Why Hire a Certified Arborist?

Simply put, Certified Arborists save you time and money. 

Healthy well-maintained trees are one of the most important elements of any landscape. Mature shade or evergreen trees beautify the neighborhood and provide shelter for wildlife, but they have monetary benefits, too. Trees have a positive impact on property values, they help improve air quality, reduce storm water runoff and help with energy savings.

So why would you trust your landscape’s most valuable asset to just anyone with a chainsaw?

Proper tree care isn’t a DIY job or a job for someone without the training and know-how to safely work on, in, and around trees. Tree work can be dangerous, and not all tree care workers are trained and equipped to handle the work. Injuries can happen when workers aren’t equipped with the correct safety gear or if they don’t know how to safely use ladders, chain saws, stump grinders, wood chippers, and aerial lifts.

It also takes a trained eye to spot potential hazards before starting work. This important assessment prevents permanent damage to the tree, as well as damage (and potential lawsuits) from trees and branches falling where they shouldn’t.

And a certified tree care professional can save you from the frustration of dealing with pest and disease problems that disfigure or even kill your trees. Quick and correct diagnosis, as well as appropriate preventive measures or treatment, are critical to maintaining the health and beauty of the valuable trees on your property.

That’s why it’s important to hire a licensed tree professional when it’s time to plant, prune, treat or remove the trees around your home.

The first question you should ask before hiring a tree care company is whether there is a Certified Arborist on staff. An arborist is someone with special tree care knowledge and training. A licensed tree expert, especially one certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), always follows the best industry practices for tree care.

To become certified, arborists need to have a combination of tree care knowledge and experience. They also have to pass a written test that demonstrates their advanced training and professional skills. In addition, certified arborists abide by a code of ethics that assures they’ll comply with applicable laws, regulations and professional tree care standards.

A licensed tree professional will be able to tell you what type of pruning your trees need to maintain their health and appearance, and will provide preventive maintenance when it comes to insect pests and tree diseases. If a tree is in poor health, a Certified Arborist will be able to help you decide whether the tree should be removed and then plan for safely removing it without causing any property damage.

In addition to asking for the arborist’s credentials, here are other questions to ask before hiring anyone to work on your trees:

• Are you licensed by the state and/or the city?
• What special training have you received?
• Do you have verifiable proof of insurance covering personal and property damage?
• What special equipment do you plan to use?
• Is the crew equipped with proper safety equipment and trained in how to use it?
• How much time will the work take?
• Do you provide a detailed written estimate and a contract for services?
• Do you have recent local references?

Because your trees do so much for you, it’s only right for you to provide the best care possible by hiring a licensed professional to help you care for them.