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Why hire an arborist?
By Peter M. Childs
When people would ask, “What do you do for a living?” I would tell them that I own a small tree-care business. “Oh, a landscaper,” they would say. I would then feel the need to explain what I really am: a Massachusetts-certified arborist. Ten or 15 years ago, most people would not have known what an arborist was; however, there has been increased awareness lately as to who we are and what we do. This leads to the question: “Why would someone need to hire an arborist?”
The ISA (International Society of Arborists) defines an arborist as “an individual trained in the art and science of planting, caring for and maintaining individual trees.” According to the ISA, certified arborists are individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through experience and who have passed a comprehensive examination developed by some of the nation’s leading experts on tree care. Arborists have been schooled in entomology (study of insects), plant pathology (study of plant diseases), proper pruning, removal, fertilization, soil chemistry and arboriculture (study and practice of tree care).
Much like a licensed plumber or electrician, certified arborists must demonstrate knowledge, skill in their profession and common sense. They are required to have sufficient liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Many arborists also treat trees and shrubs for insect, disease and environmental concerns, so they are also required to hold valid pesticide licenses to practice in each state.
Some examples of services provides by arborists:
Pruning: Arborists remove dead, diseased or damaged branches for public safety, tree health or cosmetics.
Removals: Often trees are hazardous due to age, insect or disease attack, storm damage or overcrowding.
Planting/landscape design: Arborists are the perfect choice to plant trees and shrubs on landscapes. They know the environmental needs of plants (sun, shade, water), height requirements, flowering characteristics and insect or disease concerns. For example, planting a juniper (cedar or true juniper) next to a member of the apple family (crab apple, true apple, shadbush, hawthorn) would result in a maintenance headache due to rust fungus problems between the two.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Arborists have extensive backgrounds in tree and shrub pest control, using the latest technology and environmentally safe methods. IPM keeps plants healthy using cultural, biological and chemical methods.
So why choose an arborist to help with your trees and shrubs? Look at your property as an investment. Do you want to risk damage to your trees or property by hiring a novice, someone who may fell a tree on your car or house? Or do you want to hire someone who has the proper training and expertise to do the job professionally?
A second-generation arborist, Peter M. Childs is president of Childs Arborists in Sandwich, www.childsarborists.com. In 1999, he took over the family business, started by his father in 1971. He can be reached at childsarbor@yahoo.com.
