ISA certification Cancel The title field is required!

1. Matthew Neff

   

   0 posts
   
   8/13/2012 7:08 PM

   I'm considering obtaining the ISA aborist certification. I was curious how many out there have done this and if you felt it was worth it from both a professional/technical perspective (i.e. made you a better turf/grounds manager) and from a career perspective (i.e. made you more marketable). For those that have pursued the certification, is it necessary to purchase all the books they suggest on the ISA website?

   
   
   
   
2. Wahlin Scott B

   
   8/14/2012 6:08 AM

   I don't know anything about ISA Certification, but anything you can do to build your resume and give a potential employer a justification for hiring you is well worth it.

   
   
   
   
3. Kenneth Ingram

   

   18 posts
   
   8/14/2012 7:08 AM

   Matthew- By all means pursue ISA Certification. The ISA is a great organization, very professional, and truly an international group. Being a certified arborist would definately be a great addition to a resume. I encourage all my landscape management students to start the process. I would buy the study materials. As I recall they weren't that expensive. The Tree ID, Tree Biology, and Soils is not much different than what all us turf guys studied in school. As you know there is an overwhelming culture of saftey in Arboriculture. Make sure you study those things- Setting up safe work zones, truck and tralier hitches, etc. Go for it. Kenneth Ingram, UMD.

   
   
   
   
4. Matthew Neff

   

   0 posts
   
   8/17/2012 7:08 PM

   Thanks for the advice guys -- really appreciate it. It's probably a no-brainer to do it but since I'm paying for it myself just trying to make sure it's worth it.

   
   
   
   
5. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   8/17/2012 7:08 PM

   The ISA Certification in my eyes is a joke. From what I can remember, work a year in the field (in any capacity from office worker to actual tree pruner) and pass the test. I'm only saying this because I know a person who is a Certified Arborist who has never cut a tree.

   
   
   
   
6. Trevor Monreal

   

   5 posts
   
   9/2/2012 8:09 AM

   Sounds great!
   However, I would check what this does to your Workman's Comp.
   From what I understand, having an arborist on staff sends it through the roof.
   Of course you can say, "I am certified but I don't climb trees"...I don't think they will see it that way.
   Just worth checking out.