BUSINESS
An interview with
ALASTAIR DURKIN TANDRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL Alastair Durkin is the senior tree officer at Tandridge District Council and runs his own consultancy, AD Trees. Alastair spoke to Pro Arb about his views on the industry and involvement with the AA Can you explain your role as a tree officer? My main roles involve giving consultancy advice to the planning officers for trees and landscaping within the planning process, consultancy to the planners for high hedge disputes and the discharge of the council’s duties and powers as regards Tree Preservation Orders. What started you in arboriculture? While I was doing my A Levels, I hitched a lift in a Land Rover with a tree surgeon who sold me the concept of swinging from trees with a chainsaw. Sometime later, I decided to move to South
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Wales and studied for my national diploma in forestry, before moving into the grounds maintenance sector. After a few years, I applied for a job as an assistant tree officer at the council, and here I am today. While I’ve been here I’ve studied for both a foundation degree and honours degree in arboriculture. I’ve also completed the LANTRA professional tree inspection certificate whilst working for the council and they are supporting me through the process of becoming a chartered arboriculturist. What is your history with the Arboricultural Association (AA)? I joined as a member about ten years ago; I went to a couple of general meetings hosted by the south east branch, where a member persuaded me to get involved. I’m now a trustee, chair of the media and communications (M&C) committee, and treasurer of the south east (SE) branch.
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02/08/2016 15:03