ISA Certification
Well.......yes my comment/post was directed to you, However you really didnt answer the questions or prove your point, actually you proved my point............your "designer didnt have hands on experience" ya see here is the problem with the CA Cert!
what is your experience & does it meet the required criteria? you have already stated your designer really has no tree care experience...........But now he is certified? Lets re-visit what arborist certification covers & make that the base for the Cert!
yes, all you have mentioned is part of it.....just like the Doctor still needs to examine your urine/stool.........is that beyond him cause he is a doctor now? I guess by your statement pertaining to the engineer...........that those who reach the pinnacle of their profession shouldnt have to start at ground level??? I guess doctors should blow off the lab part of their training....no need to get their hands dirty, is this the mentality Now?????
Bottom line is: untill Arborists are degreed the certification is really an un-necessary, voluntary attempt at one bettering their knowledge base pertaining to their field along with hands on field experience aloft as well......! you think that engineer doesnt get called out & made to go 40 stories up cause his plans just dont work at that altitude & adjustments need made?
Ya see.........Tree climbers as you put it are the foundation & backbone of this industry, when it comes down to it a tree climber will be more sought out than a non-working/climbing arborist.............IMHO, any one with a turd for a brain can talk about something they`ve never done...................what happens when they need to show someone how to do it? ah thats right they gotta hire a tree climber.........plain & simple: if you cant climb or you dont meet the requirements to sit the exam....then you shouldnt be an Arborist!
I would bet 90% of the CA`s right now would fail the original NAA exam for the Arborist credential.....its just a watered down give us your money right to call yourself certified!
LXT..............
LXT,
You come across as abrasive. I am trying to contribute to the thread. I agree climbers are important; I just don't agree that it is or should be a requirement to become certified as an arborist. Now, to be certified as a Tree Worker - Climber Specialist, you have to climb; if you only have one arm or you are stuck in a wheelchair, you get no breaks... you have to climb.
However, for the Arborist Certification, here is the application:
http://www.isa-arbor.com/certification/resources/cert_Application_CertifiedArborist.pdf
From it:
Examination Eligibility Requirement
The ISA Certification Board requires candidates to have a minimum of three years of full-time experience
in arboriculture. Acceptable experience includes the practical use of knowledge involved in
pruning, fertilization, installation and establishment, diagnosis and treatment of tree problems, cabling
and bracing, climbing, or other services that directly relate to arboriculture. Examples of experience
sources include, but are not limited to,
• tree care companies • utility personnel
• nursery personnel • instructors of arboriculture/horticulture
• landscape personnel • horticultural/extension advisors
• municipalities • consulting arborists
• state forestry personnel • pest control advisors/applicators
The eligibility requirement also may be satisfied with a two-year degree in arboriculture and two years
of practical experience or a four-year degree in a related field and one year of practical experience.
If you are self-employed or own your own company, you will be required to submit three letters of
references with your application.
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I went with the experience route. I am still a couple credits away from the 2-year degree that I haven't had time to finish. My 4-year degree is in an unrelated field. My designer went with the 4-yr (related field) degree/min. 1 year experience route.
Althouth I could have qualified with landscape experience alone, I did have several years of tree business experience under my belt as well, which did include climbing for pruning and removal. I admit that before I knew better, I did some pretty nasty work, including heavy over-lifting and lion's-tailing. I cringe to think of some of the things I was paid to do to trees. I wish I had the training/knowledge/certification before doing tree work; that way I would have know what I was doing.
From ISA's website:
Brochure on
Why Hire An Arborist
Trees Are Good - Tree Care Information
What Is a Certified Arborist?
An arborist by definition is an individual who is trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees. ISA arborist certification is a nongovernmental, voluntary process by which individuals can document their base of knowledge. It operates without mandate of law and is an internal, self-regulating device administered by the International Society of Arboriculture. Certification provides a measurable assessment of an individual’s knowledge and competence required to provide proper tree care.
Certification is not a measure of standards of practice. Certification can attest to the tree knowledge of an individual but cannot guarantee or ensure quality performance.
Certified Arborists are individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through experience and by passing a comprehensive examination developed by some of the nation’s leading experts on tree care. Certified Arborists must also continue their education to maintain their certification. Therefore, they are more likely to be up to date on the latest techniques in arboriculture--------------------------
The claim is never made that arborists are climbers. Although many are, not all are. The continuing education has been very important to me. My first years as a CA I had over 100 ceu's (125 to be exact), but I have since slacked off some. I probably still get about 50 per year though.
What was the next question.... ah, yes... Do I think people should skip the ground level? Of course not. I think the CEO of the burger joint needs to know how to flip burgers. But, again... climbing is not a requirement for someone to grow trees, plant trees, design where they go, plan construction around them, etc... There is a perception in this country that "Tree services just cut trees - pruning or removal, but that's about it; and any cuts are harmful." I imagine that is true for many companies, but there is much more to tree care. Even those tree pruning cuts can be made in a way that helps the tree grow stronger structurally. But there are all the other things too - planting, inspection, root pruning, air excavation, pest control, fertilization, aerating, protection, and more. In general (and I know you will take offense to this, but think about it for a minute), a fence company can do more for a tree than a tree climber. I say this because often the pruning is reactionary to dead wood as a result of cut roots, compaction, and the like. A fence installed around the tree can prevent all those things from happening - at least during construction, when most of the damage occurs. For the same reason, a knowledgeable arborist can do more for the tree by protecting it than by pruning it. I am not downplaying the need of the climber; climbers are a necessary part of tree care, but so is the guy drawing the plans and the guy reading the soil sample. I am sure you think I forgot about all the great things climbers do, like reduction pruning, directional pruning, identifying things that cannot be seen from the ground or from a bucket, etc...(no one could list them all). I know climbers are important, but so are the other fields of arboriculture.
