Last Updated on March, 2025
Trees are among the oldest living entities on Earth and play a crucial role in sustaining life. From the nearby trees in our neighbourhood to the towering oaks in parks, they offer numerous social, economic, health, and environmental advantages.
However, to fully harness these benefits, they require regular tree care and upkeep. While many people are familiar with terms like ‘tree surgeon’ or ‘tree doctor’, fewer understand the role of an arborist and the significance of their work in tree care.
So, what is an arborist, and what do they do? If you’ve encountered the term, but are unclear about their responsibilities, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’ll give you the lowdown on what an arborist is, their responsibilities and services they provide, whether you need an arborist to improve your backyard, what a certified arborist is, and how to get that certification, and so much more!
Quick Summary
- Arborists are highly trained professionals who specialize in the care, maintenance, and diagnosis of trees, ensuring their health and growth. Their expertise includes services like pruning, disease control, and tree removal, which contribute to the environment and property value.
- A certified arborist has undergone rigorous training and testing to gain credentials from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). They must continually update their skills and knowledge to maintain certification and provide expert tree care.
- Arborists offer a wide range of services such as tree planting, pruning, care and maintenance, emergency tree care, and tree removal. They prioritize tree health and safety, often preferring to preserve trees unless removal is absolutely necessary.
What is an Arborist and What Do They Do?
Arborists are highly trained specialists focused on the art and science of planting, caring for, maintaining, and diagnosing trees, shrubs, and other plants.
These professionals dedicate significant time and effort to mastering their skills, ensuring they can effectively manage tree health and growth.
These tree doctors are frequently called upon to evaluate the condition of trees, diagnose potential diseases, and provide recommendations for proper tree care and maintenance.
Their services include tree pruning and trimming, drought mitigation, fertilisation, pest control, disease control, and seasonal tree care to prepare trees for spring.
Professional arborists understand the crucial role these magnificent trees play in the environment and on your property. Planting a tree can notably increase your property’s resale value, but only if it is planted correctly, in the right location, and is well cared for.
What Services Do Arborists Provide?
If your property does not have any trees, you might not see the need for an arborist. However, if you’re looking to enhance the beauty and value of your property, consulting arborists for advice on tree selection and planting can be a great idea.
Conversely, if you already have mature trees and need an expert to assess their health and condition, it is essential to contact a certified arborist in your area.
Here are several services that arborists offer:
Tree Planting
Successful tree planting requires significant knowledge and expertise. Arborists will consider the ideal location while keeping the tree’s mature size in mind, select species suitable for the region, and understand the necessary care and maintenance, particularly during the early growth stages.
Tree Pruning
Proper tree pruning involves specific techniques and methods. Pruning might be necessary for various reasons, such as disease, storm damage, safety concerns, or aesthetics. A certified arborist can evaluate a tree’s health and condition and decide if pruning is necessary.
Tree Care and Maintenance
Regular tree care and maintenance are essential, especially for preventive measures before winter and assessments after the cold season to identify potential damage and aid in the tree’s recovery.
Tree Removal
Many people assume that tree removal is straightforward and can be handled by any tree service. However, for certified arborists, tree removal is considered a last resort such as if the tree has a disease that cannot be cured or if it is a safety hazard.
Their priority is to save the tree rather than remove it, and they will explore all possible alternatives before deciding on removing trees.
Other tree work services provided by certified arborists include:
- Emergency tree care.
- Protecting and preserving trees during construction and development projects.
- Diagnosis and treatment of pests and diseases for tree health.
- Assisting in disputes between people regarding tree ownership, damage, etc.
An arborist’s job responsibilities require extensive knowledge, skill, and physical endurance. They must be knowledgeable about local plants and climate conditions.
Moreover, they need to handle trees safely, which includes heavy lifting, working at significant heights, and operating hazardous equipment. Tree pruning, in particular, must be executed with precision to ensure the safety of both the tree and the homeowners.
What is a Certified Arborist?
Certified arborists are professionals who have undergone extensive training and gained significant experience in the field of arboriculture, which involves understanding how trees grow and interact with their environment.
To achieve certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), these professionals must pass a rigorous exam that covers all aspects of tree care, including tree biology, diagnosis, safety, and how to maintain trees.
However, getting ISA certified is just the beginning. Certified arborists must continuously update their skills and knowledge to stay current with the latest techniques and advancements in arboriculture.
This continuing education is essential in order to maintain their certification and ensure they provide the best tree care.
Why You Should Hire a Certified Arborist for Tree Care?
When it comes to tree care, hiring a certified arborist is a wise choice. While anyone can use a chainsaw to trim or remove branches, it takes a certified arborist’s expertise to do the pruning, tree trimming and removal of branches and trees correctly and safely.
Certified arborists must also stay current with the latest arboriculture methods. This ensures that you are hiring a tree service professional with the necessary experience, skills, and knowledge to care for your trees properly.
Moreover, tree care is more complex than you would think. The trees on your property represent an investment that impacts your property value. Improper pruning, trimming, and bad health can lead to property damage.
Property owners must maintain the health of their trees, as it is crucial for preserving property value and preventing future damage due to inadequate tree care.
By choosing a certified arborist, you can have confidence that your tree care will be handled professionally.
Certified arborists know how to trim, prune, remove limbs, and care for trees in an environmentally responsible way that maintains their health and beauty while enhancing your property’s safety.
Prioritising safety is essential, and hiring a poorly trained tree service provider can jeopardise your trees, property, and personal safety.
How to Become a Certified Arborist?
Becoming a certified arborist is not an easy feat. To qualify for the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification, a person must have:
- At least three years of full-time experience in the tree care industry.
- A degree in arboriculture, forestry, landscape architecture, or horticulture from an accredited institution.
You must invest in education and gain hands-on experience. Entry-level positions typically require a high school diploma or GED, though having an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, landscaping, or a related field is highly beneficial.
To become ISA certified, candidates must have three years of full-time experience in horticulture or a mix of education and practical experience.
Licensing and certification are crucial as they validate an arborist’s ability to safely and effectively perform tree care tasks, including tree trimming and pruning. Tree doctors must also be knowledgeable about tree work safety standards and best practices.
Starting with internships or entry-level jobs, aspiring tree workers gain the necessary experience to apply for a licence and advance in their careers.
Qualifications You Need
Different tree care companies have varying requirements for their arborists. Here are some qualifications you will need:
- Hold ISA Certified Arborist credentials.
- Be passionate about trees and dedicated to tree care.
- Capable of working safely to ensure the protection of people and property.
Arborists undergo a rigorous qualification process for the ISA certificate, including extensive education and passing a written exam. Continuing education to stay current in the field is mandatory in order to maintain professional standards.
The ISA offers various certification levels, such as:
- Tree Risk Assessment.
- Tree Worker Climber.
- Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist.
- Arborist Municipal Specialist.
- Arborist Utility Specialist.
- Certified Master Arborist.
Each individual must decide their specialisation and desired certificate level to meet the needs of their employers or clients.
Benefits of Becoming an Arborist
While the job can be demanding at times, arborists are essential for maintaining tree health and supporting the environment, which makes it highly rewarding.
Here are some key advantages of becoming an arborist:
- Enjoy working outdoors in the fresh air.
- Contribute to the community and help conserve nature.
- Often receive benefits such as health care and paid vacations.
- Opportunities for career growth and advancement.
Read more:
Do I Need an Arborist if I Just Want My Tree Cut Down?
It’s worth noting that hiring a certified tree doctor for tree removal does not necessarily cost more than hiring normal tree workers to cut down the tree.
Certified arborists are trained and equipped to safely and efficiently remove trees, which can help keep costs reasonable.
Additionally, you can expect the following from a certified tree doctor:
- The arborist will inform you if your tree can be saved instead of removed, which can potentially save you money.
- Arborists have the expertise to remove your tree without damaging your property.
- Arborists carry proper insurance, ensuring that any accidents are covered by their insurance company. Without this, you could be liable for medical bills and lost wages if an uninsured arborist is injured.
- An arborist will minimise damage to surrounding trees during the removal process.
FAQs
Conclusion
Arborists are vital individuals needed for tree valuation, preservation, and maintenance.
With their dedication and hard work, these professionals strive to protect the environment and its trees to the best of their abilities. It is a worthy and fulfilling career path that has its clear-cut benefits.
If the trees in your backyard pose safety concerns or you need advice on the best locations to plant trees in your garden, consult an arborist.
