introduction · web viewthe death of one small twig might be an insignificant natural occurrence,...
TRANSCRIPT
Level 2 Technical Certificate in Forestry
and ArboricultureSummer Project Pack
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Introduction
This Summer Project Pack has been designed to give you an insight into some of the course content. There are six sections to read, most with a set of challenges for you to attempt over the summer. When the course starts in September, we will use the information you have discovered in the challenges for class discussions and projects.
Do what you can when you can. Ask friends and family for help if you want to.
The pack is split into 3 parts:
Part One – All about you! The first section has information on job roles and lifestyle.
Part Two – Trees. This section investigates trees and the health problems that affect them.
Part Three – Next steps. The last section encourages you to think about working safely and gives some tips on where to find great resources to help you study.
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Part One
All about you!
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Working in arboriculture and forestry.
The course is designed for people looking to start a career in the arboriculture or forestry sector. There is more to the job than just growing trees or cutting them down. There are lots of job opportunities, including:
Arborist
Ground person
Forester
Machinery operator
Retail and Supply
Tree Officer
Forest Manager
Researcher
Surveyor
Consultant
Expert witness
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You will need to complete 150 hours of work experience during your course. Our employability team will help get you started and make sure you've chosen a safe place to work. City & Guilds Technical qualifications are highly regarded within our own UK industry sectors and with overseas employers.
Job search challenge:
Forestry deals with trees grown as a commercial timber crop. Arboriculture deals with all other trees. Find a job advert for the following roles:
A Forester
An Arborist
1. Compare the two adverts. What kind of skills, education and training are the employers looking for?
2. Which job sounds most appealing? Why?
3. Try and find out who your Local Authority Tree Officer is - your council website will help you search - what does their job entail?
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Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
Working outdoors in all weathers in arboriculture or forestry can be physically and mentally demanding. You will learn how to work safely but learning how to maintain a healthy lifestyle is also important; we all need to be 'physically robust'. This means taking plenty of exercise, eating well, staying hydrated and getting plenty of quality sleep.
If you have never really thought about a fitness programme, don't worry - there is plenty of time for you to develop your own routine. There are excellent gym facilities here at College, and there is always someone available for advice on nutrition and exercise.
Lifestyle and exercise challenges:
1. Make one positive change to your diet today. It could be as simple as drinking a glass of water with your breakfast. Stick to it!
2. Staying fit can help prevent injury but learning to avoid the causes of injury is just as important. Follow the advice on the Health & Safety Executive website for avoiding 'Musculoskeletal Disorders' at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/backpain/index.htm.
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Part Two
Trees
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Trees
Trees are giant living chemistry sets, made of the most versatile composite material on the planet.
You don't need to have any previous experience of working with trees for this course. However, it will help if you start to do some reading on how trees function. Do a little research into the following areas:
• Types of tree - what is the difference between deciduous and coniferous trees?
• Parts of trees - can you describe what the various tree parts do? The leaves, the roots, the stem, the flowers, and the fruit?
• Tree shapes and forms - why are trees shaped like they are? Why don't they collapse under their own weight?
• How they work - how can something as big as a tree, that doesn't move around, get enough energy to survive?
• Benefits of trees - what are the key benefits of trees to people and the planet? What do trees do for us?
• Disbenefits of trees - are there times when trees can cause problems?
• Tree lifecycles - how long do they live? How do they die? Where are the oldest trees found?
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Trees challenges:
1. Think about the questions above. Do your best to make some notes based on what you know already and try some simple online searches to fill in the gaps.
2. Think of one tree related question to ask me when we meet!
3. Read this case study from the Forestry Commission that highlights the benefits of trees to a local community in Wales:
https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/documents/2476/urgp_case_study_022_Glan_Morfa.pdf.
4. Do you have any similar examples of Community Woodland where you live?
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Tree Pests and Diseases
Just like humans, trees suffer from a wide range of health problems. Being able to identify the main causes of ill-health in trees is an essential part of the job for all arborists and foresters. The death of one small twig might be an insignificant natural occurrence, or it could be the warning sign of a fatal disease that could kill an entire plantation.
When trees with health problems grow next to places inhabited by humans, there is the added danger that the tree could partially or completely collapse and cause significant injury, damage to property or even death.
You can see how 'citizen science' is helping track and report tree health problems, pests and diseases at: https://www.observatree.org.uk/.
Tree health challenges:
1. Start to take an interest in your local trees. Are they healthy? Are there any obvious signs of disease or decay? What could happen to the tree if the problem gets worse?
2. Take some pictures of tree health problems. It doesn't matter if you can't identify the cause. You can come back to your album later and put names to problems as your knowledge and understanding increase.
3. Have at least one good photo that you could show to the rest of the group to create a discussion.
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Part Three
Next steps
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Wearing and using correct PPE is mandatory in the arboriculture and forestry industries.
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Our tree climbing equipment is classed as PPE. All your climbing equipment and machinery are provided for you. We have plenty of choice here at College so you can experiment with what suits you best.
The items shown here make up the PPE you must wear for work. The College has some PPE for you to wear, but this may need to be reviewed under the current COVID-19 restrictions. We will let you know as the situation changes.
Start to become familiar with the different types of clothing and equipment needed for the job.
Chainsaw protective boots
Type C chainsaw leg protection (trousers). Staff and students must wear all-round leg protection when using chainsaws on the ground or in the canopy.
Safety helmet complying with BS EN 397. For arboriculture, the helmet must be fitted with a chinstrap. Forestry helmets do not have chinstraps and cannot be worn when climbing trees. When working with machinery, both types of helmet must have correctly rated face/eye protection and hearing protection.
Chainsaw protective gloves complying with BS EN 381-7.
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General purpose work gloves for maintenance, timber handling and climbing. They are not mandatory, but gloves must be worn when sharpening chainsaws.
Carrying a whistle and personal first aid kit is mandatory for all arboricultural and forestry operatives. The first aid kit must contain a large wound dressing to treat serious bleeding, and should contain eye wash, disposable gloves, and equipment to treat minor cuts.
PPE challenges:
1. Investigate the difference between 'Type A' and 'Type C' chainsaw trousers.
2. How does chainsaw protective material work?
3. For more details on PPE. follow this link on the Health & Safety Executive website: https://www.hse.gov.uk/treework/safety-topics/chainppe.htm.
4. Are there any other items of PPE that you might need to wear?
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Recommended reading
You will need to read from your notes and textbooks throughout the course. There will be a comprehensive induction to the library, so you know where to find the best resources. Technical qualifications revolve around 'Guided Learning'. This means that you will need to do your own research to support the learning you receive in lessons. Having reliable sources of information will help your revision when it's time for your exams and practical assessments.
The Haynes Manual for trees is an excellent book for tree owners and students new to trees. It is co-written by Tony Kirkham, the Head of Arboretum at Kew Botanical Gardens in London. It is very reasonably priced, and is available from Amazon, or the book shop at the Arboricultural Association: https://www.trees.org.uk/Book-Shop.
Tony Kirkham can be seen talking about a key event in tree health here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p081llyy
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A decent quality tree guide will be a constant companion throughout your career. We have many versions in the library at College. The Collins guide shown here is the book most often used by staff and students at all academic levels.
The Woodland Trust tree identification guide can be downloaded for free to your phone. It's a great way to start learning how to identify trees: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/tree-id-app/?gclsrc=aw.ds
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The following websites are also a suitable place to discover about the organisations that care for trees:
• The Arboriculture Association https://www.trees.org.uk/
• Royal Forestry Society https://rfs.org.uk/
• The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs
• Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) https://www.fera.co.uk/
• Forestry Commission https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/forestry-commission
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Conclusion
Humans will always need trees. We simply cannot live without them. Being part of an industry that cares for them is extremely rewarding. It can be a job for life.
I hope you enjoy this research over the summer, and I look forward to meeting you in September.
Dan Burdus
Level 2 Arboriculture Course Manager
email: [email protected]
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