Tree Risk Assessment

[sotc]

I just finished a 2 day class on this and an exam. I found the class and instructor very challenging. Currently it is a PNW chapter cert but sometime next year the ISA will be picking it up with a few changes. They are working on BMP's for it. Most of the info is stuff most of us know to some extent, the course helps you quantify/qualify it into a numbered risk catagory. One of the changes will be to go away from the number system and make it something lay people can understand easier. Just thought I would share

 

[woodworkingboy]

What vocabulary will lay peeple understand?

 

[sotc]

Move or die.....

 

[sotc]

Not sure of the future wording

 

[woodworkingboy]

I have a growing collection of smashed house photos if that helps. A few cars too.

 

[Old Monkey]

They could do it like Department of Homeland Security's Terrorist Threat Index.

"Mrs. Johnson, I'd rate your oak a magenta. Please take the appropriate actions."

 

[sotc]

Haha, great idea Darin!
Jay, they actually do want to know the factors affecting failed trees. This cert will require retesting as opposed to CEU's due to new info regading tree failures as the info comes in

 

[Paul B]

Willie, thats cool, the program was started here in BC, I got my cert (# 094) about 4 or 5 years ago. The first one was good for 3 years, the second time its now good for 4 years. Its a WCB recognized cert up here. and FWIW, I got an email a few days ago, personally inviting me to challenge the BCMA test, I just might! Not till after summer though, I would like to study and make sure I do well.

 

[HolmenTree]

In 2004 I took a ArborMaster Canada Training course taught by their president Dwayne Neustaeter, it was called "Tree Dynamics & Structural Risk Assessment". Alot of information was absorbed from those 2 days. I still keep the work book in my briefcase today.

 

[sotc]

Nice, Paul! The International cert will be good 5 years I believe. Good luck on the BCMA exam, more difficult than I expected.

I totaly feel the same Willard, don't be afraid to take another course, they have changed some ratings since then

 

[woodworkingboy]

For you certs, is there species variation as a factor in the risk assessment? Just curious...

 

[sotc]

Sure, the assessment is both objective and subjective. The species themselves have no ratings as of yet, that is up to the assessor to determine

 

[flushcut]

I would think the species has a lot to do with it.

 

[sotc]

Absolutly

 

[HolmenTree]

I totaly feel the same Willard, don't be afraid to take another course, they have changed some ratings since then

Very true Willie. This summer I'm going to start all over again and take the basic climbing skills course again, it has been 11 years since I did the 1st one. Then go on and do all the others also.
Alot has changed in equipment and technique since then. I can tie a Blakes blindfolded but a change would be good.
Alot of the arborists I first trained with got into climbing competitons, like what I did with timbersports when I was logging. I believe it helps your confidence and learning curve , but at this stage of my life I have no desire to enter a footlocking competiton with a bunch of 20 year olds

 

[canadiantreeman]

Nice, Willie. I found that course very informative, it changed the way I look at trees completely.

Paul, its cool that you were invited to take the BCMA test, get-r-done!

 

[Paul B]

Thanks Dylan, I am seriously considering it.
Hows the deal for you with your trade paper etc, getting any props from the cert?

 

[canadiantreeman]

The ITA cert? No, nothing has really come of it so for. ISA cert has definitely helped $ wise, and the TRACE course has helped me to more directly articulate risk assessment to customers in a language they can understand. But the ITA hasn't really done anything so far. In fact, as opposed to what Willie said about the numerical system, I have found most clients I have worked for appreciate the inclusion of photocopies of the tables and find that the number rating allows them to better interpret the results.

 

[Paul B]

Fair enough. Thanks for the thoughts.

 

[treesandsurf]

Did you know if you passed Willie? I took the course last month barely made the cutoff of 85, scored 87. Great course, as was said helps to organize and better communicate what we already know.

 

[sotc]

Supposedly they have 6 weeks to get me the results. I feel like I did well but who knows. You take it there in Hawaii Jon? Terry goes to Hong Kong to do these TRACE courses!

 

[treesandsurf]

Yeah they held one here in Honolulu, the instructor was Jim flott (sp?) very knowledgeable guy.

 

[Old Monkey]

Jim Flott is a great guy. I plant trees the Jim Flott way, washing the roots off.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

You wash the roots? I was taught never to do that, the more soil attached the better.

 

[sotc]

Darin's pedicures