Urban Arboriculture - Tree Care
Program Overview
Humber’s Urban Arboriculture – Tree Care certificate program provides an introduction to the arborist and urban forestry trade. You will learn how to work safely and to keep trees healthy under the unique working conditions of the urban forest. Upon completion, you will have a thorough working knowledge of all aspects of urban tree care including tree health and hazard assessment; climbing; pruning; rigging; aerial rescue; chainsaw maintenance and use; and teamwork and safety.
Our advisory committee regularly reviews our curriculum, ensuring our program is always on the cutting edge of industry developments.
This program is not available to international applicants.
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
- Recommend preservation, selection and removal of trees based on site, species and planting procedures that align with industry standards and principles related to urban forest, ecosystem and specimen tree management.
- Apply and integrate the principles of tree anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and soil science to the establishment and maintenance of tree health in various ecosystems.
- Recommend control measures relating to major insect infestation and disease infections to mitigate tree disorders using current plant health care management processes.
- Create and implement job site tailboard plans based on site conditions which includes but not limited to tree risk assessment in order to maintain a safe workplace.
- Perform arboriculture safe workplace practices as related to manufacturer specifications, industry safety standards, and government legislation to maintain an optimum environment for individual and team health and safety.
- Implement proper tree maintenance and safe removal procedures in accordance with standards and legislation related to arboriculture safe workplace practices
- Perform safe tree climbing techniques, aerial rescue, rigging, pruning techniques, and tree removal.
- Operate and maintain arborist tools and equipment according to the manufacturer’s operator or user manuals.
- Perform risk calculations related to aspects of physics such as shock loading, vectoring and tree dynamics to maintain job site safety and assigned task completion
- Prepare reports and field records in compliance with industry regulation and established policies and procedures
The Humber Advantage
Facilities & Equipment
Humber College has some of the best facilities for delivery of this type of education. The Humber Arboretum is a 250 acre botanical garden that surrounds the campus and includes ornamental gardens, woodland gardens, wildlife gardens, and ecologically diverse environments centered on the west branch of the Humber River. The Arboretum serves as a unique “living classroom" for plant studies, construction, arboricultural and horticultural skills. Our new construction lab is housed in a weather protected 8000 square foot facility which allows full scale structures such as decks, gazebos, retaining walls and water features. We also have excellent computer labs for teaching our CAD (computer-aided design and drafting) courses.
Faculty Highlight
Bob Smith, faculty member in Humber's Arborist Apprenticeship program has won another award from the Ontario Parks Association.
Congratulations Bob!
Your Career
There are more than three million trees lining Toronto’s streets and in public parks and ravines, and millions more on private properties. Overall, researchers estimate that an urban tree can save five to ten times more carbon dioxide than a rural tree. Help maintain a healthy, sustainable urban forest ecosystem working for municipalities, provincial and federal governments, and public utilities. Tree care contractors and other private-sector employers are also looking for well-trained tree workers. Demand is strong for tree climbers in particular.
Related Programs
Humber Students Benefit from Five Centres of Innovation (COIs)
The Humber Centres of Innovation Network demonstrates our strong commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for students. Students and faculty work with industry partners on real-world challenges to prepare them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five COIs.
About the COIsNews Feed
Humber Hawks Put Their Skills to the Test at 2023 Skills Competitions
Wed, May 10, 2023
The Toronto Congress Centre was full of energy May 1-3 as Skills Ontario hosted the Career Exploration Showcase and Skills Ontario Competition!
Centre for Skilled Trades Donates New Tree Swallow Nests to Lakeshore Community
Wed, May 10, 2023
Friends of Sam Smith (FOSS) approached Carrier Drive to assist in restoring the tree swallow population.
No news at this time.
Events Feed
2SLGBTQ+ Employment Panel
Wed, June 14, 2023 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
North, Online
Location: North Campus, NX111, and online
Light refreshments will be served. Attendees are encouraged to register.
See attached posted for more information.
Humber Skilled Trades Career Fair
Wed, July 12, 2023 | 02:00 p.m. - 05:00 p.m.
Location: Humber College, Centre for Trades and Technology
Carrier Drive Campus
110 Carrier Dr, Etobicoke (Hwy 27 & Finch Ave W.)
The Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology is hosting our Summer 2023 Career Event for students and new graduates from our skilled trades programs.
Employers will be able to meet with students and new graduates to collect resumes. Students are looking to obtain general employment or start an apprenticeship. Students are available from the following programs:
- Electrical Techniques
- Mechanical Techniques – Millwright
- Plumbing Techniques
- Welding Techniques
- Carpentry and Renovation Techniques
- Industrial Woodworking Technician
- Furniture and Cabinetmaking Techniques
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
