"An Aborist Apprentice", is that an official title in Canada? Like leading to a "Master Aborist"? In the states you just start as a helper, or groundie. Learn to look up all the time, and run like hell if someone yells headache. You'll know which way to run if you're always looking up. Learn to move fast but not in a hurry. When tying a saw or other equipment on the rope for a climber, tie it on and get out from under it. When roping limbs and wood out of the tree, pull it clear, untie it, and get out. While waiting for the climber to do something, stand out past the drip line, pay attention, move in as needed, and get back out. The one thing I see in newbies, is how slow they move, and how long they linger under me. I stress do not stand directly under me, I may drop something, a strap or clip may fail. Falling stuff moves at 32ft per second squared, and it dosen't stop and think about whether it's going to move or not.
Becoming an Arborist is different than just becoming a climber. I've seen fantastic climbers that could never run a business. It varies greatly from state to state. In MD you have to be licensed and insured to use the title Tree Expert and perform Tree Work for pay. When I took the test in 1999 you had to have a 4 year degree or 8 years work in the trade just to quilify to take the test. You need to know basic law, property lines and whose liable. Basic electricty to keep from getting fried. Basic geology and substructure, what your trees grow in and are supported by. When I say basic I don't mean, yep that's dirt the tree is growin in, and yep those are wires. I mean basic collage level or trade level courses. A few years ago MD switched to the ISA certification test for the MD Tree Expert exam. You can get study info from the ISA on the test.
In some states all you need is an old Subaru stationwagon with a hitch and a 4X4 cart, a $99 Wild Thang, and you're in business. But, that's not an arborist.
You sound sincere in your interest. It has always seemed to me that Canada was a bit more stringent in their licensing and standards than we are. Hang out a while and see if we get some input from some business owners up your way. Good luck, Joe.
