TCI has two outstanding programs for professional climbers.
TCI has two outstanding programs for professional climbers.
In our five-day "TCI Climbing Program for Entry-Level Tree Workers," students learn the fundamentals of tree climbing, tree climbing safety, and other basic skills for tree work. No experience is needed. Read more
In our one-day "Aerial Rescue for Arborists" program, students learn how to perform a simple and a complex aerial rescue to get a victim out of a tree as quickly and safely as possible. Read more
Tree work is difficult and very dangerous. There is no middle ground when you work in the trees. What you do is either right, or it's wrong — with potentially disastrous results. That's why worker safety is our first concern and primary emphasis. Throughout our program, students learn the right way to do things as well as the right things to do so they are safe and their work is competent and efficient.
Most of our students have never climbed a tree with a rope and saddle. No worries. First you'll learn and practice everything you need to climb safely. Then we'll teach you more advanced techniques and skills that are used daily on the job. While some theory is taught, our emphasis is on practical, hands–on training. Most of your class time is spent in or under a tree. And, due to our small class size, you'll get plenty of individual help.
Download the Tree Worker Program Outline
TCI's Tree Worker Program instructors are known for their vast knowledge and experience, patience, and ability to communicate clearly.
Be sure to read through this critical information
Safety is TCI's highest priority: safety for our students and safety for our instructors. The good news is that the TCI Tree Worker Program is taught outdoors, and distancing is pretty easy. The bad news is that the number of people getting sick or dying from coronovirus is not yet under control, so easing up on restrictions is still very risky.
To ensure that our students and instructors are safe while you're with us in Atlanta, TCI has instituted the following rules.
We will be forced to eject from class anyone who is careless with these guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.
The cost for this 5-day program is $1,200. We take a $400 deposit by credit card with course registration. The balance is due by cash or check on the first day of class.
TCI's class schedule is shown on our calendar. Most of our classes fill up quickly after we announce them. If you see an open class that you can attend, we urge you to sign up for it quickly. Call us to register — we do not register students by email.
Sometimes we can schedule a class upon request. Call to see what's possible. A minimum of two students is required for a class to be confirmed.
The success of each TCI class depends upon every student's participation. We schedule a maximum of only three students per course, and we do not overbook. If you don’t show up, your absence has a major impact on us and on people who are waiting to take our training.
With that in mind, TCI has the following cancellation policy: If your plans change and you need to cancel, you must call us at least three weeks ahead of time. (We prefer to know as soon as you know.) This gives someone on our waiting list enough time to make travel and personal arrangements to take the course. We will refund your deposit minus a $50 cancellation fee.
If you cancel fewer than three weeks ahead of time, you will forfeit your entire deposit unless you or we are able to fill your slot with someone else. In that case, we may refund your deposit minus a $50 cancellation fee.
In the event of a health or family emergency (for which we may require documentation), we will refund your tuition deposit minus a $50 cancellation fee.
TCI reserves the right to deny future program participation to students who cancel without adequate notice.
NOTE: During the Covid-19, TCI is not hosting students at our Clubhouse. Please talk to us about options for where to stay while you're in Atlanta.
In Atlanta, two days of the course are taught at the TCI Clubhouse, and three are at Blackburn Park. There are plenty of places to stay near both sites.
In Jacksonville, the class is taught at 8101 Fort Caroline Rd., 32277. There are several motels nearby.
If you don't own gear, we suggest that you NOT purchase it until after you have taken our training, when you'll have a much better idea of what you'll need and use. We have all the gear for your training, including all the gear in the TCI Climbing Kit for Entry-Level Tree Workers sold by WesSpur and American Arborist Supplies.
However, if you own a saddle and/or a helmet that you are comfortable in, please bring it/them with you.
Upon satisfactory completion of our program, students will be given a certificate signed by your instructor. Show this to a potential employer along with the course outline, and you are sure to get a job!
This program qualifies for 32.5 ISA CEUs in the Practice, Climber Specialist, and Certified Arborist categories.
TCI teaches Jeff Jepson's P.R.E.P. system of preparing for tree work. We highly recommend his book, The Tree Climber's Companion, which many arborists consider the "Bible" for tree workers. It is not necessary to read this book before coming to class.
We also suggest Jepson's two other excellent books, To Fell A Tree and Knots at Work. In addition, we recommend the ISA's excellent publication, The Art and Science of Practical Rigging by Peter Donzelli and Sharon Lilly.
All four books are available onsite in Atlanta and in our website store.
Here are a simple outline and some photos to give you an idea of what you'll be doing each day in our program.
Contact us with inquiries or to register. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR PHONE NUMBER!
Here's what you can expect each day of the Tree Worker Program.
(Download the full Tree Worker Program outline for details.)
Throw line use: Entry (5) and canopy (3) throws
Rope placement: Includes placing the rope over a branch, cambium saver installation, and knot tying
Preparing to climb: Includes warm ups, saddle set-up, gear check, clipping in and B.A.C.K. check
Climbing demonstration of double rope end climbing (DREC) and setting pitches
Foot work techniques (4)
Hover over an image to see the caption.
(Download the full Tree Worker Program outline for details.)
On day 2, students practice what they learned on day 1.
PLUS:
Advanced anchor point isolation using the “Yella” grapnel hook
Monkey fist
Climbing practice: Double rope end climbing (DREC)
Tree inspection using the the Four Zone Assessment Method
Hover over an image to see the caption.
(Download the full Tree Worker Program outline for details.)
Lanyard use for positioning and life support
Hitch-pulley climbing system
Movement in a tree
Hover over an image to see the caption.
On day 4, students practice what they learned on day 3.
(Download the full Tree Worker Program outline for details.)
Advanced line setting with the Big Shot and APTA
Hitch pulley climbing practice
Branch walking practice
Double-crotch climbing technique
Lanyard practice
Hover over an image to see the caption.
Day 5 is dedicated to rigging techniques and related information. Download the full Tree Worker Program outline for details. There will also be a short discussion about leg spikes and other gear.
Hover over an image to see the caption.
Any emergency situation in a tree could become the one in which you save someone’s life. Performing an aerial rescue is not difficult, but knowing how to do it right is an essential skill on every job site.
In this one-day class, arborists will learn how to prepare for and perform simple and complex aerial rescues safely and efficiently, following well-established rescue protocols and procedures. Repetition is the building block of success. You will practice low-to-the-ground rescue techniques as many times as necessary until you have the procedures locked into “muscle memory.” When you understand and can perform the basic steps involved in each type of rescue, you will be well equipped to improvise and handle most rescue emergencies.
This class is also appropriate for recreational climbers.
Class Schedule (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Morning
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Class introduction |
Afternoon
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Practical training: Each student will play the roles of rescuer, victim, and prompter/ground support following written simple and complex rescue scripts (protocols) in numerous practice sessions. |
TCI's Aerial Rescue class is scheduled upon request. We can teach in hot or cold weather, rain or shine. Call us to see what's possible. A minimum of two students is required for a class to be confirmed.
The success of each TCI class depends upon every student's participation. We register a maximum of only three students per course, and we do not overbook. If you don’t show up, your absence has a major impact on us and the other students in the class.
With that in mind, TCI has the following cancellation policy: If you need to cancel, you must call us at least three weeks ahead of time. (However, we prefer to know as soon as you know.) If you can send someone else in your place, we will refund your entire tuition. If not, we will refund your tuition minus a $50 cancellation charge.
If you cancel fewer than three weeks ahead of time, you will forfeit your entire tuition. In the event of a health or family emergency (for which we may require documentation), we will refund your tuition deposit minus a $50 cancellation fee.
TCI reserves the right to deny future program participation to students who cancel without adequate notice.
Peter Jenkins, the founder of TCI, is an ISA-Certified Arborist with 25 years of accident-free production climbing experience. He has also been teaching tree workers and recreational tree climbers at all skill levels for over 30 years, with no accidents to date. Peter no longer climbs for a living. In addition to teaching, he now performs residential tree inspections for health and risk as a Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) tree inspector.
When you register for class, you will be emailed a detailed article that you must read prior to class. Because we want to make sure you are familiar with the material before you learn the practical techniques, you will also take a written multiple-choice quiz based on the material before attending class. Bring your answers with you. Quizzes will be corrected onsite. Other course materials will be distributed during class.
Please bring your own saddle and helmet. TCI will provide the rest of the gear required for training. At the class, you will receive discount coupons for the Aerial Rescue Gear Kit put together by TCI and sold by TreeStuff.com and for pick-off straps sold by OnRope1.
To pass this course, you must have read the short Manual and passed the quiz. You also must be able to perform a simple and a complex rescue safely and efficiently, without guidance and according to the rescue protocols. Students will receive a “Certificate of Graduation” following course completion.
The following ISA CEUs are available for this course: BCMA Practice: 2.75, Management 3.75, Climber Specialist: 6.5, Certified Arborist: 6.5, Municipal Specialist: 3.75; Aerial Lift: 6.5
Here are some photos of an aerial rescue class.