If using, or planning to use, the new Petzl Zig-Zag mechanical friction devise please visit the following link. The product has been recalled do to recent accidents/product failures.

http://www.petzl.com/en/pro/news/safety-information/2013/04/22/safety-alert-stop-use-petzl-zigzag-mechanical-prusik

Regards,

Chris Simpson

At long last Scotland, as of the 28th March 2013, has legislation empowering Local Authorities to enforce control over nuisance hedge owners. The Local Government and Regeneration Committee of the Scottish government wrote:

“the Scottish Parliament enacted the High Hedges (Scotland) Bill today, Thursday 28 March 2013. One final amendment was approved to the . . . → Continue reading: High Hedges (Scotland) Bill 2013

The Scottish Branch of the Arboricultural Association (AASB) have stimulating seminar scheduled for the 28th March at Dundee. I strongly recommend attending any of the AASB’s events as they are always very informative. Please refer to our “Downloads” page for details and the booking form. Regards, Chris.

The ITS Ltd training programme, from January to June 2013, is now available. This new programme consists, mainly, of the new NPTC units. Changes to NPTC assessments are summarised below:

NPTC UNITS 2013 – A COMPARISON of commonly attended courses/assessments 

Pre 2013 unit number

Pre 2013 unit title

2013 unit number

2013 unit title

CS30

. . . → Continue reading: 2013 Training Programme

The Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) have released a very useful video that explains the symptoms that tree surgeons tree managers and tree owners should be keeping an eye out for.

Essential viewing, just visit the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1GpufLkBto&feature=plcp

Both Lantra and City & Guilds/Landbased Services have competely revised their chainsaw related suite of qualifications.

Out goes the old CS reference numbers (CS30, 31, 38 etc). But don’t fear, if you still have units to undertake and have startd on the old suite of units, you will still be able to advance on . . . → Continue reading: All change for arboricultural training in 2013

For the latest FC update on this worrying disease of Ash please refer to our “downloads” page.

The Forestry Commission Scotland have released the following disease alert. It relates to Chalara fraxinea - a potentially very serious risk to our Fraxinus excelsior (Common Ash) population.:

Alert issued as ash tree disease found in Scotland  Forestry Commission Scotland is urging woodland managers throughout Scotland to be vigilant for signs of a serious disease . . . → Continue reading: Chalara die-back of Ash found in Scotland

The HSE is consulting on proposals to simplify and clarify the reporting of injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences. This is as recommended in the October 2010 Government Report, “Common Sense, Common Safety” and by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt in his 2011 report ‘Reclaiming health and safety for all: An independent review of health and safety . . . → Continue reading: HSE RIDDOR Consultation

One place is available on a CS38 course on 13th August 2012, for just £600 including VAT.

Please refer to our special offers page for full details.