ISA offers a variety of educational materials to help arborists improve their arboricultural knowledge. Each week we will feature a product, or group of products that will enhance your arboriculture education. Our first featured products are our utility arboriculture resources.

These educational resources will help both the expert and novice utility arborists expand their knowledge in utility tree risk assessment, techniques for vegetation control, current best practices in utility tree pruning and more. The products include a study guide and several books from the ISA Best Management Practices (BMP) series:

The “Utility Arboriculture: The Utility Specialist Certification Study Guide”

• This study guide is an excellent resource for all professionals in the field of utility arboriculture. Based on scientific research and proven best practices, this book provides utility arborists and foresters with the information necessary to navigate the complexities of today’s vegetation management industry. This book includes the latest methods and techniques in the areas of safety, program and personnel management, utility pruning and more.

BMP-Integrated Vegetation Management

• This BMP is for the selection and application of methods and techniques for vegetation control for electric right-of-way projects and gas pipeline right-of-way. This book includes topics on site evaluations, defining action thresholds, implementing control methods, and environmental protection. This publication is available in Spanish.

BMP-Utility Pruning of Trees

• This BMP describes current best practices in utility tree pruning based on scientific research and proven methodology for the safe and reliable delivery on utility services, while preventing unnecessary injury to tree to the greatest extent possible. This book includes topics on utility pruning safety, pruning tools and equipment, pruning methods and practices, and emergency service restoration. This publication is available in Spanish.

BMP-Utility Tree Risk Assessment

• This BMP helps utility arborists improve their risk assessment skills by helping increase their ability to accurately and consistently assess tree-related risk to overhead electric utility infrastructure. This is an excellent resource for utility personnel, utility vegetation managers, utility tree risk assessors, and line clearance contractors.

All of these publications, along with many more resources, are available in our online store.