Beginning Tree Climbing: Climbing Trees Using Rope & Saddle
(2-Day Class)
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BEGINNING TREE CLIMBING
Learn the basic skills necessary to safely enjoy technical tree climbing on your own. Assessing the health of a tree and understanding the intricacies of the professional climbing system is where it all begins as there is no room for error.
Students are introduced to technical tree climbing using the traditional Moving Rope System (MRS)/Doubled Rope Climbing Technique (DdRT). This climbing system is utilized by arborists and recreational climbers for its dependability, consistency, and safety.
Instruction includes proper use and care of the equipment and covers skills needed to inspect a tree, enter a tree, maneuver around the canopy, and return to the ground safely. We provide all equipment needed for class & provide the opportunity for you to use a variety of equipment.
You do not need to purchase gear for class. We provide all the gear you need and will introduce you to a large selection and variety of equipment during class. After using the equipment, you will have a better idea of what is needed and your personal preferences.
Class sizes are small, providing a low student to instructor ratio so you get personal attention during our 2 days together.
- Read full course description - Beginning Tree Climbing (pdf)
- FAQs and what to expect
Learn the basic skills necessary to safely enjoy technical tree climbing on your own. Assessing the health of a tree and understanding the intricacies of the professional climbing system is where it all begins as there is no room for error.
Students are introduced to technical tree climbing using the traditional Moving Rope System (MRS)/Doubled Rope Climbing Technique (DdRT). This climbing system is utilized by arborists and recreational climbers for its dependability, consistency, and safety.
Instruction includes proper use and care of the equipment and covers skills needed to inspect a tree, enter a tree, maneuver around the canopy, and return to the ground safely. We provide all equipment needed for class & provide the opportunity for you to use a variety of equipment.
You do not need to purchase gear for class. We provide all the gear you need and will introduce you to a large selection and variety of equipment during class. After using the equipment, you will have a better idea of what is needed and your personal preferences.
Class sizes are small, providing a low student to instructor ratio so you get personal attention during our 2 days together.
- Read full course description - Beginning Tree Climbing (pdf)
- FAQs and what to expect
NOTICE TO ARBORISTS & TREE CARE WORKERS
The Beginning Tree Climbing course is the place to start building your career as a climbing arborist. The skills introduced in class will serve as a foundation for you to build upon and grow throughout your career. Basic skills required for all climbers involve an understanding of tree inspection, tree physiology, forces & loads, climbing equipment, and climbing technique; all of which are introduced in this course.
The Beginning Tree Climbing course covers information related to climbing skills (similar to other courses and trainings such as Jepson's Tree Climber's Companion or TCIA's Tree Climber Specialist course). Since our 2 days together is focussed solely on climbing techniques, students are exposed to a wider scope and able to dive deeper into specific skills than what is touched on in how-to books. We do not cover pruning & rigging in this course. Select components of the ANSI Z133 Safety Standard are introduced.
Your instructor is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP), TCIA Tree Care Academy approved instructor, and holds TCIA Tree Climber Specialist, SRT Climber, Aerial Rescue, and Tree Care Specialist certificates.
The Beginning Tree Climbing course is the place to start building your career as a climbing arborist. The skills introduced in class will serve as a foundation for you to build upon and grow throughout your career. Basic skills required for all climbers involve an understanding of tree inspection, tree physiology, forces & loads, climbing equipment, and climbing technique; all of which are introduced in this course.
The Beginning Tree Climbing course covers information related to climbing skills (similar to other courses and trainings such as Jepson's Tree Climber's Companion or TCIA's Tree Climber Specialist course). Since our 2 days together is focussed solely on climbing techniques, students are exposed to a wider scope and able to dive deeper into specific skills than what is touched on in how-to books. We do not cover pruning & rigging in this course. Select components of the ANSI Z133 Safety Standard are introduced.
Your instructor is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP), TCIA Tree Care Academy approved instructor, and holds TCIA Tree Climber Specialist, SRT Climber, Aerial Rescue, and Tree Care Specialist certificates.
NOTICE TO FOREST CANOPY SCIENTISTS & RESEARCHERS
Given the nature of forest canopy research and the locations where you will head to collect your data, most tree climbing classes offered for arborists or recreationalists are not sufficient to suit your needs. In many instances, a canopy researcher will need to utilize a combination of advanced MRS and SRS climbing systems. Climbing trees in forests and remote areas often involves needing to access taller than average trees and put you in a situation where understanding self-rescue techniques is necessity.
Most classes in technical tree climbing you will come across will likely touch on only one of these aspects, or cover skills that are more appropriate in urban areas and park settings. Even with our classes, each of the skills that will be of benefit to you are offered separately in each of our 4 main class offerings (Beginning Tree Climbing, Advanced MRS Climbing, Intro to SRS Climbing, Tree Climbing Facilitation (& rescue)).
We offer a custom-designed, 3-day course specifically for canopy scientists. The class introduces you to the foundational skills all tree climbers rely upon, a practical and useful combination MRS system and SRS conversion (tailored to your situation), tall tree entry, self-rescue, and other skills that can be beneficial in remote areas. As with our other courses, you are able to attend 4-post-class climbing opportunities for practice and additional assistance from your instructor (one of the more common mistakes people make is that they do not allow time to practice their skills before heading out to collect their data).
Given the nature of forest canopy research and the locations where you will head to collect your data, most tree climbing classes offered for arborists or recreationalists are not sufficient to suit your needs. In many instances, a canopy researcher will need to utilize a combination of advanced MRS and SRS climbing systems. Climbing trees in forests and remote areas often involves needing to access taller than average trees and put you in a situation where understanding self-rescue techniques is necessity.
Most classes in technical tree climbing you will come across will likely touch on only one of these aspects, or cover skills that are more appropriate in urban areas and park settings. Even with our classes, each of the skills that will be of benefit to you are offered separately in each of our 4 main class offerings (Beginning Tree Climbing, Advanced MRS Climbing, Intro to SRS Climbing, Tree Climbing Facilitation (& rescue)).
We offer a custom-designed, 3-day course specifically for canopy scientists. The class introduces you to the foundational skills all tree climbers rely upon, a practical and useful combination MRS system and SRS conversion (tailored to your situation), tall tree entry, self-rescue, and other skills that can be beneficial in remote areas. As with our other courses, you are able to attend 4-post-class climbing opportunities for practice and additional assistance from your instructor (one of the more common mistakes people make is that they do not allow time to practice their skills before heading out to collect their data).

Treetop Explorer climber and facilitator training classes comply with the guidelines put forth by the Global Organization of Tree Climbers. Your instructor is a GOTC Recognized Master Instructor.

Treetop Explorer climber training classes comply with industry standards and guidelines put forth in the ANSI Z133 and are consistent with the best practice recommendations put forth by the International Society of Arboriculture and the Tree Care Industry Association. Your instructor is an I.S.A. Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) and T.C.I.A. Qualified Trainer & Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP).
Learn-to-Climb Courses