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

Regards,

Chris Simpson

“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]]> 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 Bill. The definition of a high hedge as set out in Section 1(1) of the Bill was amended to remove the words “evergreen and semi-evergreen”. Consequently, the Bill as passed now defines a high hedge in Scots law as a hedge which—

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

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

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]]> 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 the new units. Also, your certificates of competence won’t suddenly be void just becuase new units are available.

The content, of the units, has changed too.  With some new awards included. I have still to grasp the finer details of the changes, but will endevour to keep you posted as I schedule these new units in the new year. So keep an eye on our training programme and all should become clear!

Regards, Chris.

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 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 that has affected ash trees in Europe.
The appeal follows the discovery of Chalara dieback of ash (caused by the fungus Chalara
fraxinea) in trees planted in 2009 in a woodland managed by Forest Enterprise Scotland
(FES) at Knockmountain, 2km north of Kilmacolm.
The 200 hectare (ha) site has 20 ha of mixed broadleaves including 58,000 ash plants. 
The disease, which has recently been recorded at three nursery sites / locations in England,
has the potential to kill millions of ash trees if it spreads into the natural environment – as it
has done in Europe, including the death of an estimated 60 to 90 per cent of Denmark’s ash
trees.
Hugh Clayden, Forestry Commission Scotland’s tree health policy adviser, said:
“We are urging anyone, but particularly those who have planted ash trees in the last
five years, to check their trees’ health and to report any suspicious symptoms to us
without delay. This applies principally to professionals working in the forestry and tree
sectors, but it is also relevant to anyone who looks after land with ash trees on it.”
Although there are only 5,000ha of ‘pure’ ash woodland in Scotland, this species is also a
significant and cherished component of our 62,000ha of ‘mixed broadleaved’ woodland,
where it is important for its timber, firewood, wildlife, biodiversity and landscape benefits.
Hugh added:
“Following laboratory confirmation of the disease at Knockmountain, all the young ash
trees planted there will now need to be destroyed.
“We are also working closely with the Scottish Government’s Horticulture and
Marketing Unit a specialist unit within the Agriculture, Food and Rural Communities
Directorate (AFRCD)], and FERA to trace ash planted in Scotland in the past five
years. Nursery inspections will also look very closely at ash and any infected
specimens will be destroyed.”
The disease mostly affects common ash (Fraxinus excelsior), including its ‘Pendula’
ornamental variety, but the Narrow-leafed ash (Fraxinus angustifolia) can also be infected.
Very young trees appear to be more susceptible.
Further information, including a ‘pest alert’ factsheet showing pictures of the symptoms of
Chalara dieback of ash, is available on the Forestry Commission’s website at
www.forestry.gov.uk/ashdieback .
Suspected cases should be reported to Forest Research’s Tree Health Diagnostic and
Advisory Service (0131 445 2176 or e-mail ddas.nrs@forestry.gsi.gov.uk ).
The Forestry Commission’s Forest Research agency is finalising a rapid pest risk assessment
which will provide the necessary initial evidence to inform immediate action against this
disease.

NOTES TO EDITOR:
1) Forestry Commission Scotland serves as part of the Scottish Government’s Environment &
Forestry Directorate. Forest Enterprise Scotland is the part of the Commission which
manages public forests in the Commission’s care.
2) First reported in Poland in the early 1990s, Chalara dieback of ash is now found in most
parts of northern Europe, where it has caused widespread losses of ash trees., C. fraxinea is
being treated as a quarantine pest under national emergency measures and plants from
infected consignments are being destroyed under notice (powers under the Plant Health Act).
3) Because C. fraxinea is not a “regulated” plant disease in European Union plant health law,
trade in ash plants between Member States is not subject to inspection. However, if member
states can show that they are free of the disease, they can press for legislation to control
ash imports from areas where the disease is known to be present. The pest risk assessment
which Forest Research is preparing will be the first step in preparing a case for national
legislation.
4) Common ash is a deciduous species native to much of Europe, including the British Isles.
Its timber is dense, strong but flexible, and was traditionally used for making tool handles
and furniture, but is now more commonly used for flooring and high-end, bespoke uses. It also makes excellent firewood.

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