Is this Major for you?

If you like working outdoors, improving the environment, and combining physical and mental challenges; you may want to explore a career in arboriculture. Arborists focus on the selection, planting, pruning, fertilizing and general care of trees. Arborists are also responsible for assessing, managing and implementing the removal of hazardous trees. This major is a good choice for those students who like to push themselves and expand their comfort zone in order to achieve their true potential.

What is Arboriculture?

Arboriculture is the cultivation, management and care of individual trees. The Arboriculture program exposes students to the many facets of the Arboriculture industry and focuses on the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees. Arborists help preserve trees as an available resource and keep them structurally safe for the benefit of the community. Students in this major will be provided the skills and credentials necessary for a successful career in the industry. Students may further their education at the college level or go directly into the Arboriculture industry. Although the Arboriculture curriculum focuses primarily on the residential and commercial tree care industries, the curriculum also prepares students to work with municipalities and in the utility arboriculture field.

Arboriculture Related Fields

  • Entomology
  • Pathology
  • Business
  • Equipment Sales & Maintenance
  • Consulting
  • Plant Production Specialist
  • Forestry

The Arboriculture Program focuses on connecting students with industry professionals prior to graduation. These established connections are imperative to our graduates when it is time to enter into the field. Opportunities include:

  • Production Arboriculture
  • Utility Arboriculture
  • Plant Production
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Sales
  • Equipment Maintenance

Arboriculture Curriculum

As an Arboriculture major you will take the following courses:

  • Intro to Arboriculture
  • Basic Tree Climbing Techniques
  • Tree Biology & Structure
  • Safe Chainsaw Use & Maintenance
  • Campus Tree Care &
  • Fall Show Educational Displays
  • Arboricultural Services & Risk Management
  • Municipal Arboriculture & Aerial Lift Operations
  • Safe Work Practices &
  • Emergency Response Techniques
  • Commercial Driver's License Preparation & Arboricultural Equipment
  • Career Planning & Portfolios
  • Advanced Arboricultural Operations

Arboriculture Related Courses:

  • Botany
  • Business Management
  • Entomology & Pathology
  • Soil Science
  • Pesticides
  • Plant Health Care

Suggested Certifications

  • Massachusetts Certified Arborist
  • ISA Certified Arborist
  • Rhode Island Arborist License
  • TCIA Tree Care Academy
  • CPR, First Aid & AED
  • Commercial Driver's License
  • Hoisting License

Colleges/Universities

The following colleges/universities offer Arboriculture and related fields as majors.

 


  • Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst - Awards 3 academic credits to graduates of this Bristol Aggie program who are accepted to a Stockbridge.
  • Cobleskill College
  • State University of New York Agriculture and Technical College
  • Paul Smith's College


 

Professional Organizations

The following organizations are recommended to students to better prepare themselves for the field of Arboriculture and its rigorous work practices and safety standards.

The Massachusetts Arborists Association

www.massarbor.org

New England Chapter of ISA

www.newenglandisa.org

The Tree Care Industry Association

http://tcia.org/index.aspx