I am 18 and looking for what to do next, I am currently working in a woodshop for a year making some money so I can maybe go to school. I really like the idea of being an arborist, I've done a fair amount of saw work and have always been a climber and I was wondering if getting an associates degree from UNH in forestry would be a good step in the direction of getting into the business while having a wee bit of a backup.
Associates Degree in Forestry?
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forestryworks
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adirondackhick
ArboristSite Member
I agree, if you would like to be closer to home, Smiths is a great school so I've been told.
Possibly Hocking College in Ohio - supposed to be one of the better Associate programs for Forestry (as is Paul Smiths...)
forestryworks
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The more well-rounded your education is, the better off you'll be. You will find that there is no single degree out there offering only arboriculture classes, unless it's a 1 year diploma or certificate.
If you still want more focus on arboriculture, there's ISA certifications and work experience.
Look into more than one school. Hocking, as stated below, is another good one.
Not necessarily specific to arboriculture, but there is also the SUNY-ESF: SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry - The Ranger School in Wanakena, NY.
adirondackhick
ArboristSite Member
Not too far away is also umass stockbridge campus which focuses on forestry and arb. 2years as in smiths etc.
forestryworks
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[video=youtube_share;tRPHZtLRJ7k]http://youtu.be/tRPHZtLRJ7k[/video]
forestryworks
Addicted to ArboristSite
SUNY Ranger School
[video=youtube;5hShrojL5-A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hShrojL5-A[/video]
[video=youtube;5hShrojL5-A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hShrojL5-A[/video]
Kottonwood
ArboristSite Operative
I have an employee that went there and my brother went to that school as well. I have been nothing but impressed with the students that come out of there. You may want to start working first so you know what you are getting into. There ain't no easy days in this business. The ranger school is a really cool program.
I like that you are looking towards an education, to many uneducated arborists out there. You can learn all that stuff on your own but it takes way longer. When you start pruning having a knowledge base of how a tree works makes all the difference.
limbwalker54
ArboristSite Operative
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Check into that. They have an Associates in Arboriculture
Check into that. They have an Associates in Arboriculture
forestryworks
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It'll be cheaper for you tuition-wise to stay in NH.
But check out financial aid options that are available.
In the end, any school that's been listed here is good. The main thing is once you start, you finish and graduate, that's what employers care about.
Also look into a major in arboriculture with a minor in forestry, or vice versa. Plenty of people get on a career path based on their minor alone. The broader your education, the better chances for your future.
beastmaster
Addicted to ArboristSite
I have been working on a AS in ornamental horticulture at a local community college. Look around your state and see what the different schools have to offer you might be surprised. I have been going at night one class at a time(for 3 years now)and am only half way there.
I'm old and have lots of experience, lots of jobs ask for a degree or so many years experience. I am hoping to skate by with only a A.S. degree. But I would look for a community college near a state college so you could transfer after completeing your Associates and continue your education. Realistically an Associates is bare bones in the aborculture field. Now a Bachelors degree is entry level into a lot of way cool jobs.
As much as I love climbing trees and stuff, you don't want to have to do that for to many years. Check out the different jobs available
in this trade, You might be surprised. Apply for your grants from the FEDS and State, scholarships are sometimes available.
I hate it when old people say" if I knew then, what I know now, I would of did it different." Now it's me saying that:msp_tongue: Arborculture, Forestry, are great and interesting fields, and need educated, informed, people. Don't stop at an Associates.
I'm old and have lots of experience, lots of jobs ask for a degree or so many years experience. I am hoping to skate by with only a A.S. degree. But I would look for a community college near a state college so you could transfer after completeing your Associates and continue your education. Realistically an Associates is bare bones in the aborculture field. Now a Bachelors degree is entry level into a lot of way cool jobs.
As much as I love climbing trees and stuff, you don't want to have to do that for to many years. Check out the different jobs available
in this trade, You might be surprised. Apply for your grants from the FEDS and State, scholarships are sometimes available.
I hate it when old people say" if I knew then, what I know now, I would of did it different." Now it's me saying that:msp_tongue: Arborculture, Forestry, are great and interesting fields, and need educated, informed, people. Don't stop at an Associates.
forestryworks
Addicted to ArboristSite
Oh, and beware of anyone telling you that you can't transfer to a 4 year school if you do get an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Arboriculture, or Forestry or whatever versus an Associate of Arts (AS) in arboriculture, etc. That's BS. You can transfer just fine. I did it.
