Hello everyone. I’m new to the forum and am looking to start my tree services business here in a few months. I have some forestry experience, but am looking for a formal training program whether it be online or in person to really give me a good foundation to confidently step foot into this career field. I have seen the ISA’s online courses and was curious as to whether anyone could give a review on how they were. I planned on seeking out some in person training at a school in Ohio but it seems covid has interfered with that. If anyone has some suggestions that would be great, thanks.
Seeking the right formal training
- Thread starter Tonka009
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What kind of training are you looking for? If you're talking about climbing and rigging, you won't be able to do that in "a few months", at least not well enough to start a full time business, IMO. If you're talking about tree ID and care, that might be different.
Sorry should have mentioned I’m a professional firefighter by trade, and am a rope technician. I have a lot of ropes and rigging experience. I’m not looking for a few specific courses. I’d like to learn everything. I know the ISA offers an intro course packet of 25 classes that essentially gives you everything needed knowledge wise to get started. Those are the kind of programs I’m interested in.
Confidence is great, but aquiring knowledge and skills to confidently start your tree service will take years.
Most who start their own tree service have had a lot of 'informal' training working for others first. There they learn the day to day details about the industry you don't get in formal training programs.
Most who start their own tree service have had a lot of 'informal' training working for others first. There they learn the day to day details about the industry you don't get in formal training programs.
What part of "tree care" can be learned in less time than climbing and rigging? That, to me, is only one very small part of "tree care". People spend lifetimes studying insects. Others diseases. Planting. Pruning. And there is still a lot nobody knows...
I do agree, a few months time isn't enough....but it is a great place to start. Everybody's gotta start somewhere.
The ISA resources are great. Going to conferences is another great way to learn. Finding somebody well-qualified to work under is even better.
Is that someplace ACRT? https://training.acrt.com/arborist-training/basic-arborist/
My new helper went through their climbing training school. Definitely gave him a strong foundation...but I think he'd tell you that only goes so far once you get working. By no means I am saying that is not a great place to start - I think he came much more ready because of it.
He's talking about starting a business in a few months. My point was not that he could learn all there was to learn in a few months, but rather that he could learn enough about tree identification and basic characteristics to get started and not need to take any more formal classes in that particular subject. I've been doing tree work for over 20 years and I've never taken any formal classes. The same can be said of the vast majority of successful tree service owners in my area and probably nationwide.
Right...works out well sometimes. Other times they spend their careers topping trees, flush cuts, planting too deep, and treating non-existent pests with the wrong product even if there was a problem.
