Have a question about your tree’s health? Is it an old tree with some dangerous looking limbs? It might be a good idea to call in an expert to take a look. While there are certainly some general tree questions we can help with here at the Extension office, we are not trained professionals when it comes to tree care and maintenance. That’s where an arborist can step in to help.
Not all arborists are created equal. There are different types of certifications that a tree-care professional can attain. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is the certifying agency. Looking for a certified arborist ensures that you are getting someone who is trained in tree biology; soil management and fertilization; tree installation and establishment; pruning; tree diagnostics and treatment; protecting trees from construction damage; and tree worker safety.
If you have a tree that you are concerned poses a threat to your life or property, you will want to look for an arborist that has TRAQ credentials. TRAQ stands for Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.
For more tips on how to look for an hire an arborist, check out this fact sheet: How and Why to Hire an Arborist
You can search for ISA certified arborists using the website treesaregood.org. This website has an arborist search tool which you can access here: Find an Arborist search tool