ISA HK/China --- Recruitment of Non- Civil Contract Arborist of HKSAR Govt

Dear ISA HK/China, TCHK Station Members & Public,

We are pleased to broadcast by request the Recruitment Information of the HKSAR Govt below for your onwards pursue. Details of the requirements are given in the attachment of this message.

As this message will be seen by every Arborist in our territory directly or indirectly, we encourage all those who will meet the requirements to go for it to help build our much needed Tree Management Office in HK. Your participation whether win or lose, will be a good exercise to test yourself against others for your own further development.

Therefore, may the best men & women win in this round of contest, & ISA HK/China looks forward to working with the appropriate candidates to install better Tree Planting in our territory, one tree & one Arborist at a time.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager


----- Original Message -----
From: vina_wong@devb.gov.hk
To: egc@netvigator.com
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 5:44 PM
Subject: Recruitment of Non-civil Contract Arborist

Dear Hong Kong/China Station of International Society of Arboriculture,

We are pleased to announce a 2nd round of recruitment exercise for the engagement of arborists for the new Tree Management Office in Development Bureau will be conducted. Please find attached the job advertisement for the recruitment of the non-civil service contract arborist, which will be published on Ming Pao and South China Morning Post on 29.1.2010 and 5.2.2010.

We would appreciate very much if you would disseminate this email to your members for their information like last time, especially those who may have recently acquired the required professional qualification or requisite experience.

Thank you for your attention and assistance in the matter.

Regards,
Vina WONG
Development Bureau
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Development Bureau
Works Branch
(Non-civil Service Vacancy)

Arborist
(Salary: $55,000 per month)

Entry requirements:

Candidates should:

(a) have a degree in arboriculture or a related field such as botany, biology, forestry, horticulture, landscape architecture, landscape management, landscape science, or equivalent;

(b) have a qualification or certification offered by a professional institution or industry organisation on arboriculture after successful completion of examination or assessment process conducted within or accredited by the institution or organisation, such as Certified Arborist of the International Society of Arboriculture, Professional Member or Fellow of the Arboricultural Association of the UK, European Tree Technician of the European Arboricultural Council, General Member of the National Arborists Association of Australia, or equivalent;
(c) have a minimum of three years of proven full-time practical experience in arboriculture, such as experience in tree risk assessment and management, pruning, plant nutrition and fertilisation, planting and care after planting, diagnosis and treatment of tree problems, cabling and bracing, or other services that relate to arboriculture, with emphasis on preparing guidance documents on arboriculture, preparing or vetting tree risk assessment reports, supervising arboricultural work, and handling public education and community involvement matters; and

(d) have attained Level 2 or above in English Language in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) or equivalent, and can communicate in Chinese effectively, preferably with a Level 2 or above in Chinese Language in HKCEE or equivalent Note (1).

Note -

(1) For non-civil service appointment purpose, ‘Grade E’ in Chinese Language and English Language (Syllabus B) in previous HKCEE are accepted administratively as comparable to ‘Level 2’ in Chinese Language and English Language in the 2007 HKCEE and thereafter.

Duties:

Successful candidates will be deployed to the Tree Management Office in the Works Branch of the Development Bureau to undertake the following duties Note (2):

(a) Providing arboricultural technical advice on or assisting in –

(i) the development and review of the tree risk assessment arrangements and the monitoring of their application,
(ii) the monitoring of the overall situation of tree removal and the handling of complex cases,
(iii) the formulation of standards and guidelines on tree management,
(iv) research on overseas legislation, practices etc. on tree management,
(v) liaison with the relevant local and overseas institutions on the latest scientific and technological developments,
(vi) duties relating to the Expert Panel on vegetation management,
(vii) the review of Government’s emergency response arrangements in relation to tree management, and
(viii) the handling of public education and community involvement matters;

(b) Supervising the work of an inspection team; and

(c) Undertaking any other duties as assigned in relation to the work of the Tree Management Office.

Note -

(2) Successful candidates may be required to work irregular hours and on public holidays.

Terms of appointment:

Successful candidates will be employed on non-civil service contract terms for two years.

Fringe benefits:

A gratuity may be granted upon satisfactory completion of the full contract period with a consistently high standard of performance. The amount of gratuity payable will be the sum which, when added to the Government’s contribution to the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) Scheme as required by the MPF Schemes Ordinance, equals to 15% of the total basic salary drawn during the contract period. Twelve days’ annual leave and full-pay sickness allowance and maternity leave, if applicable, will be granted. The benefits in respect of rest days and statutory holidays (or substitute holidays) will be granted in accordance with the provisions of the Employment Ordinance.

How to apply:

Application Forms [G.F. 340(Rev. 3/2008)] are obtainable from any Public Enquiry Service Centre of District Offices, Home Affairs Department or any Job Centre of the Employment Services Division, Labour Department. The said form can also be downloaded from the Civil Service Bureau’s website (http://www.csb.gov.hk). Completed forms, together with a full curriculum vitae should reach the Personnel Unit, Development Bureau at 10/F, Murray Building, Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong (Enquiry telephone no.: 2848 2053) by 8 February 2010.

The curriculum vitae should include (a) grading of the subjects taken in public examinations from secondary education onwards (with exact dates of scoring the results); (b) details of bachelor degree and higher level (e.g. major subjects and class and division of honours); (c) professional qualifications obtained; and (d) employment records with detailed description of duties. Applications with incomplete or unclear information will not be considered. Candidates who are selected for interview will normally receive an invitation in about 4 - 6 weeks after the closing date for application.

Those who are not invited for interview may assume that their applications are unsuccessful.

Closing Date for Application:

8 February 2010

General Notes:

(a) Non-civil service vacancies are not posts on the civil service establishment. Candidates appointed are not on civil service terms of appointment and conditions of service. Candidates appointed are not civil servants and will not be eligible for posting, promotion or transfer to any post in the Civil Service.
(b) Candidates appointed must be permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region unless specified otherwise.
(c) The entry pay, terms of appointment and conditions of service to be offered are subject to the provisions prevailing at the time the offer of appointment is made.
(d) It is Government policy to place people with a disability in appropriate jobs wherever possible. If a disabled candidate meets the entry requirements, he/she will be invited to attend the selection interview without being subject to any further shortlisting criteria.
(e) Holders of academic qualifications other than those obtained from Hong Kong institutions / Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority may also apply but their qualifications will be subject to assessments on equivalence with the required entry qualifications. They should submit copies of their official transcripts and certificates by mail together with their application forms.

ISA HK/China --- Therepeutic Tree Climbing to help Social Dropouts

Dear Station Members,

ISA HK/China has recently received the following message from a Station Member:

"It is really good that if such a Tree Climbing Training for Problematic Youngsters class could be open. This would even help my son the most since he was an ADHD (Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) kid full of physical energy. Though he got over average IQ but could not do good in conventional academics since the will power is weak.

Such a special care class is so precious and rare in our territory, the tuition fee of HK$500/class is reasonable for such a small class plus a top class teacher. Please let us know if you decide to open the class. "

Please note the identity of the request has been carefully screened out for privacy reason.

When the Station Manager first attended the Fung Kai kids training back in 2006, all there was confronting him was a bunch of youngsters similar to the kind described above, though maybe not so extreme. Worst of all when asked, none of them in particularly KW Lee & SY Ho, did not know what was going to become of them in future before the training. It took the Station Manager about a year & a half to carefully tune these apparently lost kids to aim their life & career at Professional Tree Climbing, since some of them were indeed talented in that manner. At the end of it, KW Lee became a Footlock champion in 2008 Brisbane competition & SY Ho won awards in the Singapore Green Thumbs competition. Both are now working as Professional Tree Worker in Australia & HK, & most other students also found jobs in the Tree Care Industry afterwards.

ISA HK/China is very inspired & is proud of what we have achieved. We feel we have done something good to our society, & our deed would invite support from the public to develop ISA further in our territory. Then we begin to think we can benefit more by developing a pilot scheme to help those in need for the deprived & ignored. This will push ISA closer to our society to earn more respect & support.

Therefore, we now have a plan.

The Station Manager intends to personally run a class of 6 candidates every Sunday from 9am to noon for a Therapeutic Tree Climbing, with an objective to bring up those who are ignored but with a potential to compete & win in future tree climbing competitions, be they local or overseas. This is a proposed program to turn the so called social dropouts to become champions, to give them a career & a direction in life under the careful guidance of the Station Manager. This pilot scheme will initially run for 3 months to see if it can be continued, or should the training be reviewed for continuation. This is a lion heart program to do good for our society.

Eligibility of Candidates: Must be kids below 25 years of age (with the exception of the 2 no. who have previously enrolled into this scheme. i.e. only 4 places left now) with certain inadequacies like rebellious, delinquent, over-active, with an average IQ & physically fit. An interview will be given to the kid as well as their parents to determine whether they would qualify for entry. The decision will be entirely that of the Station Manager who will take these kids for a journey of their life time.

Cost: HK$500 per session, payable in every class.

Duration: 3 months

Location: Eurasian Garden Ltd, Sheung Shui.

Equipment & PPE: All supplied by ISA HK/China

Personal Insurance: Every student will need to get their own accident Insurance & ISA HK/China or Eurasian Garden Ltd or anybody will not be responsible for accident or claim of any kind during the training.

Objective: to train these youngsters to be as good as KW Lee or SY Ho in tree climbing for a career in Professional Tree Work.

Job Prospect: Good. One sponsor has already agreed to take up any candidate, if they can be recommended by the Station Manager after the training.

Application: Please contact the Station Manager by e-mail at egc@netvigator.com for an interview. Be sure to leave your phone no. for contact.

Notes: This is not a training for normal kids or everybody. This is a pilot scheme for helping the apparently social dropouts to return to the society under the professional guidance of ISA HK/China. The training itself will be tailored to meet the pace of these problematic youngsters physically & psychologically to encourage them to live a meaningful life, & to train them with professional skills to become Tree Worker afterwards. Those who think they just want to be trained by the Station Manager by cheating in, will soon find themselves wasting their time in the application. The Station Manager will decide who will join.

With this message, ISA HK/China openly request everyone to pass on this information to the one in need, be they of any background but meeting our definition. This will be a program to train champions from dirt & ISA HK/China want to prove to our society that Tree Climbing can turn someone from lost to success. Such is our goal.

As we now have 2 candidates already being accepted to join his program, all we need is 4 more to open the class. We are patient to wait for the right candidates & there is no time limit for the inauguration.

May the world set their eyes on us to use Tree Climbing as a social tool to help our kids, & may we shine ISA once more in our effort to promote arboriculture in a proper manner.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

ISA HK/China --- IRATA

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

After a busy rainy season for most Tree Workers in our territory, Tree Work has practically dropped to a trickle when the winter season began again. Tree Work in our territory appears to be similar to selling ice creams, whereas traditional belief is that trees should only be cared for during stormy seasons, which is utterly wrong. Past planting season was even required to be between April to October for 'Instant Effect', whereas the best time to move trees around is really in the dormant season. Old habits die hard in our territory indeed .

In view of the 'dormant season' for Tree Work in our territory, the Station Manager (SM) has embarked on a series of training to continuously upgrade himself. One of which worth mentioning is the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) climbing training (see attached & www.irata.org) for which the SM has regarded as a supplement to Tree Climbing & Tree Work from a different perspective.

In simple term, Industrial Rope Access Techniques was developed to conduct works in places where conventional lifting or scaffolding methods can not or is ineffective to be deployed. Examples include working in Offshore Oil Rigs, Civil Engineering Structures like bridges, Petroleum Facilities like Gas Tanks, etc. The organization recognized internationally for Industrial Rope Access Techniques is the IRATA which has a professional training program & assessment method to qualify all those who can practice to their guidelines. The relying standards are usually British & European Standards.

Whereas in HK where Industrial Rope Access is practically banned or restricted by a number of Labour Regulations & Safety Requirements due to high accident rates in the older days when the concept of Rope Access was introduced, the Rope Access Techniques can be seen as a suitable alternative to bamboo scaffolding & steel scaffolding in many congested areas in our city. Rope Access would take up less space & cause less disturbance to public when compared to setting up platforms or placing lifting equipment underneath in confined spaces in HK.

On the other hand, Industrial Rope Access would rely upon the skills & physiques of the Industrial Climbers in operation. Many more equipment & techniques are usually required in Industrial Rope access if compared with common Tree Work with Tree Climbing in our territory. Just for a standard climbing uniform for an IRATA climber, the basic equipment weighing 10 kg+ would include 1 full body hardness with chest ascender & shoulder strap, 1 hand held ascender, 1 descender, 2 leg straps, 3 lanyards & 6 karabiners; whereas a basic kit weighing 5 kg+ for Tree Climbing would include 1 seat hardness, 1 lanyard, 1 split tail & 2 karabiners.

The Rope System between IRATA & ISA Tree Climbing is also totally different. IRATA would use a Static Rope System where the ropes would not move on the anchor points, whereas Tree Climbing would require the rope to glide along crotches in the Dynamic Rope System. In fact, IRATA climbers are not even allowed to swing due to their hazardous working environment, & Controlled Swing is a common practice in ISA Tree Climbing. IRATA ropes are usually made of nylon for stretch, whereas Tree Climbing Ropes are usually made from polyester of low stretch. Common Tree Climbing operation in our territory would usually only deploy a rope or two, but IRATA has no limitation on the number of ropes as anchors which would depend on the working requirement.

It is difficult to compare the two climbing systems since each is using techniques & equipment evolved from the actual needs of its own unique working environment. However, as an ISA Tree Climber, the SM has found it beneficial to learn of the skills & concepts of IRATA to broaden his knowledge on Rope Access Techniques, in which Tree Climbing is one of them. The SM would recommend our regular ISA Tree Climbers to take up the IRATA training to supplement their knowledge, & credentials are also available in the IRATA system.

For anyone interested in IRATA training in our territory, please contact Global Remote Ltd at
www.globalremote.net

You may wish to mention the name of the SM who insisted to the end to complete his training last week despite his 50+ age & 38 inch waist. Besides to learn & to compare, the SM has thoroughly enjoyed the week to find Climbers, be they Industrial or arboricultural, have common characters of resilient, helping & friendly. Climbers of the world indeed belong to a special breed.

The SM is now trying to bring over knowledge gained from Industrial Climbing to benefit our own Tree Work. After all, what's wrong with combining the best of both worlds to make a bigger & better world?

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

"If a tree is not designed, installed, maintained & inspected properly, it is likely to become a liability rather than an asset."

"Trees are good for the community. Trees need care like human beings. Arborists are the Tree Care Professionals."

ISA HK/China --- 2009 ITCC Highlights

Dear Station Members,

The following link was sent in by an enthusiastic TCHK Member after he sourced the 2009 International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC) online, even before ISA HK/China was given the link:

http://www.davey.com/itcc/

In the contents, the followings can be viewed in an order for a thorough visual enjoyment:

2009 ITCC -01-Introduction 2009
2009 ITCC -02-Event Setup
2009 ITCC -03-Throwline
2009 ITCC -04-Secured Footlock
2009 ITCC -05-Belayed Speed Climb
2009 ITCC -06-Aerial Rescue
2009 ITCC -07-Work Climb
2009 ITCC -08-Spirit of the Competition Award
2009 ITCC -09-Head-to-Head Secured Footlock
2009 ITCC -10-Masters' Challenge
2009 ITCC -11-Rip Tompkins Tribute
2009 ITCC -12-Behind the Scenes

Tree Climbing is always an exciting event & ITCC is the climax of all Tree Climbing from around the world. Only local champions are allowed to join in for this international competition & therefore only the best are to be in. Tree Climbers are usually well built, healthy, focusing & frank. Most have good moral standards because a good Tree Climber simply can not afford to sleep late & abuse himself with toxic living to work aloft. Many are religious & some are superstitious enough to avoid any revenge on tree for wrong-doing.

For the commoners, it would be eye bubbling to see a man or woman dancing from branch to branch +15m up on the ground, & all ye ladies, see those bulging muscles on those masculine's ... Wouldn't you like to be among them for protection & what else? Tree Climbers are a special breed & it is always blood boiling to watch ITCC in action. This series of 12 videos would take about half an hour to watch but the impact may last for days.

ISA HK/China has noticed that there are very few coloured faces in most ITCC events so far. If asked, our territory of HK, Macau, Taiwan & China may only have one or two Tree Climbers competent enough to join the ITCC at present. From all the Tree Climbers that the Station Manger have known, maybe only KW Lee & SY Ho both trained by the Station Manager himself may get somewhere near to compete in any ITCC at present, but this will not happen unless they have been sent through additional training by someone much better than the Station Manager himself for equipment use & techniques.

KW Lee is currently learning further in Australia for advanced Tree Climbing & Professional Tree Work by working among the local experts. ISA HK/China has plan to send him to North America upon his return this June for further training. SY Ho is conducting Tree Work daily in a local organization & would work along with the Station Manager for sophisticated Tree Work from time to time. It appears that HK lacks both the trees & the techniques to train our locals to meet ITCC requirements, & the public do not treasure Tree Climbing as much as in western nations.

It is our plan one day to send one of ours to appear in these ITCC videos, & this will be our honour & our goal.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

ISA HK/China --- Where to Look for a Degree In Arboriculture

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

Ever since the newspapers report on the proposed setting up of the Tree Management Office to recruit Arborist staff with monthly salary up to HK$130,000.00, ISA HK/China have been receiving enquiries on how to enter the Arborist Profession seemingly responding to the lure of high income & good job prospect of this emerging industry. On the other hand, many of the enquirers would come from outside the greenery industry & many have a desire to become a Practicing Arborist in the quickest possible manner. Some have enquired on how to obtain a Degree in Arboriculture as traditionally in HK, credentials are the gate for social recognition from remnants of the British administration system.

ISA HK/China have worked on this to satisfy public demand & below is a list of the education institutes taken from ISA on where in the world to hunt for a Degree in Arboriculture:

College/University Country State City Degree Name Degree Type

Abraham Baldwin Agri Coll UNITED STATES GA TIFTON Website Landscape Maintenance Certificate
Alabama A & M University UNITED STATES AL NORMAL Website Forestry Bachelor
Alabama Southern Cmty Coll UNITED STATES AL MONROEVILLE Website Forestry Associate
Albany Technical College UNITED STATES GA ALBANY Website Forest Technology, Horticulture Associate
Alcorn State University UNITED STATES MS ALCORN STATE Website Plant and Soil Science with Forestry Option Bachelor
Allegany College of Maryland UNITED STATES MD CRESAPTOWN Website Forest Technology Associate
American River College UNITED STATES CA SACRAMENTO Website Horticulture Certificate
Andrews University UNITED STATES MI Berrien Springs Website Horticulture Associate
Andrews University UNITED STATES MI Berrien Springs Website Horticulture, Landscape Design Bachelor
Anoka Hennepin Tech Coll UNITED STATES MN Anoka Website Landscape or Golf Course Maintenance Associate
Antelope Valley College UNITED STATES CA Lancaster Website Environmental Horticulture Certificate
Antelope Valley College UNITED STATES CA Lancaster Website Environmental Horticulture Associate
Arizona State University UNITED STATES AZ MESA Website Urban Horticulture Bachelor
Arizona State University UNITED STATES AZ MESA Website Urban Horticulture/Applied Biological Science Masters
Auburn University UNITED STATES AL Auburn Website Forestry Urban Forestry Emphasis Bachelor
Auburn University UNITED STATES AL Auburn Website Forestry Masters
Auburn University UNITED STATES AL Auburn Website Forestry Doctorate
Bakersfield College UNITED STATES CA Bakersfield Website Forestry Associate
Berea College UNITED STATES KY Berea Website Agriculture & Natural Resources, Biology (Field) Bachelor
Lawson State Community College UNITED STATES AL Bessemer Website Ornamental Horticulture Associate
Blue Ridge Community College UNITED STATES VA Weyers Cave Website Arboriculture, urban forestry, plant healthcare Associate
Boise State University UNITED STATES ID Boise Website Horticulture Associate
Boise State University UNITED STATES ID Boise Website Hort Major Bachelor
Brigham Young University UNITED STATES UT Provo Website Landscapre Management Bachelor
Brigham Young University UNITED STATES UT Provo Website Plant Biology Masters
Brunswick Community College UNITED STATES NC Supply Website Horticulture Technology & Turfgrass Mgmt Technolog Associate
Butler Co Cmty College UNITED STATES PA Butler Website Park & Recreation Management Associate
C C Balt Cnty - Dundalk UNITED STATES MD Baltimore but mainly offer certificate programs Associate
Catawba College UNITED STATES NC Salisbury Website Dendrology and Horticulture are electives Bachelor
Catawba Valley Cmty Coll UNITED STATES NC Hickory Website Horticulture and Turf Grass Technology Associate
Cincinnati State Tech/C C UNITED STATES OH Cincinnati Website Landscape horticulture Associate
Clackamas Community College UNITED STATES OR Oregon City Website Landscape Associate
Clackamas Community College UNITED STATES OR Oregon City Website Landscape Certificate
Clark State Cmty College UNITED STATES OH Springfield Website Landscape design, nursery and Turf landscpape oper Associate
Clemson University UNITED STATES SC Clemson Website minor urban forestry, landscape horticulture Bachelor
Community College Southern Nevada Southern Nevada UNITED STATES NV Henderson Website Ornamental Horticulture Associate
College of San Mateo UNITED STATES CA San Mateo Website Landscape Maintenance, design, construction Associate
College of Southern Idaho UNITED STATES ID Twin Falls Website Horticulture Associate
College of the Desert UNITED STATES CA Palm Desert Website Horticulture and Turf Management Certificate
College of the Ozarks UNITED STATES MO Point Lookout Website Tree ID, Landscape Horticulture Bachelor
Colorado State University UNITED STATES CO Fort Collins Website Landscape horticulture; horticulture Bachelor
Colorado State University UNITED STATES CO Fort Collins Website Horticulture Masters
Colorado State University UNITED STATES CO Fort Collins Website Horticulture Doctorate
Dabney Lancaster Cmty Coll UNITED STATES VA Clifton Forge Website Forest Technology Associate
Del Tech C C Owens Campus UNITED STATES DE Georgetown Website Horticulture, TurfMat, Production Agriculture Associate
Delaware Valley College UNITED STATES PA Doylestown Website Ornamental Hort, Environmental Design Bachelor
Diablo Valley College UNITED STATES CA Pleasant Hill Website Environmental Horticulture (basic, landscape maint Associate
Dordt College UNITED STATES IA Sioux Center Website Plant science emphasis, agriculture major Bachelor
Eastern Illinois University UNITED STATES IL CHARLESTON Website Elective Courses Bachelor
Eastern Kentucky Univ UNITED STATES KY Richmond Website Floriculture/ Greenhouse Management Bachelor
Eastern Kentucky Univ UNITED STATES KY Richmond Website Landscape Horticulture Bachelor
Eastern Kentucky Univ UNITED STATES KY Richmond Website Turfgrass Management Bachelor
Eastern Oklahoma St Coll UNITED STATES OK Wilburton Website Forestry, Forestry Tech, Hort, Hort Technology Associate
Edmonds Community College UNITED STATES WA Lynnwood Website Ornamental Horticulture Certificate
Edmonds Community College UNITED STATES WA Lynnwood Website Nursery Growers Certificate
Edmonds Community College UNITED STATES WA Lynnwood Website Landscape Management ATA Associate
Edmonds Community College UNITED STATES WA Lynnwood Website Ornamental Horticulture Landscape Design Specialization ATA Associate
El Camino College UNITED STATES CA Torrance Website Environmental Horticulture Associate
Ferris State University UNITED STATES MI Big Rapids ornamental horticulture technology Associate
Finger Lakes Cmty College UNITED STATES NY Canandaigua Website Ornamental Horticulture Associate
Florida A & M University UNITED STATES FL Tallahassee Website Landscape Design & Mgmt Bachelor
Fox Valley Technical College UNITED STATES WI Appleton Website Horticulture Technician Technical Diploma (1 year) Certificate
Front Range Community College UNITED STATES CO Westminster Website Horticulture and Landscape Technologies Associate
Glenville State College UNITED STATES WV Glenville Website Dendrology, Forest Technology Associate
Glenville State College UNITED STATES WV Glenville Website Dendrology, National Resource Management Bachelor
Green River Community College UNITED STATES WA Auburn Website Natural Resources Associate
Gwinnett Technical College UNITED STATES GA Lawrenceville Website Environmental Horticulture Associate
Hawkeye Cmty College UNITED STATES IA Waterloo Website Horticulture Science Associate
Hennepin Technical College UNITED STATES MN Brooklyn Park Website Landscape and Horticulture Careers Certificate
Hinds Community College UNITED STATES MS Raymond Website Landscape Management Technology Associate
Hocking College UNITED STATES OH Nelsonville Website Forest Management Associate
Horry Georgetown Tech College UNITED STATES SC Georgetown Website Forestry Management Tech, Hort, Golf Course Mgmt. Associate
Houston C C - Northwest UNITED STATES TX Houston Website Applied Science Associate
Howard College UNITED STATES TX Big Spring Website Horticulture Associate
Humboldt State University UNITED STATES CA Arcata Website Forestry, Biology, Botany Bachelor
Illinois Central College UNITED STATES IL Peoria Website Landscape Certificate
Illinois Central College UNITED STATES IL Peoria Website Turf Management Certificate
Illinois Valley Community College UNITED STATES IL Oglesby Website Horticulture/Landscape Management Associate
Iowa State University UNITED STATES IA Ames Website Horticulture Bachelor
Itasca Community College UNITED STATES MN Grand Rapids Website Natural Resources - Forestry Associate
Itasca Community College UNITED STATES MN Grand Rapids Website Vegetation Management Certificate
J Sargeant Reynolds C C UNITED STATES VA Richmond Website Horticulture Technology Associate
Jefferson State Community College UNITED STATES AL Birmingham Website Landscape Technology Certificate
Jefferson State Community College UNITED STATES AL Birmingham Website Landscape Horticulture Associate
Jefferson State Community College UNITED STATES AL Birmingham Website Plant Production Associate
Jefferson State Community College UNITED STATES AL Birmingham Website Turfgrass Management Associate
John Wood Cmty Coll UNITED STATES IL Quincy Website Horticulture Associate
Johnston Cmty College UNITED STATES NC Smithfield Website Landscape Gardening Associate
Johnston Cmty College UNITED STATES NC Smithfield Website Landscape Gardening Certificate
Joliet Junior College UNITED STATES IL JOLIET Website Landscape - Nursery Management emphasis Associate
Kansas State University UNITED STATES KS Manhattan Website Horticulture; Park Management & Conservation Bachelor
Kansas State University UNITED STATES KS Manhattan Website Horticulture Masters
Kansas State University UNITED STATES KS Manhattan Website Horticulture Doctorate
Kent State U Salem UNITED STATES OH Salem Website Horticulture Technology Associate
LA State U Baton Rouge UNITED STATES LA Baton Rouge Forestry, Horticulture and Landscape Architect Bachelor
LA State U Baton Rouge UNITED STATES LA Baton Rouge Forestry, Horticulture and Landscape Architect Masters
LA State U Baton Rouge UNITED STATES LA Baton Rouge Forestry, Horticulture Doctorate
Lac Courtes Oreilles C C UNITED STATES WI Hayward Website Agriculture & Natural Resources Associate
Lake Superior State Univ UNITED STATES MI SAULT SAINTE MARIE Website Natural Resources Technology Associate
Lake Superior State Univ UNITED STATES MI SAULT SAINTE MARIE Website Parks & Recreation, Fish & Wildlife Management Bachelor
Lake Washington Tech Coll UNITED STATES WA KIRKLAND Website Environmental Horticulture Associate
Lincoln Land Community College UNITED STATES IL Springfield Website Turf/Landscape Management Associate
Linn Benton Community College UNITED STATES OR Albany Website Horticulture Associate
Little Big Horn College UNITED STATES MT Crow Agency Website Forestry Associate
Lord Fairfax Cmty College UNITED STATES VA Middletown Agriculture Business-horticulture specilization Associate
Pierce College - Los Angeles UNITED STATES CA Woodland Hills Landscape and Environmental Horticulture Associate
Luzerne Co Community College UNITED STATES PA Nanticoke Website Horticulture Technology Associate
Mayland Community College UNITED STATES NC Spruce Pine Website Horticulture Associate
Mercer Co Community College UNITED STATES NJ Princeton Jct Website Ornamental Horticulture; Plant Science; Biology Associate
Merritt College UNITED STATES CA Oakland Website Landscape Horticulture Associate
Mesa Community College UNITED STATES AZ Mesa Website Urban Horticulture Associate
Mesa Community College UNITED STATES AZ Mesa Website Landscape Aid Certificate
Mesa Community College UNITED STATES AZ Mesa Website Landscape Specialist Certificate
Miami University UNITED STATES OH Oxford Website Botany Bachelor
Michigan State University UNITED STATES MI East Lansing Website Concentration in Forest Resource Management Bachelor
Michigan State University UNITED STATES MI East Lansing Website Concentration in Wood Products Manufacturing and Marketing Bachelor
Michigan State University UNITED STATES MI East Lansing Website Concentration in Urban and Community Forestry Bachelor
Michigan State University UNITED STATES MI East Lansing Website Concentration in Forest Conservation and Environmental Studies Bachelor
Michigan State University UNITED STATES MI East Lansing Website Concentration in Forest Sciences Bachelor
Michigan Tech University UNITED STATES MI Houghton Website Forestry Bachelor
Michigan Tech University UNITED STATES MI Houghton Website Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences Bachelor
Michigan Tech University UNITED STATES MI Houghton Website Wildlife Ecology and Management Bachelor
Middle Tenn State Univ UNITED STATES TN Murfreesboro Website Agriculture - Plant & Soil Science Major Bachelor
Millersville University UNITED STATES PA Millersville Website Biology, botany option Bachelor
Milwaukee Area Tech North UNITED STATES WI MEQUON Website Landscape Horticulture Associate
Mineral Area College UNITED STATES MO Park Hills Website Horticulture Services Operation Technology Associate
North Dakota School of Forestry @ MSU-Bottineau UNITED STATES ND Bottineau Urban Forestry Tech Associate
North Dakota School of Forestry @ MSU-Bottineau UNITED STATES ND Bottineau Ground worker Certificate
Mississippi State Univ UNITED STATES MS Ms State Univ Website Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture Bachelor
Montgomery Coll Germantown UNITED STATES MD Germantown Website Landscape Technology Associate
Montgomery Community Coll UNITED STATES NC Troy Website Forest Management Technology Associate
Morehead State University UNITED STATES KY Morehead Website Horticulture Associate
Morehead State University UNITED STATES KY Morehead Website Horticulture Bachelor
Muscatine Cmty College UNITED STATES IA Muscatine Website Applied Science Associate
North Dakota State U Main Campus UNITED STATES ND FARGO Website Horticulture Bachelor
North Dakota State U Main Campus UNITED STATES ND FARGO Website Horticulture Masters
North Dakota State U Main Campus UNITED STATES ND FARGO Website Plant Science Doctorate
Naugatuck Vly Cmty College UNITED STATES CT Waterbury Website Horticulture Associate
Nebraska Coll Of Tech Agri UNITED STATES NE Curtis Website Sports Turf Management Associate
Nebraska Coll Of Tech Agri UNITED STATES NE Curtis Website Landscape/Nursery Associate
New Mexico State Univ Main UNITED STATES NM Las Cruces Website Horticulture Bachelor
North Carolina State Univ UNITED STATES NC Raleigh Website Forest Management Associate
Northeast Iowa Community College UNITED STATES IA Calmar Website Arboriculture Associate
Northeast Mississippi Community College UNITED STATES MS Booneville Website Forest Technology Associate
Northeastern Jr College UNITED STATES CO Sterling Website Horticulture/Landscape Technology Associate
Northern Arizona Univ UNITED STATES AZ Flagstaff Website Forestry Bachelor
Northern Arizona Univ UNITED STATES AZ Flagstaff Website Forestry Masters
Northern Arizona Univ UNITED STATES AZ Flagstaff Website Forestry Doctorate
Norwich University UNITED STATES VT Northfield Website Biology Bachelor
Oakland Community College - Auburn Hills UNITED STATES MI Auburn Hills Website Landscape Horticulture Associate
Oakland Community College - Auburn Hills UNITED STATES MI Auburn Hills Website Landscape Horticulture Certificate
Oakland Community College - Auburn Hills UNITED STATES MI Auburn Hills Website Landscape Design Associate
Oakland Community College - Auburn Hills UNITED STATES MI Auburn Hills Website Landscape Design Certificate
Ohio State U Agri Tech UNITED STATES OH Wooster Website Landscape construction, nursery management Associate
Ohio State U Agri Tech UNITED STATES OH Wooster Website Associate of Science in Horticultural Science Associate
Ohio State U Agri Tech UNITED STATES OH Wooster Website Associate of Applied Science Associate
Ohio State University UNITED STATES OH Columbus Website Landscape Horticulture Bachelor
Ohio State University UNITED STATES OH Columbus Website Landscape Architecture Bachelor
Okefenokee Tech College UNITED STATES GA Waycross Website Environmental Horticulture Associate
Okefenokee Tech College UNITED STATES GA Waycross Website Environmental Horticulture Technician Certificate
Okefenokee Tech College UNITED STATES GA Waycross Website Landscape Specialist Certificate
Okefenokee Tech College UNITED STATES GA Waycross Website Forest Technology Associate
Okefenokee Tech College UNITED STATES GA Waycross Website Forest Technology Certificate
Oklahoma State Univ- Oklahoma City UNITED STATES OK Oklahoma City Website All Associate
Oklahoma State University UNITED STATES OK Stillwater Website Horticulture Business Bachelor
Oklahoma State University UNITED STATES OK Stillwater Website Public Horticulture Bachelor
Oklahoma State University UNITED STATES OK Stillwater Website Turf Management Bachelor
Oklahoma State University UNITED STATES OK Stillwater Website Horticulutre Science Bachelor
Oregon State University UNITED STATES OR Corvallis Website Horticulture Bachelor
Ozarks Tech Community College UNITED STATES MO Springfield Website Turf & Landscape Associate
Penn State - Mont Alto UNITED STATES PA Mont Alto Website Forest Technology Associate
Palm Beach C C UNITED STATES FL Lake Worth Website Landscape and Horticulture Management Associate
Palo Alto College UNITED STATES TX San Antonio Website Landscape & Horticulture Science Associate
Paul Smiths College UNITED STATES NY Paul Smiths Website Urban Tree Management Associate
Paul Smiths College UNITED STATES NY Paul Smiths Website Forestry, Vegetation Management Concentration Bachelor
Penn Coll of Technology UNITED STATES PA Williamsport Landscape/Nursery Tech, Forest Technology Associate
Penn State University UNITED STATES PA University Park Website Horticulture Bachelor
Portland Community College UNITED STATES OR Portland Website Landscape Technology Associate
Purdue University UNITED STATES IN West Lafayette Website All Bachelor
Purdue University UNITED STATES IN West Lafayette Website All Masters
Purdue University UNITED STATES IN West Lafayette Website All Doctorate
Rochester Cmty & Tech Coll UNITED STATES MN Rochester Website Floriculture/Garden Center; Landscape, golf course Associate
Saddleback College UNITED STATES CA Mission Viejo Website Landscape Design, Horticulture Associate
Sandhills Cmty College UNITED STATES NC Pinehurst Website Landscape Gardening Associate
Shasta College UNITED STATES CA REDDING Website Horticulture Associate
Sierra College UNITED STATES CA Rocklin Website Environmental Horticulture Associate
South Dakota State Univ UNITED STATES SD BROOKINGS Website Horticulture Bachelor
South Puget Sound Cmty Col UNITED STATES WA Tumwater Website Horticulture Technology Associate
South Puget Sound Cmty Col UNITED STATES WA Tumwater Website Landscape Horticulture Certificate
South Puget Sound Cmty Col UNITED STATES WA Tumwater Website Sustainable Plant Production Certificate
Southeast Tech Institute UNITED STATES SD Sioux Falls Website Horticulture Technology Associate
Southeastern Louisiana U UNITED STATES LA Hammond Website Horticulture Bachelor
Southern Arkansas Univ UNITED STATES AR Magnolia Website Agriculture, emphasis in forestry or horticulture Associate
Southern Arkansas Univ UNITED STATES AR Magnolia Website Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Business Bachelor
Southern Ill U Carbondale UNITED STATES IL CARBONDALE Website Forestry - Urban Forestry Option Bachelor
Southern U And A&M College UNITED STATES LA BATON ROUGE Website Urban Forestry Bachelor
Southern U And A&M College UNITED STATES LA BATON ROUGE Website Urban Forestry Masters
Southern U And A&M College UNITED STATES LA BATON ROUGE Website Urban Forestry Doctorate
Southwest MO State Univ UNITED STATES MO Springfield Website Horticulture Bachelor
Southwest Tennessee Community College UNITED STATES TN Memphis Website Associate of Applied Science Associate
Spartanburg Tech College UNITED STATES SC Spartanburg Website Horticulture Technology Associate
Springfield Technical C C UNITED STATES MA Springfield Website Landscape Design and Management Associate
St Louis CC Meramec UNITED STATES MO Saint Louis Website in Science Associate
Stephen F Austin St Univ UNITED STATES TX NACOGDOCHES Website BS with emphasis in Urban Forestry Bachelor
Stephen F Austin St Univ UNITED STATES TX NACOGDOCHES Website Master of Forestery Masters
Stephen F Austin St Univ UNITED STATES TX NACOGDOCHES Website Philosophy of Forestry Doctorate
SUNY Delhi UNITED STATES NY Delhi Website General Horticulture, Turf Mgmt, Landscape Contrac Associate
Swainsboro Tech College UNITED STATES GA Swainsboro Website Forestry Associate
Tarrant Cty Coll-Northwest UNITED STATES TX Fort Worth Applied Science Associate
Tennessee Tech University UNITED STATES TN Cookeville Agriculture/Nursery Mgmt, Biology/Wildlife & Fish Bachelor
Texas A & M U-Commerce UNITED STATES TX Commerce Broadfield Agriculture, Hort, Plant & Soil Science Bachelor
Texas A & M University UNITED STATES TX College Station Forestry (options in Arboriculture & Urban Forest) Bachelor
Texas A & M University UNITED STATES TX College Station Forestry (options in Arboriculture & Urban Forest) Masters
Texas A & M University UNITED STATES TX College Station Forestry (options in Arboriculture & Urban Forest) Doctorate
Union County College UNITED STATES NJ Cranford courses part of General Biology curriculum Associate
Unity College UNITED STATES ME Unity Website Forestry Bachelor
Univ Arizona UNITED STATES AZ Tucson Plant Science Bachelor
Univ Arkansas UNITED STATES AR Fayetteville Website Horticulture Bachelor
Univ Arkansas UNITED STATES AR Fayetteville Website Horticulture Masters
Univ Arkansas UNITED STATES AR Fayetteville Website Plant Sciences Doctorate
Univ Arkansas Monticello UNITED STATES AR Monticello Website forestry Bachelor
Univ Cal Riverside UNITED STATES CA Riverside Plant Biology; Entomology Bachelor
Univ Cal Riverside UNITED STATES CA Riverside Plant Sciences, Biology, and Pathology; Entomology Masters
Univ Cal Riverside UNITED STATES CA Riverside Plant Biology and Pathology; Entomology Doctorate
Univ California Berkeley UNITED STATES CA Berkeley Website Landscapre architecture Bachelor
Univ California Berkeley UNITED STATES CA Berkeley Website Landscape architecture, forestry Masters
Univ California Berkeley UNITED STATES CA Berkeley Website environmental science,k policy, management Doctorate
Univ Connecticut UNITED STATES CT Storrs Mansfield Website Natural Resources Bachelor
Univ Delaware UNITED STATES DE Newark BS with major in landscape horticulture Bachelor
Univ Guam UNITED STATES GU Mangilao Tropical agriculture Bachelor
Univ Idaho UNITED STATES ID Moscow minor in Arboriculture and urban forestry Bachelor
Univ Illinois at Urbana UNITED STATES IL URBANA Website Horticulture, Natural Resources Bachelor
Univ Illinois at Urbana UNITED STATES IL URBANA Website Natural Resources Masters
Univ Illinois at Urbana UNITED STATES IL URBANA Website Natural Resources Doctorate
Univ Kentucky UNITED STATES KY Lexington Horticulture, Plant & Soil Science Bachelor
Univ Louisiana Lafayette UNITED STATES LA Lafayette landscape and horticulture management Bachelor
Univ Maine at Farmington UNITED STATES ME Farmington Biology, environmental science Bachelor
Univ Maine At Orono UNITED STATES ME Orono Website Forestry Bachelor
Univ Maryland UNITED STATES MD College Park Website Urban Forestry Bachelor
Univ Maryland UNITED STATES MD College Park Website Plant Sciences Masters
Univ Maryland UNITED STATES MD College Park Website Plant Sciences Doctorate
Univ Massachusetts Amherst UNITED STATES MA AMHERST Website Arboriculture and Community Forest Mgmt. Bachelor
Univ Missouri Columbia UNITED STATES MO Columbia Website Forestry - urban forestry emphasis Bachelor
Univ Montana UNITED STATES MT Missoula Forestry Bachelor
Univ North Carolina at Asheville UNITED STATES NC Asheville Environmental studies Bachelor
Univ Nebraska at Omaha UNITED STATES NE Omaha Landscape horticulture Bachelor
Univ New Hampshire UNITED STATES NH DURHAM Website Forestry Bachelor
Univ Southern Maine UNITED STATES ME Gorham Environmental Science Bachelor
Univ Tennessee Knoxville UNITED STATES TN Knoxville Forest Resource Management Bachelor
Univ Tennessee Knoxville UNITED STATES TN Knoxville Forest Resource Management Masters
Univ Tennessee Knoxville UNITED STATES TN Knoxville Natural Resources Doctorate
Univ Wisc Green Bay UNITED STATES WI Green Bay Forest Pathology Bachelor
Univ Wisc Green Bay UNITED STATES WI Green Bay Forest Pathology Masters
Univ Wisc Madison UNITED STATES WI MADISON Website Horticulture Bachelor
Univ Wisc Platteville UNITED STATES WI Platteville Website Ornamental Horticulture Bachelor
Univ Wisc River Falls UNITED STATES WI River Falls Website Horticulture Bachelor
Univ Wisc Stevens Point UNITED STATES WI STEVENS POINT Website urban forestry, forest mgmt, forest recreation Bachelor
Univ Wisc Stevens Point UNITED STATES WI STEVENS POINT Website Natural Resources Masters
Univ Wisc Superior UNITED STATES WI Superior Tree ID/Dendrology, tree phy, plant phys, UF Bachelor
Utah State University UNITED STATES UT Logan tree ID, Landscape Hort Associate
Utah State University UNITED STATES UT Logan All Bachelor
Utah State University UNITED STATES UT Logan Varies Masters
Vincennes University UNITED STATES IN Vincennes Website Forestry & Conservation Associate
Virginia Tech UNITED STATES VA BLACKSBURG Website Forestry, Urban Forestry Option Bachelor
Virginia Tech UNITED STATES VA BLACKSBURG Website Forestry, Urban Forestry Option Masters
Virginia Tech UNITED STATES VA BLACKSBURG Website Forestry, Urban Forestry Option Doctorate
Virginia Western Cmty Coll UNITED STATES VA Roanoke Horticulture - Landscaping Associate
Walters State Cmty College UNITED STATES TN Morristown production Horticulture Associate
Washington-Holmes Tech Ctr UNITED STATES FL Chipley Vocational Cert at Technical Center Certificate
Wayne Community College UNITED STATES NC Goldsboro Forest management Technology Associate
Weber State University UNITED STATES UT Ogden Pre-forestry, pre-horticulture Associate
Western Ill University UNITED STATES IL Macomb Website Arboriculture/Urban Forestry Bachelor
Western Piedmont Cmty Coll UNITED STATES NC Morganton Horticulture Technology Associate
Wm Rainey Harper College UNITED STATES IL Palatine Arboriculture Certificate
Yale University UNITED STATES CT New Haven Website Forestry Masters
Yale University UNITED STATES CT New Haven Website Forestry Science Masters
Gateway Technical College UNITED STATES WI KENOSHA Website Horticulture: Nursery or Landscaping Associate
Gateway Technical College UNITED STATES WI KENOSHA Website Horticulture: Greenhouse and Floral Associate
Mid-State Technical College UNITED STATES WI WISCONSIN RAPIDS Website Urban Forestry Technician Associate
SUNY ESF UNITED STATES NY WANAKENA Website Forest Technology Associate
Zane State College UNITED STATES OH ZANESVILLE Website Parcks, recreation, wildlife Associate
University of Guelph - Ridgetown Campus CANADA ON RIDGETOWN Website Horticulture Associate
Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College UNITED STATES WI GREEN BAY Website Landscape Horticulture Technician Associate
BlackHawk Technical College UNITED STATES WI JANESVILLE Website Landscape and Turf Services Associate
Chippewa Valley Technical College UNITED STATES WI EAU CLAIRE Website Landscape Horticulture Certificate
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College UNITED STATES WI FENNIMORE Website Golf Course Management Associate
Plumpton College UNITED KINGDOM EAST SUSSEX LEWES Website Arboriculture Foundation Degree Sciences (UK)
UHI Millenium Institute at Inverness College SCOTLAND POOLEWE Website Arboriculture and Urban Forestry Conservation Bachelor of Sciences (UK)
Myerscough College UNITED KINGDOM LANCASHIRE PRESTON Website Arboriculture (also available online) Foundation Degree Sciences (UK)
Myerscough College UNITED KINGDOM LANCASHIRE PRESTON Website MSc Arboriculture and Urban Forestry Masters
Myerscough College UNITED KINGDOM LANCASHIRE PRESTON Website BSc(Hons) Arboriculture (also available online) Bachelor
Sparsholt College Hampshire UNITED KINGDOM HANTS WINCHESTER Website Arboriculture and Tree Care Foundation Degree Sciences (UK)
Sparsholt College Hampshire UNITED KINGDOM HANTS WINCHESTER Website Lowland Woodland Management Foundation Degree Sciences (UK)
Sparsholt College Hampshire UNITED KINGDOM HANTS WINCHESTER Website Arboriculture Certificate
Chichester College UNITED KINGDOM WEST SUSSEX PULBOROUGH Website Arboriculture Certificate
Bridgwater College UNITED KINGDOM SOMERSET BRIDGWATER Website Arboriculture Certificate
Warwickshire College UNITED KINGDOM WARWICKSHIRE MORETON MORRELL Website Forestry and Arboriculture BTEC National Diploma (UK)
Cleveland State University UNITED STATES OH CLEVELAND Website Landscape Horticulture Certificate
Lansing Community College UNITED STATES MI Lansing Website Horticulture Associate
Louisiana Tech College UNITED STATES LA Oakdale Website Forest Technology Associate
Louisana Tech College - Oakdale UNITED STATES LA Oakdale Website Forest Technology Associate
Morris County College UNITED STATES NJ Randolph Website Landscape Management and Design Bachelor
Nashville State Community College UNITED STATES TN Nashville Website Horticulture Tech Certificate
Parkland College UNITED STATES IL Champaign Website Horticulture: Landscape Design, Construction, & Management Associate
Pennsylvania College of Technology UNITED STATES PA Williamsport Website Landscape/Nursery Technology Turfgrass Management Emphasis ™ Associate
Sam Houston State University UNITED STATES TX Huntsville Website Horticulture and Crop Sciences Bachelor


Please note that +95% of the training institutes are actually situated in Northern America. In there, the Arborist Profession is regarded as important & it is known to ISA HK/China that the Americans place high value for their trees. At present, the majority of research in Arboriculture & Urban Forestry would come from North America. Some of the tallest & largest trees in the world also grow & are protected over there.

It is to be made aware of that certain European Colleges are offering 'distant learning' for a Degree in Arboriculture, & ISA HK/China would compare this to training a Medical Practitioner over computers & literature alone. The same do not appear to be available in North American Colleges since practical training like Tree Climbing, Structural Pruning & Rigging can not be taught over media alone.

One worthy comment from ISA HK/China is that it is an ISA requirement for any Arboricultural Degree holder to have a minimum of one year full-time tree work experience before he/she is allowed to take the Certified Arborist (CA) exam. This is to make sure the candidate to have the minimal working experience & not just the academic qualification alone to become a CA.

As for the Independent Practicing Arborist (IPA, http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2008/08/isa-hkchina-independent-practicing.html) credential in our territory of HK, Macau, Taiwan & China, there is a language, legal knowledge, networking & operation requirement to become an IPA. The IPA will enter practice in any situation from Tree Planting Design, Tree Work Supervision, Rigging Operation, Consultancy & Court Presentation in any form it may arrive. The possession of a degree in Arboriculture is not seen as the focal point but rather the genuine abilities of the IPA to solve problems in a practical situation which are to be valued.

ISA HK/China would encourage our young & able to go for an Arboricultural Degree & use it as a foundation to steer into the Arboricultural Profession. On the other hand, anything taught in college would usually have a time lack of several years from the latest practices in the industry. For a Practicing Profession like Arboriculture, placing oneself in the front line & to learn from an experienced master to solve problem on the spot may help an apprentice many times over his study in a classroom situation. The foundation of the IPA is built on this principle & ISA HK/China do not wish to see our future Practicing Arborists just shining credentials & need to rely on 'Method Statements' of those 'Specialist Contractors' to finish a job on site.

HK has already become the first city in the Far East to practice international arboriculture to try to turn trees from liabilities to assets. HK is also the only city in the Far East to have a Tree Management Office to specifically look after the urban trees. ISA HK/China would like to see our future Arborists, with or without a degree, to be able to bring up the standard of Tree Planting in our territory to international requirements, one tree & one Arborist at a time.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

"If a tree is not designed, installed, maintained & inspected properly, it is likely to become a liability rather than an asset."

"Trees are good for the community. Trees need care like human beings. Arborists are the Tree Care Professionals."

ISA HK/China --- Incoming Mail (Tree Work is not the same as Landscape Work)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear xxx,

Thank you for your message. We are responding to your enquiry while broadcasting it in our public Station Mail since your enquiry may be of a nature of interest to some of our +1,200 Station Members, but we have covered every of your details to protect your identity. We hope you do not mind.

We say that 'Tree Work is not the same as landscape Work' because in general term, Landscape Work primarily involves items like soiling, planting & gardening maintenance for new development. The majority of work is on-ground & frequently only gardening hand tools are used. Landscape Workers are trained & equipped in horticultural work where minimal Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required. There also appears to be more female than male Landscape Workers with basic education in the industry & the majority of them would also be new immigrants from China. Many are also aged with inadequate stamina to conduct risky or heavy physical work.

On the other hand, Tree Work like Structural Pruning or Sectional Felling would usually involve elevated work above-ground. Aerial Platform & power tools like Chainsaws are commonly used in the process. Qualified Tree Workers like the ISA Certified Tree Worker (CTW) are trained in Tree Climbing, Chainsaw Operation & Rigging to work at as tall the tree needs to be. They are equipped with approved PPE & they have to learn First Aid & Aerial Rescue as a pre-requisite for their credential. Tree Work is governed by international standards like the ANSI z133.1 (2006) for safety, equipment & operation. In our territory, currently most Tree Workers are male & are physically fit to perform risky & heavy duty work aloft. The majority of them are educated to at least F.5 level & several of them are also degree holder.

There is common area like Transplanting Work where Tree Workers & Landscape Workers are doing at the same time in our territory at present, & ISA HK/China would like to see more Tree Workers taking over this work due to their superior knowledge & training in Tree Work.

In brief, we do not see how Landscape Workers can conduct Tree Work to international requirements if they are not trained & equipped like Qualified Tree Workers. Then if they are trained & equipped to such, they would be no longer Landscape Workers but Tree Workers. By the same logic, we do not quite see how Landscape Supervisors can oversee Tree Work unless they are trained, qualified & experienced in this field. Please see our Station Mail on 'The Spirit of Supervision' at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2009/09/isa-hkchina-incoming-mail-spirit-of.html for additional information. This is something we would like to bring to the attention of the future Tree Management Office in the HKSAR Govt if Tree Work in HK is desired to match international requirements as such.

ISA HK/China would like to show you a few photos (attached) of how Tree Work is usually conducted in our territory by Qualified Tree Workers as well as the machineries / equipment deployed. You may wish to make judgment for yourself of whether such work can be conducted by your known 'Specialist Contractors' & 'supervised' by your own good self in fairness & logic.

ISA HK/China would respond to any rational enquiry with our Station Principles of Integrity, Professionalism, Participation, Fact-finding & Truth-telling.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

"If a tree is not designed, installed, maintained & inspected properly, it is likely to become a liability rather than an asset."

"Trees are good for the community. Trees need care like human beings. Arborists are the Tree Care Professionals."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----- Original Message -----
From: xxx
To: egc@netvigator.com
Sent: xxxxxday, December 0x, 2009 xx:xx AM
Subject: Disagree with your comment at HKCTU seminar


Dear ISA HK/China Station Manger,

My friend was in the HKCTU seminar on 5/12 & listened to your talk in tree work. You claimed tree work is different from landscape work. I do not agree.

I am in landscape profession for some years & I supervise Specialist Contractors doing tree work (pruning/planting/removing, etc.) in projects. Some are trained in horticulture classes by experienced teachers in design & planting. I think they are capable to do your so called 'tree work'.

I have to insist tree work is part of landscape work . I think you are unfair to mislead the audience. Are you trying to avoid tree work from landscape supervision?

Appreciate your reply.

Regards,

xxx

__________________________________________________

ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (7 Hours to Remove 2 Broken Limbs)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

The news cutting given below may sound like an amusement to some of our Tree Professionals, but ISA HK/China have great appreciation for the efforts of the Firemen involved who have overcome difficulties & accomplished mission with their best trying methods.

The news below in Chinese described how when two 30 cm broken limbs of a 12 m tree rested in the canopy with potential to hit a house nearby, the brave Firemen had tried with Aerial Platform first but failed to reach the tree, & had to eventually use ladder to climb up to remove the broken branches. It was described that one lane of the two lane road was blocked several times for machineries deployment to cause traffic chaos, & the whole removal process took around 7 hours.

From the photo attached, it could be seen that the brave Firemen were wearing their usual fire-fighting uniform to use ladder to reach the broken limbs at approx. 5 m from ground to cut them down with their tools.

For emergency situation in HK, the usual scenario would be that the Police would be first informed & if the case involves public danger, .e.g. fire, traffic accident, suicide by jumping off the roof, etc., it would be the Fire Services which would be notified to come on site for rescue. This appears to apply to Tree Failure incidents as well.

On the other hand, the HK Firemen are usually equipped in the standard protocols of fire-fighting equipment & rescue tools. Their PPE are not by any international standard for Tree Climbing. Their saws are meant to cut steel body of crashed cars & metal gates for entry for rescue. Some of them have been trained to abseil from above to descend to grab suiciders from jumping off height, but not to ascend on rope in places where aerial lift & ladder can not be deployed.

Qualified Tree Workers are trained to access tree from ground on rope in event where aerial platform & ladder can not be used. They are trained to use chainsaws to cut wood, be it intact or broken. Qualified Tree Workers such as ISA Certified Tree Workers (CTW) have all got to learn & pass First Aid & Aerial Rescue before they are allowed to take their CTW exam. Our Independent Practicing Arborists (IPA, http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2008/08/isa-hkchina-independent-practicing.html) are masters of the situation & can operate chainsaws with Rigging at elevated heights to perform Tree Work.

At about the same time of this incident, the Station Manager had removed 2 no. of +15 m Casuarina trees outside Deep Water Bay amidst busy traffic without road blocking in under 3 hours with a gang of mere 4 Ground Workers. From the description & photo given below, he is confident to remove the said two limbs in under an hour without traffic blocking with his own crew & equipment.

Therefore, it is our admiration for the brave Firemen to conduct Tree Work for us to safe-guard public safety. On the other hand, if some of them have the interest to come & learn our Arborist skills for Tree Work, they may find it rewarding to do the work faster with less resources to cause less public inconveniences for the same result.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

"If a tree is not designed, installed, maintained & inspected properly, it is likely to become a liability rather than an asset."

"Trees are good for the community. Trees need care like human beings. Arborists are the Tree Care Professionals."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

枝椏斷裂險壓村屋 爬樹鋸除擾七句鐘

(x報) 2009年10月23日 星期五 0x:x0

【x報專訊】西貢清水灣道一棵生長在斜坡上的大樹，昨早有兩條樹椏折斷搖搖欲墜，危及下面村屋，消防到場疏散住客，召梯台車到場協助鋸樹，惟樹木橫枝交錯，消防員最後要爬上離地5米高樹幹，擾攘近7小時始把斷裂枝椏鋸斷移除。

事件中消防曾先後召升降台和梯台車到場協助鋸樹，其間數度封閉清水灣道其中一條行車線，因上址僅雙線來回行車，導致交通十分擠塞，大批往科技大學方向的市民要落車沿馬路步行。

疏散居民 數度封路

現場為西貢清水灣道近打鼓嶺新村松濤苑後山一處斜坡。昨早8時30分，一棵12米高大樹的其中兩支離地5米、直徑1呎的樹椏折斷，擱在旁枝上，惟斷裂枝椏壓向松濤苑其中一棟的屋頂，途人恐枝椏塌下壓毁房屋，大驚報案。消防接報到場率先把屋內居民疏散，並先後召升降台和梯台車到場，因大樹生長在斜坡中間位置，離馬路一段距離，即使把梯台車的升降台升起，亦無法伸延到斷椏位置。消防最後徒手游繩爬上樹幹，坐在樹椏上鋸樹，至下午3時才完成任務。

放大
消防員面對大樹的兩條折斷樹椏，一度束手，最終要游繩爬上大樹上鋸斷樹椏化解危機。（xxx攝）
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ISA HK/China --- HKCTU Seminar on Arborist Profession

Dear ISA HK/China & TCHK Members,

ISA HK/China has agreed to deliver a talk at the HKCTU seminar on the Arborist Profession, details of which are given below for your interesting reference. The Station Manager will be speaking on behalf of ISA HK/China for the topic.

Our talk will mainly focus on the recent development of the Arborist Profession in our territory & Tree Work is not the same as Landscape Work. Tree Workers are trained & equipped differently & require a much higher physique & skills to cope with elevated work. This may be a point that common employers are not aware of & most Tree Work in HK is given to the wrong work force to give undesirable results. Our discussion is meant to bring awareness to the employers on this fact.

Please follow the information in the attached flyer for registration at HKCTU for the seminar. Looking forward to seeing you all on Dec 4.

best regards,

Sammy Au
ISA HK/China Station Manager


日期： 2009年 12月 4日 (星期五)
時間：：：：下午 3:30 – 5:30
地點：：：：香港生產力促進局– 1樓演講廳 九龍九龍塘達之路 78號
對象：：：：園/樹藝行業僱主、園藝班畢業學員、行業從業員、對樹木工作有興趣人士
費用：：：：費用全免
講者：：：：張文韜先生 -發展局局長政治助理
伍芷筠女士 -建築署建築設計處 -景觀規劃及綠化工作分處總園境師
歐永森先生 - 國際樹木學會 中國地區分會 會長
僱員再培訓局園藝助理課程畢業學員

簡介：

近年樹木保育成為熱話，社會上對樹藝的專門技術及人才的需求增加。香港職工會聯盟培訓中心就 此現況，舉行一場講座：樹木保育政策及樹藝行業的人才需求講座樹木保育政策及樹藝行業的人才需求講座樹木保育政策及樹藝行業的人才需求講座樹木保育政策及樹藝行業的人才需求講座。
講座將會就三個不同的方向，向業界及有興趣之人士，介紹最新之樹木保育政策，講座中亦會分享 近年樹藝行業的發展。另外，在新政策下和社會的需要下，對相關培訓課程的需求。

內容：

1.畢業學員的工作分享
2.最新樹木保育政策
3.近年樹藝行業的發展
4.相關培訓課程簡介





詳情請瀏覽網址：www.hkctu.com
香港職工會聯盟培訓中心主辦
香港九龍油麻地彌敦道 558-560 號譽發商業大廈 3 樓
電話： 2332 9368
傳真： 2740 9109
3/F,HamiltonCommercialBuilding,558-560NathanRoad,Kowloon,HongKongwww.hkctu.com
3758 5100

ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (Poor Tree Selection for property damages)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

The media cutting underneath described how yet another case of Tree Planting has failed & repeatedly damaged properties nearby. The local politician proposed to 'strengthen' Tree Protection in order to minimize any future Tree Failure in strong wind such as typhoons which would be subject to professional scrutiny of Practicing Arborists since we understand it is very difficult to erect trees against typhoon for the newly planted.

It is all too common in HK that we hear the maintenance party is not doing the job right to care & protect the trees. However, the international understanding would be that if a tree is not selected & planted right in the beginning, future maintenance would be expensive & usually ineffective. This fact has been reiterated in ISA discussion many a times & it is agreed by Practicing Arborists all over the world.

ISA believes in the 'Right Tree in the Right Place' for any fruitful Tree Planting. If a tree is selected poorly by species, location & in poor quality, with the planting process damaging the rootball or the rootball miniaturized during packing for transport convenience & cost saving, then no matter in what name of 'flowering', 'scent' or 'good-looking', it will be 'Mother Nature makes the Rules' for the result. This tree would usually grow poorly, become sick easily, & then eventually become a Time Bomb to fail in wind to give us public inconveniences. International experience has shown that when such a tree is maintained for whatsoever reason, the running cost would be high & rectification treatment would be mostly ineffective in the long run.

Then the critics would shout blue murder at the maintenance parties when they see trees degrading to poor conditions as such. Would they think why the trees have become such a state in the first place? Would this also be a fair judgment in a civilized & democratic society like HK supposed to believe in the Rule of Law ??

It appears to be all so easy nowadays to criticize in our society where not giving a constructive solution at the same time. Would such practice enhance the quality of Tree Planting in the long run?

The intention to set up the Tree Management Office (TMO) in HK is likely to resolve our Tree Planting problems gradually. Rome was not built in a day & the public must have patience & tolerance to untie a knot so big & complicated left over from history. What the TMO might have interest in & priority to look into would be first of all the Roadside Trees where traffic & pedestrians rolling constantly underneath. This is the most high risk area whereas one of such trees killed a young lady in Stanley in Aug 2008. The TMO may also contemplate to eventually forbid planting big spreading species like the Ficus which would develop naturally a tree crown of +20m wide if undisturbed. This species may be 'good looking' in the beginning but turning into a liability later. There may also be other towering species planted in narrow streets in the name of 'flowering' or 'scent' but with high failure potential. Michelia alba is one of them. The TMO should set reviewing & approving such Tree Planting in consideration of public safety.

ISA HK/China has high hope on the TMO to provide our community with good & safe trees for social benefits. We would also like to see HK leading the role of international Tree planting in the China Region with our TMO.

For this we shall set patience to expect.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

"If a tree is not designed, installed, maintained & inspected properly, it is likely to become a liability rather than an asset."

"Trees are good for the community. Trees need care like human beings. Arborists are the Tree Care Professionals."

21/11/2009
播放本新聞相關短片

公園大樹被颱風吹倒，壓毀順豐大廈外圍照明設施。

（讀者提供）

植樹選址差屢吹塌砸燈

大廈連番遭塌樹破壞招居民不滿！元朗順豐大廈住戶王先生表示，自去年至今，大廈外圍照明設施兩度被附近大樹壓毀，「一打風就吹冧棵樹，跟住就砸爛盞燈，舊年同今年都係咁，係咪唔應該再喺度種（樹）呢？」

（讀者提供）

當區區議員麥業成認為，改變種植地點的斬腳趾避沙蟲方式，並非解決問題良方，建議當局於上址加強防護措施，減低塌樹造成財物損失或人命傷亡意外。

ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (Too Many Chiefs and not enough Indians)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

The sent-in news a little while ago described how a construction class to train Steel Workers of 20 no. became deserted to just 5 no. within one & half months of commencement. It was worrying that when mega projects would come up in future that HK may lack skilled workers to conduct site work.

ISA HK/China has similar sentiment towards this report as our own Tree Care Industry is developing in a similar pattern with a great lack of Certified Tree Workers (CTW) to conduct Field Work, but an abundance of Certified Arborists to engage office work. In the recent ISA Exams, there were close to 200 candidates sitting for the Certified Arborist (CA) exam, but only around 10 chose to take up the CTW exam. As the CA exam is mainly testing for knowledge rather than Field Work, most of the CA in HK are now working for office functions with the majority of them not engaging Tree Work like Tree Climbing & Chainsaw Operation. As far as ISA HK/China are aware, maybe less than 5% of our CA are seen to take on regular Field Work & many are unable to climb to assess trees or to carry out Structural Pruning to international requirements on site.

Say if we have all our Arborists swarming to take on office work to command & plan, but to ignore Field Work which is dirty, strenuous & risky, then who are going to prune, fell or transplant our mature trees on site? Do we then leave it to the subcontractors of the subcontractors with untrained & unskilled labour but paid low to carry out work at their laymen desire, with our Office Arborists showing photos & reports to cover the aftermath? Would the quality of Tree Work in HK then advance to international level for our Tree Management Office, or would it just be another repeat of our past failures?

ISA HK/China has installed the Independent Practicing Arborist (IPA, http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2008/08/isa-hkchina-independent-practicing.html ) credential to upgrade the Arborist Profession in our territory to become one which can handle knwoledge & Field Operation at the same time. The Arborist Profession is a Practitioner Trade with the Practicing Arborists expected to solve problems on site more than studying photos & reports in office. If our Arborists are downgraded to office level only & not able to handle work on site, the Arborist Profession in our territory will soon depart from international development, & we shall continue to rely on overseas Arborists to consult for us for genuine Tree Work.

ISA HK/China is planning to bring in the New Zealand National Certificate in Arboriculture to train up Field Arborists in our territory. The Station Manager will take part in the first round of training to ensure it will have a good start. We shall limit the capacity to around 20 no. only to ensure quality & adequate attendance on the students. This will be a rare opportunity for our local candidates to learn Tree Work under quality supervision & to prepare our future Arborists to work on site.

Let this message wake up our local employers at the same time to know how to select their Arborists for Tree Work in future. Would they now prefer to take up only those who can not work in the Field?

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

"If a tree is not designed, installed, maintained & inspected properly, it is likely to become a liability rather than an asset."

"Trees are good for the community. Trees need care like human beings. Arborists are the Tree Care Professionals."

青年紮鐵班個半月走剩5人 十大基建恐缺工人 擬轉培訓新移民邊青

(x報)2009年11月x日 星期 x

【x報專訊】隨著十大基建上馬，建造業議會訓練學院（前建造業訓練局）推出針對青少年的「建造業青年就業計劃」（建青計劃），欲為多個出現人手老化的工種培養新血，應付工程需要。然而首班紮鐵班今年9月開班時雖然收了近20人，但最終只有8人上課，個半月後更走剩5人。建造業議會總監（培訓）黃敦義表示失望，但當局正有多項針對新移民、邊緣青年及少數族裔的計劃，希望可為業界培訓新血。

逾5萬建造工人超過50歲

香港建造商會及工會早前指出，現時約10萬名建造業工人中，逾半皆超過50歲以上，若十大基建工程在未來數年動工，擔心會出現青黃不接，故除傳統基本工藝課程外，建訓學院特別針對紮鐵、模板、泥水工程及油漆粉飾這數個青黃不接較嚴重的行業，與勞工處合辦建青計劃，以「先受聘、後培訓」方式培訓18至24歲青年，他們會先接受約一年培訓，在職培訓期間，每月薪金不少於1萬元（見表），而日後成為經驗紮鐵工，更可能有逾千元日薪。

總監稱失望 工會料因紮鐵辛苦

首班紮鐵班在9月初開班時原有近20人報讀，然而至開課時只有8人現身，開班未夠2個月，現只剩下5人堅持下去。黃敦義表示，難免有點失望，他相信與紮鐵工作較辛苦有關，青年人一時間難以適應，加上他們及其父母本身亦對建造業前景不認識，故較易放棄。他強調，隨著當局開展更多工程，建造業工人會十分搶手。建訓學院發言人表示，退出的學員中，其中兩人已另覓工作轉行，一人僅接受訓練數天表示不適合自己離開。

香港建造業總工會理事長周聯橋及建造業議會員工總會理事長陳鋕漒亦表示，紮鐵是各地盤工種中最辛苦一種，工人不單要日曬雨淋，工作時往往要抬起以百磅計的鋼筋，不是人人捱得到。本身是建造業訓練委員會委員的周聯橋表示，上述課程在開班初期上理論課時問題不大，但其後開始實習時，學員相繼退學。陳鋕漒表示，導師會盡量與學員及家長分析前景，希望他們可回心轉意，他強調「學成後根本不愁出路，紮鐵工人日薪更可以有近千元」。

將開油漆班 先聘用後受訓

首班學員流失率高，但黃敦義稱，紮鐵只是第一班，學院11月會在建青計劃下開辦油漆班，因這計劃是需要獲僱主聘用下先接受訓練，由於業界急需人手，故不擔心報讀情况不理想。建青計劃只是學院其中一個培訓新血計劃，學院本學年的全日制基本工藝課程便會提供2000個名額，為業內人士或轉業人士而設的兼讀課程名額亦達6萬個。

黃敦義表示，除本港青少年外，學院亦正研究多項計劃，如在天水圍的訓練中心投入運作後，亦會針對當區的新移民及少數族裔，希望吸納他們加入建造業，當局估計有逾1萬人。另學院亦正與正生書院及多間非政府機構聯絡，由他們轉介邊緣青年到學院，接受正統的建造業培訓。

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ISA HK/China --- Largest CA exam in ISA

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

It is the pleasure of ISA HK/China to inform you that we now run close to the biggest Certified Arborist (CA) Exam in our territory of HK, Macau, Taiwan & China with more than 195 candidates qualified for the Nov exam, for which we have to split into two separate sessions so that we can accommodate all in Nov & Dec.

Our Proctor & Assistant Proctor strength has also grown to a phenomenal 18 no. so that we can cope with the expanding number of candidates. We can further increase this number if we have a genuine need in time to come when the ISA exams will spill further into Taiwan & China.

With facts & performance, ISA HK/China can very well tell the world that we are bearing the fore front to establish ISA in our territory & we have not failed anyone bearing hope on us to bring in proper Tree Care to our community. Our Station Membership is now close to 1,000 no. in ISA HK/China alone & there is another +200 no. in TCHK. We are now negotiating with ISA New Zealand to bring in the National Certificate in Arboriculture which is a Commonwealth credential to our territory so that in future, our local candidates do not need to go overseas for this practical training to learn how to conduct Tree Work in the field. The training is expected to come out in March 2010 & we shall announce it in Station Mail in time for all those interested to join (around 20 places only).

For your additional information, the Station Manger has already agreed to take part in the first round of the NZ National Cert training to boost intake, even though training does not bring as much income as Tree Assessment & Tree Work for the Station Manager, as his commitment to develop ISA Arboriculture in our territory. The Station Manger has trained Commonwealth Champion like KW Lee & the Fung Kai Tree Climbers. He has also given training in various Govt Depts for Arboricultural knowledge & has taken more Court Witness cases than anyone in HK.

Therefore, ISA HK/China wishes to thank you all for your continuous support. With all of you by our side, Taiwan & China will not be far away for ISA to break into. Once China is heated up for ISA credentials, there may even be a CA exam in one of the 900 cities in China every single day to satisfy their public demand. By then, the world will look upon us with a different spectrum for an ISA Organization without funding & open Govt support, but growing & running well by a dedicated group of enthusiasts, to accomplish a mission impossible which has never been attempted or succeeded by others before within the time & scale we have achieved.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

"If a tree is not designed, installed, maintained & inspected properly, it is likely to become a liability rather than an asset."

"Trees are good for the community. Trees need care like human beings. Arborists are the Tree Care Professionals."

ISA HK/China --- Arborist Position in TMO

Dear ISA HK/China & TCHK Station Members,

ISA HK/China has been requested by the HKSAR Govt to broadcast the Recruitment Information for non-Civil Servant vacancy as Arborist in the attachment. This post is meant to work in the future Tree Management Office (TMO) which is to be set up soon in the HKSAR Govt.

ISA HK/China has seen this as a major advancement in our Civil Services structure to recognize the Arborist Profession as an independent expertise & ISA HK/China has always been in full support for the TMO from its initial concept.

Therefore, would all those who think they are eligible for this important position, please kindly follow the given details to apply as soon as possible. ISA HK/China looks upon this future Arborist in the TMO to correct & update the Tree affairs in HK to turn our trees into social benefits & not liabilities anymore.

Good luck to all you applicants & we look forward to seeing the appropriate candidate sitting on this post to work for us very soon.

rgds,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

Development BureauWorks Branch (Non-civil Service Vacancy) Arborist (Salary: $55,500 per month)

Entry requirements:

Candidates should:

(a) have a degree in arboriculture or a related field such as botany,biology, forestry, horticulture, landscape architecture, landscapemanagement, landscape science, or equivalent;

(b) have a qualification orcertification offered by a professional institution or industry organisationon arboriculture after successful completion of examination or assessmentprocess conducted within or accredited by the institution or organisation,such as Certified Arborist of the International Society of Arboriculture,Professional Member or Fellow of the Arboricultural Association of theUK, European Tree Technician of the European Arboricultural Council,General Member of the National Arborists Association of Australia, orequivalent;

(c) have a minimum of three years of proven full-timepractical experience in arboriculture, such as experience in tree riskassessment and management, pruning, plant nutrition and fertilisation,planting and care after planting, diagnosis and treatment of tree problems,cabling and bracing, or other services that relate to arboriculture, withemphasis on preparing guidance documents on arboriculture, preparing orvetting tree risk assessment reports, supervising arboricultural work, andhandling public education and community involvement matters; and

(d)have attained Level 2 or above in English Language in the Hong KongCertificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) or equivalent, and cancommunicate in Chinese effectively, preferably with a Level 2 or abovein Chinese Language in HKCEE or equivalent

Note :

Note -(1) For non-civil service appointment purpose, ‘Grade E’ in ChineseLanguage and English Language (Syllabus B) in previous HKCEEare accepted administratively as comparable to ‘Level 2’ in ChineseLanguage and English Language in the 2007 HKCEE and thereafter.2Duties:Successful candidates will be deployed to the Tree Management Office inthe Works Branch of the Development Bureau to undertake the followingduties

Note (2):(a) Providing arboricultural technical advice on or assisting in –(i) the development and review of the tree risk assessmentarrangements and the monitoring of their application,(ii) the monitoring of the overall situation of tree removal and thehandling of complex cases,(iii) the formulation of standards and guidelines on treemanagement,(iv) research on overseas legislation, practices etc. on treemanagement,(v) liaison with the relevant local and overseas institutions on thelatest scientific and technological developments,(vi) duties relating to the Expert Panel on vegetation management,(vii) the review of Government’s emergency responsearrangements in relation to tree management, and(viii) the handling of public education and community involvementmatters;(b) Supervising the work of an inspection team; and(c) Undertaking any other duties as assigned in relation to the work ofthe Tree Management Office.

Note -(3) Successful candidates may be required to work irregular hours andon public holidays.

Terms of appointment:

Successful candidates will be employed on non-civil service contractterms for two years.

Fringe benefits:

A gratuity may be granted upon satisfactory completion of the fullcontract period with a consistently high standard of performance. The amount of gratuity payable will be the sum which, when added to theGovernment’s contribution to the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF)Scheme as required by the MPF Schemes Ordinance, equals to 15% of the total basic salary drawn during the contract period. Twelve days’annual leave and full-pay sickness allowance and maternity leave, if applicable, will be granted. The benefits in respect of rest days and statutory holidays (or substitute holidays) will be granted in accordance with the provisions of the Employment Ordinance.

How to apply:

Application Forms [G.F. 340(Rev. 3/2008)] are obtainable from anyPublic Enquiry Service Centre of District Offices, Home AffairsDepartment or any Job Centre of the Employment Services Division,Labour Department. The said form can also be downloaded from theCivil Service Bureau’s website (http://www.csb.gov.hk).

Completed forms, together with a full curriculum vitae should reach the Personnel Unit, Development Bureau at 10/F, Murray Building, Garden Road,Central, Hong Kong (Enquiry telephone no.: 2848 2053) by 6 November 2009.

The curriculum vitae should include (a) grading ofthe subjects taken in public examinations from secondary educationonwards (with exact dates of scoring the results); (b) details of bachelordegree and higher level (e.g. major subjects and class and division ofhonours); (c) professional qualifications obtained; and (d) employmentrecords with detailed description of duties. Applications without complete or unclear information will not be considered.

Candidateswho are selected for interview will normally receive an invitation in about 4 - 6 weeks after the closing date for application. Those who are not invited for interview may assume that their applications areunsuccessful.

Closing Date for Application: 6 November 2009

General Notes:

(a) Non-civil service vacancies are not posts on the civil service establishment. Candidates appointed are not on civil service terms of appointment and conditions of service. Candidates appointed are not civil servants and will not be eligible for posting, promotion or transfer to any post in the Civil Service.

(b) Candidates appointed must be permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region unless specified otherwise.

(c) The entry pay, terms of appointment and conditions of service to be offered are subject to the provisions prevailing at the time the offer of appointment is made.

(d) It is Government policy to place people with a disability in appropriate jobs wherever possible. If a disabled candidate meets the entry requirements, he/shewill be invited to attend the selection interview without being subject to any further shortlisting criteria.

(e) Holders of academic qualifications other than those obtained from Hong Kong institutions / Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority may also apply but their qualifications will be subject to assessments on equivalence with the required entry qualifications. They should submit copies of their official transcripts and certificates by mail together with their application forms.

ISA HK/China --- Incoming Mail (Arboricultural Degree)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文。
*** Our weekly Station Mail is for the information of Station Members only, but Station Mail has given up copyright & can be freely circulated. For administrative reasons, comments from outsiders are usually not entertained & may be circulated within our system locally & overseas. Please note Station Mail is sometimes given in Blog at http://isahkchina.blogspot.com , although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear xxx,

Thank you for your enquiry below. We broadcast our reply in an open Station Mail while covering your identity, but we are sure that you can pick it up to be your own by recognizing your own message below.

Being the official representative to promote ISA in our territory of HK, Macau, Taiwan & China, we follow the ISA practice not to recognize any arboricultural credential but only that of ISA & of ISA HK/China. Therefore, it is your freedom to pursuit any arboricultural credential in the market but ISA HK/China would only endorse upon the Certified Arborist (CA), Certified Tree Worker (CTW) & Independent Practicing Arborist (IPA) (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2008/08/isa-hkchina-independent-practicing.html), or any other local credential of our own in our territory in future.

Please also note that it is a Pre-Qualification Requirement for a degree holder in Arboriculture to have a minimum of 1 year full time Tree Work experience if this candidate wishes to apply for the CA exam. In other word, obtaining a degree in Arboriculture does not qualify you to become a Certified Arborist (CA), & the CA credential is taken as a post graduate qualification.

There are basically 6 requirements to register as an IPA in our territory:

1. Holding the CA credential for more than 3 years; &

2. Simultaneously holding the CTW credential for more than 3 years; &

3. Attending an ISA International Conference at least once; &

4. Holding an 'O' Level in Common Laws or equivalent; &

5. Holding an 'A' Level in English Language or equivalent; &

6. Demonstrating competency in Chainsaw Operation & Basic Rigging on tree.

Obtaining an Arboricultural degree does not satisfy any of the 6 requirements above & therefore does not exempt you from any of the above to be registered into our IPA system.

What our territory would need most urgently now are really Field Arborists & not Office Arborists to conduct Tree Survey (in an approved Arboricultural manner), Structural Pruning (with Tree Climbing & Rigging), Tree Inspection & Assessment, & Arboricultural Consultation (to site management & works teams). ISA HK/China have briefly browsed into several of the Arboricultural Degree Distant Learning Program on-line & found that they are mostly literature & research based only. After all, very few distant learning programs in greenery training can offer field work due to the lack of approved tutors locally & training ground. This will be like training up a bunch of Medical Practitioners over a computer only without clinical practice. We do not recognize this can meet our requirements to become an IPA.

ISA HK/China is currently working hard with ISA NZ to bring over the National Certificate in Arboriculture (Level 4) which is much field based to train up Practicing Arborists in our territory. Do remember that ISA HK/China is not for just HK alone but do serve other parts of our territory of Macau, Taiwan & the massive China. Our vision does not stop at HK only & we look way far beyond. HK alone does not limit our advancement, & we have to care for the need & development in other parts of our territory. Our IPA system & the introduction of the National Certificate in Arboriculture (Level 4) are meant for just that.

Please do keep you eye open for our announcement for the National Certificate in Arboriculture (Level 4) in the near future, if you are interested to enter field practice rather than just focusing on office work & research alone.

best regards,

Sammy Au
Station Manager

"If a tree is not designed, installed, maintained & inspected properly, it is likely to become a liability rather than an asset."

"Trees are good for the community. Trees need care like human beings. Arborists are the Tree Care Professionals."


----- Original Message -----
From: xxx
To: egc@netvigator.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 0x, 2009 x:x8 PM
Subject: Enquiry on Arboricultural Degree

Hi Sammy,

My friends are now talking about some distant learning for a degree in Arboriculture. Do you have any knowledge in this & does your Station approve? If I get this degree at the end, can you exempt me for my lack of working experience to register as IPA in your Station?

Many thanks & have a good day.

Regards,

xxx
Station Member