China Arborist Association

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

ISA HK/China --- 2011 China National Conference of Nurssery Products 2011 中国苗交会

“速成出来的树木评估员，只会作出胡乱的树木评估。大自然会决定成败。”

Dear Station Members,

It is the pleasure of ISA HK/China to be invited to speak at the 2011 National Conference of Nursery Products in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province in October 2011. It was also the first time that ISA was heard in Central China.

This conference has gathered all the biggest nurseries & landscapers from all around China. It was well advertised & well attended by hundreds of thousands of visitors. From the business cards so collected by the Station Manager (SM), nearly every region of China was represented there. It has been a very successful event.

The SM has delivered a 3 hour talk in “Tree Planting & Tree Pruning to ISA Best Management Practices”. It was very well received. In fact, the audience was so zealous that even at 5 pm when the lecture room was to be shut down by the security staff, the audience were still crowding around the SM for questions & photos. It was not until the securities turned off some of the lights that the audience would let go. It can be called a complete success.

Tree Planting in China right now is following the outdated practices of the third world with topped trees, miniaturized tree pit & dense packing. ISA knowledge fell upon them like something from outer space, yet the knowledge itself is nothing difficult. When the SM explained the facts to the audience with simple terms & photo depiction (in Mandarin off course), hardly any attendee would raise the hand to object. ISA knowledge is not ocean deep. It’s just that they have not heard it before. Now the Chinese audiences want more.

Dozens of Station Membership has been collected in this visit, & the SM has encouraged the new entries to spread the word for us. Comparing to HK, nearly every new Station Member from China is at least a degree holder. Many are researchers & Senior Landscape Engineers. These new members will make an impact for us in China in future.

ISA will no doubt spread into China. This is a social need for the China cities. Trees can be Time Bombs if not looked after well. Mother Nature always makes the Rules.

Now ISA HK/China awaits for more opportunities to promote ISA Arboriculture into China. This will be good to the Chinese societies & all the citizens there with better & safer trees. ISA will improve the quality of living for our brothers & sisters, with our tremendous research & education abilities. It will be good for all at the end.

best regards,

Sammy Au
President (Station Manager) of ISA HK/China
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)

"Providing treatment without in-depth diagnosis & research support is professional misconduct. "

"Casual tree assessor delivers wanton tree assessment. Mother Nature makes the rules."

Monday, October 17, 2011

ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (Typhoon Nesat passing through HK 台风 "纳沙" 给香港树木的影响)

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

ISA HK/China --- Guidance of the Labour Dept of the HKSAR Govt on Tree Work with Ropes & Hardnesess (香港特区政府劳工署对使用绳索攀树工作的指引)

This is an important message for our Tree Workers. Please read it carefully!!! 对树艺工作者, 本文是重要信息, 请细阅!!!

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文 (http://translate.google.com.hk/?hl=en&tab=wT#enzh-CNzh-CN) , 亦可查閱 "百度博客" (http://hi.baidu.com/%B9%FA%BC%CA%CA%F7%C4%BE%D1%A7%BB%E1/blog ) 以取得本文翻绎本和其他文章。本分会的发表文章都已放弃版权, 任何人都可以自由转载作为教育目的, 但不能作为商业目的盈利。如有查询, 请电邮至 egc@netvigator.com 。

*** 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 in English, although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

Further to our Station Mail of 14.9.2011 challenging Tree Work without ropes & harnesses, but with ladders & lifting platforms alone, the matter has gone all the way to the Chief Secretary Office in the HKSAR Govt. Through their help, we have obtained a reply form the Labour Dept on 29.9.2011 of below:

----- Original Message -----

From: DSO-HQ@labour.gov.hk

To: Sammy Au

Cc: cso@cso.gov.hk

Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2011 5:24 PM

Subject: Re: ISA HK/China --- Tree Work without Ropes & harnesses

Dear Mr. Sammy AU,

Thank you for your email of 14 September 2011 addressed to the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office concerning tree work safety, and your further email of 21 September 2011 on the same subject.

The Labour Department is highly concerned about the work-at-height safety of workers. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance (Cap. 509), contractors or employers (including those undertaking tree work) shall provide and maintain a safe system of work to ensure the safety and health at work of their employees. Where any work at height is involved, the contractor or employer shall, among others, conduct a pre-work risk assessment by a competent person to identify and evaluate risks involved and determine the most suitable, and safe, work method for the job. A
specific method statement for the work should be prepared and properly documented.

In determining the work method, the following hierarchy of control measures should be adopted -

Work on or from ground and avoid working at height wherever possible.

Where work cannot be safely done on or from ground, use elevating work platforms or suitable scaffolds as safe means of access and support for the work.

Where use of elevating work platforms or scaffolds is not practicable, use of rope access or other work positioning techniques may be considered.

If you have any further questions on the matter, please feel free to
contact me at 2852 4960.

Yours sincerely,

NG Ho-wang
for Commissioner for Labour

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

We are truly grateful for the help of the Chief Secretary Office for their interest & re-direction of our enquiry to the Labour Dept. On the same hand, the Labour Dept has given a clear indication for allowing Rope Access (i.e. tree climbing with ropes & harnesses), in the event that lifting platforms or scaffolds are impractical. This is an important milestone for the development of tree climbing in HK.

As for the "competent person" who would perform the "pre-work risk assessment", ISA HK/China has recommended our Certified Arborist, or even better, our Certified Tree Worker (www.isa-arbopr.com) to the Labour Dept & the Chief Secretary Office as the qualified personnel due to their training & testing. After all, would an ordinary Safety Officer of construction background be willing to bear the risk for conducting such assessment, while he has no experience in using ropes & harnesses to carry out tree work aloft? This is a matter of experience & knowledge, & the right personnel is required for the job.

ISA HK/China has been supplying good information on Tree Care & Tree Management to the Chief Secretary Office & the Chief Executive Office for some years by now. We are always grateful for their help in our development. This event is yet another example that both Offices are working for the good of all of HK, not just for a profession or for a Dept. Our Station Members should support both Offices in their work as ISA HK/China does all the time.

We wish to thank again the HKSAR Govt for this excellent guidance & clarification on our daily Tree Work. ISA HK/China now looks forward to producing more qualified Tree Workers to serve our territory all the time.

best regards,

Sammy Au
President (Station Manager) of ISA HK/China
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)

"Providing treatment without in-depth diagnosis & research support is professional misconduct. "

"Casual tree assessor delivers wanton tree assessment. Mother Nature makes the rules."

各位会员:

继本分会在2011年9月14日的会员通讯里, 质疑树木工作只能采用梯架和升降工作台, 而不能使用绳索和攀树腰带的说法, 本分会将事件提升到香港特区政府政务司办公室里作出反映。经过他们的热心协助, 本分会在9月24日得到香港政府劳工署的回复, 现将原文节录如下:

“ 欧先生:

多谢你2011年9月14日给政务司司长的电邮, 关乎于树木工作的安全问题, 和9月21日再传达给我们有关同一题目的电邮。

劳工处对工人高空工作的安全问题至为关注。根据香港法例第509章的职业安全及健康条例, 承办商或雇主(包括树木工作行业) 需要提供及维持一个安全的工作系统, 以确保其雇员的工作安全和健康。任何涉及高空工作, 承办商或雇主除了要注意其它事项外, 还需要委聘一名 “合资格人仕”, 来进行一项工作前期的风险评估, 去识别和估计可能涉及的风险, 然后制定有关合适而又安全的工作方法。同时具体的工作方法必须刊利用书面编制及记录在案。在确定工作方法时, 应采取以下控制措施层次:

>工作尽量在地面进行; 如有可能, 应避免高空作业。

>当工作不能在地面进行时, 应使用升降台或棚架作为一个安全工作落脚点及支撑点。

>当升降台或棚架不适用时, 可以考虑使用绳索及其它工作定位技术。

有关此事宜, 如你尚有其它疑问, 可随时拨2852 4960, 致电给我。

此致

劳工处处长

(吴豪宏代行) “

我们十分感激政务司办公室对事件的关注和将我们的查询转介给劳工处, 而后者又能给予我们明确的指导: 在升降台或棚架不适用时, 可以使用绳索及保护带。这对攀树工作在香港的发展作出一个重要的里程碑。

有关工作前期的风险评估 “合资格人仕”的人选问题, 本分会向劳工处及政务司司长办公室推荐 “注册树艺师”, 或是更加合适的 “注册攀树师”(www.isa-arborpr.com), 因为他们都受过训练和考核。毕竟是, 一个没有使用过绳索及攀树腰带, 来进行高空树木工作的建造业 “安全主任”, 会否愿意承担这份评估工作的风险? 这是一个工作经验及实质知识的问题。选择恰当的人选是必需的。

多年来, 本分会已向政务司办公室及特首办公室提供不少有关树木护理及管理的理据, 我们也十分感谢他们对 ISA 发展的全力协助。这也是证明他们乐意为全香港的福祉而努力, 而不是专为某一个行业或某一个部门单一着想。本分会会员应与本分会一样, 努力支持他们的工作。

我们在此再次感谢香港特区政府对树艺行业的指导和澄清。本分会期望能够培养出更多良好的树艺师/攀树师为社会各届服务。

谨此致意!

国际树木学会中国地区分区会会长

欧永森

顾问树艺师号RAC#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-rac-in-asia.html)
资深树艺师/注册攀树师号HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-frist-bcma-in-asia.html)
执业树艺师号IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-tree-news-1441-report.html)

“不深入诊断和参照研究来批出处方, 是专业失当。 ”

“速成出来的树木评估员, 只会作出胡乱的树木评估。大自然会决定成败。 ”

(以上由霍健, 香港注册房屋经理R.P.H.M.-119翻译。一切内容以英文版本为准。 )

Monday, October 3, 2011

ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (Tree Robot 中大機械人學毛蟲爬樹)

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

ISA HK/China --- Tree Managers in development (发展商里面的 "树木经理")

Thursday, September 15, 2011

ISA HK/China --- CA Code of Ethics ("注册树艺师" 的专业守则)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文 (http://translate.google.com.hk/?hl=en&tab=wT#en

zh-CN
), 亦可查閱 "百度博客" (http://hi.baidu.com/%B9%FA%BC%CA%CA%F7%C4%BE%D1%A7%BB%E1/blog ) 以取得本文翻绎本和其他文章。本分会的发表文章都已放弃版权, 任何人都可以自由转载作为教育目的, 但不能作为商业目的盈利。如有查询, 请电邮至 egc@netvigator.com 。

*** 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 in English, although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

As more than 500 Certified Arborists (CA) have already been qualified sine 2005 in our territory & the number is growing in our territory of HK, Macau, Taiwan & China, it is important that our local CA have understood the Code of Ethics as given by ISA as below:

ISA CERTIFIED ARBORIST CODE OF ETHICS

The International Society of Arboriculture, Inc. (ISA) is a voluntary, non-profit, professional association. The ISA Certification Program certifies qualified practitioners in the field of arboriculture, who have met the professional knowledge standards established by the ISA Certification Board.

Regardless of any other professional affiliation, this ISA Certified Arborist Code of Ethics applies to those individuals seeking ISA Certified Arborist certification (candidates), and all individuals certified by the ISA as Certified Arborists (certificants). The Certified Arborist Code of Ethics establishes appropriate and enforceable professional conduct standards, and explains the minimal ethical behavior requirements for Certified Arborist certificants and candidates. The Certified Arborist Code of Ethics also serves as a professional resource for arborists, as well as for those served by Certified Arborist certificants and candidates, with respect to such standards and requirements.

I. Responsibilities to ISA, the profession and the public.

A. Certified Arborist compliance with all organizational rules, policies and legal requirements. Certificants and candidates must:

1. Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and ethical standards governing professional practice of arboriculture.

2. Comply with all accepted professional standards related to arboriculture practice, including national practice standards and policies.

3. Provide accurate, complete, and truthful representations concerning all certification and recertification information.

4. Maintain the security of ISA examination information and materials, including the prevention of unauthorized disclosures of test information.

5. Cooperate with ISA concerning ethics matters and the collection of information related to an ethics matter.

6. Report to the ISA Certification Program, in a timely manner, their personal conduct that may violate any provision of the Certified Arborist Code of Ethics or the Certification Program Ethics Case Procedures.

7. Refrain from behavior or conduct that is clearly in violation of professional, ethical, or legal standards related to occupational services and/or activities.

II. Responsibilities to clients, employers, employees, and the public.

A. Certified Arborist responsibilities concerning the performance of professional services. Certificants and candidates must:

1. Deliver safe and competent services with objective and independent professional judgment in decision-making.

2. Recognize the limitations of their professional ability and provide services only when qualified. The certificant/candidate is responsible for determining the limits of his/her own professional abilities based on qualifications, education, knowledge, skills, practice experience, and other relevant considerations.

3. Make a reasonable effort to provide appropriate professional referrals when unable to provide competent professional assistance.

4. Maintain and respect the confidentiality of sensitive information obtained in the course of professional activities unless: the information is reasonably understood to pertain to unlawful activity; a court or governmental agency lawfully directs the release of the information; the client or the employer expressly authorizes the release of specific information; or, the failure to release such information would likely result in death or serious physical harm to employees and/or the public.

5. Properly use professional credentials, and provide truthful and accurate representations concerning education, experience, competency and the performance of services.

6. Provide truthful and accurate representations to the public in advertising, public statements, and other representations, and in the preparation of estimates concerning costs, services and expected results.

7. Recognize and respect the intellectual property rights of others and act in an accurate, complete, and truthful manner, including activities related to professional work and research.

B. Certified Arborist responsibilities concerning conflicts of interest and appearances of impropriety. Certificants and candidates must:

1. Disclose to clients or employers significant circumstances that could be construed as a potential or real conflict of interest or an appearance of impropriety.

2. Avoid conduct that could cause a conflict of interest with a client, employer, employee, or the public.

3. Assure that a conflict of interest does not compromise legitimate interests of a client, employer, employee, or the public and does not influence or interfere with professional judgments.

4. Refrain from offering or accepting significant payments, gifts or other forms of compensation or benefits in order to secure work or that are intended to influence professional judgment.

C. Certified Arborist responsibilities concerning public health and safety. Certificants and candidates must:

1. Follow appropriate health and safety procedures, in the course of performing professional activities, to protect clients, employers, employees, and the public from conditions where injury and/or other harm are reasonably foreseeable.

2. Inform appropriate government representatives or agencies when aware of an activity or circumstance that may cause an unsafe condition or violate legal requirements.

ISA HK/China has translated this Code of Ethics into Chinese in the Chinese version of this Station Mail below. It is also published in our English Blog (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com) & Chinese Blog (http://hi.baidu.com/%B9%FA%BC%CA%CA%F7%C4%BE%D1%A7%BB%E1/blog) to announce it publicly in our territory of HK, Macau, Taiwan & China. We want the public to become confident of the professional conduct that a CA will maintain in his/her professional practice. This is also giving further respect to our profession which is now developing rapidly in China.

Anyone who wishes to challenge the unprofessional conduct of a CA, can always report the case to cert@isa-arbor.com . ISA Cert Dept will conduct investigation & take appropriate measures, with penalty as far as certification revocation or even legal pursuit as the case may require. All reports to ISA will be treated in the upmost confidentiality.

We now look forward to the public confidence in the performance of our Certified Arborists, to make our profession trustworthy & respected in our territory.

best regards,

Sammy Au
President (Station Manager) of ISA HK/China
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)

"Providing treatment without in-depth diagnosis & research support is professional misconduct. "

"Casual tree assessor delivers wanton tree assessment. Mother Nature makes the rules."

各位会员：

自2005年起, 本分会已考核了超过了500位的 “注册树艺师” (CA) 在中国地区执业, 由於数量庞大, 当下 CA 应要明白由 ISA 总会所制定的 “专业守则”, 要求每位 CA 都要遵守：

ISA “注册树艺师”的 “专业守则”

国际树木学会 (ISA) 是一个志愿和非牟利的专业组织。ISA注册立案法团颁发证书给予资历达到ISA注册局认定水平的树艺从业员。

ISA “注册树艺师专业守则”( 简称 “守则”) 适用于所有正在寻求ISA “注册树艺师”的人仕(候证者), 及所有已在ISA登记成为 “注册树艺师” 的人仕(持证者), 不论其已经归附其他专业机构与否，此 “守则”制订了适当和可强制执行的专业操守标准，并向持证者及候证者阐述了其道德行为的最低要求。基于所订标准及要求，本“守则” 也为树艺师和受惠于树艺行业服务的人仕, 提供了专业资询的资源 :

I. 对ISA、树艺行业和公众所需承担的责任:

A. “注册树艺师”要遵从由有关组织所制订的各类规条、政策和法律法规。

持证者及候证者必须：

1. 遵从所有相关法律、法规、政策和规管树艺专业的良好道德标准。

2. 遵守所有已在树艺行业沿用多年的专业标准, 包括各类国立标准和做法。

3. 以准确、完整、和真实的材料去申辨各类牌照注册和续照。

4. 维护ISA评核资料和题材之保密性，禁止非法泄露试题。

5. 给予ISA因道德事项, 和因此而作出搜集讯息之时, 保持充分合作。

6. 如发现有人的行为是违反了此 “守则”或其诉讼程序之时，会於适当时间内向ISA注册局作出报告。

7. 不进行任何违反专业操守、道德行为或相关法规律的行动, 去损害行业利益。

II. 对客户、雇主、雇员和公众承担责任:

A. “注册树艺师” 的专业服务精神; 持证者及候证者必须：

1. 提供安全、称职、客观和独立的专业判断, 给所有人作出考虑决定。

2. 确认自我的专业水平能力, 来提供称职服务。持证者及候证者必须基于自我资格、学养、知识、技能、实践经验和其它相关因素来评估其专业能力去提供服务。

3. 如发觉自我能力不足, 愿意作出努力去把职务转介予业界胜任者。

4. 把工作中的敏感资料保密, 除非:

i. 工作中明显的涉及违法行为; 或

ii. 执法机关下令取得有关信息; 或

iii. 客户或雇主清楚同意发放此等资料; 或

iv. 不公开此等资料将会危害人身安全。

5. 正确使用专业名衔; 对自我的相关学历、工作经验、专业能力和服务水平, 提供真实无误的表述。

6. 对任何宣传、公众声明、相关发表、报价或工作效益的阐述之时，要作出真实无误的表述, 不准包含欺骗成份。

7. 承认和尊重其他人的知识版权, 在自我的工作或研究当中, 以正当的态度去表现出合法合理的行为。

B. “注册树艺师” 在有利益冲突和不当行为之时的责任; 持证者及候证者必须：

1. 在工作上有潜在或实质利益冲突, 或不当行为出现之时, 如实地向客户或雇主披露可能会发生的情况或后果。

2. 回避任何将会导致与客户、雇主、雇员或公众产生利益冲突的行为。

3. 倘有发生与自我利益相冲之时, 确保不会危害客户、雇主、雇员或公众的合法权益，和不会干扰任何专业判断。

4. 不容许采取任何形式含贪污赎职的行为去猎取生意、收取任何利益, 和故意影响专业判断能力。

C. “注册树艺师” 的工作要对公众健康和安全负责; 持证者及候证者必须：

1. 依从合适的工作安全指引来进行其专业活动，切法保护客户、雇主、雇员和公众可能遭受预见的伤害。

2. 在察觉到在工作情况或进行专业活动之时, 可能会发生有造成危害或违反法规的情况下，马上通知相关部门或合适人仕来进行处理。

为向香港、澳门、台湾及中国境内人仕发布以上 “守则”，本分会把中文翻译版本登载于我们的英文博客 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com) 和中文博客(http://hi.baidu.com/%B9%FA%BC%CA%CA%F7%C4%BE%D1%A7%BB%E1/blog) 里面。我们为此要让公众了解到作为ISA “注册树艺师” 在工作表现中应有之专业操守，从而加强对我们行业的信任和尊重。高兴的是，树艺行业作为一个专业, 当今已被世界所认识超过一百年了。

任何人若有怀疑“注册树艺师” 存有专业失当行为之时, 可向 cert@isa-arbor.com 作出检举。 ISA注册行政部门将会进行调查及对违反者采取适当查处，直到吊销执照或诉诸法律制裁等等行动。所有检举都会以保密方式处理。

我们期待公众进行监督我们树艺师的行为，从而令我们的专业建立起声誉及期望。

国际树木学会中国地区分会会长

欧永森
顾问树艺师号RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
资深树艺师 / 注册攀树师号 HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
执业树艺师号 IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-tree-news-14410-report.html)

“没有深入诊断及探究支持去作出治疗，是专业失误。”

“速成出来的树木评估员，只会作出胡乱的树木评估。大自然会决定成败。”

(以上由 “注册树艺师”罗叶明HK-0538A, 和本分会全体委员共同翻译。一切内容以英文版本为准。)

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

ISA HK/China --- Tree Work without Tree Climbing? (不用绳索攀树来修剪大树可以吗?)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文 (http://translate.google.com.hk/?hl=en&tab=wT#en
zh-CN), 亦可查閱 "百度博客" (http://hi.baidu.com/%B9%FA%BC%CA%CA%F7%C4%BE%D1%A7%BB%E1/blog ) 以取得本文翻绎本和其他文章。本分会的发表文章都已放弃版权, 任何人都可以自由转载作为教育目的, 但不能作为商业目的盈利。如有查询, 请电邮至 egc@netvigator.com 。

*** 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 in English, although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

Given below is a set of local news on Tree Climbing with ropes & harnesses for Tree Work.

Anyone who has conducted tree work would know the danger involved in working aloft to cut down heavy logs. Because there is no two trees in the world with the same branch architecture & strength, the tree worker has to use his skills & judgment above to carry out pruning or removal of tree part above-ground in a safe manner. Safety is always the number one concern. Tree part falling down can injure passer-by, or damage properties. There are many rules & regulations in western countries to govern how proper tree work is to be conducted to an acceptable working standard, e.g. ANSI z133.1 (2006), BS 3893, etc. In ISA, we tend to follow ANSI, as it is updated with the participation of the industry frequently.

If tree climbing with ropes & harnesses is to be replaced by working platform or ladder, would safety level be enhanced? As a seasoned Tree Worker himself who has conducted many tree work operations, the Station Manger (SM) would say "no". This is because the working platform would obstruct the lowering of the cut logs, especially if they are of the large size. Mobile platform installed on a truck will need parking space & a vast working area underneath it. This may not be always possible for roadside trees. Many a times, it is also impractical to erect bamboo platform to prune or cut roadside trees, because road closure is difficult in our urban area.

Working Platform, no matter in a fixed manner like the bamboo lattice, or in the mobile form mounted on a truck, cannot easily penetrate around the branch structures in the tree canopy like a tree climber on rope. If forcing it to enter, the risk of injury to the operator or collapse of the machine itself is high. That's the reason why tree workers are required to be trained with tree climbing around the world to do the work. Arborists are not always sitting in the office, especially the practicing ones.

Ladder has injured more tree workers than when using ropes & hardness. This is because ladder is a straight piece of equipment, & cannot trace the bending structure of a tree. Also, how long be a ladder would one need to reach the top of a 20 m tree? Is there such a ladder as tall & bending, & would the tree worker be able to climb on it so high safely? If not then, is this not against the "spirit" of the CAP 509 Safety Regulations of HK to use ladders?

The solution to working aloft safely should rest on training & adopting proper techniques. Ladder & working platform are not the only solution, & can be impractical. The ISA Certified Tree Worker (CTW) (www.isa-arbor.com) credential was designed to produce quality tree worker to work aloft with internationally recognized techniques & equipment. It was conceived for years to train up qualified tree workers, & to ascertain standards. However very sadly, Arborists in HK have found this credential unattractive, & there is hardly any Govt Contract requiring this basic tree work qualification recognized around the world. Where there is a constant outcry for better safety to work on trees, why can't anybody promote this international qualification to do proper tree work in HK?

ISA HK/China will strongly promote the CTW credential in China in future. Maybe it is only when our brothers & sisters up north have become CTW to do their tree work in a safe & proper way, that they can come down to HK to show the employers there, that using platforms & ladders alone is not the only solution to conduct proper tree work aloft.

best regards,

Sammy Au
President (Station Manager)
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)

"Providing treatment without in-depth diagnosis & research support is professional misconduct. "

"Casual tree assessor delivers wanton tree assessment. Mother Nature makes the rules."

各位会员:

请参阅本文后面的有关在修树工作中, 使用绳索和保护带爬树的附带消息。

任何做过修树工作的人, 都认识到在高空移除粗大枝条的危险性。因为在世界上没有二棵树是有相同的分干结构或支撑力, 所以修树工作者需运用他的技能及判断力把处于高空的支条安全地移除。此时, 安全是首要的任务, 因为坠落的支条可伤及途人或破坏财物。在西方国家, 已有很多规则和条例去规范修树工作, 以达至可接受的标准, 例如ANSI z133.1(2006), BS3893等等。

如果使用工作台或梯架来代替绳索和保护带来爬树, 会否提升安全性呢? 对于一个富于修树经验的人来说, 包括本分会长在内, 答案是〝不会〞的。因为工作台会妨碍被移除的支条下降, 特别是粗大的支条。装置在车上的活动工作台需要地方停泊车辆, 而在其下面需要一个广大的工作空间。这对于种植在马路旁的大树来说, 可能没有足够空间仃放了。很多时候, 使用棚架工作台去修剪马路旁的树更是没有可能, 因为我们繁忙的市区马路是不可能为此来封闭的。

无论是一个固定的或活动的工作平台, 都不能像一个使用绳索爬树的树木工作者, 能灵活地穿插在树上枝条架构之中。如果要将工作台强塞到枝条架构内, 那么树木工作者会受伤或工作台会倒塌。这就是为何世界各地都要训练树木工作者要使用绳索爬树的原因了。

转用梯架来代替攀树可能危险性更高。因为梯架是直的, 不能跟随分支来改变方向前进。哪攀爬一棵20米的树需要多长的梯架呢? 如真的如此长的梯架, 多少人会有足够够胆量去使用呢? 怎样去保证这个人不会掉下来了? 滑足又怎麽办? 怎样去救? 哪这有否违反了〝香港法例CAP509职安健条例〞的安全精神吗?

训练正确使用攀树技术是达致树上安全工作的唯一方法。国际树木学会的 “注册攀树师” (Certifed Tree Worker, www.isa-arbor.com) 资格, 是为训练优质的树木工作者而设, 令其懂得使用国际认可的技术和装备在树上工作。但可惜的是, 这资格甚少吸引香港的树艺师投考, 同时几乎没有政府的外判合同中要求这个基本的树木工作资历。当社会上经常要求树上安全工作之时, 为甚么没有人出来去认同这国际认可的资格呢? 香港的做法令人 “丈八金刚” 吧!

本分会将会在中国大陆极力推广“注册攀树师” 资格; 可能在不久将来, 我们的大陆同胞在取得这个资历之后, 会调过头来香港, 展示给哪里的树艺师同业们, 看看单靠工作台和梯架是否能执行正确树木工作呢?

谨此致意!

国际树木学会中国地区分区会会长
欧永森
顾问树艺师号RCA#497
(http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-rca-in-asia.html)
资深树艺师/注册攀树师号HK-0174BT
(http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-frist-bcma-in-asia.html)
执业树艺师号IPA-010908
(http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-tree-news-1441-report.htuml)

“不深入诊断和参照研究来批出处方,是专业失当。 ”

“速成出来的树木评估员,只会作出胡乱的树木评估。大自然会决定成败。”

(以上由霍健, 香港注册房屋经理R.P.H.M.-119翻译。一切内容以英文版本为准。)

勞處責康文署漠視人命

政府管理樹木不善一直被人詬病，有工會踢爆康樂及文化事務署未有提供鋸樹手套給員工，而遭勞工處警告。工會又質疑，署方不應叫員工用繩索爬樹，勞工處也說，檢查樹木應用合適的工作台或梯，要求康文署加強安全管理。

過去曾有康文署員工用繩索爬樹，工會關注有關安全情況。

工會透露，勞工處職業安全主任去年八月巡視完鯉魚門公園及度假村後向康文署發出警告信：「根據職業安全及健康條例第五○九章第六條，僱主均須在合理切實可行範圍內，確保工作中的僱員安全及健康，例如提供安全鋸樹手套及確保員工在工作中佩戴適當個人用具。」

該用工作台屢反映無理會

勞工處去年十二月再去信康文署，指巡視過鯉魚門公園及度假村、清水灣第二灣泳灘、摩理臣山游泳池、大埔運動場、九龍城體育館後，提醒康文署加強安全管理，特別是提供適當個人保護裝備，而在外判修剪樹木工作時，康文署亦要建立有效監察制度，確保外判商保障工人安全。

工會質疑署方不應叫員工用繩索爬樹，而應用工作台，工會多次向署方反映，但是，署方並無理會。

鋸樹電油屬危險品隨處放

工會續稱，用來鋸樹的電鋸，所用的電油屬危險品，但只是存放在康文署場地士多房，對前線員工來說十分危險。

康文署回應說，樹藝工作人員會視乎實際環境，採用適當的方法和設備護理樹木，如有需要會使用工作台進行高空工作，該署亦有提供專用手套供員工鋸樹時用。

康文署承認，電鋸用的電油屬第五類危險品，豁免量為二十升，即二十升以下不需要向消防處申請危險品倉儲存牌照。該署人員一般會將電油儲存在危險品倉庫，而電鋸內小量電油，因為其容量屬於豁免範圍，人員會按照場地實際情況儲存。

勞工處則稱，為確保樹藝工作人員不會在工作時從高處墮下，僱主及承辦商應作風險評估，訂定安全施工方法，包括使用合適工作台或梯。

立法會議員陳淑莊說，不時收到康文署員工訴說裝備不足，她認為該署要多加留意，「不要攞人命較飛」，她亦不鼓勵該署員工隨便用繩索爬樹。

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

ISA HK/China --- HK Tree News (Appalling English of HK Graduates 80後面試口啞「you can 唔 can」)

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文 (http://translate.google.com.hk/?hl=en&tab=wT#enzh-CN), 亦可查閱 "百度博客" (http://hi.baidu.com/%B9%FA%BC%CA%CA%F7%C4%BE%D1%A7%BB%E1/blog ) 以取得本文翻繹本。

*** 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 in English, although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

It is not the first time that ISA HK/China has issued Station Mail on the concern of poor English standard in HK, & yet HK is supposed to have the best English education with her colonial past & being an international city in the Far East.

Poor English would inadvertently affect the quality of our Arborist Reports, tarnish the publication of our research if any, & mock our communication with other Arborists around the world. Arborists in our territory are sometimes regarded as insufficient in their writing skills, & bad English would appear as a major culprit.

In HK today, a lot of Tree Reports would follow the pattern of Consulting Arboriculture (http://www.asca-consultants.org/), as the Arborist has to justify why trees are to be retained, transplanted, felled & replaced. A lot of such reports are currently written in the requirement of Tree Survey with simple definition in good, fair & poor to a tree, without further scientific justification on Tree Biology or Biomechanics. For example, if a tree has a decay somewhere, at best a decay-detection result would be given, but no research would be quoted to justify why such decay would cause failure under what condition. Subjective judgment of personal liking is the usual option, which can be misleading without back-up of standards, guidelines or even rule of thumb. This may be one of the reasons why so many trees were felled once after Risk Assessment. How many of us would go further than to explore the genuine reason of why a tree is recommended felling, & for what ?

Internationally, Consulting Arborist Report would be written similar to an Engineering Report, in a similar justification style. Then if such a report is written with incorrect spelling & broken grammar, inconsistent explanations & indecisive conclusion, would it really serve the purpose of what it is asked for ? Is not presentable English an entry to writing scientific report for basic communication ?

Therefore, as 90+% of ISA research & publications are written in English today, mastering this language is a must for our Qualified Arborist (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/09/isa-hkchina-qualified-arborist-qa.html) system. It is also an important element to move up the ladder in the Arborist Profession.

Go learn English well then, may the best of you ...

best regards,

Sammy Au
President (Station Manager)
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html )
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html )
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html )

"Providing treatment without in-depth diagnosis & research support is professional misconduct. "

"Casual tree assessor delivers wanton tree assessment. Mother Nature makes the rules."

亲爱的会员，

ISA中国分会不只第一次颁布电邮引起在香港英语水平差的关注，但香港在过去是殖民地的背景和作为一个国际城市，应该有最好的英语教育。

英文不好会无意中会影响树艺师报告的质量，令到我们的研究刊物失色，及讥讽我们与世界各地其它树艺师的沟通。在香港的树艺师，有时被视为写作技巧不足，而英文不好会被视为一个主要的罪魁祸首。

在香港的今天，很多树木的报告属于顾问树艺报告（http://www.asca/ - consultants.org）。作为树艺师应要解释为何要保留树木，移植，砍伐和更换。而目前很多这类的树木评估报告只简单的把树木质量分成好的、中等的和差劣的，并没有进一步的利用树木生物学或生物力学去进行科学辨析。例如，如果树木存在腐烂，充其量只给一个仪器检测结果，而没有引述研究报告为何这样的衰变会在哪里导致失败，或可能在什么条件下倒塌。个人喜好的主观判断，可能在没有标准、准则或经验法则的支持下而产生误导。

在国际上，这类顾问树艺报告应被写成工程报告，有一个类似的描述风格。但如果这样的报告存在着不正确的拼字和文法，不一致的解释和模棱两可的结论，这报告是否能写出的目的吗？是不是不象样的英文是编写这类科学报告的不二法门？

目前，百分之九十以上的ISA研究和出版刊物都采用英语写作，掌握这语言是作为一个 “认可树艺师” 的必须条件（http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/09/isa-hkchina-qualified-arboristqa.html ）。这也是树艺师专业阶梯上移的重要元素。

希望你们当中最好的, 能夠学好英语…

此致

国际树木学会中国地区分会会长

欧永森
顾问树艺师号 RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
资深树艺师 / 注册攀树师号HK-0174BT(http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
执业树艺师号IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-tree-news-14410-report.html)

“没有深入诊断及探究支持去作出治疗，是专业失误。”

“速成出来的树木评估员，只会作出胡乱的树木评估。大自然会决定成败。”

( 以上由注册树艺师周志贤 HK-0280A 翻译。一切内容以英文版本为准。 )

港聞80後面試口啞「you can唔can」打工仔測試 8成英文僅初中程度

又到大學生搵工季節，但80後的面試英語卻「嚇壞人」，有大學生以「My Name is......」作自我介紹，其後口啞啞沒下文。有英語培訓中心指，有8成接受會話及聆聽英語測試的上班族的英語水平，只達中一、二程度，有碩士生甚至未達TOEFL水平。

有人事顧問稱，有身經百戰的管理層求職，英文語法同樣錯漏百出。

英語熟練度港排12遜大馬

英孚教育（EF）早前調查了44個非英語為母語地區的「英語熟練度」，結果本港排名12，落後排第9的馬來西亞（註︰調查未包括新加坡）。

英語培訓中心Prime English學術總監Wennita Fong表示，學員在參加課程前須接受英語聆聽測試，內容與職場用語、電話交談相關，程度與TOEFL相近，以50分為合格，但有4成大學生測試並不合格，當中包括碩士生，令人大跌眼鏡。

細妹說成「small sister」

她說，剛有大學生在英語面試環節中，介紹自己家庭成員，但將「細妹」說成「small sister」。另有人問對方能否按時完成工作，說成：「you can唔can？」。

她認為，近年大學生的英語書寫能力有下降趨勢，可能與年輕人多以網絡溝通，彼此不再太注重文法有關。

Englishtown 大中華區總裁張志深表示，本港上班族的英文水平不進反退，在報讀機構課程前，會被安排進行英文水平測試，發現8成上班族聽、講能力，僅中一、二程度。

從事大專及成人英語教育多年的何佩玲表示，上班族英文欠佳，會阻礙事業發展。

中原人力資源顧問有限公司董事總經理周綺萍指出，70、80後英文程度很一般，不少大學生的英文程度低過中七生。她曾以英文問求職的大學生「Career planning」，但對方即時口窒窒，不知有關英文意思。

見工高層 I have變I has

英文差並不限於大學生，管理層見工的英文同樣錯漏百出，語法尤其嚇怕人。周指，有人將「I have」說成「I has」，或將「watch movies」說成「see films」；但她強調，如錯誤不影響溝通，亦不至於阻礙仕途發展。

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

Monday, August 15, 2011

ISA HK/China --- Tree Topping in School

国内朋友请使用翻译软件阅读本文 (http://translate.google.com.hk/?hl=en&tab=wT#en

zh-CN), 亦可查閱 "百度博客" (http://hi.baidu.com/%B9%FA%BC%CA%CA%F7%C4%BE%D1%A7%BB%E1/blog ) 以取得本文翻繹本。

*** 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 in English, although images are usually not attached due to size. ***

Dear Station Members,

It's summer vacation for schools in HK from June to August every year. It is also time for schools to conduct various maintenance work including Tree Pruning, while the students are away.

From experience, it appears that most School Management believe when trees grow too big, branches will fall or the whole tree may topple, to hit anybody or properties below. Therefore, they employ garden contractors to conduct pruning to reduce the crown size, whether it is required scientifically or not. With this traditional prqactice, contractors are busy to trim trees for schools during summer time, & there are hundreds of schools requiring this service every year. The employment of an Arborist to conduct any assessment for health or safety has never been thought necessary, because schools themselves thought they would know better mostly from common sense, as well as to save cost.

Schools in HK today are tight in funding. In order to follow the conventional practice of selecting the cheapest, the decision of employing a contractor to do the tree work is dependent on the lowest bid. It is mostly the garden contractors rather than the Tree Specialist who would get the job at the end. The attached photos as reported by Station Member show the common quality of work so done by the garden contractor who gave the lowest bid in a recent job.

The trees can be seen heavily topped without any valid reason. Section of wood before the Natural Protection Zone (TPZ) will become pest food to grow enough microorganisms to either snap off the wood section to hit a target below, or to penetrate through the TPZ to cause internal decay. Large wounds will never fully close to induce cavity or internal decay to invite future hazards. Epicormic Sprouts will spring up everywhere to deplete storage reserves to falsely represent vigorous growth. Topping is a practice even worst that removing the tree, because it will invite hazards.

In reality, a lot of urban trees in HK are growing healthily enough until they are pruned, & the incorrect pruning is one of the major culprits of why so many urban trees have turned into hazards. Proper pruning takes more than a few seminars or crash courses to learn, & holding credentials does not mean the person can really prune. Pruning goes along with tree climbing, chainsaw us, rigging, Tree Biology & Biomechanics. Failing that would simply be Mother Nature makes the Rules.

Topping appears to be banned by Govt Guidelines in HK today, but a lot of Govt schools are practicing it. Does it in mean the policy is selective on them?
best regards,

Sammy Au
President (Station Manager)
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
Board Certified Master Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)

"Providing treatment without in-depth diagnosis & research support is professional misconduct. "

"Casual tree assessor delivers wanton tree assessment. Mother Nature makes the rules."

各位会员，

每年6月至8月是香港学校的暑假，也是维修兼修树的时机。

许多学校会以为树木长大以后必有重枝倒下而压中学生。因此，不论科学与否，他们都会聘请承办商进行树木修剪，减少树冠。抱着如此心态，又有多至数百间学校于暑假都有此需要，需要盈利的园景承办商自然会忙于为学校用传统的方法去修剪树木。很少学校会先行聘请树艺师来进行初步评估, 因为他们可能以为他们所知的会比其他人更多，并以为树木修剪只是一般常识而已。

今天香港的学校大部分都资金紧拙。依循以 “愈便宜愈正确”的政策，雇用某承包商做树木工作自然是取决于价低者得。最后通常是由园艺承包商而不是树艺专家取得这份工作。附照为会员所拍，显示了低价者的一般工作质素。

从照片中可以看到很多树木都無由地被严重 "去顶"。在自然保护层 (TPZ) 前的木块将成为害虫食物，而滋生的微生物可令枝条断落而打中下面的目标，或穿透过 TPZ而引起树体腐烂。过大的伤口可能永不关闭而导致蚀洞或内部腐烂, 而招致未来风险。水横枝会到处窜出伪装蓬勃生长，从以大量消耗树体储粮。

事实上，很多香港的市区树木在修剪前都相对健康; 不正确的修剪将许多树木转变成风险危害。

"去顶" 似乎为香港政府的修剪指引所禁，却有很多政府学校不理。是否此指引不能套用于这些学校呢？

谨此致意！

国际树木学会中国地区分会会长

欧永森

顾问树艺师号RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)

独立执业树艺师号IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-tree-news-1440-report.htuml)

资深树艺师 / 注册攀树师号HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)

“不深入诊断和参照研究来批出处方，是专业失当。”

“速成出来的树木评估员，只会作出胡乱的树木评估。大自然会决定成败。”

(以上由羅葉明，注册樹藝師号 HK-0538 翻译。一切内容以英文版本为准。)

Monday, August 8, 2011

ISA HK --- 2011ISA International Conference in Sydney (Australia)

Dear Station Members,

Upon return, we can call it the most successful ISA International Conference that ISA HK/China has ever participated. The Station Manager (SM) has counted more than 50+ Station Members from our territory of HK, Macau, Taiwan & China had attended, making us one of the largest group coming in from around the world. Also this year, ISA HK/China has sent Mr. KW Lee to join in the International Tree climbing Competition, & a lot of experience has been gained. We have fully benefited from our participation.

The once a year event of ISA International Conference is usually held in the US Mainland traditionally. But this year, it was planned & held in Sydney, Australia. This gives a good opportunity for members living in the Asia Pacific Region to save cost & time for travel & jetlag. Therefore, keep participation was seen from countries like Singapore, HK & China to come in for the latest knowledge & networking. Perhaps the 2011 ISA International Conference is the one with so many of attendees from this region so far. It has been good for some of us to see old friends from our neighborhood.

The Seminars & Workshops have been excellent as usual as in any ISA International Conference. We have learned that most Workshops were fully booked well in advance. The SM himself attended the Workshops which he regarded as relevant to his work & knowledge, namely on Tree Biology & Biomechanics, which are rarely given within our territory. Both topics are under constant research in ISA for continuous updates. Both topics are relatively new in the scientific world that most publications only appeared from the 1990's.

In the Wood Fungi Workshop with Prof. Schwarze, the SM has learned about his new theory on Tree Risk Assessment (TRA) about the doubts on using Decay Detection Equipment such as Resistograph & Tomograph, which were both thought to be the solution for accurate decay detection for traditional Arborists in many places. Prof. Schwarze has proven it by research that an experienced Arborist may produce a more accurate assessment with visual means, which is rather in line with the suspicion of the SM himself over his thousands of TRA in the past. It appears that relying on equipment is an easy solution to tell others, whereas getting the knowledge & experience to do the work is harder. And many of us would prefer the easy way out...

In the Tree Biology Workshop under Prof. Coder, he practically taught us on a year's study at MSc level on Photosynthesis & Respiration of Trees within 3 hours !! Prof. Coder is also a powerful speaker, who can present complicated knowledge in a simple form. The SM was so enlightened by him that even as a laymen of the subject, he could digest his knowledge & put it to use afterwards. Prof. Coder is a world class tutor indeed. He is also a strong supporter of ISA.

At the International Tree Climbing Competition which is held close to the Conference, too many audiences crowded the round that find a good spot for video taking has been difficult. many people came from around the world to come to support this event, & many of them, just like us, would like to take home good videos. It is true that tree climbing skills keep on improving, every time when the SM has a chance to visit them. When our Station Members saw how the world climbers were performing, it might make them feel how behind we really are in our territory. For tree climbing, it's no good just talking & not getting the job done, efficiently & safely. Tree climbing is unique to Arboriculture & Forestry, that no any other greenery discipline would perform. Tree Climbers are themselves a unique breed, irreplaceable by anybody.

As the Education Sessions & the Climbers' Corner began work on Jul 25, anyone who is interested in both would be running around to different places to try to catch up with the latest knowledge. After all, this is what ISA Conference all about. There is no heavy feasting & drinking, but serious learning & sharing. ISA Conference is one of the few kinds that the SM would recommend our Station Members to attend, & to bring back updated knowledge & information. Arboriculture is an advancing profession, & ISA Conference is the best place to update.

There may be too much to write if for a Station Mail purpose on a rewarding event like attending an ISA International Conference. On the other hand, Station Mail is not designed for this purpose. ISA HK/China has benefited so much from attend this Sydney Conference that we are contemplating to go the Portland Conference in Oregon State, USA next year. It is true that ISA Conference in US Mainland is bigger & more crowded, as the majority of ISA Members & sponsors are from US Mainland. Oregon is also the home of the biggest trees in the world, the Sequoia. The SM has seen them last about 30 years ago, & the remaining photos are fainting. He would like to go there to refresh them.

Hope to see you all in Oregon next year!

best regards,

Sammy Au
President (Station Manager)
Registered Consulting Arborist no. RCA#497 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist / Certified Tree Worker no. HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
Independent Practicing Arborist no. IPA-010908 (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-hk-tree-news-14410-report.html)

"Providing treatment without in-depth diagnosis & research support is professional misconduct. "

"Casual tree assessor delivers wanton tree assessment. Mother Nature makes the rules."

各位会员，

今次在澳洲悉尼举行的ISA国际树艺会议，对本分会来说，是历来最成功的一次。本分会长在会议期间，遇见50多位分别来自香港、澳门、台湾及中国大陆的分会员，成为来自世界各地出席该会议最大区域性队伍之一。同时今年，本分会亦派出李启宏先生参加国际攀爬比赛，取得不少经验。透过此次会议，我们实获益不少。

按传统，每年的ISA国际会树艺议通常都在美国举行，但今年改在澳洲悉尼举行。这个安排令到出席会议的亚太地区ISA会员可节省交通费和时间，甚至不会遇到时差问题。因此，请大家留意如将来举办会议的地方像新加坡、香港及中国大陆，就应继续参与这个会议。届时会议可能好像今年一样，会吸引了很多亚太地区的ISA会员出席，那麼我们就再有机会与邻近地区的老朋友见面了。

研讨会与工作坊与以往一样表现出色。大部份工作坊预先已报满额了。本分会主席参与对他自己工作及知识有关的工作坊，如树的生物学和生物力学。这些专题科目很少会在本分会区域接触得到，但ISA对这些专题科目会不断研究及更新有关知识。这两个专题科目在科学领域上是比较新的，他们只在1990年及以后的刋物上出现。

在树木真菌工作坊，本分会会长得知导师Prof. Schwarze对使用树木腐烂测试仪器，如压力扫描仪及断层扫描仪，来评估树木的腐烂程度的准确性提出询疑。他经研究证实，一个有经验的树艺师能用目视方法作出一个比仪器更准确的评估。Prof. Schwarze的询疑正与本会长经历数千次树木风险评估工作后对仪器的准确性产生怀疑十分吻合。用仪器测检出来的结果总比累积经验来判断结果来得容易；人总是取易不取难。

在树木生物工作坊，导师Prof. Coder只用3小时将需要修读一年的树木光合作用及呼吸的硕士课程几乎全部都向我们讲述了！他真是一个很擅长的演讲者；能够使用简单的言语传达深奥的知识。他那种可使一个行业以外的人士都能学以致用的讲解能力深深地启发了本分会长。

国际树木攀爬比赛在会议地点附近举行。由於观众太挤拥，所以很难找到一个合适位置拍录像。来自世界各地的参观者好像我们一样，都想拍到好的录像回家。当本分会长每次参加此项比赛时，都亲眼见証了树木攀爬技术不断地在进步。而本分会员观看世界顶级树木攀爬者的表演后，亦感到技不如人。爬树技巧不能只是说理论而缺乏有效而安全的训练。爬树是树艺和林业的独特工作项目而不是绿化行业需要执行的任务。树木攀爬者拥有不可替代的特质。

学术性的研讨会及攀爬训练班同在7月25日开始，有兴趣参加者须忙於两边赶去出席，目的是抢先获取最新的有关知识。毕竟ISA国际会议不是大吃大喝的聚会而是一个认真学习及分享知识的会议。本分会会长鼓励分会会员参加这个会议去获取树艺的第一手知识和资讯。树艺是一门不断向前的行业而ISA週年国际会议是最好更新自己专业知识的地方。

可惜本会通讯不是专为报导ISA国际树艺会议而设的，否则将会有更多今年会议的情况向大家报导。由於本分会从今次的悉尼会议获益良多，所以我们会认真考虑去参加明年在美国俄勒冈州波特兰举办的ISA国际树艺会议会议，因为大多数ISA的会员及赞助者都在美国，所以在美国举办的会议总比在其他地办的更多人参加。俄勒冈州是出产最粗壮红杉的地方。本分会会长在30年前拍的照片现已渐渐模糊了，真很想到那处再拍一些新照片。

希望明年我们在俄勒冈州见面！

谨此致意！

国际树木学会中国地区分会会长

欧永森

顾问树艺师号RCA#497(http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/12/isa-hkchina-first-rca-in-asia.html)
资深树艺师/注册攀树师号HK-0174BT (http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2011/03/isa-hkchina-first-bcma-in-asia.html)
执业树艺师号IPA-010908
(http://isahkchina.blogspot.com/2010/04/isa-hkchina-tree-news-1440-report.htuml)

“不深入诊断和参照研究来批出处方，是专业失当。”