Find out what an arborist is and how to pick the best arborist for your tree care needs.
But what is an arborist anyway?
And do you really need one or can you just handle your trees' needs on your own?
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This guide will answer these questions and provide essential tips for hiring an experienced professional arborist when needed.
What Is an Arborist Anyway?
An arborist is a tree care specialist who can help youmaintain your trees and keep them healthy.
Anyone who works with woody plants (trees and shrubs) can call themselves an arborist.
However, not all arborists have the same training or experience, meaning not all arborists are experts.
Professional tree care is both an art and a science.
Skilled tree professionals have a web connection of colleagues to share experiences, ask questions, and communicate with.
Why Should You Hire an Arborist?
Caring for the trees on your property is an investment with many benefits.
Proper care and management extend the healthy life of a tree.
And trees often don’t show signs of stress right away.
Many problems may not be visible to the untrained eye for several years.
The arborist will work with you to discuss your concerns and define your goals.
They will make recommendations in your best interests related to the care and maintenance of your trees.
The amount of tree care work needed may seem overwhelming initially, but an arborist can help you prioritize.
Often, the work can happen in stages and be scheduled over years.
They may use outdated and inappropriate equipment, ineffective chemicals, andimproper pruning methods.
Expertise comes from practice and study.
Be wary of companies offering door-to-door tree-trimming services.
Get a detailed explanation of why they suggest the services they recommend.
A reputable company wont sell you unnecessary services.
Get multiple quotes from different companies and compare the recommended offerings.
This is a big reason why extensive training and expertise is so important for an arborist.
But there’s always a risk of accidents and damage to people and property.
A reputable tree care company knows these risks and carries insurance to manage these concerns.
These insurances are essential, and the costs are a significant percentage of the operating expenses for the business.
Remember, in most cases, homeowners insurance doesnt cover contractors.
Dont hire a tree care service without adequate insurance.
It offers multiple professional certifications and qualifications, including the ISA Certified Arborist and Board Certified Master Arborist certifications.
