City & Guilds
Level 3
QN: 500/8564/5
Curriculum Active
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by City & Guilds. Classified as a Vocationally-Related Qualification. Total guided learning hours: 1560 hours.
Qualification Level
Level 3
Awarding Body
City & Guilds
Syllabus Units
28 Units
Guided Hours
1560 hrs
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Business Management in the Land-based Sector
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know the breadth and importance of an industry within the environmental and land-based sector.
- Understand business resources and structures.
- Understand the business marketplace.
- Understand how to use financial and physical record keeping systems
2
Maintain and Understand Equipment Used for Timber Conversion and Utilisation
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand conversion and processing equipment
- Be able to maintain timber conversion and processing equipment
- Be able to operate timber conversion and processing equipment and produce marketable products
- Understand timber utilisation and the preservation process
3
Manage Heritage Gardens and Arboreta
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the development of arboreta or heritage gardens.
- Be able to collect and collate data relating to an arboretum or heritage garden.
- Be able to promote arboreta or heritage gardens.
- Be able to plan the management of an arboretum or heritage garden
4
Measure Trees and Carry Out Woodland Sampling
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to measure trees
- Be able to measure volume of felled timber and standing trees
- Be able to sample woodlands
5
Operate, Maintain and Understand the Principles of Specialist Forestry and Arboricultural Machinery
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the importance of specialised machinery for forestry or arboriculture
- Be able to maintain specialised forestry or arboricultural machinery
- Be able to operate specialised forestry or arboricultural machinery
6
Understand and Carry Out Forest and Woodland Skills
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand forest and woodland skills
- Be able to control unwanted growth and vegetation in forests and woodlands
- Be able to maintain an open drainage system within a forest or woodland
- Be able to construct
- maintain and repair forest and woodland fencing
- Be able to set out and plant forest and woodland trees
7
Understand and Carry Out Identification, Planting and Establishment of Trees and Shrubs for Forestry and Arboriculture
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to identify trees and shrubs
- Understand the site andestablishment requirements of trees and shrubs
- Understand the planting of trees and shrubs
8
Understand and Carry Out Tree and Shrub Planting, Aftercare and Protection for Forestry and Arboriculture
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the environmental and legal considerations relevant to tree establishment and protection
- Be able to plan and prepare for successful amenity or forestry establishment
- Be able to plant trees and shrubs
- Know the aftercare requirements of trees and shrubs
9
Understand and Plan Urban and Community Forestry Projects
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the importance of urban and community forestry projects
- Understand urban and community forestry management issues
- Understand public involvement in urban and community forestry projects
- Be able to plan urban and community forestry projects
10
Understand the Legislation Relating to Trees in the UK
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand UK statute law relating to the management and protection of trees, woodlands and hedgerows
11
Understand the Principles and Identify the Signs of Pests and Diseases of Trees
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the principles of pathology and the common causes of disease.
- Be able to identify the signs and symptoms of common biotic and abiotic pathogens.
- Understand common biotic pathogens.
- Understand monitoring, prevention and control measures of common bioticpathogens.
12
Understand the Principles of Plant Science
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the function of plant structures
- Understand the main processes of plant physiology
- Understand plant growth and development
13
Understand the Principles of Silviculture
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand common silvicultural systems
- Understand the requirements for the successful establishment of forests or woodland
- Understand how to protect and improve forest and woodland
- Understand common harvesting systems
14
Understand the Principles of Soil Science
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to investigate soil characteristics
- Understand how soil characteristics affect plant growth and development
- Understand how soil characteristics affect plant selection
15
Understand the Principles of Tree Felling and Chainsaw Use
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to correctly maintain chainsaws to manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Be able to safely fell and cross cut small diameter trees.
- Be able to safely use stump and brushchipping removal methods.
- Understand commonly used stump and brushchipping removal and tree felling methods.
16
Understand the Principles of Tree Science
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how trees respond to changes in environmental conditions
- Understand ill health and decay processes in trees
- Understand wound response in trees
- Understand tree biomechanics and structural assessment
17
Understanding Principles of Forest Recreation
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand forest recreation activities, - Understand forest recreation planning, development and promotion, - Be able to plan forest recreational activities
18
Understanding Principles of Land-based Machinery
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know the function of key components found in land-based machines and power units
- Understand operating principles of land-based machines and power units
- Be able to undertake routine maintenance of land-based machines and power units
- Understand the applications of land-based machines and power units
19
Understanding Woodland Management
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to obtain woodland data and information
- Be able to produce woodland management plans
- Understand woodland management objectives
- Understand woodland management planning
20
Undertake Advanced Arboricultural Practices
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to carry out aerial inspections of trees.
- Be able to carry out pruning operations within tree canopies.
- Understand how to dismantle trees.
21
Undertake an Investigative Project in the Land-based Sector
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to identify and research a suitable topic for an investigative project in the environmental and land-based sector
- Be able to plan for an investigative project in the environmental and land-based sector
- Be able to carry out an investigative project in the environmental and land-based sector
- Be able to report on an investigative project in the environmental and land-based sector
22
Undertake and Review Work Related Experience in the Land-based Industries
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the opportunities in the environmental and land-based industries
- Be able to prepare for a work-based experience in the environmental and land-based industry
- Be able to undertake a work-based experience in the environmental and land-based industry
- Be able to review a work-based experience in the environmental and land-based sector
23
Undertake Arboricultural Skills
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to use a chainsaw in a tree to carry out branch removal
- Be able to prune and dismantle small to medium trees
- Know the requirements for using a chainsaw for aerial work in trees
- Understand the legal and safety implications
- Be able to support tree climbing operations
24
Undertake Estate Skills
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to construct, repair or maintain boundaries
- Be able to construct, repair or maintain structures
- Be able to construct, repair or maintain surfaces
- Be able to carry out practical habitat management work
25
Undertake Tree and Shrub Pruning and Maintenance
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand pruning as a means of maintaining trees and shrubs.
- Be able to prune and maintain trees and shrubs.
- Be able to assess trees and shrubs for potential failure.
26
Undertake Tree Surveys and Inspections and Analyse the Data
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to survey trees
- Be able to inspect individual trees
- Understand results of tree surveys and inspections
27
Undertaking Land-based Machinery Operations
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the purpose and operation of land-based machines.
- Be able to prepare land-based machines ready for work.
- Be able to safely operate land-based machinery.
- Be able to carry out operator maintenance and simple repairs
28
Undertaking Woodland Habitat Management
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the historical development of woodland
- Be able to survey the structures and features within a woodland ecosystem
- Understand the management of woodland habitats
- Be able to manage woodland habitats
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 500/8564/5
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- City & Guilds
- Qualification Type
- Vocationally-Related Qualification
- Operational Start
- Sept 2010
- Operational End
- Dec 2026