Personal Profile

I assist the Lichfield forestry department. Specifically, I help them with tree safety surveys and forestry management projects.

Background

My background is in forestry contracting (mainly steep harvesting/saw work); with a focus on coppicing and low-impact forestry. I started my forestry work back in 2007, when I was working in Deeside (Aberdeenshire).

TYPICAL DAY

The job starts the same as other tree safety surveys. The first thing we do is the data collection and checks, we sit down with Bob /the GIS department and look through the data that has been sent in. Identify the area to be surveyed and what's there.

In this instance the Diocesan land holding is a large mixed rural estate which stretches from The Wash north to the River Humber and from the North Sea almost as far out as Newark on Trent. it is broken up into over 300 smaller land parcels within Lincolnshire.

Prior inspection; with the map data correct the tree survey can take place. I identify the sites I am going to visit for the day. I check my rucksack and that I have my tools for surveying; GPS unit, unique I.D. tags, tagging hammer, nylon mallet, probe, DBH & measuring tapes, clinometers, binoculars, ID books (trees & fungi) & Silky (for ivy removal).

I get to my first site look through the map to check it correlates to what's on the ground. I identify a route and my surveying plan. While I am surveying the trees, checking for hazards and tree condition, I am also looking for hazards and the zones of risk in the environment around the tree. This all helps with classification of risk zones and the tree surveying frequency going forward.

My take on tree safety surveying; ultimately I look at a landholding with the idea of long term retention of (a) trees within it. But if there is a risk to the general public, that risk has to be minimised. The hazard has to be categorised and classified, then the remedial response accurate and proportionate to the risk level identified.

As I approach a tree I look at the crown spread, this way I hope to pick any * (*wasp nests!), deadwood, hangers and snapped branches before walking underneath them. Then I start to circle the stem and trunk looking for wounds, splits, cavities, insect & woodpecker holes, failures and things like fungal fruiting bodies. Finally I check around the base and root plate, again looking for deformations in the wood, fungi, cracks and heave in the ground. I record the tree details on the GPS unit; location, tree species, tag no., vitality, age range, height, defects, wildlife and any comments & work prescribed (if required). I do this around the whole site, the captured data is stored on the unit. Upon completion I then upload to the data from the unit into the 'cloud'.

Once I get to the office I will retrieve the data and put it through our database. This program puts the GPS captured data into bespoke forms, filters out any anomalies and helps us deliver the report. The reports generated give recommended works, timescales, an estimated cost of works, specific issues identified from survey and future inspection recommendations.

I also send a copy of the database to the GIS department who are able to extract the coordinates plotted for the trees. This data is then converted into maps and locations of trees, groups and specific trees requiring works or monitoring.

BEST THING ABOUT your role 

It’s difficult to highlight a single element of my role. The team I work with are great, the locations we work in/ at are fantastic and finally what we do, day to day is really interesting. One day we may be marking oak trees for felling the next surveying trees along a footpath. I’m learning a lot from the forestry department/ team and find forestry a fascinating subject and there are many elements within it.

out of office

Even when out of work I’m usually found in or near trees. I demonstrate coppicing (including charcoal making) at a local country park in my spare time in the winter. I may be using my sawmill to process timber when I can.

wHAT DO YOU THINK OF SAVILLS AS A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT?

I think it is good as there are lots of courses (including internal courses) and department leaders/line mangers are keen for you to take these learning opportunities. Also with the approval of your department leaders /line mangers other external courses are feasible.