New Guy Questions

[CwbyClmr]

How big or important is the ISA and TCIA really to all you guys? I am a new member not only to this sight but also to the ISA (about six months), my understanding is that a Certified Arborist is the highest accreditation in our industry. That is not taking away from any non member who have lifetime experience. I started with non members but would like to have the knowledge and credibility of a certification. What do you guys think?

 

[Climb020]

Actually the highest would be a board certified master arborist. I believe you need at least 10 years of expierence and a large knowledge foundation.

I personally feel the both the TCIA and the ISA play very vital roles in this industry. They both educated the tree guys/gals as well as home owners. As wel they hold many events and seminars that help us on all levels.

 

[CwbyClmr]

Climb020 thanks, I did just attend a Vermeer demo and a climbing demo by the city arborist and learned exactly how to use my micro pulley with vt prusik correctly. Although this guy used a boot ascender with it, which later I purchased and like alot better than the old split tail pelvic thrust! Long climbs are still tiring.

 

[jmack]

How big or important is the ISA and TCIA really to all you guys? I am a new member not only to this sight but also to the ISA (about six months), my understanding is that a Certified Arborist is the highest accreditation in our industry. That is not taking away from any non member who have lifetime experience. I started with non members but would like to have the knowledge and credibility of a certification. What do you guys think?

there huge i wouldnt be talking to you now without em

 

[jmack]

How big or important is the ISA and TCIA really to all you guys? I am a new member not only to this sight but also to the ISA (about six months), my understanding is that a Certified Arborist is the highest accreditation in our industry. That is not taking away from any non member who have lifetime experience. I started with non members but would like to have the knowledge and credibility of a certification. What do you guys think?

btw go for yours j

 

[jonseredbred]

in reality cert.'s from ISA and TCIA really only make a difference in what kind of market you service.

They are great for personal growth.

we service 2 markets a rural market and a high end, educated professional area. care to guess wich market has never heard of ISA?

 

[RedlineIt]

we service 2 markets a rural market and a high end, educated professional area. care to guess wich market has never heard of ISA?

I'll guess the upscale end.

Whenever I do work for a farmer, he's got the landing area cleared, driveway open for the truck/chipper, knows exactly what he wants, why, and doesn't balk at the cost.

The Phd in Philosophy needs a cup of coffee before he can move his merc out of the driveway, hasn't bothered to move his patio furniture out from under the tree he wants gone, has dog-shiit all over his lawn, and is most likely to say, "While you're up there, could you..."

I'll take the rural client as the one who respects our certs everytime.


RedlineIt

 

[Sunrise Guy]

I got my CA certification a month ago, after being in the biz for a good while. Doors have opened for me in the last month, absolutely no lie. I am now consulting and having positive contacts with our city arborist. Things are different with credentials, when it comes to dealing with those who value the same. ISA is a good organization. If you get ahold of their regular magazine and their scientific papers journal you can learn a great deal from both. In studying for the CA exam, I learned so much that I now pass along to clients. I know for a fact that I've gotten jobs over non-credentialed tree workers because clients have told me that they learned a lot from me on my first trip out to their sites to bid their jobs. I am curently looking into an online Masters in Arboriculture program through a British college. The more you know, the more you earn, in general. Also, learning is its own reward, no doubt about it.

 

[CwbyClmr]

Thanks to everyone for responding, I am of the same opinion that the more knowledge the better. I am sure that most clients appreciate knowing more about their trees. I have had the same experience with some customers.
I have been climbing for about five years now and just started my own small company. I am loving it!!!!
This site is awesome, I've been looking for guys in the industry to bounce ideas off of and learn more from. It seems like the guys in my town are either too busy or just aren't interested in talking to the compitition. Not that my small company is going to take away from their big operations. Anyway, thanks!

 

[prorover]

just studying for the test helped me a lot. i also am scheduled for recertification on jan 25th in denver. but i still have a long way to go. right now i am living in an area (Billings Montana) where credentials don't mean much. and being a good climber here has it's down side too. after all u can't do no tree work without a "bucket truck". it's best to say "i have thirty years of experience". thirty years of torture and mutilation. but i know for my sake what a tree is suppose to look like - thanks to the ISA.

 

[Munkee feet]

ISA and TCIA

I like questions that make me think...for me I am not a member of ISA or TCIA although I read there publication monthly. I do not feel it neccasary to pass there examantions to be great in this field. I do have collage education in Biology and Horticulture. I also follow ANSI standards. My company is me, a couple of groundmen, pick up truck w/ trailer and some great saws. I believe them to be good orginazions...but not absolutly necessary...I my option.
munkeeft