eagleknight97
ArboristSite Lurker
Hey guys, a big time noobie here. Got a few questions for you, but maybe a little background on me would help with the answers to the questions.
I am currently a Senior at the University of Illinois, majoring in Horticulture with an Urban Forestry concentration. What that basically means is that ive learned lots of book stuff about plants in general and very little actual Urban Forestry stuff. I do however have some practical experience from my summer job. The last 3 summers I have been working for my hometowns Street Department and the last 2 summers I have specifically been working with our Village Forester. Ive only been up in a handful of trees though, understandably though as his job isnt to teach some kid how to climb. However he is willing to help me out when we have time and I enjoy working with him because he has great knowledge and is younger (27ish) so I dont feel too out of place. Now to the questions.
First off, I really have no idea what im going to be doing when I finally graduate. I THINK that ideally I would like to become a sales arborist when im older. Im pretty sure this requires a decent amount of time at a company as a climber/trimmer correct? However, I also wouldnt mind becoming a Village Forester but it seems as if it would be difficult to become one with practically no experience of doing anything on my own. This begs the question, what should I do this summer? Even though I am a senior, I still have another year left due to my late decision on a major and am now playing catchup. My summer choices seem to be another year at the village working with our forester and hopefully getting more climbing time and more municipal experience. OR I can try to get an Internship at a Tree care company that would probably give me more saddle time but at the cost of hours that arent conducive to other activities going on for me during the summer and at a much reduced pay rate. Which job would look much better for a potential employer?
Second question is an equipment question. What is some basic equipment you guys would recommend for a beginner like me? I dont plan on pruning or removing any trees, but I would like to get more comfortable climbing and with the ropes and knots and everything like that. Right now the only piece of equipment I have that is Arborist related is a Fanno hand saw and a scabbard.
Thanks a LOT for any and all help!
I am currently a Senior at the University of Illinois, majoring in Horticulture with an Urban Forestry concentration. What that basically means is that ive learned lots of book stuff about plants in general and very little actual Urban Forestry stuff. I do however have some practical experience from my summer job. The last 3 summers I have been working for my hometowns Street Department and the last 2 summers I have specifically been working with our Village Forester. Ive only been up in a handful of trees though, understandably though as his job isnt to teach some kid how to climb. However he is willing to help me out when we have time and I enjoy working with him because he has great knowledge and is younger (27ish) so I dont feel too out of place. Now to the questions.
First off, I really have no idea what im going to be doing when I finally graduate. I THINK that ideally I would like to become a sales arborist when im older. Im pretty sure this requires a decent amount of time at a company as a climber/trimmer correct? However, I also wouldnt mind becoming a Village Forester but it seems as if it would be difficult to become one with practically no experience of doing anything on my own. This begs the question, what should I do this summer? Even though I am a senior, I still have another year left due to my late decision on a major and am now playing catchup. My summer choices seem to be another year at the village working with our forester and hopefully getting more climbing time and more municipal experience. OR I can try to get an Internship at a Tree care company that would probably give me more saddle time but at the cost of hours that arent conducive to other activities going on for me during the summer and at a much reduced pay rate. Which job would look much better for a potential employer?
Second question is an equipment question. What is some basic equipment you guys would recommend for a beginner like me? I dont plan on pruning or removing any trees, but I would like to get more comfortable climbing and with the ropes and knots and everything like that. Right now the only piece of equipment I have that is Arborist related is a Fanno hand saw and a scabbard.
Thanks a LOT for any and all help!