Many individuals choose to do their own landscaping either to save money or because they enjoy working in their yards, but when it comes to tree pruning, it is best to hire an expert to do the work. While it may seem as simple as trimming a few branches here and there, improper tree pruning will not only expose your trees to disease and potential death, trees that are pruned improperly create a safety hazard that could affect your family and your property. Besides, the proper tools needed to prune trees correctly can be expensive, so you may save time and money by hiring an expert. To ensure you are reviving the best service, it is essential to hire a certified tree arborist and tree surgeon. It may be a bit confusing if you have never hired an arborist before, so to find a certified tree arborist near you, check out the website chainsaws.com. Hiring the right arborist will save you time and money, so it is crucial to understand what an arborist does and how to find an arborist that is legitimate, so listed below are some common questions individuals have about finding and hiring an arborist.
What is an arborist?
Before hiring an arborist, it is vital to understand what an arborist is and what they do. An arborist is an individual who has the education, training, and experience to care for trees. Arborists are trained to plant, care for, and maintain trees properly, so they grow healthy and are aesthetically pleasing. Many arborists are certified through The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), which requires continuous education and training to maintain their certification.
How does one become an arborist?
The first step to becoming an arborist is to earn a degree. Individuals can earn an Associate’s Degree in Arboriculture or choose to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry with a minor in Arboriculture. Once an individual has earned their degree, it is essential to gain experience either through an internship while earning their degree, or on-the-job-training through a private company or government municipality. Once an individual has earned their degree and gained knowledge, they can then become certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
What are the qualities of a good arborist?
Arborists are educated and professionally trained to take care of trees from planting to removal, and some qualities of a good arborist are listed below:
- Passionate About Trees
- Education
- Experience
- Certification
- Knowledge
- Skill
- Interpersonal Skills
- Desire to Learn and Improve
To find a tree arborist or tree surgeon with the above qualities, you can either consult your local businesses who sell chainsaws and tree trimming equipment or check out the website chainsaws.com as they have an extensive list of certified arborists.
Can I trust an arborist to work on my tree?
As with any service you may choose to hire, it will depend on the arborist. If you take the time to interview the tree arborist properly and they can provide the proper credentials, references, and detailed written estimate, then there is no reason why you should not be able to trust an arborist to work on your tree.
Can I prune my tree myself, or should I hire an arborist?
While you can choose to prune trees yourself, we recommend that you hire an arborist. Arborists have the knowledge and skill to assess and prune trees for their optimum health accurately. Arborists also have the proper tools and equipment for tree pruning. Trying to prune trees yourself can be extremely dangerous as well as cause irreparable damage to trees.
Do I need an arborist to save and shape overgrown trees?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes, arborists have the education, training, and experience to prune and shape overgrown trees correctly. Different tree species require different pruning techniques, various pruning tools, and even need pruning at different times of the year. Randomly pruning an overgrown tree without the proper equipment and knowledge can cause irreparable damage to the tree that will last the lifetime of the tree or even lead to the death of the tree. Arborists have the knowledge and skills to properly care for your trees, keeping them healthy and beautiful.
How to Select an Arborist or Tree Service
As with any service you are going to pay for, it is crucial to do your homework and consult multiple arborists before choosing who to hire. One of the best methods is to ask friends and family if they have an arborist they trust, this way, you can not only see the work the arborist has done, but friends and family have your best interest at heart. Unfortunately, there are predatory arborists out there that are looking to make a quick dollar at the expense of you and your trees so listed below are essential questions to ask before hiring an arborist:
- Do they have insurance?
- What are their credentials?
- Do they have a list of references?
- Will they provide a detailed estimate?
- How long will the work take to complete?
- Do they have proper safety procedures and equipment?
- What methods will they be using to prune the trees?
Legitimate arborists will have no problem answering the above questions or any other questions you may have if an arborist is unwilling to answer these questions it is an immediate red flag and an indicator you should not hire them. A great resource to find certified arborists is to consult with your local businesses that sell chainsaws, and other tree trimming equipment as many of their customers are arborists and tree surgeons. In addition, an excellent website with an extensive list of ISA certified arborists is chainsaws.com.
Do most tree services have an arborist on staff?
Legitimate tree services will have an arborist on staff. Arborists are specially trained and certified in how to care for trees properly and can provide the following services:
- Consultation
- Emergency Care
- Planting
- Preventative Care
- Pruning
- Removal
- Risk Assessment
- Tree Bracing
To help find a certified tree arborist near you, the website chansaws.com is an excellent resource that has an extensive list of ISA certified arborists for you to choose from.
Is it possible to get 24/7 emergency tree removal service?
Most reputable tree services have 24/7 emergence tree removal service. Emergencies are part of life, and this includes trees. Trees that have become damaged due to insect activity, high winds, disease, or improper trimming can be a hazard to both people and property and will need to be removed immediately.
What are some tree diseases?
A common reason that trees become unsightly or die is due to disease. It is essential to understand that there are over 60,000 species of trees worldwide, and each of these species is prone to different diseases. It is critical to have your trees routinely inspected by a certified tree arborist so they can make sure the trees are healthy. If they see signs of disease, they can diagnose and treat the disease before it causes your valuable trees to die. Listed below are some of the most common tree diseases:
- Armillaria Root Rot
- Anthracnose
- Canker Rot
- Commandra Blister Rust
- Dothistroma Needle Blight
- Dutch Elm Disease
- Oak Wilt
- Photinia Leaf Spot
- Powdery Mildew
- Sooty Mold
