Oakleaf Training - Forestry - Utility - Arb | Newton Abbot | Devon

Aerial tree rigging - 9th March
2026-03-09 08:00 - 2026-03-13 17:00 (Europe/London) | Oak Leaf Training HQ, Sand Pitt Copse, Staple Hill Road, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6QE, United Kingdom
This course is designed for people who hold the qualifications tree climb and aerial rescue, chainsaw maintenance and cross cutting timber, small tree felling up to 380mm and chainsaw from a rope and harness.
This course is for people who have been regularly climbing using a chainsaw in a tree for at least 1-2 years and are looking to take the next step into dismantling trees and also being able to remove tree material, lowering them safely to the ground using a series of lowering and dismantling techniques.
The course is run over 3 days, with an additional day for an independent assessment for a City and Guilds certificate of competence.
You will learn how to calculate the weight of your timber being lowered down on your equipment. Have an understanding of the type of weight your equipment can safely use to lower timber and branches, and also calculate the peak load of what your equipment and the forces applied to your rigging points.
The maximum number of candidates per course is 4, and only 2 people can be assessed on any one day.
Any equipment you use will be subject to LOLER and PUWER 1998 requirements, and any pipe used will need to be fit for purpose.

City & Guilds Level 2 Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue Course - 2nd March
2026-03-02 08:00 - 2026-03-09 17:00
The City & Guilds Level 2 Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue course is designed for individuals seeking to develop the essential skills required for safe and effective climbing and aerial rescue operations within arboriculture. Suitable for those working in tree care, landscaping, or forestry, this qualification is recognised across the UK and Ireland and demonstrates competence in both practical and safety aspects of tree work.
The maximum number of candidates per course is four.
Course objectives

To provide learners with the knowledge and practical skills for climbing trees using recognised techniques.
To ensure participants can carry out aerial rescue operations safely and efficiently.
To promote best practices in health and safety, risk assessment, and equipment handling.
To prepare candidates for assessment in accordance with City & Guilds standards.

The course typically spans over 5 days and consists of both theoretical and practical components, with an independent assessment on the 6th day.
During this course, you will learn how to climb a tree in line with best practices and how to move about the tree with use of climbing ropes and how to perform aerial rescues to get casualties out of the trees safely, you will also learn how to use climbing spikes on stems of trees which is a necessity when it comes to climbing in the industry.
Cost is £900 per person
Equipment needed :
Climbing helmet with chinstrap
Metal toe capped boots
Non snag clothing
Tree climbing equipment included within the course.

Chainsaw from a rope and harness - 26th Feb
2026-02-26 08:00 - 2026-02-28 17:00
Chainsaw from a rope and harness.
The course is typically two days of training with one day of assessment from an independent Assessor. Within this course, you will be climbing trees in accordance with best practice using appropriate equipment and then using a chainsaw within the tree from a rope and harness, cutting branches using a mixture of handheld and free for techniques applying various different cuts.
You will also learn how to target prune, ensuring that when you create a finishing cut, the wound that is created does not cut into the branch by the colour of the tree, and if pruned to a growth point on the tree, it is to an acceptable size.
You also learn how to carry out an inspection of the tree, looking for any major defects and also understand how to zone off your site for safety.
For this course, you need qualifications in tree climbing and aerial rescue, chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting timber, and small tree felling up to 380mm
The price for this course, including the assessment, is £525.00 per person, and we have a maximum of four people on any course.

Chainsaw maintenance and cross cutting - 19th Feb
2026-02-19 08:00 - 2026-02-22 17:00
Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-Cutting
This course is designed for individuals who use, or intend to use, chainsaws within the forestry or land-based industries, including landowners and those seeking to develop new skills or obtain a recognised qualification for insurance purposes.
To ensure a high standard of instruction and close supervision, each course is limited to a maximum of four candidates.
The course is delivered over three days, followed by an independent assessment, leading to a City & Guilds Certificate of Competence.
Course Content
Day One
Participants will cover health and safety requirements, relevant legislation, and industry best practice for chainsaw use. Training includes stripping down a chainsaw to understand its components, routine maintenance to ensure safe and efficient operation, safe fuelling procedures, and an introduction to battery-powered equipment.
Day Two
Training focuses on personal protective equipment (PPE), including what must be worn when operating a chainsaw. Participants will also learn about the properties of timber, potential hazards when cutting wood, and the correct cutting techniques to ensure safe cross-cutting operations.
All maintenance training is carried out in our purpose-built workshop, and all cutting exercises take place in covered cross-cutting bays, allowing training to proceed safely regardless of weather conditions.
Cost
The total cost for training and assessment is £480.00.
Required Equipment
Participants must bring the following equipment:

Chainsaw boots

Chainsaw gloves

Chainsaw trousers

Forestry helmet

Chainsaw (maximum bar length of 16 inches)

Maintenance tools, including round and flat files for chain maintenance, combi spanner, star drive, etc.

Personal first aid kit

Chainsaw fuel (2-stroke mix 50:1) and chain oil

If you are experiencing difficulty sourcing any of the required equipment, please contact us and we will do our best to assist.

Small Tree Felling - 11th Feb
2026-02-11 08:00 - 2026-02-16 17:00
The Small Tree Felling course is designed for individuals who already hold a Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-Cutting qualification and wish to progress to felling trees with a maximum trunk diameter of 380mm.
Each course is limited to a maximum of four candidates to ensure a high level of instruction and supervision.
The training course runs over three days, followed by an independent assessment leading to a City & Guilds Certificate of Competence.
Course Overview
Day One
The course begins at the Oakleaf Training Yard. The day focuses on:

Health and safety requirements
Legal responsibilities associated with tree felling
Risk assessment and hazard identification
Best practice, safety distances, and environmental considerations
Understanding the different types of felling cuts, including when and why they are used

Candidates will practice felling cuts multiple times using our purpose-built felling sockets. This allows you to refine techniques without the need for repeated tree clearance. You will also practice:

Snedding (removal of branches from a felled tree)
Cross-cutting timber – cutting timber into specified lengths

All practical training on day one takes place under cover in our chainsaw-constructed bays, ensuring training continues regardless of weather conditions.
Days Two and Three
Training moves to the woodland environment, where candidates will:

Practice deliberately hanging up trees
Learn safe and effective techniques for recovering hung-up trees
Fell trees using appropriate methods
Process timber in line with site-specific requirements

Course Fee & Assessment:  £625.00 per person.
Equipment you will need for the course:

Chainsaw boots, Chainsaw trousers, Forestry helmet
Chainsaw gloves
Chainsaw with a maximum bar length of 16 inches
Maintenance tools, personal first aid kit, chainsaw fuel 2-stroke mix 50-1 and chain oil
Felling lever, Timber tongs, timber tape

* If you are struggling with any items of equipment, then please let us know, as we can help.

Small Tree Felling - 4th Feb
2026-02-04 - 2026-02-07
