Natural Braces training in high demand in 2017

Since finding the relationship between natural braces and the formation of bark-included junctions in trees, I have given a series of eighteen UK-based 'fork talks' as well as two international talks last year (2016) - at Hong Kong's fabulous Flower Show and a short talk at the ISA Conference, Fort Worth, Texas. 

Through delivering these eighteen day-long training sessions supported by the AA and Wycombe District Council in 2016-17, I have trained c. 570 UK arborists/arboriculturists/tree surgeons - which has been both a challenge and a privilege. I have met so many nice, friendly people and really enjoyed engaging them with my research and what it means in terms of tree assessment and tree surgery. Job done, surely, having trained that many people...

Well, it appears that 'arbs' just can't get enough of these natural braces, so a series of further 'fork talks' are now arranged for this summer, into the autumn, 2017, including four international appearances, where I will probably need to wear something a bit smarter than I normally wear... 

The provisional dates and locations for these events are as follows:

• 30th May - Dublin, Ireland - full day's fork talk (supported by the Arboricultural Association), which looks at the normal anatomy of tree junctions, the grading of bark-included junctions, the effects of natural bracing on junctions and tree management recommendations. These workshops have developed over time, and have an average rating of 9.2/10 - so most people enjoy them: surely, it can't be the jokes!!! To book on to this workshop, which will be held at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, please contact either Felim Sheridan (087 262 9589) email: [email protected] or Roy Goodwin (087 222 5811), email: [email protected]
• 5th June - 9th June - University of Florence, Italy - three one-hour talks as part of a specialist 'Tree Biomechanics' course, arranged by Prof. Francesco Ferrini - junction anatomy, natural bracing & industry practice.
• 18th July - Singapore - Regional Arboricultural Seminar - a talk and workshop on natural bracing in trees
• 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 29th & 30th August - UK - five further UK fork talks:
• Tuesday 22nd August - Dillington, Somerset

• Wednesday 23rd August - Cobham, Surrey

• Thursday 24th August - Rodbaston College, South Staffordshire

• Tuesday 29th August - Edinburgh Botanicals

• Wednesday 30th August - Askham Bryan, York

Bookings for these talks can be made via the Arboricultural Association's website or you can ring them directly: +44 (0) 1242 522152.

• 13th September - AA Conference, Exeter - a talk on the survey of 348 arboriculturists in relation to natural bracing in trees. I have some really interesting findings to report on whether academic training or experience affects decision-making in managing trees with defects.
• 26th-28th October - Arboricultural Conference, New Zealand - two talks and a workshop - possibly... Seems a long way away at this stage...
• (still hoping for a "Fork Talk and Walk in York", to be honest... And there's a small town in Washington, USA called 'Forks', so that would be a pretty good venue too, I am thinking...)

I have put in two papers on the topic of natural bracing to the Arboricultural Journal, I am also working on writing up two further related papers this summer. In addition, I have just put in an article for City Trees magazine which I hope they'll use to spread the word, I am drafting something up for the next Arb Magazine and I will, of course, be teaching any new arb degree students joining our courses at Myerscough about natural bracing in trees too.

I'm highly committed to spreading the word on this important research finding: just as well, as delivering all these fork talks is pretty demanding on body and soul - I'm always physically shattered after a day of teaching/training on these courses, but then I have to travel to the next venue...and I never sleep well in unfamiliar surroundings (or Travelodges!). Hey-ho, all worth it if a few people gain a better understanding of trees, junctions and the effects of natural bracing in trees.

I hope to see you at one of these talks, if you've not already been to one. I'll just add a big 'Thank You' to the many people who have corresponded since receiving the training and have been sending me their own pictures of trees with natural braces, dodgy junctions in trees and asked me further questions. Great to see so many 'light bulb moments' happening for people I've trained - very motivating - thank you.

With best wishes,

Duncan.