how to learn the trade

MarkCB · Mar 9, 2010

Hey- this is my first post.
Basically, I'm 26, just about to finish college, and I don't want to go into some white collar/office job. I think being an arborist sounds pretty cool.

So I want to find a job and learn from an ISA certified mentor. Do you guys have any suggestions on how to go about landing this job?

I've seen some trade schools offer arborist programs... would it be near impossible to get started in the trade without some education, or is it not a big deal?

Any help would be appreciated. cheers.

mark in victoria BC.

ddhlakebound · Mar 9, 2010

Hi Mark, welcome to the site.

Your question is difficult to answer without knowing more.

To you, what does an arborist do?

What is it that interests you about becoming an arborist?

Tell us a bit more, and we will be more able to give you accurate/useful answers.

MarkCB · Mar 9, 2010

Hi ddh-
I'm interested in learning all there is to know about trees... from the basics like identification, to proper management and pruning. I have some experience felling, bucking, and chopping trees on our family acreage, but it's always been just a recreational thing. I like working with a chainsaw, and to be honest, I get a thrill out of the idea of climbing trees with a saw. I wouldn't say I'm an adrenaline junkie, as I am always very cautious, but I do enjoy fun and slightly crazy things like motorcycles and skydiving.

My degree is in geography... I was originally planning to go into landscape architecture but i can't stand the thought of 3.5 more years in a classroom. I still want to learn a lot of things, but I want to start learning in the real world.

Hope that helps. Thanks for your replies.

ddhlakebound · Mar 9, 2010

Mark, thats sound similar to the beginning interests of many of us here, myself included (minus the bikes and skydiving).

Finding a good company to work for would probably satisfy your interests, at least in the short term. Getting your foot in the door and getting started probably won't be easy unless the economy there is better than it is here.

You'll most likely need to start at the bottom, dragging brush, feeding chippers, and in general learning to be a groundman instead of just labor. You can learn alot about climbing just by watching a good climber work. If you perform well on the ground and express an interest in learning to climb you'll likely get your chance.

So how do you find a GOOD company? Well, here's a thread w/ the stuff you don't want to see...

Going from being a tree worker to an arborist takes a good deal of learning, and about much more than climbing, cutting, and above ground wood management.

I thought this post was very good in defining some of the differences:

John Paul Sanborn said:
A bucket is a tool, sometimes it makes things go faster, others it gets in the way. Like icepick said, a well rounded treeman can work in many different formats.

I'd say you aint a real treeman if you do not:
dig in the dirt regularly

own and use a handlens to look at leaves, twigs and bugs

know shrubs and vines

have a basic understanding of mycology
Oh, that's an arborist, maybe you can be a treeman if you just cut wood?

I'm in no way disparaging "treemen", there's alot to be said for learning how to do a quality job of climbing, trimming, and removing trees. There are ISA arborists who are (for lack of a more accurate word) hacks. There are arborists not affiliated with the ISA who are wise, high quality arborists. There are wise, high quality ISA arborists. And there are hacks not affiliated w/ ISA.

It's up to you to learn and decide who's who and what's what. If you find a wise, high quality arborist to work for, it'll be well worth the sweat and hours you spend.

treeseer · Mar 10, 2010

check in with the pnw chapter of isa--many good tree folk in your area. go to their meetings, put up a work wanted poster, make some calls...

good post by jps there!

outofmytree · Mar 10, 2010

Welcome to the site Mark.

You have picked an awesome craft to study. I still lie awake some nights, too excited to sleep because I have a good climb lined up for tomorrow. Once you get the bug......