What is an Arborist?
What is an Arborist?
What is an Arborist? An arborist is an expert on trees with a thorough understanding of the types, requirements, and characteristics of trees. Their duties are varied and include everything from tree planting to pruning.
Arborists can work in just about every industry — from urban forestry to forestry and landscaping. If you consider hiring an arborist to take care of your tree, you should know a little bit about what they do and how they do it.
In this post, we’ll discuss the top things you need to know about arborists, including the types of arborists, their qualifications, and what they do.
Let’s get started with the top ten things you need to know about arborists.
1. Arborists are trained professionals
Arborists are trained professionals who have studied the science of trees and how they grow, live, and die. They have learned how to identify different species of trees, recognize diseases and pests that affect them, and prune them correctly.
In addition, they know how to plant trees correctly, protect them from environmental hazards like pollution, and keep them safe from harm caused by humans through activities such as construction work or lawn mowing.
How do you become an Arborist:
ISA Certified Arborists® have met all requirements to be eligible for the exam, which includes three or more years of full-time, eligible, practical work experience in arboriculture and/or a degree in the field of arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, or forestry from a regionally accredited educational institute.
2. Arborists are licensed
Tree care professionals who want to work on your property need to pass a test and receive certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). This is the highest level of certification awarded.
To become a certified arborist, you must pass four exams: Tree Climbing, Tree Anatomy, Tree Identification, and Tree Protection. There are also three optional specialty exams that can be taken in addition to the primary four.
These include Plant Health Management, Pruning Principles and Practices, and Small Business Management. This ensures they have the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively prune, trim, and diagnose problems with your trees.
To become an arborist in New England, you must receive training from a qualified instructor. Like in most states, New England requires you to take an approved course and pass an exam before they issue you a license. Here are some of the most common certifications:
Certified Arborist
This certification requires passing two exams: general knowledge about trees and technical knowledge of tree care practices, including safety procedures and equipment use. You may also be required to do biology, botany, and horticulture courses before taking the exams.
Certified Tree Care Specialist
With this certification, you’ll learn how to identify different species of trees and shrubs; use basic tools safely; prune correctly; fertilize properly; perform tree risk assessments; diagnose diseases; use pesticides safely; climb safely using ropes; anchor yourself securely on ropes when working at heights above ground level; communicate with clients effectively; conduct inspections by climbing into the canopy of trees with ropes or sitting platforms to inspect crowns, roots or structural integrity of trunks or branches; and maintain proper records for each client’s property.
Certified Master Arborist
The CMA designation is one of ISA’s highest levels of certification. It requires five years of experience or two years of working experience and completing two additional courses — one focusing on urban forestry and one on management practices. In addition, you’ll be required to pass all previous exams plus an oral exam with questions from each section of the study materials
Certified Tree Worker
This certification is less rigorous than becoming a CA, but it still requires 20 hours of continuing education each year and passing an exam on basic tree care principles.
3. Arborists are experts in pruning trees
Arborists are trained to prune trees to allow them to grow and flourish while still being able to reach their full potential. They know how much sun different species need and where they should be planted so they can thrive.
This is something that most people do not understand, so it is imperative for anyone who owns or cares for trees or other plants to hire professional arborists whenever possible.
4. Arborists have an insurance policy that covers them while they’re on the job
The policy covers medical expenses if an accident occurs while treating a client’s tree or shrub. It also protects against personal liability claims arising from an accident on the job site. This coverage is available through a professional association such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or an insurance company.
5. Arborists use specialized equipment and tools
Arborists have more advanced equipment and tools than other tree service companies. They use chainsaws that run on gasoline, battery-operated saws, ropes and pulleys, rigging equipment, and other specialized gear.
They also have safety equipment such as hard hats, gloves, and chaps. Arborists should be trained to safely use all of this equipment, so they don’t hurt themselves or others while working on your property.
6. Arborists are tree experts
They have the knowledge, training, and tools to care for your trees. They specialize in diagnosing problems and treating them using a variety of treatments and techniques. They can also help you plan the best way to maintain trees and keep them healthy.
Arborists are specially trained to diagnose plant health problems by looking at leaves, bark, branches, and other tree parts. A certified arborist has experience in diagnosing problems like insects, disease, or poor watering habits.
If you’d like to meet an arborist, check out this profile of a professional arborist by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.
7. ARBORISTS CAN WORK FOR PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS OR PUBLIC AGENCIES SUCH AS PARKS DEPARTMENTS OR MUNICIPALITIES
Homeowners, businesses, and developers typically employ arborists working for private property owners. Those working in public agencies generally work for city or county government.
9. Arborists perform both preventative and corrective maintenance on trees
It’s important to know the difference between these two types of tree care so you can make an informed decision about the arborist you want to hire. Preventative maintenance is designed to keep trees healthy and growing strong.
On the other hand, corrective maintenance is performed when a tree is already sick or damaged, usually due to disease or weather-related factors like storm winds and hail storms.
10. Arborists do not just work with trees
they also work with shrubs, vines, bushes, and other plants that grow in the ground. This means that you can hire an arborist to do much more than just prune your trees!
In addition to pruning, some arborists specialize in treating diseases or insect infestations on their clients’ trees. Other arborists offer services such as fertilization or pest control for both trees and shrubs.
Final thoughts
Arborists go through rigorous training and licensing to practice their field of expertise. They are highly skilled professionals who work hard every day to educate the public on tree care. If a tree needs pruning, they are the experts who can determine what needs to be done, when it needs to happen, and how it will be done. Make sure you have someone who is properly trained to climb your trees when the time comes for this service.
If you have questions about tree service or plant health care give us a call at 608 526-6297, Johnson Ops Tree Care is here to help with your landscape needs.