Ground-based courses

Our ground-based courses are designed not only for arborists and foresters but also for anyone required to use chainsaws and other machinery either professionally as part of their job, for example in the landscaping, farming, conservation or ecology sectors or in a domestic environment, such as a homeowner using a chainsaw in their garden or a privately owned woodland.

We run courses from our workshop west of Exeter or in one of our dedicated training woodlands. Courses include chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting, felling small trees up to 380 mm, felling trees over 380 mm, woodchipper and domestic chainsaw use.

Using both broadleaf and conifer woodlands, we offer candidates a wide range of both garden/domestic and woodland management/commercial forestry environments in which to learn and develop skills. Our experienced and knowledgeable instructors, the majority of whom are also NPTC assessors, work across the arboriculture sector, including domestic, commercial and utility arboriculture.

We will tailor courses for differing learning styles and abilities, with an emphasis on practical, hands-on skills. If required, candidates can hire petrol- or battery-powered chainsaws from us for training and assessments. For those with qualifications that require ground-based refresher training, we offer multiple options, including the City and Guilds NPTC CPD units. Refresher courses can either be for individual units or a combination of units.

In addition to industry-accredited qualifications, we develop and deliver a selection of bespoke ground-based workshops, such as ground-based rigging, community orchard pruning sessions and community woodland skills days. If on-site training is preferable, we can look at the options for this for you. Please contact us to discuss this further.