Frequently Asked Questions About Arboriculture and ISA Ontario

Arboriculture is a non-regulated trade. It is easy to call yourself an Arborist, but what clients are really looking for is proof that an Arborist has enough knowledge and competency to safely and and effectively care for trees. Proving your competency as an arborist may mean passing either: the ISA Certified Arborist Exam, or completing the Ontario Arborist apprentice program. Both require work experience and an in-depth test.
Many Ontario colleges offer arboriculture programs (see the list below), which will give you a solid foundation in arboriculture training that most employers will recognize.
There are many paths into arboriculture; some people will choose to begin their arboriculture career by being signed on as a groundworker, with no formal training, and learning on the job. Some employers are willing to hire new people on this basis, so long as they are hard working, with a good work ethic, eager to learn and have a keen eye for safety, among other qualities. Visit our jobs board to explore who’s hiring.

Algonquin College — Pembroke Campus

Humber College — North Campus (Toronto)
Sir Sanford Fleming College — Frost Campus (Lindsay)
Niagara College (Niagara)
University of Toronto — Faculty of Forestry (Toronto)
Lakehead University — Faculty of Natural Resources Management (Thunder Bay)

To learn more about becoming an ISA certified arborist, see our page here.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the ISA Ontario office 1-888-463-2316 or info@isaontario.com.

An arborist is defined by the International Society of Arboriculture as a “professional who possesses the technical competence gained through experience and related training to provide for or supervise the management of trees and other woody plants in residential, commercial, and public landscapes.

Make sure you hire a certified arborist. See our page, Hire A Certified Arborist for more information.

You need to contact your local municipal offices. Alternatively, call the non-emergency service line at 311 and tell them there is a tree near the border of your property, on municipal land, that you are worried as you feel it is an imminent threat, and they NEED to send someone immediately to look at it. They will need the address.
If your tree is on your neighbour’s property, please open a dialogue WITH you neighbour about your concerns. Document all conversations. It is important that you work WITH your neighbours. An ISA certified arborist will NOT trespass onto someone else’s property to deal with a tree that does NOT belong to you. They will, however, work with you to make the tree safe, within the confines of the law. If open communication with your neighbour fails, and you feel the tree is an imminent threat, contact your municipality or 311.

Please download the Storm Brochure from the International Arboriculture Society for tips.

If your organization is a nonprofit, we will gladly add your event to our events calendar.
Contact us for more information: info@isaontario.com

Thank you! Our committees are composed of volunteers. Is there a particular committee on the list that interests you?
If you’re interested in joining a committee, please email info@isaontario.com and tell us which areas you’re interested in and what relevant experience you have (such as in writing, photography, governance and policy, etc.), and we’ll forward your message to the committee chair.
Also, please go and fill our out Volunteer application form »
Aside from that, we welcome submissions of articles and photos for our Ontario Arborist magazine. Please send possible photo submissions to: info@isaontario.com