Why Hire An ISA Certified Arborist To Care For Your Trees?
Many people ask us if they need an arborist to take care of their trees and why, so I thought I’d address that question in this article.
The simple answer is it depends on what you need. The state of Washington has put in place strict laws and regulations to preserve, expand, and protect our urban forests. Many of those regulations require you to enlist the help of a registered tree service and an ISA-certified arborist.
But before I get into the nitty-gritty of what types of tree care you need an arborist for, let me explain what a certified arborist is and why they are the best person to care for your trees, hedges, and woody landscapes.
In this article:
What Is An ISA-Certified Arborist?
An ISA arborist certification is a voluntary process that allows individuals to showcase their knowledge and expertise in proper tree care. While the government does not require tree care experts to be certified, many states and cities across the USA require a certified arborist's involvement in tree removal and significant pruning. ISA certification serves as a valuable way for professionals to demonstrate their skills.
When someone becomes an ISA Certified Arborist®, they have met a widely-accepted standard of knowledge in tree care, including understanding tree biology, diagnosing issues, implementing maintenance practices, ensuring safety, and staying updated on relevant subjects and practices within the field. Arborist certification is obtained and maintained through regular assessments that evaluate their competence.
Certified arborists are also required to continue their education to maintain their certification. This commitment ensures that they stay informed about the latest techniques and advancements in arboriculture. For your purposes, certified arborists are more likely to provide the most up-to-date and effective tree care services.
What is the difference between a consulting and certified arborist?
The difference between a consulting arborist and a certified arborist lies in the association that certified them. A certified arborist is a designation given to tree specialists that register and go through the certification process with the
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) while a consulting arborist underwent the certification and training process with the
American Society of Consulting Arborists. The ISA is an internationally recognized organization whereas the ASAC is not. Being an ISA certified arborist demonstrates that they meet international standards of arboriculture.
What is the highest level of arborist certification?
The highest level of certification is ISA Board Certified Master Arborist. To attain this certification requires years of professional experience, education, and proven expertise in the field.
The ISA also offers specializations and arborists can earn
certification and specific areas or arboriculture, including
- Utility Specialist: demonstrating expertise in working around utilities and ensuring the health and safety of trees near power lines.
- Municipal Specialist: for arborists who want to work with government agencies to manage municipal trees and urban forests.
- Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist: for arborists who specialize in climbing trees for pruning and removal.
- Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist: experts at the safe operation of aerial lifts for tree care.
- Tree Risk Assessment Specialist: For arborists who want to specialize in assessing and managing risk when it comes to tree care and removal. A risk assessment specialist has proved aptitude and experience determining whether a tree poses a safety hazard and should be removed.
What Can Certified Arborists Do For My Trees?
An arborist has the knowledge and skill to ensure you get the most from your landscaping investment by:
Pruning
Pruning is an important practice that involves cutting or trimming trees for various reasons. It can be done to enhance the tree's health, improve its appearance, or ensure safety. An expert called an arborist can assess your tree and determine the appropriate type of pruning needed.
Tree Removal
Removing a tree can be a costly endeavor. However, there are situations where it becomes necessary. Hiring an arborist is a smart choice when your tree is dead, dying, poses a safety risk, obstructs an area, competes with other trees, or is in the way of new construction. An arborist has the knowledge and skills to safely and efficiently remove the tree. Many municipalities require you to hire a certified arborist to remove trees of a certain size.
Emergency Tree Care
When Pacific storms damage trees, removal or pruning can be risky. A professional arborist can handle these tasks safely, minimizing the risk of further damage to people and property. If you encounter storm-damaged trees, it's best to rely on an arborist for emergency tree care.
A NOTE ABOUT TREE REMOVAL: In Seattle and other Washington cities,
you must have a certified arborist conduct assessments, provide reports, and be actively involved in the removal, even in an emergency. Failing to do so results in penalties and fines. Check with your local municipality to find out what you need to do to legally remove a tree.
Planting
Giving your newly planted tree a healthy start is crucial for its long-term growth and the benefits it provides. Arborists can assist with tree planting, and they are knowledgeable about recommending tree species suitable for specific locations. This ensures that the tree thrives and delivers environmental, economic, and social advantages throughout its lifespan.
Other Services
Arborists offer additional services to promote plant health and prevent issues. This can include practices like plant health care or preventive maintenance. They can also provide support to weak branches through cabling and bracing, preventing them from breaking. Soil aeration is another service they offer to improve root growth by enhancing soil quality.
Other tree related services an arborist provides, include
- Tree consultations
- Legal services related to trees
- Assessments and reporting as required by your municipality and state
- Pest identification, prevention, and treatment
- Disease identification, prevention, and treatment
- Lightning protective systems installation
- Tree protection during construction and consultation with developers
- Fire mitigation
As you can see, hiring a certified arborist to care for your trees, hedges, shrubs, and woody landscaping gives you peace of mind knowing that your trees are getting the best care and you are meeting government regulations.
How do I find a certified arborist near me?
If you need an ISA certified arborist to assess your trees or provide emergency services the easiest way to find one near you is to search on Google for an “ISA-certified arborist near me.” Look at their website, socials, and reviews to determine if they can help you.
You can also search the ISA directory and verify their credentials at
treesaregood.org. We recommend verifying that their certification is up to date and they are in good standing.
Another way to find an arborist you can trust with your trees is to talk to friends and neighbors about who they hire to take care of theirs.
IMPORTANT:
If your municipality requires you to use a registered tree service to remove or prune your trees, search their directory to see if the arborist you chose is listed.
You can see the list of tree care companies registered with the city of Seattle
here.
What types of tree care do I need to hire a certified arborist for in Seattle?
Seattle, Washington, and other cities in the state and across the country are clamping down on poor tree care and taking aggressive action to preserve and protect forests and trees. As a result, more and more municipalities are requiring tree service providers to register and residents to apply for permits to prune and remove trees.
In Seattle, residents are required to have a certified arborist involved in a variety of tree care activities, such as:
- Tree Removal
- Emergency Tree Removal
- Major Pruning
- Care for Exceptional or Heritage Trees
- Pruning of trees near utilities or right-of-ways
- Tree care in public spaces
- Urban forest management
- Multiple tree removal for development
- Tree care in environmentally critical areas
Their involvement ranges from assessment and reporting for the purpose of obtaining permits to completing the tree service to ensure it is done safely and lawfully.
To learn more about Seattle's tree regulations, go to https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/codes/codes-we-enforce-(a-z)/trees-and-codes#treeprotectiononprivateproperty_x140131 or call the Department of Construction & Inspections at (206) 684-8850.
As a registered tree service provider with an ISA certified arborist on staff, we are happy to help you navigate the new tree regulations and help you through the permitting process.
Conclusion
While you can conduct routine pruning and maintenance for your trees, there are situations where a certified arborist is required for the health and safety of you, your property, and your trees.
Most cities in the United States require permits to remove trees larger than 6” in diameter and restrict the number of trees you can remove. They also have rules regarding caring for trees near utility lines, street right-of-ways, and public spaces. Consulting with a certified arborist ensures that you comply with local regulations and your trees get the very best care.
Sound Tree Care LLC is a Seattle tree service. We serve all of Washington State, including
Auburn,
Bellevue,
Burien, Clyde Hill,
Des Moines,
Federal Way,
Gig Harbor,
Hunts Point,
Issaquah,
Kent,
Maple Valley,
Medina,
Mercer Island,
Newcastle,
Puyallup,
Renton,
Sammamish,
SeaTac,
Seattle,
Shoreline,
Tacoma,
Tukwila,
Vashon Island and
West Seattle
Dana Ledford ISA Certified Arborist
Eric Ledford ISA Certified Arborist