Trees in our towns provide a favourable and sustainable environment, which belong to the main EU priorities. The task of the arborists and related professionals is to keep the trees in good conditions to support all the benefits and reduce their possible negative impacts. To keep the trees in good condition can be assured only by the highest level of tree care and planting. Although there is a certification scheme already set up in Europe (ETW, ETT), the transparent and harmonized description of good practices is still missing. The goal of the project is to develop three European technical standards in areas of tree pruning, planting and bracing / cabling. The standards should provide technical definitions of best practices in tree work across Europe. To raise awareness about the specifics in the European countries the national annexes will be produced as well. The national annexes will primarily cover the differences given by the legislation needs and historical approach. There are 10 project partners (plus 1 associated) with the range of experiences and profiles necessary for the achievement of defined goals. The majority of partners have been involved in previous international cooperation, training activities and setting up of the standards and certification systems on different levels. To get the European perspective there will be 22 European countries involved throughout the dissemination activities of European Arboricultural Council. Through the dissemination activities of all partners, other important target groups will be involved as well: contracting organizations (e.g. public bodies, government agencies, major tree owners and managers), training and certification centres, cabling systems manufacturers and tree nursery managers. There will be a pattern in development, which will be followed by each standard. The first stage of the development will be dedicated to reviewing the actual situation in target areas. The second stage will be aimed at standard development. There will be three basic parts in the standard development: 1) first draft creation, 2) feedback through the questionnaire and dissemination activities and creation of the second draft 3) link-up within the standards and text finalization. The second and third phase will be connected with the creation of national annexes. All results will become a part of the project website and will be openly available. The fundamental of the project is maintaining international discussion, wide review and revision of texts. There are six basic results planned within the project, which include texts of technical standards and national annexes for areas of tree pruning, planting and bracing / cabling. The results should provide a baseline for the quality work assurance, certification process and training materials across Europe. In the long term, we aim for transparency in contracting procedures, increased harmonization in vocational training, the better understanding of certification requirements and open possibilities in work mobility. These goals are the background for the quality work assurance across Europe and ways how to ensure functional green infrastructure in our cities for the future.
The goal of the project was to develop technical standards for practical tree care in three main practical areas of arboriculture (pruning, planting and cabling/bracing). The standards should provide technical definitions of best practices in tree work across Europe. To raise awareness about the specifics in the European countries the national annexes were aimed to be produced as well. The national annexes should primarily cover the differences given by the legislation needs and historical approach.
Trees provide a favourable and sustainable environment in urban areas, which belong to the main EU priorities. The task of arborists and related professionals is to keep the trees in good conditions to support all the benefits and reduce their possible negative impacts. To keep the trees in good condition can be assured only by the highest level of tree care and planting. Although there is a certification scheme already set up in Europe (ETW, ETT), transparent and harmonized description of good practices is still missing.