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About Us

With over 30 years in the arboricultural industry and still actively involved on a commercial basis, Scott Fraser Training and Assessments Ltd is the ideal place to turn your tree surgery and arborist training needs into a commercial reality.

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Tree Surgery, Chainsaw Training & More

We have a comprehensive range of tree training courses available to you. The list of courses ranges from chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting to tree climbing and aerial rescue. Have a look through the full list here.
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Assessment Centre

SFTA has met strict quality assurance requirements to ensure that together with our assessors, all clients have access to a fair and professional assessment. Learn more about assessments, qualifications and fees here.
- Read More about Assessment Centre
Other Tree Surgery Services

We offer a full package of services from contracting, to LOLER inspections to consultancy work making your commercial needs a reality.
- Read More about Other Tree Surgery Services
Gallery

Everything from our chainsaw training courses in action to emergency tree work can be found under our gallery page. Click here to have a browse through the range of photo galleries we have taken over the years in the arboriculture industry.
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In The Local Area

Events and activities within the local area.

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Testimonials

Learnng new techniques - out of my comfort zone...but I learnt thet 'I', only human'!

Eileen

May 24
Course objectives were clear. Free and positive discussion on and around rigging / tree work.

April 24
Clear understanding of daily objectives. The ability to alter the course to suit worked well.

April 24
Scott's knowledge and enthusiam is fantatsic. I learnt how to use the Load Cell.

Ben

April 24
Easy to communicate/ views listed to properly

Oct 24
What worked well: deep explorations and discussions

Harry

Oct 24
Class discussions aided with expert advise was good

Scott

Oct 24
Very clear, very involving. Trainer has very good understanding. It's a lot more than just kit inspection!

Reece

Oct 24
The consideration of individual needs and going beyond the bare minimum, worked well.

Marcus

March 25
The small team meant we got a lot of attention

Oct 24
Well rounded course.

What will I cahnge as a result of training? The way I consider a fell before starting

Robert

Oct 24
Course was very well planned and the venue and facilities were perfect. Learned the operations of an electric chasinaw.

Thomas

June 21
The work area provided good opportunities to develop good processing and practice a wide variety of cuts. I learnt methods to keep the site efficient and organised.

Charlie

March 21
Probably the best course I've been on!

Dan
Scott had a great persona. I felt at ease and his instruction and training made me feel confident using al machinery. Very informative and interesting.

Sarah

Nov 20
The course progression from posts to small trees to larger trees worked well.

Aug 24
there was a clear plan to the day. I learnt about different types of trees.

Ross

Aug 24
Worked well - good layout of course

Learnt? - time menagement, health and safety

Feb 25
Excellent worksite and trees to climb. Improved my head for heights and various insects and pests that affect different trees.

Arlo

Aug 20
What worked well - time in the tree. work positioning - Scott's demo helped with this

What did you learn - be more dynamic with body

July 21
Everything was very positive and felt Scott overcame obstacles. I learnt to have a positive outlook on everything.

Danny

July 21
Lots of opportunity for practice and questions.

Aug 20
I like the interated assessment.

Oliver

Aug 20
Everything ran very well. Tuition was excellent.

Why did you choose to train with us? - Heard they were the best / they are

Charlie

Feb 25
Excellent instruction and equipment

Arlo

July 20
What worked well: Being allowed to focus on what you need most

Feb 25
Very clear and lots of detail.

What will I change as a result of training - making sure equipment is LOLERED/ safe/ fit for use

Ben

Feb 25
What worked well: the layout of tasks

What will you change as a result of your training? Slowing down / getting a good work position

Oct 24
What worked well - Everything = knowledgeable and experienced (first hand)

Gareth

June 20
Good pace, well delivered. Small group size

Andrew

June 20
Trainer was adaptable to personal issues. Climbing isn't as hard as expected with new climbing techniques and technology. Really good

Sarah

March 20
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you both. We have had such a lovely day as a family and learnt so many new things. I am very aware of muscles I never knew I had and the marks on my arms from hugging a tree through sheer terror are still very present!!! Such a brilliant day.

The location you have to operate in is stunning and having the beautifully made hut only makes this better. Great fire, great chat, great kit, awesome kettle and amazing experience......
Thank you again and I look forward to tying down the chainsaw course as soon as we can.

Guy

Aug 20
What will you change as a result of the training: think about escape routes

Jan 25
Fantastic training from Scott, look forward to the next training course here.

Charles

Nov 24
Very professional approach, enjoyable and educational course. Good to talk about climbing techniques with the team and look at new devices and climbing aids/ equipment

James

Pruning Jan 19
Very good course for knowledge

Matthew Jan 19

Pruning
Working with a new crew was good. I learnt countless bits of information!

Moby

Oct 18
The structure of the course and plenty of individual time with Scott. Highest quality of tuition and location

Harry

Sept 18
One to one time in the tree worked well. Better understanding of the whole job spec through to completion process

Andy

Aug 18
Very informative and good group

Tony

Nov 24
Fantastic course. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Scott was very patient and an excellent communicator. 10/10. Thank you!

Charles

Nov 24
Leant new, useful and functional information that will improve me as an arborist, as well as refreshing the skills I already had.

I learnt how to be more efficient, alternative techniques, applying the right technique to the correct scenario

Martin
Worked well - site location.

Learnt - new cuts

Even better if - it was summer!

Carrie
Was given a personal 'crown reduction' lesson. Excellent

Tony
Location, equipment, trees. I learnt how to further improve my general technique

Plumpton College Lecturer
The theory and visual learning techniques were superb

Jon

Jan 18
I liked the practical aspect - not too much classroom work

April 24
What worked well - the whole day.

I learnt that there is a lot more to learn about using a chainsaw than cutting wood

Patrick

May 18
Instructor was great, made the course enjoyable

Aaron

Feb 25
All of it (worked well) - the group being small helped. I learnt understanding winching angles, cutting to spec as you go.

Martin

Sept 18
What worked well - Range of trees to access, use of different saws

Simon

Nov 17
Good range of trees.

What will I change...work positioning

Mark

July 22
Worked well: introducing the activities and explaining and answering questions

Why train with us: Good reviews, good looking course website and great communication with Anna

Feb 25
I liked how we worked as a group and then went off individually

Steve

Oct 24
Really enjoyed the day. Found what I've learnt very helpful

Adam

Dec 24
Great knowledge from Scott as well as equipment provided

Jack

Sept 19
All the systems worked well, now just need to find one to suit. Lots of different ways to access trees and ease stress on the body. A perfect course

Stuart
Good feedback about my technique and how to improve.

Guy

July 18
What worked well - how each day was set out with the tasks

What did I learn - wider knowledge on kit selection and purpose and use

What will I change - how I buy kit considering manufacturers retire of equipment dates

William

March 25
What worked well: the traininer - traineer ratio

What did you learn? Lots on winches

Jake

Feb 25
What did you learn? - Patience in myself

What will you cahnge as a result of training? - Confidence

April 24
Great course yesterday; very useful

John

Oct 24
Just a brief thank you for the course on Friday. It was exactly what we had hoped for – an excellent mix of theory and practical, with plenty of food for thought.

Keith

Connick Tree Care
Assessment feedback - Great delivery of questions, which helped the asnwers develop naturally. Very encouraging at all stages

Sam
Assessment feedback - Great mixture of support and leaving us to it. Encouraging and helpful when needed of physical assistance. Approachable, professional and enjoyable assessor

Sam
Highly experienced staff, in both teaching and technique

Dan
What worked well - the amount of practice on actual trees

What did I learn - safety regulations

What will I change - how I maintain my saw

Charlie

March 25
I learnt the safe parctices of forrestry and some insight into the industry

William

Nov 18
I did the chainsaw course yesterday with Scott. Please tell Scott that it was brilliant and I got a lot out of it! I hope your business does very well because you deserve to flourish!!

Anthony

Oct 24
Chainsaw refresher - It was good to get up to date with new safety checks and legislation.

Uckfield town Council
I found the course very informative and educational with a great relaxed feel.

Sean
Your first aid course was superb, both in content and presentation and it was quite an eye opener of what products are out there.

Duncan
The trainer to student ratio lent itself to thorough teaching

Daniel

April 24
Great training. We were encouraged to work at our own speed.

Craig

Aug 24
Engaging training style

Jake

Dec 24
What worked well: conversation style covered all leanring outcomes

N

March 25
Very well informed and helpful. Would recommend

Daniel

July 24
A lot more techniques than expected

Darrel

May 18
The informal atmosphere worked well. I elarn about biodiversity and cleaing gear

Kristian

Feb 25
Professional as always. I learnt new knots, new skills and climber knowledge.
Scott and Chris have a mass of knowledge which really helped my understanding

Finley

March 25
Trainer was very good and made sure everyone understood what we were doing before moving on.

Augustus

Nov 24
Very good, informal and informative discussion. Extended discussion on other industry best practice and new methods and ideas. Explanation of other techniques used during the day.
Scott takes training to the next level by focusing towards commercial instruction with a foundation of academic professional knowledge. Well planned in a progressive order. The course went above and beyond the City and Guilds schedule at a pace that was not overwhelming.

Self employed Tree Surgeon
Scott demonstrated great knowledge through different techniques and legislation. The venue for the activity was suberb. It was good to have all the training on one site.
Very informative with good explanation and demonstration of types of pruning. Learnt new climbing techniques and ways of selecting pruning cuts.
The kit was well organised and clear

Aug 24
Useful and relevant to not only everyday work but also knowledge of arb/ forestry. I learnt several little gems to make life easier. Thank you for an informative and interesting course. I felt engaged and involved at all times.
What worked well - The whole team.

Liam

May 18
Small group/ intensive training worked well

Carl

Feb 25
really good course with lots of infomration passed on. Covered all areas I wanted, not just on operation but maintenance as well.

John

Nov 24
Planned well and very knowledgeable

Lewis

July18
Very hands on.

I learnt...posture, sharpening, undercut

Chris

July 22
A very practical fast paced day. All the scenarios were relavant to our industry.
'Its been a pleasure over the last couple of weeks meeting and working with you and the SFT team, I've really enjoyed soaking up new information and putting myself through new challenges. Im looking forward to getting through my assessments and see what the future holds for me in the tree world.'
A fantatstic week, I can't fault anything. Every aspect has been thoroughly enjoyable and I've looked forward to the next day. Any questions that I have had, have been answered; if feeling unsure about a cut, guidance was given to make you feel confident with understanding what was needed. I learnt a lot about health and safety and safe working - using good techniques to reduce body strain, insights into the industry, lots of sites to look up to find more information and places to make savings as purchases. It has met my expectations and some.
Fantatsic course, good instructor. Comprehensive knowledge of all aspects covered. Industry usable techniques and realsitic systems to use in conjunction with what is necessary for the assessment.

Tree climbing and aerial rescue
Extremely clear and concise explanation. Instructor great at putting you at ease/ helping to overcome any fears / anxieties. Liked the aerial demonstrations and 1:1 time. Very informative.

Aerial tree cutting

Risk Assessment in Forestry & Arboriculture - Part 1

20.01.2025

This blog explores City & Guilds NPTC units, focusing on risk assessment in tree work. It covers key concepts, the five-step process, and practical applications for sites, tasks, machines, and operators. Whether you're a beginner or advancing your knowledge, you'll gain essential insights.

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Scott demonstrated great knowledge through different techniques and legislation. The venue for the activity was suberb. It was good to have all the training on one site.

Very informative with good explanation and demonstration of types of pruning. Learnt new climbing techniques and ways of selecting pruning cuts.

Planned well and very knowledgeable

A very practical fast paced day. All the scenarios were relavant to our industry.