as always. I learnt new knots, new skills and climber knowledge.

Very good LOLER course - a lot more knowledge than expected. A lot of kit familiarisation.

Very good. Learnt so much more than I thought I would. Very well structured day. Very friendly instructor.

Freddie

Very good, informal and informative discussion. Extended discussion on other industry best practice and new methods and ideas. Explanation of other techniques used during the day.

Scott takes training to the next level by focusing towards commercial instruction with a foundation of academic professional knowledge. Well planned in a progressive order. The course went above and beyond the City and Guilds schedule at a pace that was not overwhelming.

Self employed Tree Surgeon

Scott demonstrated great knowledge through different techniques and legislation. The venue for the activity was suberb. It was good to have all the training on one site.

Very informative with good explanation and demonstration of types of pruning. Learnt new climbing techniques and ways of selecting pruning cuts.

Really enjoyed it. Great structure.

I learnt...the importance of team work

Steve

Aug 22

Useful and relevant to not only everyday work but also knowledge of arb/ forestry. I learnt several little gems to make life easier. Thank you for an informative and interesting course. I felt engaged and involved at all times.

What worked well - The whole team.

Liam

May 18

All worked well. Workshops nice area for practice. I learnt a lot.

Chris

May 21

Fantastc course - very helpful and learnt some different techniques along the way. Also great feedback and things that need improving.

Dan

July 2020

Planned well and very knowledgeable

Lewis

July18

Very hands on.

I learnt...posture, sharpening, undercut

Chris

July 22

A very practical fast paced day. All the scenarios were relavant to our industry.

'Its been a pleasure over the last couple of weeks meeting and working with you and the SFT team, I've really enjoyed soaking up new information and putting myself through new challenges. Im looking forward to getting through my assessments and see what the future holds for me in the tree world.'

A fantatstic week, I can't fault anything. Every aspect has been thoroughly enjoyable and I've looked forward to the next day. Any questions that I have had, have been answered; if feeling unsure about a cut, guidance was given to make you feel confident with understanding what was needed. I learnt a lot about health and safety and safe working - using good techniques to reduce body strain, insights into the industry, lots of sites to look up to find more information and places to make savings as purchases. It has met my expectations and some.

Fantatsic course, good instructor. Comprehensive knowledge of all aspects covered. Industry usable techniques and realsitic systems to use in conjunction with what is necessary for the assessment.

Tree climbing and aerial rescue

Extremely clear and concise explanation. Instructor great at putting you at ease/ helping to overcome any fears / anxieties. Liked the aerial demonstrations and 1:1 time. Very informative.

Aerial tree cutting

Scott Fraser Training Blog

News and insights from the tree surgery and arboriculture sector

Chainsaw Accidents – PPE choice, training and bad chain brake practice.

Chainsaw Training with top-handled chainsaws – chain brake repair Stihl MS201TC

Manual Chainsaw Felling - Musculoskeletal injuries and getting support with The Huntly Hinge

Aerial Cutting & Rigging – Contracting links to training

Lantra Awards Chainsaw Training Instructors

Tree work & Networking - The Woodland Enterprise Centre

First Aid Course - Is It Needed?

Bushwood Chipper Maintenance

Tree Surgery Contracting Project in Mayfield, East Sussex – links to rigging & chainsaw training.

Tree Climbing Competition

Pages

Tree Surgery, Chainsaw Training & More

Assessment Centre

Other Tree Surgery Services

Gallery

In The Local Area

Scott demonstrated great knowledge through different techniques and legislation. The venue for the activity was suberb. It was good to have all the training on one site.

Very informative with good explanation and demonstration of types of pruning. Learnt new climbing techniques and ways of selecting pruning cuts.

Planned well and very knowledgeable

A very practical fast paced day. All the scenarios were relavant to our industry.

You are here

Scott Fraser Training Blog

News and insights from the tree surgery and arboriculture sector

Pages

Scott demonstrated great knowledge through different techniques and legislation. The venue for the activity was suberb. It was good to have all the training on one site.

Very informative with good explanation and demonstration of types of pruning. Learnt new climbing techniques and ways of selecting pruning cuts.

Planned well and very knowledgeable

A very practical fast paced day. All the scenarios were relavant to our industry.