by Jack Shamash
Horticulture Week
19 June 2009
The 11th Arborists’ Trade Fair, organised by the Arboricultural Association, promises a fantastic opportunity to exchange information and find out about the latest developments in arboricultural equipment and technology.
More than 2,000 visitors are expected to attend the fair, which takes place at the Bathurst Estate, Gloucestershire, on 26-27 June.
The event will have around 60 trade stands, a special demonstration area and conference rooms. In addition, there will be catering facilities, which will offer visitors a forum for networking and socialising.
Arboricultural Association director Nick Eden says: “We hope it’s going to be the trade event of the year. We’re expecting a wide variety of people to come – contractors, practising arborists, college students and people from the local authorities. It’s always an interesting mix.”
Because of concerns about the economic downturn, many visitors will be looking for good deals from those exhibiting at the show – not just on the heavy equipment but also on such necessities as insurance, fuel and training courses. Meanwhile, because of the decline in spending on housing and the domestic market, many of the trade stands will be hoping to pick up contracts from local authorities and public-sector bodies.
Protecting roots
There is expected to be a lot of interest in technologies that help preserve the roots of trees. In the past, many utility companies and builders came under fire for destroying the roots, and eventually killing the trees, around sites where works were taking place. The construction site will be demonstrating an Air Spade – designed to blast away mud without damaging roots. Experts will increasingly be expected to be able to use or at least specify this sort of machinery.
In addition, TT UK Grundomat will be offering various types of “trenchless technology” equipment. Using this equipment, companies will no longer have to dig trenches for pipes and cables. The firm will be showing its soil-displacement hammers and pipe-laying equipment, which can bore directly through the ground, leaving the upper layers of the soil undisturbed.
For many visitors, however, the biggest attraction of the event will be the chance to meet up and network. Most arborists work in small teams and rarely get an opportunity to get together with large numbers of colleagues.
As most arborists recognise, the industry is in a state of flux. Some types of work have almost dried up entirely and – particularly in the private sector – arborists are having to work harder to find regular income.
By getting together with other professionals, arborists will not only develop their skills and learn new working techniques, but they may be better placed to spot business opportunities that could enable them to ride out the recession.
SHOW DETAILS
The 11th Arborists’ Trade Fair takes place at the Bathurst Estate, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, on 26-27 June. Opening times are between 9am and 5pm.
Entry is £8 per day or £5 for students and the unwaged. A two-day ticket costs £10. Entry is free to members of the Arboricultural Association. Full details on the event, including information on how to get there, are available at www.trees.org.uk.