Our two-day felling and processing of medium trees over 380mm course, allow plenty of time to learn to use winches, and wedges. It ensures you have set up the systems safely and correctly. Along with carrying out and practising all that you need for the assessment process on the third day.

Please ensure you already have the chainsaw maintenance, cross-cutting (CS30) and felling and processing of small trees up to 380mm (CS31) qualification before applying for this unit. 

To allow you to fell medium-sized trees over 380mm in diameter, you must have first completed the above units. You can then work your way up to the next unit.

Key points to consider before attending the Felling and Processing Medium Trees Over 380mm and upto 760mm (formerly CS32) course are,

Ideally you:

• need to have had lots of practice felling small trees before attending this course. It is not a monkey see monkey do course!
• must be able to read the situations you are being placed in front of. Such as felling distances and directions
• understand differences in tree species and fibres and how that impacts the choice of cuts used
• have an understanding of parameters such as a 15″ larch at over 90′ (380mm at 30m). Is quite different to a cherry tree in a park at 20″ up to 36′ (500mm at 12m)
• must have accuracy of your hinges and cuts
• should have used winches for twisting out and pulling back of trees

Some of this will be covered during the tree felling course. But you must have prior knowledge and experience of felling trees before attending this next level of training.

Many of you are already actively using chainsaws. However, you may have discovered that as a professional operator you need another suitable certificate of competence. To enable you to carry on doing so at this level. 

You may have been asked by:

• your employer
• or a new contract opportunity to demonstrate competence through certification
• your arb or forestry-associated body

Whether you could be new to the job or have been doing it for over 40 years and things have changed. If so and you are faced with having to gain your chainsaw qualifications have you been:

• struggling to find the right fit in terms of a training provider?
• confused by all the names, numbers and acronyms for the land based courses that are available to you?
• worried you will get it wrong or waste your hard-earned money?
• concerned that it will feel like going back to school?
• looking to gain a qualification to continue with jobs because legislation has changed?
• offered a new and exciting contract, but need another ticket/qualification to seal the deal?

Then we can help you!

No matter which sector you are coming from, and your level of experience. We can work with you to understand your training needs. To tailor a programme and provide courses that will be suitable for you.

Providing award-winning training through tailored, flexible, friendly, approachable trainers and assessors.

All courses are run in small groups. To ensure you have as much time as needed to learn and experience the requirements for the assessments. If you chose to take them. Trainers and assessors are experienced, friendly, and approachable.

Finally, as with all Lowe Maintenance courses, you get support and advice via email or on the phone. If you need it in the future. Just because you’ve completed the course doesn’t mean you can’t get in touch if you need more information or guidance.

City and Guilds accreditation

Is the certificate you will gain on successful completion of your felling and processing of medium trees assessment. 

A two-day course, with a third day for the assessment

Group sizes are no more than four candidates to one trainer, so nice small group sizes. To allow for plenty of discussion and questions. 

You will have access to the Lowe Maintenance portal on booking where you will find leaflets and updates to look through before attending the practical session. 

On this felling medium-sized trees over 380mm and up to 760mm course you will be learning about:

• the risks of felling larger trees. In short small trees may squash you, but bigger trees are likely to kill you if you get it wrong!
• effective use of wedges and how many to use
• mechanical wedges and choices available to you
• use of hand winches and the pros and cons
• dealing with larger product lengths and timber volume
• snedding and delimbing of soft or hardwood
• understanding the importance of industry best practice
• what you need to do in an emergency
• how health and safety legislation will affect you

You will also get to try out different mechanical devices such as:

• tirfor winches
• mechanical wedges

before you think about buying them and find you do not like them or prefer one over the other. This a fantastic chance to try before you buy!

Bear in mind that this course is physically demanding and requires the carrying of equipment in woodland and forest environment. You will have to carry your kit and equipment.  

Candidate portal

On booking your course you will be given access to the candidate portal, where you will find lots of leaflets and documentation to read through, ideally before you attend the course. This helps you with the terminology during the course and gives you a heads-up of what to expect in any discussions and practical sessions. There could even be some videos we need you to watch to help embed your learning in preparation for your assessments. 

Assessment

The medium trees training is two days, on a third day, you will be assessed by an independent City and Guilds assessor. 

We may be stating the obvious and it is sad that we have to be saying this as it appears it is not common practice. 

When attending a course with us, you must follow any instructions that are given when using any equipment and carrying out tasks, for the safety of all involved. 

For further details please see our terms and conditions for courses.