Healthy trees and shrubs can provide your property with many benefits. Whether you are hoping to create a green screen between your yard and the outside world or want a plant that will bloom with lovely flowers in the spring, a curated landscape can provide you and your family with joy for years to come. However, an unhealthy tree can cause safety issues and wreak havoc in your otherwise manicured yard.

Fortunately, arborists specialize in the care and maintenance of your trees. You can call an arborist to advise you on a troublesome planting, ask them to maintain or remove a tree, and much more.

What to Look for in an Arborist

If you are worried about your tree, trees, or orchard, your first instinct may be to consult with an arborist. While you can do a quick Google search to find your local arborist, you should be wary. Not all arborists are going to provide the same level of service or expertise.

We recommend looking for an ISA Certified Arborist. This is an individual who has qualified for certification with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). The ISA has laid out stringent policies for certification. Some of the requirements are as follows:

  • 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.
  • Follows the Certified Arborist code of ethics as laid out by the ISA.
  • Has passed the ISA certification examination.
  • Follows the continuing education and recertification program laid out by ISA.

When to Schedule an Arborist Consultation?

There are many circumstances in which consulting an arborist can benefit the health of your trees. You should consult an arborist if:

1. You need emergency tree care.

A tree that has been damaged by a storm or an accident can have cracked or broken limbs, have a disturbed root system, or may be positioned dangerously. A tree emergency would be a situation that requires immediate action to prevent further damage.An arborist can work with you to remove dangerous branches or otherwise help you restore your tree to health.

2. Your tree or trees need to be pruned.

While there are rules of thumb when it comes to pruning, it’s important to prune trees at the right time of year for improved tree health, proper shaping, and more. An arborist will use the correct pruning technique for your tree type and at the right time of year.

3. You’d like to plant new trees or move a tree.

Whether you are hoping to plant an orchard, want to move a tree to a different portion of your property, need to plant a new tree, an arborist can help you do so safely and effectively. Consulting an arborist at the beginning of a tree’s life will help the firm establishment of your planting.

4. A tree or trees need to be removed.

Tree removal is dangerous work and should be done with the proper safety precautions in place. Hiring an arborist to remove your tree will help ensure the work is done safely and with reasonably minimal impact on the surrounding landscape.

5. You suspect your tree has a disease or infestation.

Arborists are able to identify the disease or pest that is affecting your tree and recommend the right solution to resolve the issue.

Additionally, your ISA certified arborist can work with you to improve the health of your trees through soil modification, installing support systems,  pest management, and irrigation planning.

Are you ready to consult with an ISA certified arborist? Contact Cascade Tree Works today!