What is a certified arborist?

A professional who possesses the technical competence through experience and related training to provide for or supervise the management of trees and other woody plants in the residential, commercial, and public landscape. An ISA Certified Arborist is someone whom, through education and training is certified and/or qualified to practice arboriculture. Some states require that a certified arborist does many of the arboricultural tasks e.g., pruning, cabling, fertilizing and pesticide application. This certification process was originally set up through the Department of Consumer Protection and now is run through the Department of Environmental Protection. Arboriculture is a combination of art and science where the application of federally mandated ANSI professional standards and techniques are developed so we can improve the condition of shade, ornamental and fruit trees. Our practices include pruning, cabling, bracing, fertilizing, aeration, control of insects and diseases, landscaping, tree planting, designing, wildlife management, and consulting. ISA Certified arborist is supposed to be knowledgeable about the typical growth habits and preferred site location and conditions of healthy trees and is able to diagnose problems from the obvious insect infestation to the less obvious environmental stresses such as changes in soil grade, pollution, drought, etc., that affect tree health.

Why should you hire an arborist?