Becoming an Arborist

If you’re interested in becoming an arborist, or building your skills as an arborist, see more information below.
If you’re interested in becoming ISA Certified, see information here.

Arboriculture requires knowledge and skill. As the work can be dangerous, it’s important to ensure arborists perform their work safely.

There are different pathways into arboriculture. If you want to become an arborist you can:

• Start by working in the industry (e.g. as a groundworker) and learning on the job;
• Or you can complete formal education (e.g. college, university, etc.)

Regardless of the path taken, we encourage individuals to continue learning and training.

If you’re interested in going to school for arboriculture, there are a number of programs in Ontario:

Algonquin College — Pembroke Campus

• Urban Forestry Arboriculture: 1 year program

Humber College — North Campus (Toronto)

• Urban Arboriculture – Tree Care: 2 semester program
• Arborist Apprenticeship: 24 week program

Sir Sanford Fleming College — Frost Campus (Lindsay)

• Arboriculture Co-op: 3 semesters

Niagara College (Niagara)

• Horticultural Technician: 2 years

University of Toronto — Faculty of Forestry (Toronto)

• Forestry: MSc and PhD graduate programs

Lakehead University — Faculty of Natural Resources Management (Thunder Bay)

• Bachelor of Science in Forestry: 4 year undergraduate program

If you’re interested in training opportunities (some may be a few hours or a few days), see some training providers below:

• Arboriculture Canada Training & Education
• Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA)
• ISA International
• ISA Ontario (ISAO)
• Landscape Ontario
• Ontario Commercial Arborists Association (OCAA)
• Ontario Parks Association (OPA)
• Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
• Workplace Safety North
• Royal Botanical Gardens
• University of Guelph Arboretum

If you’re interested in learning on the job, see our job board here.