Starting Out

[tfox3691]

Getting Certified

I was wondering if anyone could help me out. Ive been thinking about getting certified to be an Arborist. Im not tying to start my own business or anything i just want the know how of the work. I want to be able to fell trees with out doing anything stupid. Any input would be great. Thanks. And is it really worth getting certified just for a weekend warrior like myself.

 

[TDunk]

I'm not certified, but where i'm at certifications don't mean jack. How i got started was i knew a guy that was a real good climber and timber faller. He was old school but he knew what he was doing. I had him help me out on a couple jobs that i wasn't sure about, watched how he did it, and that was that. It would probably be cheaper and less stressful if you can find a guy in your area that is willing to teach you the basics and some tricks. And if you run into a job that your not sure about, he'd prolly give you a hand.

 

[farmer]

Look for a tree guy that needs help and get paid to observe how it is done. You can always offer your help for free to get your foot in the door.

 

[treetop flyer]

reply to tfox3691

tfox3691,
Start out like most of us did. Get a job with a local tree service. You will most likely begin by dragging brush and as you aquire new skills you will be able to take on more challenging tasks. Another good option, if you are serious about getting into the tree game is to seek out a school that offers an arboriculture program. I have been in the tree and landscape profession for 16 years and have been climbing for 8. Even with the experience and education I have recieved through "on the job" training I still thought it necessary to go back to school and will be graduating from the Stockbridge School at Umass in May with a degree in arboriculture. Good luck and be safe.

 

[kbiv]

Soak up as much education as you can. I started doing firewood with my dad, thought i knew everything about getting them down. Went through a fire saw class, and picked up a lot. Also figured out I didn't know anything, and needed to get serious. I read as much as I can, from the forums to the falling books (search for Dent and Beranek), it helps clear things up during the limited amount of actual 1on 1 instruction that you may get. My real job would get pretty irate if I told them I was running off to pull brush, so I have to do the self educated thing and make the most of what I can.
I won't get into the cert thing. I've looked into that for my own purposes, but I sure one of the certified guys can give you better info on that.

 

[treeslayer]

Or just buy your arborist certification from Wal mart, ( the landscape section,)
then you can make thousands of $$$ a day, all for flashing your ISA badge at the homeowners!!

with that badge of honor, you will instantly be able to scale great heights, name every tree in sight by smell, and turn large trees into bank accounts in the blink of an eye with only a wave of a pruning wand.

I bought mine, and now I travel the country, sampling tree groupies, and free meals in all the finest restaurants, merely for telling others that their tree is a goofus lookus bigstikus.

hurry up, they sell out by X-mas.

 

[tree MDS]

I was wondering if anyone could help me out. Ive been thinking about getting certified to be an Arborist. Im not tying to start my own business or anything i just want the know how of the work. I want to be able to fell trees with out doing anything stupid. Any input would be great. Thanks. And is it really worth getting certified just for a weekend warrior like myself.

Drag more brush and polish up on driving standard like a real man, lol. Put down the cheezeburgers once in a while too, that might help.

 

[lxt]

Or just buy your arborist certification from Wal mart, ( the landscape section,)
then you can make thousands of $$$ a day, all for flashing your ISA badge at the homeowners!!

with that badge of honor, you will instantly be able to scale great heights, name every tree in sight by smell, and turn large trees into bank accounts in the blink of an eye with only a wave of a pruning wand.

I bought mine, and now I travel the country, sampling tree groupies, and free meals in all the finest restaurants, merely for telling others that their tree is a goofus lookus bigstikus.

hurry up, they sell out by X-mas.

Thats funny S%^& right there!!! LOL..

LXT..........

 

[371groundie]

Also figured out I didn't know anything, and needed to get serious.

thats the first step.

 

[mbman]

re starting out

I joined a local woodlot association and took a chainsaw safety course from them. It was worth the $100 fee. It was mandatory to have and use all the proper safety equipment during the course.

Ten years later, and I wear all my safety gear, just in case nothing happens.

 

[fishercat]

oh my!

Drag more brush and polish up on driving standard like a real man, lol. Put down the cheezeburgers once in a while too, that might help.

maybe it's time to screen employees for cheeseburger use.seems like an issue up in the northwest corner.

 

[OLD CHIPMONK]

My suggestion would be basic, first get some appropriate reading material ! Next find a mentor willing to observe & train ! Once you are confident , by all means-proceed !

 

[NapalmDeath]

Drag more brush and polish up on driving standard like a real man, lol. Put down the cheezeburgers once in a while too, that might help.

I take it, you guys know each other?