Professional Tree Inspection

Course information

This 3-day Lantra Awards course aims to provide specific tree inspection training at an advanced level for competent arboriculturists. It will enable candidates to identify defects from ground level, from a climbed inspection or inspection aided by the use of a MEWP. (Tree climbing and use of a MEWP will not be required during the course).

This professional tree training course will train candidates how to specify the necessary remedial works & record the inspection process. This would form a part of a defensible system.

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 & advice given.

Who is the course for?

• Candidates should be experienced and qualified arboriculturists with an in-depth knowledge of plant & arboricultural science. Their knowledge will include a thorough knowledge of wood
• decaying fungi, identification & interpretation of signs & symptoms of ill health & structural failure across a wide range of tree species & circumstances.
• Candidates need to be thoroughly experienced in carrying out tree inspections & surveys.
• Candidates should be physically fit & able to carry out the tasks required of the course.

Course objectives

To enable course members to:

• Recognise the role of the tree inspector in risk management.
• Identify the legal framework in the context of statute & common law that affect tree inspection & the duties & liabilities of the owner, manager & inspector.
• Summarise how a tree system functions, what constitutes a safe tree & know that energy is required to keep the tree in a healthy/safe state.
• Adapt a systematic & consistent methodology for carrying out visual tree inspection at an advanced level with the aid of binoculars, mallet & probe.
• Collect data out in the field in accordance with the inspection instructions (having determined the scope & limitations) using a suitable format – for this course a written survey template with appropriate headings will be used.
• Recognise a range of observable mechanical & biological defects as seen in trees & confirm by the use of text books where necessary.
• Identify a range of commonly seen  disorders that affect tree safety; confirm their identity by the use of text books where necessary & state the arboricultural significance of finding them in the field.
• State the appropriate control/remedial measures required to eliminate or reduce risks identified in the inspection process to an acceptable level.
• Determine when an aerial inspection is required and whether pro-active 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.
• Understand that a balance between the remedial measure opted for & the range of benefits/values that a tree may have requires special attention, for example amenity, wildlife, historical, veteran, rarity & public access.

Course content

• The legal framework
• Basic inspection
• The tree
• Visual tree assessment
• Principal fungi decay organisms
• Mechanical symptoms of defects
• Tree inspection equipment
• Data recording
• Making & writing remedial actions
• Hazard evaluation
• Introduction to decay detection & measuring equipment