Tree Care Specialist
Certificate of Achievement Landscape Horticulture · Merritt College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Program Description
This one year Tree Care Specialist Certificate Program trains students to work in the following fields/jobs: Tree care specialist/worker with certification; ground worker; arborist; plant health care technician; utility arborist; sales and consulting; city, county or municipal forester. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in basic horticultural principles, plant biology and physiology, tree ID, and urban forestry concepts; industry standard skills and practices related to safe work practices, trees/shrub maintenance, such as pruning, planting, establishment; small equipment use, tree health care and tree risk assessment.
Career Opportunities
TREE CARE INUDSTRY ESTABLISHED POSITIONS AND JOB TITLES: 1. Tree care specialist; 2. Plant health care technician; 3. Ground worker; 4. Sales and consulting; 5. Arborist (certified by ISA); 6. Utility arborist; 7. Urban forester.
Learning Outcome(s)
- Apply tree biology and physiology to arboriculture practices.
- Conduct site assessments and assess trees to mitigate risks.
- Apply tree health care treatments.
- Establish and maintain trees and shrubs safely.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | 20.5 | |
| Core Courses: | 11.5 | |
| LANHT 23 | Plant Terminology | 2.5 |
| LANHT 80 | Urban Forestry | 3 |
| LANHT 81 | Arborist Equipment Fundamentals | 2 |
| LANHT 84 | Applied Structural Pruning | 2 |
| LANHT 85 | Introduction to Climbing and Aerial Tree Work | 2 |
| Choose One: | 3 | |
| LANHT 1 | Introduction to Landscape Horticulture with Lab (Day) | 3 |
| LANHT 1E | Introduction to Landscape Horticulture (Evening) | 3 |
| Choose One: | 3 | |
| LANHT 2E | Plant Materials: Tree ID and Culture (Evening) | 3 |
| LANHT 2 | Plant Materials: Tree ID and Culture with Lab (Day) | 3 |
| Choose One: | 3 | |
| LANHT 13 | Arboriculture with Lab (Day) | 3 |
| LANHT 13E | Arboriculture (Evening) | 3 |