Items are listed by category according to their most important type of use.
For all projects
A First Aid Kit, complying with current Health and Safety requirements, should be available at all times. For projects involving up to 10 people, the contents should be as follows:
A first aid kit suitable for use in a workplace for up to 10 people
| Guidance card | 1 |
| Waterproof plasters | 20 |
| Sterile eye pads, with attachment | 2 |
| Individually wrapped triangular bandages | 4 |
| Safety pins | 6 |
| Medium sterile dressings (12cm x 12cm) | 6 |
| Large sterile dressings (18cm x 18cm) | 2 |
| Alcohol free cleansing wipes | 6 |
| Scissors | 1 |
| Pairs of fine transparent disposable plastic gloves | 2 |
| NOTE: Where mains tap water is not readily available for eye irrigation, sterile water or sterile normal saline (0.9%) in sealed disposable containers should be provided. Each container should hold at least 300ml and should not be reused once the sterile seal is broken. At least 900ml should be provided. Eye baths or other refillable containers should not be used for eye irrigation. | |
| NOTE: The first aid kit must be kept in a suitably marked container which will protect the contents from dust and damp. | |
The following welfare kit is also useful:
Welfare kit suitable for use in additional to a first aid kit
| Pair of tweezers |
| Safety pins |
| Needle and thread |
| Pencil |
| Sanitary towels |
| Whistle |
| Toilet roll |
| Cotton wool |
| 30 plasters |
| 3 finger pouches |
| Rubber gloves |
| Insect repellent |
| 2 x 10p pieces |
| Sun cream |
| Barrier cream |
A list of local hospitals with casualty departments should also be to hand.
Planting and early care
Planting equipment
- Heavy duty treaded garden spade
- Heavy duty garden fork
- Junior garden spade, for use by children
Specialist tree planting spades are available as follows:
- The Schlich spade and the Mansfield planting spade both have a ridge down the face of the spade which makes a hole to take the main tree roots.
- Treeplanter spades have slightly dished, treaded blades to make deep notches for planting transplants.
- The treeplanter bar is a solid all-steel tool for planting in difficult conditions.
- The spear is a special tool designed for planting cell grown plants.
- Marker canes or similar, to mark planting positions or lines.
- Planting bags for carrying planting stock from the supply point to the planting position. Clean, heavy-duty plastic sacks are suitable, or specialist planting bags can be used for large-scale projects. Some growers of cell-grown plants can supply special carriers for use during planting operations.
- Lump or sledgehammer, for treeshelter stakes.
Fencing tools
Fencing may be needed around tree nurseries or tree planting areas.
- Crowbar, for making pilot holes for stakes.
- Post driver (Drivall), mell or maul for driving posts.
- Shuv-holer, for removing soil from post holes.
- Wrecking bar (swan neck).
- Claw hammer
- Fencing pliers
- Mallet and chisel
- Wire strainers
- Heavy-duty wire cutters
- Tinsnips, for cutting netting.
Pruning tools
- Secateurs. Bypass action type are recommended.
- Loppers. Various grades are available for cutting branches up to 3 or 5cm (1 or 2”) diameter.
- Treetop pruner. Extension poles give 3m cutting reach, for high pruning or seed collection.
- Pruning saw. Extension poles available for high pruning.
Easy reach tools
Several manufacturers produce tools to which optional longer handles can be attached to extend their use. These are ideal for weeding and other tree nursery work, especially for those people who find it hard to bend or who work from a wheelchair. Tools are available from Wolf, Spear and Jackson and other manufacturers.
Thrive offer a comprehensive information service on all aspects of gardening and horticulture for those with special needs.
Clearance and coppicing
Clearing tools
- Long handled scythe (Turk scythe) for cutting grassy rides and glades.
- Grass hook, for cutting herbaceous material.
- Brushing hook (slasher) for bramble and other light woody material.
- Heavy-duty slasher for scrub clearance.
Coppicing
- Billhook, for coppicing, clearance and hedgelaying. Various patterns are available. A fairly light, single edged tool is suitable for most users.
- Bowsaw. The 53cm (21”) bowsaw is suitable for most coppicing work, as its triangular shape makes it possible to use in confined spaces. Suitable for cutting wood up to 12.5cm (5”) diameter. The 60cm (24”) bowsaw is suitable for felling large coppice stems, small trees, and for cross-cutting felled timber.
- Clearing or snedding axe, for snedding, trimming and coppicing.
- Sharpening stones
