Frequently Asked Questions

NETCA is an association of trained, certified tree climbing instructors offering classes across Connecticut and Vermont. We teach people at every level — homeowners, landscapers, arborists, saddle hunters, and anyone who just wants to try climbing for fun — how to climb trees safely using ropes and harnesses.

No. Our recreational and basic classes are built for complete beginners. Our instructors like to say it simply: if you can climb a ladder, you can climb a tree. The rigging and Contract Climber courses do require prior climbing experience — see the Advanced Rigging section below.

Yes, when it's taught properly. You'll be secured to the tree on a rope and harness the entire time, and the techniques we teach (Double Rope Technique and Single Rope Technique) are the same ones used throughout the professional arborist and recreational climbing industries — designed so you can let go at any point and still stay safely in place on the rope.

Classes are led by certified NETC instructors. Mike teaches our Connecticut classes near Coventry, and Ben Farney — a full-time professional arborist — teaches the Vermont and Advanced Arborist/Contract Climber classes in Westfield, near Jay Peak.

We've successfully trained students ranging from young teens to seniors. If you have a specific age in mind, give your instructor a call and they can tell you what's appropriate for that class.

No — we teach non-invasive climbing methods that don't damage the tree, which keeps landowners happy and keeps the trees healthy for years of climbing to come. Students in every class also learn to recognize and report invasive species that threaten New England's trees, like the Asian Longhorned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer.

Both classes teach you the same core rope-climbing skills so you can climb safely and independently. The Saddle Hunter class adds hunting-specific skills, like setting a rope quietly in the dark, picking trees without an obvious limb or crotch to work with, and choosing a saddle that's comfortable for long sits in the canopy. The Recreational class focuses purely on the sport of climbing itself.

You'll start with a safety and technique lesson, then get right into the trees using ropes already set up by your instructor. In the afternoon, you put it all together yourself — selecting the right tree, throwing and setting your own rope, tying the knots, and climbing the tree you rigged. You'll also learn how to choose gear and use mechanical advantage systems that make the climb feel easier.

Absolutely — this is exactly who our beginner classes are designed for. No ropes course or gym-climbing background needed. Your instructor walks you through everything from your first knot to your first ascent.

DRT (Double Rope Technique) and SRT (Single Rope Technique) are the two main methods used to ascend and descend a climbing rope. Both are taught across our classes and are widely used in the arborist and recreational climbing world. Your instructor will help you figure out which one fits your goals best.

Yes — tree climbing is a great family sport that doubles as exercise and a genuinely fun day outdoors, and we've taught everyone from young teens to seniors.

This class is built for tree workers, landscapers, and anyone heading into the tree care industry who wants to "get off the ground." In one day, you'll learn both DRT and Single Rope Technique, install ropes in trees, tie more than five climbing knots, and ascend/descend using knots as well as modern ascenders and descenders. Most students complete 6–10 climbs during the class.

No — the basic Arborist/Tree Worker class covers climbing access only. It does not cover tree work tasks or the use of climbing spikes, which are reserved for tree removal. Those skills are covered in our Advanced Rigging courses.

A Contract Climber is a skilled tree professional who works with tree care companies on a temporary or per-job basis, usually as an independent contractor or subcontractor. Responsibilities include climbing to prune and maintain trees, removing and lowering limbs, and operating chainsaws. Companies hire Contract Climbers because they bring specialized skills and their own equipment, typically bid a fixed cost (so the risk of a job running long is on them), free up the regular crew to keep the rest of a job moving, and often carry their own liability and workman's comp insurance.

Contract Climber status is earned after completing 2–3 rigorous specialized courses — Practical Rigging and Complex Rigging, at minimum — plus a hands-on evaluation by your instructor. Graduates receive course certificates and a photo ID showing their NETC certification.

You'll learn to assess a tree for removal, work the hitch climber system and Zig Zag with hand and foot ascenders, combine that with spurs and a flip line, and apply the knots learned in the prerequisite class. You'll also cover basic limb-removal techniques, natural crotch rigging, multi-sling speed line setups, and mechanical advantage systems using pulleys and a Maasdam Rope Puller — plus how to estimate and price your own work. Class size is capped at 4 students, and materials follow ISA-published standards.

This is the follow-on course to Practical Rigging. You'll learn the fish pole technique, rigging heavy wood, negative rigging, natural crotch rigging, tip tying, butt hitching, Portawrap and Maasdam Rope Puller use, block tying, rigging with crane slings, and safe speed line operation.

Yes. You'll need prior climbing experience (or completion of an NETC tree climbing course) and must already be able to tie the following knots: Cow Hitch, Zeppelin Bend, Sheet Bend, Clove Hitch, Alpine Butterfly, Running Bowline, Overhand Knot, Half Hitch, Directional Slip Knot, Cat's Paw, and a basic Prusik. We recommend the ISA book "Arborists' Knots for Climbing and Rigging" to prep beforehand. Complex Rigging additionally requires Practical Rigging as a prerequisite.

For Practical Rigging: a helmet with strap, gloves, climbing rope, climbing harness, gaffs/spikes, and rugged, preferably steel-toed work boots with a good heel. For Complex Rigging: a helmet with strap, gloves, climbing rope, and climbing harness.

Pricing varies by class and location:

• Connecticut (Arborist/Tree Worker or Saddle Hunter/Recreational): $300 for a single student, $270 per person for 2 or more.
• Vermont (Arborist/Tree Worker or Saddle Hunter/Recreational): $350 for a single student, $320 per person for 2 or more.
• Practical Rigging or Complex Rigging (Vermont): $475 total per person.

Visit the Connecticut, Vermont, or Advanced Arborist pages for exact current pricing.

Yes. Basic classes require a $100 deposit per person at registration. Rigging classes require a $100 deposit at reservation, with the remaining $375 due at the start of class. We accept PayPal.

All climbing equipment is provided for the basic Arborist, Tree Worker, Recreational, and Saddle Hunter classes — you just need to bring your own work gloves. Graduates also receive a certification card, a certificate, and access to discounts from major equipment suppliers. Rigging and Contract Climber courses require you to bring your own gear (see "What do I need to bring" above).

Yes — most classes offer a lower per-person price when 2 or more people register together. Check the class page for your location to see exact group pricing.

Often, yes. Weekday classes in Connecticut are generally available with a 2-student minimum and 3 weeks' notice. In Vermont, special arrangements can often be made outside the posted schedule — just call Ben to talk through timing.

Head to the class page for your state — Connecticut, Vermont, or Advanced Arborist & Contract Climber — pick your class date, and submit your registration with the deposit. If you'd rather talk it through first, just call or email your instructor directly.

Dress for the outdoors and bring a pair of work gloves — that's the one piece of gear the basic classes ask you to supply yourself. Everything else (rope, harness, helmet, and the rest of the climbing gear) is provided.

Most basic classes run one full day. You'll start with a safety and technique lesson and a climb using ropes your instructor has already set, then spend the afternoon doing it yourself — picking your tree, setting your own rope, tying your knots, and climbing the tree you rigged.

Yes. Every class ends with a certificate of completion, and most also include a photo ID card showing your NETC certification — plus discounts from major climbing equipment suppliers.

Expect to be tired, a little sore, and pretty proud of yourself. Past students describe finishing the day with a real sense of accomplishment — and a sudden urge to buy their own climbing gear.

The Westfield/Jay Peak area has several nearby options, including Jay Peak Resort, the Jay Village Inn, Woodshed Lodge, Millbrook Campground, and the Newport City Motel. There's also an inexpensive on-site camper available — just ask Ben about availability.

Our Vermont location has an indoor climbing area used during inclement weather, so training can continue rain or shine. If you're concerned about weather for your specific date, call your instructor ahead of time and they'll walk you through the plan.

We run classes in Coventry, Connecticut, just outside the Greater Hartford area, and Westfield, Vermont, near Jay Peak Resort in the Northeast Kingdom.

For general NETCA questions, email Gary at gary@newenglandtreeclimbing.com. For Connecticut classes, contact Mike at mikesobol@msn.com or call 860-918-0415. For Vermont classes and Advanced Arborist training, contact Ben Farney at benfarney@hotmail.com or call 802-673-8983.

Yes — if you know someone (including yourself) interested in starting a new tree climbing business, have them reach out to NETCA directly using the contact information above.