Professional Education and Completed ISA Courses

Introduction to Arboriculture – Climbing

Completed: May 27, 2026

This course focused on the fundamentals of tree climbing, safe movement within the canopy, the use of climbing equipment, and working at height. During hazardous tree removals and pruning operations, it is important not only to reach the canopy but also to remain properly secured and work in a way that minimizes the risk of falling.

In practice, this means planning a safe ascent, using ropes, selecting appropriate anchor points, and wearing suitable personal protective equipment. Tree climbing is not improvised work from a ladder – it is a specialized working technique in its own right.

Introduction to Arboriculture – Safety

Completed: May 28, 2026

Safety is the foundation of professional arboriculture. This course covered job planning, hazard recognition, the use of personal protective equipment, workplace communication, and safe working procedures when operating chainsaws, ropes, and other arboricultural equipment.

Arboricultural safety also involves following industry-recognized principles and standards, including concepts found in standards such as ANSI Z133. These standards address safe arboricultural operations, worksite organization, minimum safe distances, crew communication, working at height, rope systems, chainsaw operation, and protective equipment.

For clients, this means that a safe work procedure is not “wasting time.” It is the difference between a controlled operation and unnecessary risk to people, roofs, fences, roads, vehicles, or utility lines.

Introduction to Arboriculture – Tree Risk Assessment

Completed: 28 May 2026

This course focused on tree risk assessment. When evaluating a potentially hazardous tree, it is not enough to simply say that it is "large" or "old." Important factors include tree vitality, trunk defects, cracks, cavities, fungal activity, dead branches, lean, root zone condition, and the presence of potential targets around the tree.

A tree standing in the middle of an open field presents a very different level of risk than a tree located above a house, road, parking area, playground, or other frequently used space. Risk assessment therefore considers not only the condition of the tree itself, but also what could be damaged if the tree or one of its parts were to fail.

In practice, this knowledge helps me determine whether removing dead branches is sufficient, whether a reduction prune may be appropriate, or whether it is safer to remove the tree before the situation develops into an emergency.

Introduction to Arboriculture – Rigging

Completed: 31 May 2026

Rigging is the controlled lowering of branches or trunk sections using ropes, pulleys, anchor points, and friction devices. It is primarily used when a tree cannot be safely felled in one piece or when structures such as houses, fences, greenhouses, roads, or other obstacles are located beneath the tree.

The course covered rope loading, dynamic forces, rigging point selection, the use of natural and artificial anchor points, and the difference between simply lowering a branch and managing situations where a falling section gains momentum before being arrested by the rope system.

For clients, rigging is often the invisible part of tree work. However, it is what determines whether a heavy branch is placed safely on the ground or ends up damaging a roof, fence, vehicle, or building facade.

Introduction to Arboriculture – Tree Physiology

Completed: 31 May 2026

Tree physiology explains how a tree functions internally. This course covered photosynthesis, transpiration, water movement through the xylem, carbohydrate transport through the phloem, energy reserves, and tree responses to stress, defoliation, injuries, and pruning.

This knowledge is particularly important when pruning trees. If a tree loses too much of its canopy, photosynthesis is reduced, stored energy reserves begin to be depleted, and the tree may become less capable of defending itself against fungal decay, pests, and drought.

Understanding tree physiology allows me to better explain to clients why reducing a large tree to a low stump is rarely a good idea and why such practices often lead to long-term health, structural, and safety problems.

Introduction to Arboriculture – Principles of Pruning

Completed: 1 June 2026

This course focused on the fundamental principles of proper tree pruning. Important topics included branch collars, branch bark ridges, the difference between correct pruning cuts and flush cuts, and the consequences of leaving long stubs after pruning.

Pruning timing was another key subject. Some trees are best pruned after flowering, while others respond better to pruning during the growing season or dormancy. Whether working with fruit trees, ornamental trees, or large mature specimens, the species, tree condition, and objective of the pruning operation must all be considered.

Proper pruning should benefit the tree rather than unnecessarily weaken it. For this reason, I aim to avoid excessive topping, unnecessary large wounds, and pruning practices that may quickly reduce canopy size but create long-term structural and biological problems.