Tree Care Techniques

Trees clean the air and provide much needed "green" relief from the concrete jungle.

You will learn how to care for urban trees and tree canopies, and gain a basic understanding of the landscape industry. As a Tree Care Techniques graduate, you'll be able to work maintaining and preserving trees and shrubs in the urban landscape and green spaces of our communities.

• You'll have the theoretical and practical knowledge to work on all aspects of urban tree care.
• While this program emphasizes the non-climbing aspects of tree and landscape care, you'll be able to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot chainsaws, wood chippers, stumpers, and other relevant mechanical equipment.
• You will be able to identify approximately 140 species of trees and shrubs in both summer and winter conditions.
• In order to better protect trees and shrubbery, you will be able to diagnose and remedy major pests, disease, and tree disorders - using the latest techniques and treatments to promote plant health.

Simply put, students choose Fleming College because of our reputation in the industry. Employers look to our Tree Care Techniques and Arboriculture programs to find well-trained graduates. The School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences has a 40-year plus reputation among professional organizations and employers working in the field.

Many of our programs offer the opportunity to earn a second certificate or diploma with just one or two more semesters of study. Add another specialization to your skill set and increase your career prospects with this unique opportunity.

Learn more here or contact your program coordinator for more information.

From start to finish, the Tree Care Techniques program is hands-on. You'll be spending a lot of time working with trees and shrubs outside in addition to your time in the classroom. In the first semester, you will do a field placement, and be able to put your learning and practice to work.

In order to be successful in this field, you've got to love the outdoors and working with trees and landscaping. Here are a few skills and traits that will help you:

• desire to take on a challenge
• physical fitness
• good oral/written communication skills
• computer skills/experience
• problem solving ability
• attention to detail

It's an asset if you have studied biology or forestry, or have worked or volunteered for an organization that works with trees.

When you graduate, you'll be qualified for jobs such as:

• urban forest technician
• plant health care technician
• tree and shrub specialist
• urban parks manager
• landscape tree specialist

Employers include municipalities, private companies, utility companies, and provincial ministries.

Many students complete semester 1 of the Tree Care Techniques program and move on to take the Arboriculture Co-op program starting in January. Graduates enter this program with advanced standing credit for 7 courses towards the Arboriculture Co-op certificate. They complete the Tree Care Techniques certificate while completing the Arboriculture program (much of the remaining curriculum is common between the two programs).

Another pathway option is to complete both semesters of Tree Care Techniques, then take the Basic Climbing and Advanced Climbing courses in the Spring; do the Arboriculture Co-op in Summer; then take the final Arboriculture semester starting that Fall.

Tree Care Techniques certificate graduates can also pursue further studies in the Urban Forestry Technician diploma with advanced standing. Faculty recommend that those who choose to pursue this pathway should plan to enter the Urban Forestry Technician program in January, in semester 2.

If you haven't decided on which program to take at Fleming College, and want to work with trees, also consider the Arboriculture or Forestry Technician or Urban Forestry Micro-credential programs.