Arborist Training Intensive Program 2

Looking to enhance your skills as a practicing arborist? Do you need focused hands-on technical training in stationary rope system technique, spur climbing, heavy equipment operation, and cabling and bracing? We put this course together for you. Whether you're just starting in the business or looking to refine your expertise, this course is your fast track to becoming a proficient and safety-conscious tree climber. Participants will gain hands-on experience, reinforced by industry-standard safety protocols and best practices.

Course Overview

During the week, you will explore a comprehensive curriculum that revolved around safety, WorkSafe BC, and industry standards. Our hands-on approach ensures that you gain practical experience quickly and effectively. Here's what you'll learn:

Day 1 & Day 2: Foundational SRS (Stationary Rope System) Climbing

• Advantages of SRS: Explore the benefits of SRS over traditional Moving Rope Systems (MRS), including increased energy efficiency, reduced strain, and improved control during ascents and descents.

• Understanding the Mechanics of SRS: Learn the principles behind SRS, including rope tensions, load distribution, and how SRS anchors differ from traditional climbing systems.

• Equipment Overview and Setup: Detailed instruction on the tools of SRS, including Static climbing ropes and their properties; rope wrenches, mechanical ascenders, and friction devices’ backup systems like lanyards and prusiks.

• Safety Protocols: Cover WorkSafe BC compliance, with a focus on minimizing risks associated with SRS climbing. Emphasize the importance of pre-climb safety checks and anchor point selection.

• Anchor Systems and Forces: Explore the physics of SRS anchors, considering force dynamics and the impact of angles on anchor strength.

• Inspection and Pre-Climb Checks: Hands-on practice inspecting ropes, harnesses, and SRS-specific equipment to ensure functionality and compliance with safety standards.

• Ascent Techniques: Practice body thrusts, frog systems, and mechanical ascender setups to scale trees efficiently and safely.

• Descent Techniques: Learn to manage friction and control descents using rope wrenches, descenders, or hitch-based systems.

• Work Positioning in the Canopy: limb walks, tie-ins, and redirects to maneuver effectively and maintain stability in various canopy scenarios.

• Rescue Anchors and Emergency Preparedness: Prepare for emergency situations by setting up rescue anchors and learning techniques for aerial rescues specific to SRS systems.

• Troubleshooting Common Challenges: Address potential problems such as rope twists, mid-ascent adjustments, and efficient transitions between climbing and work positioning.

• Practical Climbing Exercises: Engage in supervised, hands-on climbing sessions:

  • Experience the fluidity and efficiency of SRS in real-world scenarios.

  • Compare SRS to MRS (Moving Rope System) techniques, with guidance on when each system is most effective.

  • Apply newfound skills to perform advanced maneuvers, such as multiple redirects and high anchor transitions.

Day 3: Foundational Spur and Spar Pole Climbing (Including Rescue and Rigging)

This day focuses on the specialized techniques required for climbing spar poles with spurs, conducting aerial rescues, and setting up rigging systems for dismantling trees. Participants will gain the essential skills to work safely and effectively in scenarios where traditional climbing methods or full canopy access are unavailable.

• Understanding Spur Climbing and Its Applications: Learn the purpose and context of spur climbing and discuss the pros and cons of spur use and situations where spurs are necessary.

• Equipment Selection, Inspection, and Adjustment: identify and select appropriate spur climbing gear, including spurs, pads, and straps and lanyards; conduct pre-climb inspections to ensure safety and functionality of equipment; practice fitting and adjusting spurs for individual comfort and security.

• Spur Maintenance and Sharpening: Learn techniques for maintaining spur functionality, including sharpening with emphasis on maintaining the correct angle and sharpness.

• Ascent Techniques for Spar Pole Climbing: demonstrate and practice proper climbing techniques to ascend spar poles safely and efficiently with emphasis on maintaining stability and balance while climbing with spurs.

• Work Positioning on Spars: Techniques for secure work positioning using lanyards and flip lines and practice locking into position for effective and stable cutting or rigging setup.

• Introduction to spar pole rigging systems: Discuss the purpose of rigging in spar pole removals, focusing on controlling and directing falling tree sections; learn to calculate load forces and ensure safe rigging practices.

• Rigging Gear Overview: Identify rigging blocks, slings, ropes, and friction devices commonly used in spar pole operations.

• Installing Rigging Systems: Step-by-step guidance on setting up rigging systems for spar pole dismantling with emphasis on correct angles, friction control, and minimizing swing or drop forces during lowering operations.

• Controlled Descent of Tree Sections: Focus on teamwork, communication, and efficient use of rigging systems to ensure safety and productivity.

• Spar Pole Aerial Rescue Scenarios: Learn how to safely access and assist a stranded or incapacitated climber on a spar pole; Practice setting up rescue systems and performing aerial-based rescues. Address potential challenges, such as managing tight lanyards and maintaining climber stability during descent.

• Emergency Preparedness: Understand the importance of pre-planning for rescues, including pre-installed anchors and accessible equipment.

Day 4: Arborist Heavy Equipment

This day emphasizes the operation, maintenance, and practical application of heavy equipment in arboricultural work. Participants will gain hands-on experience with chippers, stump grinders, skid steers, and bobcats, with a focus on equipment care, troubleshooting, and situational application in diverse tree care scenarios.

Wood Chipper

• Safety Protocols: Learn about PPE, such as helmets, gloves, and hearing protection, and their critical role in chipper operation.

• Site Safety: Understand the safe zones around the chipper and how to manage the risk of kickback or entanglement.

• Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Inspect chipper blades hydraulic systems, belts, and feed mechanisms and learn to identify and resolve common issues, such as blockages or uneven chipping output. Perform regular greasing of pivot points and lubrication of moving parts.

• Chipper Operation and Maintenance: Start up and shut down protocol; proper feeding techniques; worksite organization and avoiding problems.

• Efficient cleanup after tree removals and pruning operations and managing high volumes of debris in urban and residential settings.

Stump Grinder

• Safety Precautions: Learn about PPE, such as helmets, gloves, and hearing protection, and their critical role in stump grinder operation.

• Stump grinder operations and controls.

• Setup and Grinding Techniques: Approaching the stump and job planning, installing guards and preventing damage, stump grinder positioning.

• Maintenance and Inspection: heck belts, hydraulic systems, and engine components. Assessing wear and changing teeth. Perform regular greasing of pivot points and lubrication of moving parts.

• Troubleshoot common issues, such as overheating, depth control problems, or debris buildup.

• Dealing with removing stumps in confined spaces, residential areas, and uneven terrain.

• Preparing sites for replanting or landscaping after tree removal.

Skid Steer Operation and Maintenance

• Safety Precautions: Learn about PPE, such as helmets, gloves, and hearing protection, and their critical role in stump grinder operation.

• Safety Features and Controls: Overview of safety mechanisms, basic control functions, including maneuvering and operations.

• Maneuvering and Load Handling: Practice lifting, carrying, and dumping loads safely and efficiently; understand load capacity limits to prevent tipping or overloading.

• Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Learn to inspect hydraulic systems, tires, and engine components, regular greasing of pivot points and lubrication of moving parts.

• Transporting heavy debris or logs across a job site and assisting in large-scale tree removal operations by moving cut sections efficiently.

Bobcat Operation

• Safety Features and Controls: Explore the unique features of bobcats, such as precise control systems and attachments for specialized tasks.

• Operation: Focus on navigating tight spaces and handling heavy or awkward loads.

• Learn to use attachments such as buckets, grapples, or and pallet forks effectively in arboricultural applications.

• Maintenance and Inspection: tracks, hydraulic connections, and attachment points.

• Excavation or material handling for planting and landscaping projects.

Day 5: Advanced Rigging and Cabling & Bracing

Advanced Rigging

• Safety Compliance: ANSI Z133 safety standards and WorkSafe BC regulations.

• Load force calculations and mechanical advantage.

• Anchor Selection and Integrity: Ensure all anchor points are strong enough to handle the load and forces generated.

• Rope Management: Rope selection, inspection, maintenance, and application.

• Span rigging, speed lining, drift line rigging, installing floating rigging points, and fish pole rigging.

• Installing 5:1 systems and other block and tackle techniques.

Cabling and Bracing Trees

• Understand the application of tree structural support systems.

• Install cabling and bracing systems following ANSI A300 standards.

• Inspection of tree structure and determining support needs.

• Dynamic and static cabling systems.

• Hardware, tools, and techniques required to install dynamic and static cable systems.

• Installing terminal hardware in trees.

• Hand splicing common grade 7-strand cables and install the systems,

• Splicing and installing a dynamic COBRA cable system,

• Hands-on practice installing static and dynamic systems.

• Understand inspection intervals and standard of care regarding supplementary support systems.

Key Benefits:

• Accelerated Learning: Our hands-on approach ensures rapid skill acquisition.

• Safety First: The program adheres to WorkSafe BC and industry standards, prioritizing your safety and the safety of those around you.

• Productivity Boost: Gain the knowledge and skills needed to work more efficiently, making you a valuable asset in the industry.

Certification:

Upon successful completion, you'll receive a certification acknowledging your achievement in the Arborist Training Intensive Program.

Program Details:

Duration: Five -day intensive program with online component.

Location: BCPHC Training Facility - 18465 53rd Ave, Surrey, BC

Date: October 6 - 10, 2025. 8am - 4pm

Investment: $2500 per person

* No Gear? No problem. If you have tree climbing gear, bring it! Otherwise, let us know ahead of time so we can supply you with the equipment you need for in-course use. We want to make learning about climbing trees easy!

Enroll Today:

Embark on a thrilling adventure and master the art of tree climbing with our 5 day Arborist Training Intensive Program. Book your spot now and elevate your perspective! Spaces are limited, so don't miss your chance to unlock your potential. Take the first step to becoming a skilled and safety-conscious tree climber today! 🌿

Group Rates:

Got a group? You can book this course privately. Reach out to us for detailed pricing information and available course dates.

Contact Us: [email protected] | 18465 53rd Avenue, Surrey, BC | 604-575-8727