how to become one(1)

the test isn't super difficult, but I would agree with zebhaney about getting the study guide. It's pretty invaluable in my opinion. Getting the certification is one thing, but the things you'll learn are pretty valuable too. There is a whole section on things like soil and how to choose the proper kind (course or fine) for tree transplants, tree anatomy, diagnosing diseases and pests, lota cool stuff. It was a good learning experience. Believe it or not the climbing aspect only took up maybe 2 chapters out of around 10 or 11 I think. Don't just do it to pass...grab all you can from the book it's pretty informative. I took mine at the same time as a study course that Bartlett Tree Experts offered their employees. The two were very similar, so I got alot of info ingrained in my head while studying for both.
 
Working through the study guide is good.

For me, reading Shigo's A New Tree Biology & Modern Arboriculture, + Harris' Arboriculture, + Gilman's Illustrated Guide to Pruning were invaluable preparation.

They started to help me grasp at the edge of the "big picture" of trees and tree care.

Sure, I could have memorized the study guide and done fine on the test, but studying the books above were what started to get me to "think like an arborist" rather than just answer multiple choice questions correctly, and I ended up cruising through the test.

Meanwhile, there are still many rather large holes in this arborists' thinking that I'm still trying to fill...
 
Robert is right on! I read Shigo before any of the other books. Facts Photos and Philosophies is the subtitle. And check out the dictionary that comes along with A New Tree Biology - priceless!

The test is indeed a multiple choice. It is designed to test the basic level of knowledge. So study what you need to pass, then keep on going. I see a lot of folks that get certified and never seem to get beyond a basic grasp of the ideas behind pruning. Biggest issue? Trees need no care from humans to be "better." Trees don't need us. But proper pruning helps us as arbs to make for healthy trees that fulfill peoples expectations.

Interestingly, Dr Shigo was not a fan of the Certification. Kind of makes you think.
 
Oh, I forgot one very important resource for cert preparation:

Tree Buzz

Check it out. There's some good stuff there.
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thanks alot everyone all this is great!!! i have been an outdoorsman my whole life an allways been in trees, im 28 an when i was a kid all we did was climb trees an play in the crik(haha yea thats how we say it here in the backwoods) but once i started tree work i knew there was more to this.. im talkin bout more in depth deeperin into the tree world but to get to the point all you CA's out their i have alot of respect for ur work an thats what i want to do thank you all an be safe climbing
 
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