brccarborist

You are the contract climber. It's your @$$ and your reputation that will ultimately be damaged if something goes wrong. It's sounds like you have presented him with reasonable, alternate ways to safely do the job, and he isn't having it. Time to walk imo

Fertilizer yes, but Apple trees get nailed all the time with heavy pruning. If it is a spur bearing variety of Apple, and most are, and if you took it back to large wood, it's going to take a while to develop spurs again and fruit off of.

Cut it, let it resprout a little bit, then spray the new growth. Do not recut it after spraying in order to ensure that the chemical uptake is 100%. It takes several treatments

I got that one too, I figured it was some kind of spam type message. There is a link in that signature too that looks pretty suspect, I wouldnt click on it.

Frans, I agree, ASCA is totally outrageous. I only know a couple people who are members and I honestly can't see how it gets them that much more business. ASCA membership is no where near the ISA Certification in terms of the benefits/business in my opinion.

you're probably right Treebogan, but one thing to keep in mind is that the cost of living is dirt cheap in Alaska. $25 an hour is probably pretty comftorable for someone that lives there.

Dont forget the nice patch you get too. I wish they would give you more stickers, I am going to have to order more. Like an idiot I wasted my only Certified Arborist sticker by slapping it on my notebook

Me in front of my 2005 Ford F150 FX4. 5.4 liter Triton V8. Taken last summer when I needed a haircut... [/img]

Being a member of the ISA is pretty cool cause I can get discounts on books and things of that nature. I can also advertise my private side business on their website since I'm Certified, for free, and I'm also on the directory for regular, full time job. Many homeowners recognize both the ISA logo and the Certified Arborist logo, so I believe it's worth being a member of. Just my opinion though, not everyone feels the same way. TCIA is also recognized, but not as highly as ISA. Another big organization to be involved with here in the States is the American Society of Consulting Arborists, or ASCA. I will probably join them in the future, but I havent felt the need to do so yet.

Hey member of the ISA here, used to be an indirect member of TCIA.

If you still want some help on what the test is all about and how to study for it, my advice is to get the study guide, and read it and try to answer the questions at the end of the chapters. This is a good starting point. You'll also want to read books like Arboriculture :Integrated Management of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines,, Plant Health Care for Woody Ornamentals, and whatever safety and standards you use over in the UK, you will also want to know very well. The exams differ from chapter to chapter, especially the tree ID. Many people make the mistake of only reading the ISA study guide.From what I understand, the questions do not come directly from that book, they come from employers polled by the ISA, and a review board edits and revises the questions. So make sure you read all the resources you feel will help you.