Arborists — Beyond Just Planting Trees

Throughout the Pacific, remote island nations and their tropical forests are facing the threats of rising sea levels, destructive wildfires, and understaffing. To take on staffing shortages, the USDA Forest Service and partners are offering special trainings — like the ISA Certified Arborist workshop at the Institute of Pacific Island Forestry in Hilo, Hawaiʻi.

ISA, International Society of Arboriculture, is a nonprofit dedicated to promoting global awareness of the many benefits of trees. They have accredited more than 31,000 certified tree care professionals across 68 countries. That number is expected to keep growing as the demand for arborists and public interest increases.

The Arborist Version of the SATs

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These tree trainings explore how to design, supervise, and assess tree work more effectively. What these arborists learn here will prepare them for the ISA Certified Arborist Exam.

But how hard can a tree test be? Well, certification is truly reserved for an exclusive group of trained professionals looking to advance in their field. And, according to the ISA Arbor website, these professionals have to be ready to take on 200 multiple choice questions in 3.5 hours.

Try a sample test question further down.

To even be eligible to take the exam, the organization requires individuals have three or more years of full-time, practical work experience in arboriculture and/or a degree in a closely related field. The ISA Certified Arborist credential is a voluntary, supplemental training to help distinguish forestry professionals to the communities they serve.

Because arborists often play a hidden but vibrant role in community building and resilience.

They work closely with individuals, private companies, nonprofit organizations, and community groups to maintain a healthy, safe canopy cover. Tree canopies are the combined shade various trees provide, and they often need protecting.

So arborists work with cities and counties to establish ordinances that protect trees and require permits for removal. They even work with land developers on regulatory codes and recommendations for tree retention and removal.

Training the Tree People

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Last November, they flew from all over. The Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Guam, and Oahu arrived in Hilo to participate in the training and have the chance to sit for the exam.

Kevin Eckert, an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist with more than 30 years of experience working in the Pacific, led the week-long training — covering 14 subjects from tree biology to climbing equipment. This training covered the amount of material that typically takes an entire semester at university.

And Eckert realizes all the information taught here will trickle down to communities. “I’m often being asked by neighbors and friends which tree care practices are best,” Eckert shared. 

And he’s happy to share what he knows. Arborists exude a profound passion when discussing their work.

“He totally changed my perspective on trees” said Kind Kanto, adjunct science instructor at the College of Micronesia in Chuuk.

Arborists also like to get their hands dirty. Everyone learned from hands-on demonstrations of pruning trees, exploring various rope knots, and planting a native Hawaiian ‘ōhi‘a lehua tree – a species only found in Hawaiʻi. This special tree is praised for its role in water conservation, endangered bird habitat, and significant cultural value. The group even toured the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry field station to practice diagnosing trees in the area.

It's Go Time – Test Your Tree Knowledge

After the training, those who met ISA’s eligibility requirements take the exam. Thanks to Region 5, grant funding helped with study materials, travel, lodging and exam costs for those who otherwise would not have the chance to attend.

Sample Test Question

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What is lion’s tailing?

a. Over-pruning

b. Under-pruning

c. Fancy pruning to get your tree ready for a big tree show

Answer: a. Over-pruning that removes a large number of inner branches, leaving the tree's limbs looking like a lion's tail.

Knowledge like this benefits individuals and trees and helps advance young foresters, build professional networks, and strengthen communities. All resulting in healthier forests.

Upon returning home to Micronesia, Kanto said, “I’ve already shared information with local breadfruit farmers and others to improve methods that were previously killing trees.”

This workforce development workshop and exam event was made possible through a unique partnership between the Region 5 Urban & Community Forestry program and Western Forestry Leadership Coalition, with support from Kevin Eckert from Arbor Global and Plant It Hawaiʻi.

Chloe Martins-Keliʻihoʻomalu, with the Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests, summed up the overall importance of trainings like this.

“They provide a unique toolset and the confidence in making decisions that put the tree’s health first.”