Tree Risk Assessment Course & Exam

Assessing Tree Risks in Urban Areas and

the Urban/Rural Interface

Successful completion earns PNW-ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessor qualification

Course Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for the course is determined by country of origin. Proof of qualification is required with course registration form.

In British Columbia, applicants must be qualified and in good standing with at least one of the following:

• Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture
• Registered Professional Forester in British Columbia
• Registered Forest Technician in British Columbia
• Wildlife Danger Tree Program

In the United States, applicants must be qualified and in good standing with at least one of the following:

• Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture
• Certified Forester with the Society of American Foresters     

Program Overview

This course was developed in consultation with the Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia (WCB), British Columbia Hydro, Wildlife and Danger Tree Committee of British Columbia, and numerous reviewers around North America.The course is administered by the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (PNW-ISA).

The need for the course was defined in British Columbia by a tree-caused fatality in 2000 which helped WCB focus attention on worker safety on golf courses and inurban areas. PNW-ISA approached WCB to explore ways to design and implementa training course for the assessment of trees in urban areas and in the urban/ruralinterface areas. These discussions resulted in a project, funded by WCB, PNW-ISA,and BC Hydro, to develop a completely new course and accreditation. The course design work was undertaken by Dr. Julian Dunster of Dunster & Associates Ltd.

The effort involved several years of extensive research, testing, and review of the materials. In the summer of 2004, WorkSafe BC recognized the course and credential as an accepted industry standard in British Columbia. After a successful 2005 course launch in British Columbia, the course is now being offered in thePacific Northwest.

Course Intent

The intent of the course is to:

• provide tree risk assessment training for urban and urban/rural interface areas using the most current theory, practice, and technical concepts employed in arboriculture,
• set the standard at a high level of competence to ensure those accredited are skilled, knowledgeable, and fully aware of their professional responsibilities,and
• promote safety and sound arboriculture as a part of the course.

Course Information

The two-day course trains participants in the process of tree risk assessment. The combination of classroom lectures and field work includes modules on biology, structural mechanics, risk theory and practice, reading tree conditions, assessing and assigning risk levels, and prescribing risk mitigation strategies.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be accredited asCertified Tree Risk Assessors and meet current industry standards. This training course applies to all work activities in and around trees located in urban and urban/rural interface areas. These include municipal or regional parks, golf courses, and other public land, development and construction sites, utility corridors, highways, railways, and rapid transit rights of way, riparian corridors, bicycle and hiking trails, greenways, and all private lands where risk assessment is requested to fulfill municipal, regional, provincial, or insurance company requirements.

Prerequisites

Participants will receive the course manual approximately three (3) weeks in advance and are strongly encouraged to read and study in detail before attending the course. Candidates are expected to have the ability to identify tree species,native or exotic, and to understand and apply basic biology, mechanics, risk assessment, and risk management concepts.

Equipment

• Required: Hard hat, field notebook, appropriate outdoor clothing
• Suggested: Increment borer, clinometers, binoculars, diameter tape      

Course Examination

The closed book exam is 2.5 hours in length. A mark of 85% or better is required to pass. This standard applies to the full two-day course as well as the challenge exam. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be accredited asCertified Tree Risk Assessors. The qualification is valid for four years from the course date (month end). Those who score less than 85% are eligible for a retake exam (fees apply). 

Recertification

The Certified Tree Risk Assessor qualification is good for a four-year period from the date of successful exam completion. Certification renewal options include attending the entire course again or writing a challenge exam. Recertification fees apply to both options.

Course Instructors

• Dr. Julian A. Dunster, RPF, MCIP, ISA Certified Arborist, ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #378, PNW-ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessor
• Mr. Terry Flanagan, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, PNW-ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessor
• Mr. Jim Flott, ISA Certified Arborist, ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #441, PNW-ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessor
• Mr. Brian K. Gilles, ISA Certified Arborist, ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist #418, PNW-ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessor #148
• Mr. Ian Wilson, MPM, RPF, ISA Certified Arborist, Urban Forestry Supervisor Parks, City of Kelowna Recreation, Parks and Cultural Service, PNW-ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessor       

Limited Seating

Seating is limited to 15 registrants. If this class is full, your name will be placed on a waiting list for the next available course. Plans are to hold at least five (5) courses inBritish Columbia and five (5) courses elsewhere in the Chapter’s US region from January to December 2009.

Course Schedule

This is a two-day course. Day One lectures cover all material in the course manual. On Day Two, a morning outdoor field session helps participants learn how theory integrates into practice. The morning will be spent examining trees and practicing assessment skills and data recording.

The exam is held on the afternoon of Day Two for 2.5 hours. A mark of 85% or better is required to pass. Those who score less than 85% are eligible for a retake exam (fees apply).

Check In / Meals / Lodging

• Day One check-in is at 7:45 AM. The indoor course runs from 8 AM to 5 PM.
• Day Two check-in is at 7:45 AM. The outdoor segment runs from 8 AM to 12 Noon. The afternoon exam begins after lunch. Time allotted for the exam is 2.5 hours.

Dinner, snacks, and any overnight lodging requirements are the participant’sresponsibility. Time is afforded on both days for breaks and lunch.

Questions

Questions can be directed to Patty Williams, PNW-ISA Executive Director, at 503/874-8263 or 800/335-4391 (phone); 503/874-1509 (fax);pwilliams@pnwisa.org.

Challenge Exam and Retakes

Challenge exam registrants will receive the course manual and can sit for the exam in the afternoon on the second day of a pre-approved test date. Pre-registration and confirmation are required.

Challenge and retake exam fees do not include breakfast or lunch. The 15-person class limit does not apply to challenge and/or retake exams; however, the Pacific Northwest ISA reserves the right to limit the total number of participants for any exam.