Felling & Processing Trees up to 380mm NPTC Level 2 Award (CS31)
This three-day course will give you the opportunity to gain practical tree felling skills and technical knowledge in chainsaw work. The course will give you the opportunity to learn more about cross-cutting, stacking and felling techniques, and is ideal if you are a professional chainsaw user who wishes to fell trees that have a diameter of 200mm-380mm at the felling point. If you just need a refresher course these are run from the second day of a full course and are two days long.
Entry requirements
You can begin this course if you have already achieved the Chainsaw Maintenance & Crosscutting NPTC Level 2 Award (previously known as CS30).
Course content
You will study the following topics:
- Identifying the risk assessment and emergency procedures on a work site
- Selecting and preparing equipment required for safe and effective felling
- Felling small trees safely and accurately using an appropriate method
- Felling leaning trees using a safe technique
- Removing branches safely in a manner appropriate to the branching habit
- Crosscutting stems accurately and safely to a given length and diameter specification
- Stacking timber using appropriate manual handling techniques
- Taking down small hung-up trees safely using appropriate hand tools
- Risk assessments and emergency procedures
- Equipment selection and preparation
- Crosscutting and stacking timber
- Felling small trees, branch removal.
Assessment methods
The assessment for NPTC course normally takes place 10 to 14 days after the initial training and is a full day, the price is included in the course price. After completing this course, you will receive an NPTC Certificate of Competence.
Further study and career options
Gaining this qualification will be beneficial if you are working in the horticultural or arboricultural industries, or if you are working self-employed as, for example, a tree surgeon.
Additional information
To take part in this course you must bring PPE (personal protective equipment) and other tools and equipment as listed on the joining instructions. You can also view the PPE and tools list here. These will be emailed to you a few weeks before the course is due to start – please contact us to confirm you have the required items.