PTI Professional Tree Inspection Full Course (LANTRA)

This competency-based course is designed for established professionals looking to validate or update their tree inspection expertise, particularly if their foundational training was gained some time ago. This three-day course aims to provide specific tree inspection programme at an advanced level for competent Arboriculturists to enable them to reach a level of competence that can be recognised as having received adequate training. The course is not aimed at methods of report writing. However, presentation of findings will be examined and advice given.

Prior to applying for a place on the course, attendees are expected to hold a minimum of a Level 3 Arboricultural qualification (or equivalent) paired with at least five years of practical experience conducting tree surveys and inspections. Possessing pre-existing knowledge of core Arboricultural principles, including tree biology, pathology, legislation, and BS3998 recommendations is essential. A detailed understanding of the tree as an undamaged, self-optimised structure, alongside its biological and mechanical weaknesses, is also important.

Course Details:

Venue: Nationwide- Please see our Short Course Dates for details on our upcoming courses and venues 

• Times: 9.30am-5.00pm on all three days. Doors open from 9am each day. Please plan to arrive earlier than 9:30am for a prompt start, especially on day one.
• Refreshments: Catering is not provided for this course. There is an on-site café should attendees wish to purchase food/refreshments.
• Equipment Required:  Tree inspection equipment, outdoor clothing and footwear suitable for tree inspections. A change of footwear is also required for indoor learning.  Additional note taking materials are also advised, along with any reference materials suitable to the course.
• Maximum Capacity: 12 Attendees per course
• Pre-requisites: Attendees for this course should have a minimum Level 3 Arboricultural qualification or equivalent, plus five years of experience conducting tree survey and inspection. A detailed, pre-existing knowledge of tree biology, pathology, legislation, and BS3998 standards is also essential. If you are unsure whether this course is appropriate for you, please contact Tree Life for advice.

Aim of the course:

Attendees can expect to develop skills in relation to:

• Recognising the role and duty of a professional tree assessor
• Identifying the legal framework in the context of relevant statute and common law associated with tree management
• Recognising the role of the tree assessor in risk assessment and risk management, including when deciding options for appropriate controls required to eliminate or reduce foreseeable risks from trees
• Adopting a systematic and, if needed, diagnostic process for carrying out formal tree assessments at a professional level
• Identifying sources of information and published guidance useful to the tree assessor when undertaking assessments and forming management recommendations associated with tree health and structure
• Observing and interpreting structural and biological features, signs and symptoms to offer an opinion on the Arboricultural significance that may arise
• Identifying a range of commonly found tree pests, pathogens and disorders, that affect tree safety or health, to understand their significance. Identifying them with or without textbooks or other resources where necessary
• Recognising how to collate and communicate information in accordance with instructions, and that different options for recording similar information may also be suitable and sufficient
• Applying a tree assessment process to document tree inspection records clearly and unambiguously for a duty holder to understand
• Prioritising and justifying reasonable options for management of a tree’s health and structure, aiming for trees to be reasonably safe from causing foreseeable harm. This will include offering time scales for implementation, and reassessment, based on a risk assessment process which is proportionate to the tree and local circumstances.
• Understanding different approaches to assigning tree assessment types and frequencies, including zoning, and apply them to a range of common tree management scenarios and tree characteristics
• Determining when it is appropriate to recommend a detailed assessment, such as the use of decay detecting or measuring equipment, aerial inspection or stability testing, and identify which detailed assessment methods, devices or tests are appropriate for specific concerns

Guide to the course:

Day one focuses on the core theory, covering legal frameworks, professional duties, tree structural biology, and the identification of pests, pathogens, and disorders. Day two shifts to hands-on practice, tree zoning, recording techniques, detailed assessment processes, and the use of specialist inspection equipment during practical field exercises. Day three cements this knowledge with a comprehensive recap and final practical exercises, culminating in formal assessment. See below details on how this course is assessed.

Assessment:

The course will be assessed by a combination of theory examination papers, as well as practical inspection. Assessment will consist of:

• A short answer written paper
• A scenario-based short answer paper with access to some materials
• An identification test
• The documenting of two tree assessments as inspection records

It is crucial to recognise that these components should not be treated independently but as integrated elements of the learning journey. To successfully achieve the programme, attendees must achieve a combined assessment mark of 70 Marks (70%) with at least 70% being gained for both tree inspections.

If you wish to just re-take the exam, please contact Tree Life on info@treelifeat.co.uk.

Book this course here!

For further details on this course or any of our other short courses, please see our latest Short Course Information Booklet. 

Please email info@treelifeat.co.uk or call on 0116 260 6939 for further information. 

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