ABOUT US

Our History

Go way beyond typical expectations with our innovative safety, skill and productivity education and training for arborists and tree workers.

Since 1995, ArborMaster Training has been the leader in innovative safety, skill training, and workforce development, and is the premier provider of in-house, customized training programs and regional open-enrollment courses for people and organizations who work with, in, and around trees. 


ArborMaster instills their passion for safety, skill development and productivity in all their associates and customers through their strong belief that mastering basic foundational skills first is the most effective long-term training investment a company or individual can make.

ArborMaster Training’s History:

We are profoundly grateful to have served this industry for over 25 years and look forward to the years ahead. How do you possibly summarize these years and all the great experiences, people met and trained and milestones along the way?  Hard to do! But here's some highlights we'd like to share.

We thought it would be helpful to create some sections/links to help tell our story.


ArborMaster®

25+ years of Industry Leadership

Facilitated and conducted the first ever indoor tree educational presentations/demonstrations, held at the indoor tradeshow floor at TCI Expo.

ArborMaster's Ken Palmer and Rip Tompkins, traveled worldwide, including western Europe, throughout the 90's, delivering our Safety, Skill & Productivity programs.

In 1995, ArborMaster began a relationship with Buckingham Manufacturing to design and develop equipment that included climbing harnesses, tree squeeze, ArborMaster patented Friction Saver and much more – the relationship continues to this day with more products being rolled out.

  • Introduced comprehensive curriculum delivered as private in-house courses, regional open enrollment courses, plus seminars and ArborMaster Skills Competitions conducted at many industry conferences and trade shows.


  • ArborMaster served on the ANSI Z1332 committee for many years to develop and update tree care safety guidelines.


  • Began our ArborMaster Alliance Partner Program with several key manufacturers and enjoy many of these same relationships today.

Launch of the first of many ArborMaster Training video series, in partnership with ISA and several manufactures in Climbing Techniques, Chainsaw Safety & Cutting, and the Art & Science of Practical Rigging. These series making a significant impact on the advancement in the industry - still in circulation today.


The Art & Science of Practical Rigging series winner of the Master Communicator Award of Merit.

ArborMaster Training entered into a 21-year agreement with Husqvarna, which featured ArborMaster providing educational seminars and training around the country for the professional arborist end users.


In collaboration with Husqvarna, ArborMaster designed, developed, and delivered a multi-day training program to bring the latest techniques and technologies to college professors of urban forestry and arboricultural programs across the United States – followed by direct training days to arboriculture students of these programs.

First ArborMaster Tree Climbing Championship Prize Kit Package in partnership with our Alliance Partners, offered to the Master Challenge winners (both men and women competitors) of all US ISA Chapters at their regional competitions to prepare them for the International Tree Climbing Championships – this TCC Prize Kit continues annually.

Designed customized training programs for military; and fire and rescue organizations, that continues to this day.

Developed the popular Samson ArborMaster® premium 16-strand climbing line with Samson Rope Technologies

First RakeMaster Challenge held at the annual ISA Conference with ArborMaster Alliance Partners sponsoring – this popular events continues today. 

Awarded US Forest Service NUCFAC Grant – Saving Tree Workers Lives: The neglected component of Urban Forestry.

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Introduced Sherrill Tree and Vermeer Corporation where an alliance was formed for Sherrill Tree arborist products to be carried by participating Vermeer dealers. ArborMaster developed, designed, coordinated and delivered the ArborMaster/Vermeer Customer Days at Vermeer dealership locations across the United States, conducting 1-day arborist educational sessions in a variety of tree worker topics.

ArborMaster Beyond Training® services created, which includes Workforce Development, consulting and on the job training initiatives.

International Society of Arboriculture awards Ken Palmer & Rip Tompkins with the the Alex L.Shigo Award of Excellence in Arboricultural Education

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  • Ken Palmer, ArborMaster President, entered into a partnership with Greenworks Commercial endorsing their pro line of battery powered professional chainsaws.



  • Opens new training facility at the Evangelical Christian Camp campus in the "quiet corner" of Connecticut.


ArborMaster celebrating 25 years in business!

ArborMaster celebrating 25 years in business!

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