Board Certified Master Arborist

[Mr. Sir]

I just sent in my application to take the BCMA test. I've read about half of the books on the recommended list. Are there any other BCMA's out there who can give me some advice on which areas to study or any other tips for taking the test?

 

[Old Monkey]

That's cool. I think Treelooker is the only one here.

 

[sotc]

theres the fella from couer delain or however you spell it

 

[vharrison]

Good luck, Brett! I think Darin is right, Guy is the only one here that is a Master.

 

[sotc]

http://gypoclimber.com/member.php?u=1193

 

[Frans]

Guy is the only one here that is a Master.

Master of what? Paying through the nose for a cert. which has no recognition in any formal educational or scholastic or even professional profession?

 

[Frans]

Guy is the only one here that is a Master.

Master of what? Paying through the nose for a cert. which has no recognition in any formal educational or scholastic or even professional profession?

Good luck with that

 

[Mr. Sir]

I heard you the first time and I beg to differ. The BCMA is recognized as the highest achievement among arborists. It's the PhD of arboriculture.

 

[OTGBOSTON]

good one.

 

[Frans]

I repeat, good luck with that!

 

[squisher]

Good luck Mr. Sir. A worthy ambition and cert imo. ISA cert'd arbs are held in high regard up here by many, including any municipalities/cities I've dealt with.

 

[Mr. Sir]

Thank you, Frans! Self-improvement is not such a bad thing.

You should try it sometime.

 

[Mr. Sir]

I agree Squisher. I admire those who strive to improve and uphold the standards of professionalism.

 

[Paul B]

Squash, I agree with the 'basic' ISA cert being useful, made me a few bucks last week for two seperate reports I had to do up for tree removal permits in a city (like most here) that requires that the report writer is ISA certified.
The BCMA cert, I dunno, havent seen anyone ask for it so I dont know that its worth anything here, yet. Time will tell.

 

[woodworkingboy]

Without a gentle contempt for education, no man's education is complete.
G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936) British author

 

[Mr. Sir]

I believe that taking the initiative to achieve the highest level of certification in ANY field is a worthy endeavor. I look forward to counting myself among the elite few to have achieved this accomplishment. IMHO, of course.

 

[OTGBOSTON]

It's the PhD of arboriculture.

Nope. But there are several places you can get an actual PhD of Arboriculture

http://www.grad.clemson.edu/programs/brochures/plantenvsci/plantenvsci.php

 

[lumberjack]

I think the CA/BCMA is ONLY a professional accreditation.

I get asked pretty regular if I went to MSU (forestry school) to get my education.

Still, I'm not unhappy with my professional accreditation.

 

[stehansen]

I think it's a worthy goal Mr. Sir.

 

[woodworkingboy]

Don't get carried away with generalizations. Not to disrespect dedicated educators, but a lot of people enter the teaching field because they can't "make it" out there in the real world when practicing the trade they are teaching. Book learned skills certainly have a place, but in the manual trades, when compared to methods passed along by folks actually doing the work for a living, the book stuff tends to be only supplementary at best.

Frans is old school I think, and old school is more fun to have beers with

 

[Paul B]

Still, I'm not unhappy with my professional accreditation.

Nor am I . I attained two other certs this last year after short courses (allan block wall installer and aquascapes designs 'pond guy'), I am thinking this next couple years I want to get a cert for irrigation systems and possibly some further turf education. oh, and landscape lighting... and more arb stuff, likely at the 2009 chapter AGM as its not that far for me to travel to.

I usually send my email signature (listing my certs) with my first email to a client after that I leave it off.

 

[The Branch Doctor]

Frans is old school I think, and old school is more fun to have beers with

Not just old school.... but ornery and old school!

 

[Mr. Sir]

I'm old school, and stubborn... but I refuse to be stagnant.

Never stop learning.

 

[Frans]

Dear Mr. Sir,
I applaud your efforts to continually promote yourself. People who strive to improve themselves and their careers have my deepest respect. Truly.

My remarks are directed to the isa really, and not to you personally.

Sincerely,
Frans

 

[SkwerI]

Wow, Frans! You can be really nice when you take your medication. Those pills really do work.