Prof. Shearbomb pilots ITIP at APF Show 2024

Attending the APF Show 2024 was both a professional milestone and a logistical feat. Known as the largest forestry, woodland, and arboricultural exhibition in the UK, the APF Show offers an unmatched environment to connect with the industry and launch groundbreaking courses like our Internal Tree Inspection Programme (ITIP).

The show's scale brought unique challenges; it’s essentially run like a construction site, with a robust set of health and safety protocols, heavy machinery, and an open environment that required diligent planning. The groundwork involved not only securing two marquees but also selecting suitable trees for Visual Tree Assessment (VTA) and advanced diagnostic inspections, like tomography and microdrilling.

Preparation for the course’s pilot run required extensive groundwork. I coordinated 16 enthusiastic attendees, each with varying levels of experience, eager to expand their internal inspection skills. To ensure an effective experience, I produced handouts and delivered a presentation on the first day covering VTA, along with in-depth demonstrations of the PiCUS 2 and PiCUS 3 tomograms.

Day 1’s focus was on understanding how to use these advanced tools and interpret their results accurately. When misapplied, these tools can mistakenly justify the felling of healthy trees or, conversely, the retention of trees with hidden risks. Sharing practical insights on this balance was crucial to delivering the quality of instruction I had envisioned for the course. Launching ITIP at APF was truly rewarding, solidifying its importance within the arboricultural field and establishing a strong foundation for future training.