Large Tree Climbing and Rigging – Rutgers NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education

Students watch Mark and Steve Chisholm demonstrate tree climbing techniques during the Large Tree Climbing and Rigging class

Course Status Notice – Not Scheduled

We do not have an offering of this course scheduled at this time. Please join our email list to be notified when the next offering is scheduled!

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Course Details

Course Name: Large Tree Climbing and Rigging
Course Code: AL0802CA25
Date of Most Recent Offering: November 14 & 15, 2024

Date: November 14 & 15, 2024 UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm (Check-in time: 8:30 am) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Location: Bioresource Engineering Laboratory (formerly ECC), 18 Ag Extension Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Directions & Map) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Format: Classroom course with field demonstrations UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Fee: $475 per person UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING
Early Bird Discount Fee: $450 per person (expires November 7, 2024) UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Registration Closes: November 12, 2024 This class is sold out. UPDATE THIS FOR NEXT OFFERING

Paying with a check, money order, or purchase order?
Payments should be made out to: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Checks and money orders should be mailed to: Office of Continuing Professional Education, Attn: Registration Dept., 102 Ryders Ln, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8519
Purchase Orders can be mailed to the address above or electronically sent to registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Course Overview

In this two-day class, Licensed Tree Expert Steve Chisholm and his brother, Mark Chisholm, a three-time World Tree Climbing Champion and 19-time New Jersey State Tree Climbing Champion, will combine classroom lectures with field demonstrations of climbing and rigging. You’ll learn techniques and tips to increase your productivity while maintaining the high level of safety that makes a great arborist.

NOTE: You will not climb trees in this class. You will watch, learn, and have the opportunity to consult with two world-class experts in their field.

Who Should Attend?

This class is a great source of information for anyone who wants to learn how to safely climb trees. Past participants have included:

Arborists
Landscape Professionals
Licensed Tree Experts and Tree Care Operators (LTE/LTCO)
Parks Supervisors and Grounds Crew

Public Works Supervisors and Crew
Shade Tree Commissioners
Tree Climbers
Tree/Plant Care Nursery Professionals

Photo Slideshow

Catch a glimpse into the field demonstration portions of the Large Tree Climbing and Rigging course to see how the course is taught and what types of skills are covered.

Instructor Mark Chisholm prepares the throw line during his climbing demonstration.
Safety discussions are an important component of this 2-day course.
During the outdoor demonstration, Mark Chisholm prepares his harness.
Watching Mark Chisholm demonstrate the topics covered in classroom discussions helps students improve their skills.
Mark Chisholm offers tips to students while he prepares for a climbing demonstration.
Safety specifications for climbing lines are among the many topics covered in this course.
Instructor Mark Chisholm is a 3-time World Champion and 19-time New Jersey State Tree Climbing Champion!
Tree work requires a broad range of connectors, such as the carabiner Mark Chisholm is holding up here.
Students are encouraged to ask questions and consult with the instructors.
Harnesses, snaps, carabiners, and other types of support hardware are reviewed in this class.
Mark Chisholm demonstrates knot tying techniques for tree climbing.
Wearing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE), as Mark Chisholm does here, is key for tree climbing safety.
Mark Chisholm demonstrates techniques for climbing line installation.
Steve Chisholm, Certified Tree Expert, assists Mark Chisholm in preparing for his climb.
Students look on as Mark Chisholm begins ascending the tree!
A past student commented, 'Thanks to this class, I will be safer, more efficient, and quicker.'
Descending devices are discussed during Day 1 of this course.
Day 2 of this course is focused on rigging a tree for removal.
The equipment, techniques, and science involved in rigging for removal are all covered in this class.
Students learn about chainsaw safety, notching, and cutting through lectures and demonstrations.
Steve Chisholm demonstrates the proper way to set up and use rigging equipment.
Depths, angles, cross cutting, overlapping, plunging, boring, felling, and wedging are all covered on Day 2.
Past students have described Mark and Steve Chisholm as 'very knowledgeable' and 'easy to listen to and understand.'
Students look on as Mark Chisholm explains how to increase productivity while ensuring safety during tree work.
Students learn about roping techniques for rigging a tree for removal during this course.
By learning effective climbing and rigging techniques, students can gain a competitive advantage in the quality and productivity of their work.
Students stand back to observe the final step in Mark Chisholm's rigging for removal demonstration!

Instructor Mark Chisholm prepares the throw line during his tree climbing demonstration.

Large Tree Climbing and Rigging instructor Mark Chisholm

Instructor Mark Chisholm prepares his harness during the outdoor demonstration

Instructor Mark Chisholm steps into his tree climbing harness

Instructor Mark Chisholm prepares for a climbing demonstration

Instructor Mark Chisolm prepares for a tree climbing demonstration

Instructor Mark Chisholm holds up a carabiner as students look on

Instructor Mark Chisholm shows students tree climbing equipment during the field demonstration

Instructor Mark Chisholm demonstrates knot tying techniques for tree climbing

Instructor Mark Chisholm ties ropes in preparation for a tree climbing demonstration

Mark Chisholm demonstrates techniques for climbing line installation

Instructor Steve Chisholm assists his brother and fellow instructor Mark Chisholm in preparing for his climb

Students watch as Mark Chisholm begins ascending the tree

Mark Chisholm demonstrates large tree climbing techniques

Mark Chisholm nears the ground as he descends from his climb

Students watch as a tree is rigged for removal

Mark Chisholm demonstrates rigging techniques

Mark Chisholm demonstrates how to use a chainsaw safely

Steve Chisholm demonstrates the proper way to set up and use rigging equipment

Mark Chisholm provides a large tree climbing and rigging demonstration

Instructors Mark and Steve Chisholm work together to teach students tree climbing and rigging techniques

Students watch and listen as Mark Chisholm explains how to increase productivity while ensuring safety during tree work

Mark Chisholm demonstrates roping techniques for rigging a tree

Mark Chisholm is high up in the trees with a blue sky and clouds behind him

A tree trunk falls after being rigged for removal in the Large Tree Climbing and Rigging class

Meet Your Instructors

Mark Chisholm, Aspen Tree Expert Co.

Three-time World Champion and 19-time New Jersey State Tree Climbing Champion joins his brother Steve to guide you through this comprehensive two-day course. Read more about Mark Chisholm in our article, Tree Climbing Champion with Rutgers Roots Comes Full Circle!

Steve Chisholm, Aspen Tree Expert Co.

Steve Chisholm is the President of Aspen Tree Expert Co., Inc., a New Jersey Licensed Tree Expert, and ISA Certified Arborist. He is ready to share his top-rated wealth of knowledge and years of arboriculture experience with you in this course.

Student Reviews

“This class was great! I’m afraid to say that I learned of all the things I’ve been doing wrong. Thanks to this class, I will be safer, more efficient, and quicker. This is one of the best classes I have ever taken, well worth the 6 hour drive! Thank you!”

– Past Participant

“Both Steve and Mark are very knowledgeable in their area and easy to listen to and understand. They go over everything you want.”

– Past Participant

“Very informational in all areas of taking down tree, rigging, and equipment to use.”

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

The most recent offering of Large Tree Climbing and Rigging was approved for the following credits from professional organizations. We will reapply for similar credits the next time the course runs, but we cannot guarantee credit approval for future offerings.

The Large Tree Climbing and Rigging course (12 contact hours) is approved for the following credits from professional organizations.

New Jersey

NJ Certified Public Works Managers (CPWM): 6 Technical Contact Hours

NJ Licensed Tree Experts (LTE/LTCO): 12 CEUs

NJ Urban and Community Forestry (NJUCF): 12 CEUs

International

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): Pending

Meals

No breakfast will be provided. Lunch will be available for pre-registered attendees only.

NOTE: If you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies, please alert us at least one (1) week in advance of the course start date so that we can make reasonable accommodations. We cannot guarantee accommodations for special requests made after that time.

Course Requirements and Policies

COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Please visit our policies page for the latest information.

Pre-registration/Walk-Ins

Pre-registration is required. We’re sorry, but we cannot guarantee a seat, materials, or meals for walk-in registrants.

Location Changes

Location is subject to change; registrants will be notified in the event of a change.

Campus Parking Policy

All visitors must register their vehicles ONLINE to park on campus. Please follow the guidelines below. Failure to comply with these policies may result in a citation.

A link to register your vehicle will be provided in your course confirmation email. Please be sure to complete this important step prior to traveling to campus.
When you park on campus, be sure that your license plate is unobstructed and visible from the driving aisle.
All Rutgers faculty/staff/students must use their regular Rutgers permit and park in the nearest lot assigned for their permit type.

Email Requirement

A unique email address is required for each registrant to register and access our courses.

If this is your first time registering with us, please provide your own unique email address when registering; do not provide an email address that you share with co-workers.
If you have previously taken classes with us and have used an email address that you share with your co-workers or supervisor, your account must be updated with a unique email address. To do this, please send an email to us at registration@njaes.rutgers.edu stating that your email address needs to be changed and include:
- Your full name
- The shared email address that needs to be changed
- Your unique email address
- A phone number where you can be reached if we have any questions

Cancellations and Substitutions

A $35 cancellation fee applies for this course. Substitutions are permitted. View our cancellation policy.

Attention U.S. Veterans

This course is approved by the New Jersey State Approving Agency for Veterans Training for educational benefits through the GI Bill®. Learn more.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you have any questions about Large Tree Climbing and Rigging, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Program Coordinator: Joe Canzano
848-932-7317
joe.canzano@rutgers.edu

Administrative Assistant: Damiana Parada
848-932-7107
damiana.parada@rutgers.edu

For registration assistance, please contact our Registration Department at 848-932-9271, option 2 or email registration@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Hazardous Tree Identification students standing outside looking up at trees

Register Now

Pay with Credit Card:

Pay with Check, PO, or Money Order:

Course Details

Course Overview

Who Should Attend?

Photo Slideshow

Meet Your Instructors

Student Reviews

– Past Participant

– Past Participant

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

New Jersey

International

Meals

Course Requirements and Policies

COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Pre-registration/Walk-Ins

Location Changes

Campus Parking Policy

Email Requirement

Cancellations and Substitutions

Attention U.S. Veterans

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

Hazardous Tree Identification

Tree Pruning

Basic Chainsaw Safety

Main Content

Register Now

Pay with Credit Card:

Pay with Check, PO, or Money Order:

Course Details

Course Overview

Who Should Attend?

Photo Slideshow

Meet Your Instructors

Student Reviews

– Past Participant

– Past Participant

– Past Participant

Continuing Education Credits

New Jersey

International

Meals

Course Requirements and Policies

COVID-19 Policies for Face-to-Face Classes

Pre-registration/Walk-Ins

Location Changes

Campus Parking Policy

Email Requirement

Cancellations and Substitutions

Attention U.S. Veterans

Program Questions? We’re Here to Help!

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