The Consulting Arborist Society was formed in 2003 to allow tree consultants working on cases of subsidence where trees were implicated to train and become accredited in this area. Other areas have been added recognising the different challenges facing the professional arboricultural consultant.
Perhaps it is to be expected that disciplines related to planning are prominent amongst the eight Areas of Professional Competency that CAS now recognises. There is training with accreditation in Tree Preservation Order administration (including how to object to a newly-served order), Tree Valuation (ideal for valuing trees as a feature as part of the planning process) and Expert Witness work, equipping the member for Planning Inquiries and legal cases. There are also seminars on report writing and peer reviews of BS 5837:2005 reports to accompany planning applications. Where tree safety may be an issue, members can become Lantra Professional Tree Inspectors following a rigorous three day course.
With these skills, the accredited CAS Professional Member is equipped to support clients involved in the planning process.
Each member’s details are listed on the website at www.consultingarboristsociety.com