10/31/2023
Everyone has heard me boasting about my BCMA credential. What exactly is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist? Just another tree guy right? READ ON MY FRIENDS!!
The ISA Board Certified Master Arborist exam covers virtually every area of Arboriculture, with the following areas covered on the exam.
Science
Abiotic Influences Soil Factors, Environmental Factors, Mechanical, Nursery Stock and Planting Practice, Phytotoxic Chemicals, Air Pollution (ozone, Peroxyacyl nitrates (PAN), sulfur dioxide)
Biology Organism, Population Ecology
Biotic Influences Entomology, Pathology, Wildlife considerations
Diagnostic Process Causes of Plant Disorders, Steps in Diagnosis
Diagnostic Tools Field and Laboratory Analysis
Plant Identification and Selection Classification, Plant attributes and characteristics
Soil Sciences Soil Formation, Soil Diagnostics and Testing, Characteristics of Urban Soils, Physical, Chemical, Biology, Water Capacity and Movement, Compaction, Organic Matter, Amendments
Practice
Climbing, Rigging, and Removal Equipment, Ropes and Knots, Climbing Techniques and Safety, Principles and Techniques of Rigging, Felling Techniques
Installation Site Selection, Species Selection, Installation Techniques, Rooted cutting, grafted, seedling, Post Planting Care
IPM Definition and Philosophy of IPM, Monitoring, Inspection, and Documentation of Problems, Trees, Stress, and Pests, IPM/PHC Practices
Water Management Role of Water in Tree Health, Water Absorption and Movement in Tree, Effects of Water Stress, Turf and Tree Issues with Water Management, Soil Water Limits and Key Points, Water Movement, Irrigation, Reclaimed Water, Hydrogel, Water Quality, Plant Age/Condition/Species and Impact of Water or Irrigation
Pruning Theory, Objectives, Types of Pruning, Practice, Pruning Specifications
Soil Treatments Chemical Treatments (Fertilization), Physical Treatments, Biological Treatments
Support & Protection Cabling, Bracing, Guying Established Trees, Lightning Protection, Inspection and Maintenance of Each System
Management
Business Relations Professional Ethics in Arboriculture, Industry Standards, Legal Requirements, Business Operations
Inventory and Management Plans Urban/Rural Inventories, Components of a Landscape or Management Plan, Implementation and Maintenance of Plan
Plant Appraisal Methods, Other Considerations
Risk Assessment Components of Tree Risk Assessment, Factors Influencing Tree Risk, Evaluation of Defects, Evaluating the Effects of Decay on the Potential for Failure, Risk Rating Systems, Tree Risk Abatement, Duty and Standard of Care
Safety Electrical, Safe Work Practices, Standards, Laws and Regulations, Tools & Equipment Safety, Emergency Response Procedures, Personal Protection Equipment, Work Site Practices, Communications, Oversight, ID of Hazard Trees, Vehicles
Tree Preservation Tree Preservation Process, Designs to Minimize Impacts to Trees, Preconstruction Treatments, Tree Protection During Construction, Post Construction Care, and more.
So no I would like to say I am not just another "Tree Guy". The Dr. People that write these exams claim that the breadth of knowledge required to pass the BCMA exam is equivalent to a PHD in Arboriculture. So no i do not know everything. But yes i do know a thing or two!