There are four licence classes that capture the nature for the work done by arborists and their respective companies.
The classes are as follows:
"Consulting Arborist" means a person or company trained and has the knowledge to assess health and structure of a tree but does not include work that requires climbing (working aloft).
"Arboriculture Company" means a company with knowledge of all aspects of arboriculture and has staff holding valid certifications in the following areas:
and may include
An arboriculture Company is able to assess health and structure of tree, conduct tree maintenance work and provide tree risk assessment, valuation or recommendation.
"Tree Company" means a company capable of removing, pruning, root pruning, bracing and propping), fertilizing, planting, stumping or transplanting a tree but not able to assess the health and structure a tree.
A Tree Company must have staff holding valid certifications in the following areas:
"Landscaping/Tree Company" means a company that undertakes or is engaged in the business of managing lawns/yards including but not limited to; installing sprinkler systems, building retaining walls, constructing patios, digging, irrigation and drainage channels, paving or sealing paved driveway surfaces, installing stone, brick or concrete landscapes, planting shrubs, laying sod/grass, erecting fences, seasonal mowing/seeding/thatching/aeration/fertilization/raking, and snow ploughing/snow removal/anti-ice application and that is capable of removing, pruning, root pruning, cabling (bracing and propping) fertilizing, planting, stumping, transplanting a tree but not able to assess the health and structure of a tree. A Landscaping/Tree Company must have staff holding valid certifications in the following areas:
*afiliate agencies may be accepted. Please contact office for more information.
For any worker that holds a college diploma in arboriculture and gains experience as an apprentice or has a combination of 6000 hours of experience can meet the requirements set under the arborist licensing by-law by successfully completing challenge exams to become certified.
Please see below for information on challenge exams from select governing associations and/or college of trades:
In conjunction with the newly implemented Tree Protection By-Law, the annual licensing of certified arborists, arboricultural companies and landscaping/tree companies provides added protection to the town's urban forest and consumers.
Licensing is similar to the licensing of existing private industries such as landscapers, pool contractors, HVAC installers and fence installers.
On April 2, 2018, Council approved the licensing of Arborists in Oakville.
In June and October 2017, town staff held open house meetings to consult with stakeholders and the public on the requirements of the arborist licensing by-law. Visual display slides from the open house with key facts identified by staff are available for view with the public comments included.