Signing off with credentials - on Certifications and Qualifications

Recently, having to provide some details in order to have my business card printed and coming across the above made me wonder on what credentials should practitioners in the green industry sign off with and under what circumstances. The office administrator advised me not to include memberships but qualifications like degrees. I would explore some of them that I come across below. An often mentioned acronym is "ISA", which refers to The International Society of Arboriculture an international non-profit organization headquartered in USA. Its mission statement: "Through research, technology, and education promote the professional practice of arboriculture and foster a greater public awareness of the benefits of trees." The organisation has more than 22,000 members (from Wikipedia), from all over the world with the exception of Middle East and Africa.

In general, certifications could be verified with their accreditation bodies using the Cert. ID or number of an individual. However, qualifications does not come with a Cert. ID.

Principal/Practising/Lead/Consulting/Staff Arborist
Usually someone who practices as an arborist in the tree/arboriculture industry but just about anyone can call themselves the above as there is no accreditation body to govern the use of those titles.

Certified Arborist
The ISA certifies an individual's knowledge in arboriculture and hence such an individual may name themselves a Certified Arborist (CA). The Certified Arborist programme refreshes learners with skills for tree inspection and knowledge to mitigate potential failure. To qualify for the programme, a candidate must have the one of the following

Education    Practical experience
4 years honours degree in Arboriculture or equivalent    1 year
3 years degree in Arboriculture or equivalent    2 years
2 years degree in Arboriculture or equivalent    2 years
Diploma in arboriculture or equivalent    2 years
No qualification    3 years

The programme is 80 hours of training over 11 days. The course is facilitated by CUGE (a division under National Parks Board), which is a CET institute conferred by Workforce Development Authority (WDA).

The certification would last for 3 years, and in order to be re-certified, the CA have to undergo courses/workshops/seminars to accumulate Continuing Education Units (CEUs) of 30 points by the end of the 3 years period. Some seminars that is an hour to half a day may give 1 point, whereas some courses that runs over 3 days may give 10 points. The arborist may also purchase books and undertake online course from the ISA website to gain CEUs. These avenues from which to acquire CEU points are often not free.

There are close to 500 CAs in Singapore at the time of writing, roughly half of which are in National Parks Board, other government institutes, and government-linked companies.

Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)/ Tree Risk Assessor
Appliants to this programme must be a Certified Arborist, amongst many other arboriculture certifications. The course would impart to candidates a process and techniques for the assessment of tree risk over 2 days of training and half day assessment.

This qualification lasts for 5 years and could only be renewed by going through the course again and passing the assessment. CEUs points earned could not go towards the renewal of this qualification, but certified arborist would be awarded 14 CEUs for attending this course.

There are 84 TRAQ holders as at the time of writing, 24 of which are not of NParks.

Certified Arborist/Municipal Specialist qualification
In order to qualify for the Municipal Specialist qualification, the applicant have to a Certified Arborist in the first place. The programme focuses on 6 domains as follows: communication skills, public relations, administration, risk management, arboricultural practices, and policy planning in a municipal setting. However, this qualification seemed to have to advantage for private industry players but more suitable for public servants. A municipality may encompass a "city, town or village" but the term is not used in Singapore.

This qualification lasts for 3 years and could be renewed by gaining 42 CEU points over that 3 years or retaking the exam. Of the 42 CEU points, 30 CEUs are for the CA credential, and 12 CEUs are for the Muicipal Specialist qualification.

As at the time of writing, there are 24 CA/Municipal Specialists, of which only 3 are in the private sector.

Board Certified Master Arborist
This is the highest level of certification in arboriculture offered by the ISA. The exam covers every aspect of arboriculture other than consulting, in the 19 domains as follows.
SCIENCE: Abiotic, biotic influences. Biology and ecology. Diagnostic process and tools. Plant taxonomy and attributes. Soil science.
PRACTICE: Tree climbing techniques and equipment. Plant health care. Water management. Pruning techniques. Fertiliser, pesticide and other biological treatments. Support, guying and lightning protection.
MANAGEMENT: Business relation and operations. Inventory and management plan. Risk assessment and mitigation. Safety practices, tools and equipment. Tree protection guidelines and migitation.

Pre-requisite for entry into the programme depends on a points system, to be obtained by being accredited/certified with the ISA certification program, having tertiary education in arboriculture or related fields, and other arborist credentials. This certification is valid for 3 years and could be renewed by accumulating 60 CEU points that are related to the 19 domains in the exam.

There is only 1 BCMA in Singapore as at the time of writing. Among all ISA Certified Arborists (worldwide), less than 2 percent are BCMA, which is more than the 0.2 percent in Singapore.

Certified Practising Horticulturist

To qualify for the Certified Practising Horticulturist programme, the candidate would need to have a degree or diploma in horticulture or a related discipline, or WSQ diploma or advanced certificate in Parks Reserves and Gardens. And with at least 5 years of relevant working experience in the industry.

The programme consists of 13 days training and if successful with the assessment and report submission, candidates would be registered as Certified Practising Horticulturist accredited with the Australian Institute of Horticulture. The certification is valid for 3 years and during which the CPH have to undergo courses/workshops/seminars to accumulate Continuing Education Units (CEUs) of 30 points, in order to be re-certified.

In addition to courses/workshops/seminars, CEUs for CPH may also be earned through studying in a tertiary programme, study tours, lecturing/teaching, presenting/submission of papers, committee work and reading.

There are close to 200 CPH in Singapore at the time of writing.

Certified Parks Manager
The Certified Parks Manager programme seemed to be suspended as there is no new runs since 2015. CPM are accredited with the Parks and Leisure Australia (PLA) and the programme seeks to refresh park managers' knowledge in park management and planning, share best practices in park operations and confer skills in communication with the public and media. The training takes place over 15 days and half day for exam and report submission, which is a minimum 2000-word Park Operations Report.

In Singapore there are over 100 members, of which about a quarter are not NParks personnel, as at the time of writing. In addition, this certification does not come with a Cert. number, and hence one could not verify if an individual holds this credential. However, the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE) website holds a record of CPM in Singapore.

ISA Local Chapters and associate organisations

Local chapters and associate organisations are like industry groups that is focused on the local context, and they serve as a platform to exchange knowledge, skills and ideas, and sometimes organise regional tree climbing competitions.

The Singapore Arboriculture Society (SAS) is such an associate organisation. They have 57 Certified Arborists on board as of year 2014, which is slightly over 15 percent of CAs in Singapore (and incidentally a member count that could see them convert to a Local Chapter). Membership with the SAS could be subscribed at $20-80 depending on the type. Only "professional members" could vote during annual general meetings (AGM). The latest iteration of the tree climbing competition is the "Singapore Tree Climbing Championships (STCC)" to be held on 22-24 September 2016.

They publish an e-magazine named TropicalArb, with the first issue on July 2013 and second issue on May 2014. The third issue is not forthcoming as of Aug 2016.

Being ISA certified does not mean being an ISA member. Being a member of the local chapter or associate organization, and an ISA member (the international organisation as opposed to the local one) and would entitle one to receive a discount on recertification fees, however membership is not free. In this sense, membership subscription functions more like a discount or loyalty scheme. Being an ISA member would entitle one to purchase books and courses at a discount.

Fruiting bodies at root collar

In what seemed like going to be a series of entries on fruiting bodies appearing at the base of trees (previous entry), here is another occurrence! I neglected to mention earlier, but trees that are affected by ganoderma would show symptoms of weak aboveground parts (e.g., yellow and falling leaves, poor growth, etc). Having spotted fruiting bodies peeking out from the base of a palm, I would expect to see yellowing fronds, but...

Fruiting bodies appearing from the mass roots stubs at the trunk base.

 

The palm (Roystonea oleracea), which is situated in a park seemed healthy enough.

What a red herring. The fungi was probably using some organic matter trapped in the mass of root stubs as a substrate, without penetrating the palm trunk.

In our next case study, a tree, which was also situated in a park, was obviously not doing well, and had a fruiting body protruding from a wound (one feet long from ground up). Maybe the wound made the inoculation of the fungi easier as opposed to if there was no wound. It was decided to have the tree removed, as it posed a risk to the people passing by on the path right beside the tree.

 Not a red herring this time

 Cratoxylum formosum. You can notice the mushroom spanning across more than half the trunk girth.

The red arrow indicates the side of the trunk where the fruiting body appeared. It is noted that the ganoderma had broken down the heartwood. As a white-rot fungi, it had decayed the sapwood turning it white. Although more than half of the tree base had been ebbed away, research had found that significant strength loss (leading to tree failure) would occur in late stages of decay.

Hazardous Defects in Trees

Tree that have defects can cause harm to people and damage property. Recognising the features of hazardous trees and taking proper corrective actions can prevent loss of life and property. A tree with hazardous defect can cause failure (toppling) of all or part of the tree, which can hit a "target".

Evaluating trees for hazardous defect can be complex because of the variability of trees, the severity of their defects, and site differences. This article highlights guidelines, not absolute rules for recognising and correcting hazardous defect. Corrective actions should be undertaken by certified arborists.

What to Look For

1. Dead wood

Dead trees and branches must be removed as they can fall at any moment. Dead branches that have already broken off and hanging are all the more dangerous.

2. Cracks

A crack is split deep into the wood, sometimes completely through the stem/trunk. Cracks are dangerous as they are an indication of potential tree failure.

3. Weak branch unions

Areas where branches are not strongly attached to a tree are called weak branch unions.

When two or more branches grow very closely together, the area where they join swells with ingrown bark, which does not have the strength of wood, and thus the union is weaker than one that does not have included bark.

Trees with a tendency to form upright branches, such as Alstonia, often produce weak branch unions. They are also formed after a tree is topped (a cut at a right angle to the direction of growth).

4. Decay

Decay leads to wood that crumbles or is soft, or a cavity where wood is missing, creating a hazard.

Signs of fungal growth such as mushrooms, conks, and brackets growing on the base of the tree, stems or branches can be indicators of advanced decay.

5. Cankers

Cankers are caused by mechanical injury or disease, occuring at a localised area where the bark is sunken or missing. A canker that covers half or more of the circumference of the tree may be hazardous even if exposed wood appears sound.

6. Root problems

Root problems may be due to the raising or lowering of soil grade near the tree, severing of roots, installing of pavement over roots, driving vehicles over roots, or advanced decay in root and root flares.

As defective roots are underground and not readily seen, aboveground symptoms such as dieback and off-colour leaves serves as an indication of root problems.

7. Poor tree form

Poor tree form could be caused by damage from storms, improper pruning or unfavourable environment. These trees are structurally unsafe. Trees that lean excessively are also a hazard.

Felt bag for woody plants

I came across the process of "air-pruning" when studying nursery operations some years ago. Plants roots has several enemies, which includes air and copper, and when they are encountered, the roots would die. This process is utlilised mostly by the nursery industry to prevent girdling and encourage the formation of root tips (at the periphery of pots) in woody saplings and container trees. The additional benefits include improved drainage and aeration, leading to less heat build up than in plastic and clay pots. I encountered the air-pruning containers again, in the form of felt bags in a tree nursery. But the felt bags were not used in a correct manner, as pictured below.

Tree nursery with a batch of Aleurites moluccana.

The felt bag was buried resulting in a reduced contact with air, but fortunately, the bag managed to hold most of the roots in.

In order for the air-pruning containers to work well (whether they are felt bags or containers with holes at the sides), they should be in full contact with air, as root tips would desiccate and die when they meet air. I chanced upon some inexpensive felt bags from an overseas shopping website and order two to try out. The website made shoppers to buy in twos, presumably to make the most out of the postage. The following photos shows the repotting steps for woody plants that are to be kept indefinitely as houseplants.

Not the photo of the exact product, but its just a seemingly plain bag.

The inside of the bag facing noon-sunlight.

 The plastic bag that the plant came in had its bottom cut out and it was inserted into the felt bag.

 The remaining plastic bag was pulled out, and additional soil could be added for a snug fit between the root ball and felt bag. After the roots are established in the felt bag, it is not recommended to move it by the handles, as the roots at the periphery of the bag would break. Thus, a pot tray should be placed below the felt bag.

 Syzygium polyanthum are grown for their leaves that could be used in cooking and fruits that attract birds.

Coccoloba uvifera are usually found along the coasts in the tropics. Their fruit are edible but are cultivated mostly as ornamental and windbreaks.

Microgreens catching on in the farming scene

In land scarce Singapore, growing microgreens are the trend now, as farm lot and house sizes are much smaller then they were. Furthermore, the prohibitively expensive labour and rental costs make growing these seedlings an even more attractive option for modern farmers. This growing method even comes with an addition benefit of being organic, as no pesticides and fertilisers are necessary. Some studies have shown that microgreen pack 40 times more nutrients than their mature stage.

Sprouts vs Microgreens

Sprouts are not grown in a medium like soil or peatmoss. In commercial settings (and sometimes in homes), they are farmed in containers that are inundated with water from time to time. Sunlight is not required for their growth.

Microgreens are grown in a medium like soil or peatmoss. They need sunlight and air circulation. After the first leaves are fully developed, microgreens could be harvested. Microgreen have a better taste, as compared with sprouts that tastes plain.

Although sprouts may habour more bacteria because of their growing environment, consumers are advised to wash both sprouts and microgreens thoroughly. Sprouts should be cooked before consumption but microgreens could be eaten raw.

Companies involved with Microgreens locally

1. G.R.E.E.N.S (Grow. Reap, Eat, Educate, Nurture, Share)
Website: www.facebook.com/greens.in.sg and www.greens.sg
Activities: Workshops to educate on microgreens. Participants would get their own microgreen kit.

(source: G.R.E.E.N.S facebook)

2. Green Nature Ecological Technology
Website: www.greennatureeco.com
Activities: A greenwall company and microgreen farm at Lim Chu Kang Agrotechnology Park growing pea sprout, pine willow sprout, sunflower sprout, alfalfa, radish sprout, toon sprout, buckwheat sprout, sesame sprout, black bean sprout, and wheatgrass. Although they are supplying to the major supermarkets, they are also open to small orders from individuals.

3. Pocket Greens
Website: www.facebook.com/urbanfarmbarn and www.pocketgreens.com.sg
Activities:  Located Bukit Panjang Hill Community Farm, Pocket Greens offer workshops, gardening supplies and the adoption of microgreen "lots". Patrons just need to turn up twice - one time to sow and the other time to harvest. The growing process would be handled by the company.

(source: Pocket Greens website)

4. Kin Yan Agrotech

Website: www.kinyan.biz

Activities: Hosts group visits to their farm at Lim Chu Kang Agrotechnology Park, and supplies vegetables to major supermarkets. They sell wheatgrass, buckwheat sprout, and other agro products on their website.

Visit to Edible "Garden City" Rooftop at People's Park

 Their signature array of wooden boxes.

 Indian borage grown on a wooden pallet.

 "Urban farm growing here..."

 A closer look at what are growing in the boxes.

 Rosemary in the foreground and Cranberry Hibiscus in the background growing healthily.

Very useful for the heavier rainfall nowadays.

Singapore Sportshub Field - patchy grass and being a beach about it

Well, the "beach" in the title refers to the sand that the grass did not cover, obviously. The sports field at Singapore Sportshub was installed by Desso GrassMaster (link: http://www.desso.se/news-events/nyhetsoversikt/2014/5/singapore-sports-hub-unveils-state-of-the-art-multi-functional-pitch-at-the-national-stadium/), a Belgium company, who revealed it on May 2014. The field consists of two grass species - ryegrass and bluegrass - that were previously unheard of being grown in equatorial countries. The following will be a brief examination of the grasses and management practices.

Ryegrass - presumably the Perennial ryegrass, with the scientific name of Lolium perenne. It is native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa. Asia... mean it could grow in Singapore right? Perennial ryegrass is a C3 grass, best suited for growing in temperate climates: its optimum growth temperature is 18-20 degree celcius (Mitchell, 1956) (source: http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/31166). Maybe that is why its called a "cool-season grass" (meaning it thrives in areas with cold freezing winters and hot summers). Furthermore, in the distribution map on the CABI website mentioned above (reproduced below), nowhere near the equator, except for Brazil, is this grass growing. Perennial ryegrass does not have rhizomes or stolons, so they do not form a "mat" like the turfgrasses commonly used in Singapore like Zoysia or Cynodon. Perhaps that's why it cannot hold down the sand, leading to players kicking sand into one another's eyes. Also, it is drought sensitive. As I understand, there is no irrigation systems installed in football fields. Edit: According to the photo on the following article, (source: https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fit-to-post-sports/-well-said---baihakki-khaizan-s-instagram-post-on-singapore-national-stadium-strikes-a-chord-with-many-025022049.html) there seemed to be an irrigation system on the field, temporary or otherwise.

Bluegrass - presumably the Kentucky bluegrass, with the scientific name of Poa pratensis. Like the Perennial ryegrass, it is cool-season grass, but the Kentucky bluegrass is moderately drought tolerant (source: http://plantscience.psu.edu/research/centers/turf/extension/factsheets/species#section-0). Kentucky bluegrass has stolons and rhizomes.

One of the unique points of the field is that "artificial fibres of 18cm long are inserted into the sand and at 2cm intervals." The grass roots would intertwine with fibres and the designers claim that "this anchors the field and creates a solid, even structure." With some foreign objects stuck in the ground, how could aerating and dethatching be done? According to an interview with the head groundsman, it could be done (source: https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/national-stadium-pitch-utilise-state-art-hybrid-grass-081500546.html).

Recently, the Stadium brought in artificial lights to shine on the field in order to encourage growth of the "otherworldly" turf. Is Singapore experiencing winter already? Oh no, it was just that the dome top was closed! By the way, the artificial lighting costs S$1.5 million, which is 80% more than the field (S$833,000).