What to Consider When Choosing an Arborist

Healthy, well-maintained trees are beautiful and can add considerable value to your property, while poorly maintained trees can be a significant liability. Arborists are trained to understand the needs of trees, are capable of providing proper care, and can diagnose and treat issues effectively. Hiring an expert arborist ensures that your trees will be cared for with the utmost competence, following industry standards for safety and health. 

Here are several factors to consider when choosing an arborist:

• Certification – A certified arborist is someone who has at least three years of experience working in the tree service industry and has passed an exam that was developed by an international panel of experts in tree care. This examination covers all aspects of tree care. There are several professional associations that an arborist can join, but only the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) has a certification program. For this reason, you should look for the ISA logo of certification when selecting an arborist.

• Insurance and Permits – When hiring an arborist to perform work on your trees, it’s important to work only with someone who has insurance. Request proof of property damage insurance, personal insurance, and workers’ compensation, and then verify that the policies are current by contacting the carriers. And find out if the arborist is aware of any laws that require a permit before tree service work can be performed.

• Quotes and References – To give yourself more assurance that you will be happy with the completed work, call references provided by the arborist and look at pictures of the site or visit it to get a glimpse of their work. Then ask for written estimates from the arborists, which should include all work costs, the scope of the work to be performed, and credentials. Finally, ensure that the work will only begin once you and the arborist have signed a contract. The contract should include who is responsible for any cleanup when the work will start and finish, the arborist’s rate for additional work, and the total project cost.

The Benefits of Hiring an ISA-Certified Arborist

When you are choosing a tree service company, make sure you look for ISA certification. ISA-certified arborists are highly trained professionals with extensive knowledge of the science and reasoning behind all tree care processes. 

To keep your trees and your land healthy and beautiful, the following services of an ISA-certified arborist are indispensable:

1. If you are unsure whether you need to remove a tree or simply schedule a pruning, an arborist can help you decide.
2. An arborist can also perform risk assessments to evaluate the position, health, and age of the trees on your property. They determine if any of your trees pose a hazard or risk of growing in a way that will threaten the buildings or the other trees. 
3. Arborists can provide you with a full range of professional tree services, including tree trimming or cutting, tree removal, emergency triage, and planting. They are also familiar with all the tree trimming tools necessary to safely remove branches, tree stumps, and dead trees from your trees, and they have access to other equipment that will allow them to do their jobs quickly and efficiently. 

AKA Tree Service is proud to provide expert tree care from our ISA-certified arborists. Working with trees takes knowledge and experience, and only an expert can provide the service your trees need to be strong and healthy. 

Our Arborists Work Hard for You

The trees on your property are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, but remember that having trees does require a certain level of maintenance. Tree care services can help keep your trees healthy, and may also make your property safer by removing branches that are decayed or dying. 

When it comes to tree care, choosing the right specialist for the job can mean the difference between saving and losing a sick or damaged tree. So don’t wait until it’s too late to start taking proper care of your trees. Call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our ISA-certified arborists!