Felling and Processing Trees up to 380mm (NPTC)

Program Overview

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Felling and Processing Trees up to 380mm (NPTC)

Overview

Get the knowledge, understanding and skills required to fell small trees up to 380mm safely, to industry standards, in line with current legislation. This Level 2 Certificate of Competence is NPTC City & Guilds approved.

Full Description

You will learn:

• risk assessment
• emergency planning
• legislation
• industry best practice
• environmental considerations
• recognition of disease and decay
• modification of felling methods
• setting up supports
• felling techniques and cuts
• pre-start checks
• site preparation
• dealing with hung up trees
• aid tools
• branch removal
• dealing with brash
• cross-cutting timber to length
• stacking timber
• waste disposal.

The module requires reading and interpreting of information such as safety instructions and technical knowledge. To attain this qualification you must successfully achieve a one to one practical assessment with oral questioning by an independent NPTC City & Guilds approved assessor.

Instructor / Student Ratio

1:4

Your Tutor

Steve Woodley is a forester, arborist and green woodworker from Essex with 28 years industry experience specialising in urban and woodland tree management. Steve has been teaching ground and aerial units for us since 2004. His professional qualifications include BSc (Hons) Rural Resource Development, Arb Association Tech Cert, NPTC City & Guilds approved assessor since 2004. Steve is also passionate about hand crafted timber and keeping the skill of axing alive.

Along with Steve we use many excellent trainers and assessors and are confident our training more than meets NPTC City & Guilds standards.

Who Should Attend?

The Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Felling Small Trees up to 380mm is for individuals who operate chainsaws as part of their work in arboriculture, forestry or other industries.

Dates

Monday 23 to Thursday 26 June 2025 (plus one day assessment date to be confirmed).

Where You'll Study

Your Faculty

At Writtle College, our courses blending classroom learning with hands-on experience in specialised fields such as sport, agriculture, horticulture, animal studies, equine studies, conservation and floristry.

Our Level 2 and Level 3 programmes are designed to prepare you for your future career or higher education pathways.

Where Can I Study?

Writtle Campus

Our picturesque 150-hectare campus is situated in the heart of the Essex countryside.

Fees & Funding

Course Fees

Standard Booking

£750

The cost includes equipment use and NPTC registration/assessment.

An additional charge maybe incurred if you do not accept the assessment date offered to you.

Entry Requirements

This intensive practical course requires a good level of physical fitness and an ability to study written technical information.

You must hold OFQUAL regulated qualifications in Chainsaw Maintenance and Crosscutting (NPTC).

We are governed by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations therefore you will not be allowed to start the course without the correct personal protective equipment which should conform to CE/EN standards:

• chainsaw trousers
• chainsaw gloves – approved pictogram to BS EN 381-7
• chainsaw boots – BS EN ISO 17249 bearing a shield depicting a chainsaw to show compliance with EN381-3, spats are no longer allowed
• chainsaw helmet with eye and ear protection.

By making a booking you are declaring yourself medically fit to participate in this course.

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Program Outline

Assessment:

This Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Felling Small Trees up to 380mm requires reading and interpreting of information such as safety instructions and technical knowledge. To attain this qualification you must successfully achieve a one to one practical assessment with oral questioning by an independent NPTC City & Guilds approved assessor.

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Teaching:

Steve Woodley is a forester, arborist and green woodworker from Essex with 28 years industry experience specialising in urban and woodland tree management. Steve has been teaching ground and aerial units for us since 2004. His professional qualifications include BSc (Hons) Rural Resource Development, Arb Association Tech Cert, NPTC assessor since 2004. Steve is also passionate about hand crafted timber and keeping the skill of axing alive.

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Careers:

Individuals who operate chainsaws as part of their work in arboriculture, forestry or other industries.