Qualifications
British Columbia has 4 trades-style arboricultural qualifications which are specific to this province.
Arborist Technician: An “Arborist Technician” is a person who undertakes to prune and perform other work on trees from the ground. In their work Arborist Technicians identify plants, select rigging gear, and have knowledge of how to fall, limb and buck trees, assist climbers, chip brush, cut wood and clean-up sites after tree care operations.
Climbing Arborist: A “Climbing Arborist “is a certified tradesperson who cares for and maintains trees and other woody shrubs. Climbing Arborists perform tasks such as tree risk assessments, pruning and removal of trees. In their work, they use both climbing and aerial lift devices, rope and rope-tools for rigging. They also identify and remediate mechanical injuries, damage, other abiotic tree disorders, and common root and crown disorders.
The prerequisite to take the Climbing Arborist training or to challenge the exam is the Certified Arborist Technician certificate of qualification.
Utility Arborist: A Certified Utility Arborist is a person who undertakes any work required to prune or clear vegetation in proximity [defined as a distance of three meters or less from a primary conductor with a voltage of 750 volts or higher] to energized electrical equipment, structures and conductors; or, who in the course of utility line clearing operations, prunes, falls, or removes trees which, could come into contact with energized power lines.
https://horteducation.ca/apprentice-info/utility-arborist-apprenticeship/
Falling and Bucking Endorsement: Falling and Bucking Endorsement is required to fall a tree that is larger than 15cm (6″) in diameter at a height of 1.3 meters from the base. Falling and bucking of trees is regulated under Section 26 of the WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulations and Guidelines.
https://horteducation.ca/falling-bucking-endorsement/
The prerequisite to take a Falling and Bucking Endorsement assessment is either a Certified Arborist Technician certificate of qualification or a Certified Utility Arborist certificate of qualification. You must have either of those before you can gain your F&B Endorsement and legally be allowed to fall trees over 6 inches in diameter.
Falling and Bucking Endorsement
Your path to the Falling and Bucking Endorsement.
Assessment Sites:
The nature of the assessment requires the candidate to demonstrate their ability to fall trees under WorkSafe BC and BCFCS requirements. For arborists working in the urban setting, just finding a site suitable to hosting the assessment can be difficult. A suitable site for the assessment must have sufficient trees (approximately 15 trees) to be taken down that are away from homes and infrastructure such as roads and electrical lines. The trees don’t need to be of good health, but they must be mostly sound enough to allow for adequate holding wood in falling cuts. The trees should vary slightly in size and characteristics like how hard they lean, to allow the candidate to display the appropriate techniques to demonstrate control of trees during various types of tree falling activities.
Finding sites for assessments can be a challenge. If you are enrolled for the F & B assessment and have an appropriate site with approximately 15 trees suitable for assessment please contact Hort Ed or the WAA to confirm, as the QST may be able to travel to your site to perform the assessment. If you cannot find your own site, we work hard to find sites for assessments and often have options. Often times, though, our options require travel.
If you’ve made it this far then you’re serious in obtaining the Falling and Bucking Endorsement!
Make sure you are ready, have read the correct BC Faller Training Standards, and have adequate experience to participate in this assessment.
The aim of this endorsement is to demonstrate your competence in tree falling activities. If you are unsure of your competence, or require assistance, seek training and mentorship. Contact the WAA for upcoming training sessions.
Falling and Bucking Endorsement is required to fall a tree that is larger than 15cm (6″) in diameter at a height of 30cm (12″) from the base. Falling and bucking of trees is regulated under Section 26 of the WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulations and Guidelines.