Arboriculture

Prune and climb in a green business

Trees provide shade and beauty. They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help offset climate change. As they are pruned or harvested, trees have a second life in wood products, mulch or compost.

Who cares for the trees? You do—when you become an arborist, urban forester or natural areas manager. An arboriculture certificate takes 12 months to complete.

Gain the skills local employers use in arboriculture, including:

tree pruning
tree climbing
evaluation of tree health, diseases and pests

What can you do with an Arboriculture certificate in Horticulture?

Arboriculture and forestry management both involve caring for the health and functional well-being of trees. Coursework prepares you to work in a range of tree care industry careers—starting at entry level while you gain experience for more responsibility.

arborist
tree care technician or supervisor
natural areas management technician
urban forestry technician or supervisor
arboriculture technician

One certificate may be enough for you to begin working in horticulture. However, each certificate is focused on a single area of expertise. Stack two complementary certificates together for a more well-rounded skill set. Individual certificates require 18-20 credits. Dual certificates require less than twice that (only 27-30 credits total) because of common courses.

Consider these combinations:
- Natural Areas Management + Arboriculture
- Construction and Maintenance + Arboriculture
- Sustainable Agriculture + Horticulture Production
- Natural Areas Management + Construction and Maintenance
- Design + Construction and Maintenance

Highlights

Stackable Credentials

Earn and learn as you go with stackable credentials.
Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.
Career Certificate

Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Program Length: 1 Year

Full-time students finish in 1 year.

Career Outlook

Provide technical assistance regarding the conservation of soil, water, forests, or related natural resources. May compile data pertaining to size, content, condition, and other characteristics of forest tracts under the direction of foresters, or train and lead forest workers in forest propagation and fire prevention and suppression. May assist conservation scientists in managing, improving, and protecting rangelands and wildlife habitats.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $29,627
  
  Median
  
  $41,238
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $71,553
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $14.24
  
  Median
  
  $19.82
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $34.40
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  35.31%
  
  Certificate
  
  4.57%
  
  Some college
  
  10.42%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  34.89%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  14.82%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Under supervision, perform manual labor necessary to develop, maintain, or protect areas such as forests, forested areas, woodlands, wetlands, and rangelands through such activities as raising and transporting seedlings; combating insects, pests, and diseases harmful to plant life; and building structures to control water, erosion, and leaching of soil. Includes forester aides, seedling pullers, tree planters, and gatherers of nontimber forestry products such as pine straw.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $24,009
  
  Median
  
  $46,788
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $112,764
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $11.53
  
  Median
  
  $22.49
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $54.21
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  47.06%
  
  Certificate
  
  1.87%
  
  Some college
  
  6.5%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  1.77%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  22.55%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  20.25%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards, and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $37,672
  
  Median
  
  $59,427
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $101,152
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $18.11
  
  Median
  
  $28.57
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $48.62
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  31.63%
  
  Certificate
  
  8.92%
  
  Some college
  
  17.52%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  17.9%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  24.03%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Manage public and private forested lands for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. May inventory the type, amount, and location of standing timber, appraise the timber's worth, negotiate the purchase, and draw up contracts for procurement. May determine how to conserve wildlife habitats, creek beds, water quality, and soil stability, and how best to comply with environmental regulations. May devise plans for planting and growing new trees, monitor trees for healthy growth, and determine optimal harvesting schedules.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $51,453
  
  Median
  
  $77,719
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $117,656
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $24.73
  
  Median
  
  $37.36
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $56.56
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Certificate
  
  1.13%
  
  Some college
  
  0.81%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  13.3%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  83.96%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  0.81%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Teach courses in forestry and conservation science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $44,139
  
  Median
  
  $79,015
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $137,480
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $21.21
  
  Median
  
  $37.98
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $66.09
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Master's Degree
  
  15.13%
  
  Doctorate
  
  84.87%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

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Credit for prior learning available
Dual credit options available
Global citizenship
Online/Virtual options available

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
CLC 120	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.	2
HRT 121	HRT 121 Introduction to Horticulture Class Description This course introduces students to basic plant taxonomy, terminology, anatomy, physiology and the functions/responses of plants. Professions working with the culture and use of plants and applications of plant science will be included.	3
HRT 125	HRT 125 Tree and Shrub Identification Class Description This course covers the identification of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs by their common and botanic names. Emphasis is placed on trees and shrubs commonly used in the landscape and their key characteristics. Field study will compliment lectures.	3
HRT 126	HRT 126 Entomology Class Description This course introduces students to the importance of insects to humans. Topics include insect biology, principles of pest management, natural and applied insect control, and insect pests of vegetables, fruit, and ornamental plants. Laboratory includes observation, identification, and diagnosis of insect plant pests.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	CLC 120
Course Title	CLC 120 College Success Seminar Class Description This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
Credits	2

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 121
Course Title	HRT 121 Introduction to Horticulture Class Description This course introduces students to basic plant taxonomy, terminology, anatomy, physiology and the functions/responses of plants. Professions working with the culture and use of plants and applications of plant science will be included.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 125
Course Title	HRT 125 Tree and Shrub Identification Class Description This course covers the identification of deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs by their common and botanic names. Emphasis is placed on trees and shrubs commonly used in the landscape and their key characteristics. Field study will compliment lectures.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 126
Course Title	HRT 126 Entomology Class Description This course introduces students to the importance of insects to humans. Topics include insect biology, principles of pest management, natural and applied insect control, and insect pests of vegetables, fruit, and ornamental plants. Laboratory includes observation, identification, and diagnosis of insect plant pests.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
HRT 129	HRT 129 Plant Pathology Class Description An introductory course in plant pathology covering the biology and management of agents causing disease and growing disorders. Students study these agents and the problems that they cause, along with possible management tools.	3
HRT 162	HRT 162 Sustainable Landscape Management Class Description This course is focused on foundational landscape maintenance practices with the additional dimension of sustainability. Content includes planting, soil care/preparation, pruning, general turf care, and pest identification and control. It explores how all these practices are adapting around sustainable standards, and also covers new approaches such as greenroof systems, living walls, gray water catchment systems, rain gardens, bioswales, water quality treatment with plants, phytoremediation (plants) and mycoremediation (fungi) techniques for treating contaminated soils to create more sustainable landscapes and green infrastructure. Students will gain an understanding of how these approaches work, what is involved to design and build them, how to assess construction materials and costs, and operation of basic maintenance equipment. NOTE: Up to three labs will require field trips off campus. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from field sites.	3
HRT 265	HRT 265 Forestry Management Class Description This course covers the care and maintenance of trees and forests. Tree identification, care and pruning are covered, as well as special topics of pruning techniques, rope work, tree climbing and mapping/inventory technology.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 129
Course Title	HRT 129 Plant Pathology Class Description An introductory course in plant pathology covering the biology and management of agents causing disease and growing disorders. Students study these agents and the problems that they cause, along with possible management tools.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 162
Course Title	HRT 162 Sustainable Landscape Management Class Description This course is focused on foundational landscape maintenance practices with the additional dimension of sustainability. Content includes planting, soil care/preparation, pruning, general turf care, and pest identification and control. It explores how all these practices are adapting around sustainable standards, and also covers new approaches such as greenroof systems, living walls, gray water catchment systems, rain gardens, bioswales, water quality treatment with plants, phytoremediation (plants) and mycoremediation (fungi) techniques for treating contaminated soils to create more sustainable landscapes and green infrastructure. Students will gain an understanding of how these approaches work, what is involved to design and build them, how to assess construction materials and costs, and operation of basic maintenance equipment. NOTE: Up to three labs will require field trips off campus. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from field sites.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	HRT 265
Course Title	HRT 265 Forestry Management Class Description This course covers the care and maintenance of trees and forests. Tree identification, care and pruning are covered, as well as special topics of pruning techniques, rope work, tree climbing and mapping/inventory technology.
Credits	3

Total Credit Hours

20

*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Horticulture at CLC

Get the bigger picture

An arboriculture certificate is just one possible way to study horticulture. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Horticulture Program Overview

Frequently asked questions

You learn scientific concepts and gain hands-on experience in most courses. Throughout the program, you gain skills that are used in tree management by local employers. Most courses have lab sessions and you will gain hands-on experience of different arboriculture techniques.
The Horticulture Department maintains a woody plant collection that spans over five acres, for starters. At CLC, we have a suite of resources designed to support your success in and out of the classroom. You may also be part of upcoming projects, honing your craft in:
- on-campus ecological restoration
- arboretum redesign
- woody plant propagation
These programs will be conducted in collaboration with renowned local organizations.
Our student profile is varied. Both students right out of high school and older students choose to study arboriculture at CLC. Many are employed in family businesses and plan to take over those businesses in the future. Several students are changing careers because they wish to do something they enjoy.
Here's what others have found:
- Flexibility to explore a range of skills
- A broadening of the work you might take up
- An understanding of the relationship between different horticulture courses – they're all connected!

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Prune and climb in a green business

What can you do with an Arboriculture certificate in Horticulture?

Do more with stackable certificates

Highlights

Stackable Credentials

Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

Career Certificate

Program Length: 1 Year

Career Outlook

Forest and Conservation Technicians

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Forest and Conservation Workers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Foresters

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

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Recommended Pathway

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Semester 1 11 Credits

Semester 2 9 Credits

Total Credit Hours

Horticulture at CLC

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Frequently asked questions

How will I learn in this program?

How is my learning experience going to be different compared to other colleges?

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