Why Hire an ISA Certified Arborist?
Hiring an ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) certified arborist can bring numerous benefits to the care of trees on your property. ISA certification is a guarantee that the arborist has a high level of knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to provide proper tree care.
Criteria for Selecting an ISA Certified Arborist
When choosing an arborist, it is important to select someone who meets the following criteria:
• Experience: the arborist must have extensive practical experience in tree care.
• References: The arborist must provide references of previous work for evaluation.
• Certification: the arborist must be certified by the ISA.
Benefits of Hiring an ISA Certified Arborist
• Specialization: An ISA-certified arborist specializes in the care of individual trees and has in-depth knowledge of the trees’ needs.
• Safety: Pruning or removing trees, especially large ones, can be dangerous work. An ISA-certified arborist has the necessary equipment and training to perform the job safely and efficiently.
• Tree Health: An ISA certified arborist is able to assess tree health and perform appropriate interventions to maintain or improve the health, appearance and safety of trees.
• Property Value: Well-maintained trees are attractive and can add considerable value to your property.
• Sustainability: Proper tree care is a sustainable practice, as trees help improve air quality, reduce noise pollution, help control temperature and are essential for preserving biodiversity.
Choosing the Right Arborist for the Job
Choosing the right arborist is an important task and requires careful selection. Arboriculture is a complex science that involves art and science.
The practice of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees requires training and experience to be successful. In this article, we will discuss how to choose the right arborist for the job.
Professional Affiliations
The first step in selecting an arborist is to check their memberships with professional organizations, such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA), or the Brazilian Society of Arborists.
Urban Arborization Association (SBAU). These affiliations indicate that the arborist is determined to stay up to date with the latest techniques and information.
ISA Certification
Another important factor to consider is the ISA Arborist Certification. ISA Certified Arborists are experienced professionals who have passed an extensive examination that covers all aspects of tree care. Certification provides a measurable assessment of a person’s knowledge and competence in providing tree care services. However, it should be remembered that certification is not a measure of standards of practice, and the quality of work is not guaranteed.
Proof of Insurance Policy
It is important to request proof of insurance and contact your insurance company to see if the arborist has personal insurance, property insurance, and workers’ compensation insurance. This protects you and your property in the event of an accident or damage while working.
Authorizations and Licenses
Check for required permits and licenses. Some government agencies require contractors to obtain permits and/or licenses before they are allowed to provide a service. Therefore, make sure that the arborist has all the necessary licenses and permits before hiring their services.
References
Ask for references to see if the company has provided services similar to the one you are requesting. Don't hesitate to check references or visit other places where the company or individuals have provided arboriculture services.
Budgets
Get more than one quote unless you know and are comfortable with the arborist. You may have to pay for the quotes, and it may take longer, but the investment will be worth it. Do not accept the lowest bid without checking the credentials and written specifications of the firms submitting the quotes. It is important to determine the best combination of price, work to be performed, skills, and professionalism to protect your important investment.
Accepted Market Practices
Remember that good arborists will only perform practices that are accepted in the market, such as pruning.
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On the ISA website you can find out more about all the certifications at:
To confirm an arborist's ISA certification or find an ISA certified arborist, you can follow these steps:
Visit the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) website at https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/arboristsearch
Click on "Find an Arborist" in the main menu of the website
Enter the city name or zip code of your region in the search bar and click "Search"
A list of ISA certified arborists in your area will be displayed.
To check the certification of a specific arborist, click on their name in the list. This will open a page with the arborist's contact information, photo, and ISA certification.
You can also confirm an arborist's ISA certification by contacting the ISA directly at https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist/verify
Felipe Silveira
Member of the Brazilian Society of Arboriculture
Member of the International Society of Arboriculture
ISA Certified Arborist, n. BR-0024-A Tree Climber Specialist - TCIA ID 266441 Specialist in Urban Tree Planting by UFRRJ
Member of the Husqvarna Brazil Arborist Team PPE Inspector. Occupational Safety Technician