The trees on your property are treasures. They are valuable assets that can’t simply be replaced if something goes wrong. For that reason, you know that it’s important to invest in good care.
This is a key reason why hiring an ISA-Certified Arborist is so important.
The ISA Certification is offered by the International Society of Arboriculture. That means the individuals who receive this certification are recognized worldwide as being the top in their profession.
While we deal with the tree care world every day, we know that you might not know much about the ISA Certification or about why hiring a Certified ISA Arborist is so beneficial.
In this article, we’ll dive into what this is all about…and why it matters to you as a tree care customer.
What is an ISA-Certified Arborist?
First and foremost, it’s important to know that there’s a big difference between an “Arborist” and a “Certified Arborist.”
That one extra word carries a lot of weight behind it.
Often, anyone who does tree work might refer to themselves as an arborist. The dictionary defines an arborist as “a specialist in the care and maintenance of trees.”
However, it does not necessarily mean that they met any particular level of training or competency. This claim is not backed up by any certification.
But a Certified Arborist…or more specifically, an ISA-Certified Arborist has gone through specialized training to earn that qualification.
It’s not an easy credential to obtain.
There are formal requirements that are set by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) that need to be met. That includes experience requirements as well as education. There is also a challenging exam that requires quite a bit of preparation in order to pass.
Let’s talk about the ISA Arborist Certification requirements and also why it matters to you.
ISA Arborist Certification Requirements
According to the International Society of Arboriculture, “to earn an ISA Certified Arborist credential, you must be trained and knowledgeable in all aspects of arboriculture. ISA Certified Arborists must also adhere to the Code of Ethics that strengthens the credibility and reliability of the work force.”
To be eligible for the ISA Certified Arborist exam, you must have one or both of the following:
- Three or more years of full-time, eligible, practical work experience in arboriculture.
- A degree in the field of arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, or forestry from a regionally accredited educational institute.
Preparing for the exam takes a tremendous amount of studying and preparation. Following completion of the exam, the Certified ISA Arborist must also continue their education to retain that knowledge.
At Joshua Tree Experts, we believe strongly in having ISA-Certified Arborists on staff because we know these individuals are at the top of their field. They’ve gone through the training and they have the knowledge and the experience to make the best possible decisions for the trees in their care.
That’s why we encourage our current team members and also our new franchisees to fulfill the formal requirements for this qualification and ultimately sit for this exam.
We also set them up for success by providing them with the resources that they need to pass the exam. We care about having the most qualified people in the field performing tree work.
Why Does It Matter if I Hire a Certified ISA Arborist?
As you search for a tree care provider, you’ll quickly learn that many companies do not have ISA Certified Arborists on staff. There’s a lot of time and effort that goes into earning this credential and plenty of companies simply aren’t investing in it.
You do not have to be a Certified Arborist to have a tree care business.
Still, it’s something that we advise homeowners look for. If you care about hiring the most-trained and most-educated experts in the field, then you’ll want to look for this credential.
The truth is, trees are complicated. And the services needed to care for trees can be complicated, too. Services like tree pruning and the diagnosing of tree diseases and pests can be incredibly complex…and mistakes can be detrimental.
This is why you want to know that you’re bringing an expert onto your property.
When you’re hiring a company that employs ISA Certified Arborists you can feel confident that they’re going to implement best practices. You might think of it like making an investment in the protection of your trees.
A Certified Arborist is the best professional to perform a tree assessment and determine what issues might be going with your trees. They’ll be able to spot potential issues and create the best course of action for your property’s trees.
Certified ISA Arborists for Tree Removal
With the right care, you can feel confident that your trees are getting what they need to live long and healthy lives.
That being said, while we are in the business of preserving trees (and maintaining tree health), sometimes a tree does need to be removed. And when that’s the best course of action, you want an ISA Certified Arborist for that work, as well.
That’s because tree removal can be incredibly dangerous work (with quite a bit of risk involved)…and you want to make sure it’s done right. A Certified ISA Arborist is also going to be highly trained and experienced in tree removal techniques.
Finding Qualified Tree Care Experts
Plenty of tree care companies talk a lot about their expertise, but without any certifications to back that up, you really can’t substantiate their claims. This is why it’s so beneficial to find a tree care company that takes ISA Certification seriously.
Then you’ll know that you’re investing in a tree care company that cares about delivering the best results and service.
At Joshua Tree Experts, we strongly believe in setting our team up for success with the ISA Certification. We know that with this training and experience, and the certification to back it up, that clients like you gain peace of mind.
You deserve to know that your trees are getting everything they need. With the right choice in a tree care company, you’ll be set up for success.
With the right care for your trees, you’ll gain valuable peace of mind. If you’re interested in having your trees inspected and their health assured, contact us for a free consultation or give us a call at 833-JTE-TREE.
