Arborist education?

[Brian13]

I am a full time Firefighter, and wanting to get into tree work on my off days. I have tried for last 2 years or more to find someone who will hire me part time and have had no luck. Keep hearing not busy enough, dont want part time, would hire p/t if I could climb. One way or another this is going to happen. Right now I am working on learning to climb on my own. I have the basic equipment to work with. I also have "The Tree Climbers Companion", "Fundamentals of General Tree Work", "Professional Timber Falling", and The Working Climber DVD I and II. I am trying to educate myself, and I am now looking into proper tree pruning/care with aspirations of a ISA cert down the road. I have been looking through catalogs and websites and have seen a lot of books, interactive online/cd classes, and dvds. My question is with everything that is out there what are good ones to start with? Until I can work with somebody I want to educate myself as much as possible.

 

[Tree Pig]

I am a full time Firefighter, and wanting to get into tree work on my off days. I have tried for last 2 years or more to find someone who will hire me part time and have had no luck. Keep hearing not busy enough, dont want part time, would hire p/t if I could climb. One way or another this is going to happen. Right now I am working on learning to climb on my own. I have the basic equipment to work with. I also have "The Tree Climbers Companion", "Fundamentals of General Tree Work", "Professional Timber Falling", and The Working Climber DVD I and II. I am trying to educate myself, and I am now looking into proper tree pruning/care with aspirations of a ISA cert down the road. I have been looking through catalogs and websites and have seen a lot of books, interactive online/cd classes, and dvds. My question is with everything that is out there what are good ones to start with? Until I can work with somebody I want to educate myself as much as possible.

pruning wise there is one word... Shigo

 

[axetree]

if your wanting to get your isa cert eventully might as well buy the study guide id has some info about pruning and a lot of good info, none real in depth but a good starting point and will we worth the money spent and will make passing the isa test much easier

 

[Brian13]

Shigo is on my list to get, I was thinking of starting with Modern Aboriculter. The ISA study guide is another I have been looking at as well. They also have interactive classes on cd you can get. There is just so much out there to choose from.

 

[sgreanbeans]

Sounds like you are heading in the right direction. The study guide has good info, but don't count on it as the end all. Shigo is the sh it, but I would start with the basics. Look at ISA's Best Management books, The Art and Science of Practical Rigging and Introductory to Arboriculture. Get a bit of a foundation before you hit Shigo, will help you understand him better.