San Diego Arborist

What is an Arborist?

Arborists are professionals who specialize in the care and maintenance of trees. They are knowledgeable in the science of arboriculture, which includes the cultivation, management, and study of trees, shrubs, and other woody plants. Arborists are responsible for the health and safety of trees, as well as the aesthetic value of trees in urban and rural landscapes.

Categories of Arborists

There are a few different categories of arborists, each with their own unique set of skills, responsibilities, levels of education and credentials. Here is a brief overview of the different categories of arborists:

1. Consulting Arborists: Consulting arborists provide advice and guidance to clients on the care and maintenance of trees. They assess the health of trees, diagnose problems, and recommend treatments. They also provide advice on tree selection, planting, pruning, and removal. Consulting arborists are contracted by a wide variety of clients, including property owners, municipalities, contractors, attorneys, insurance professionals, landscape architects, developers, engineers, other arborists, and more.

2. Climbing Arborists: Climbing arborists are primarily responsible for the pruning and removal of trees. They use specialized climbing equipment to access the tops of trees to perform deadwood removal, crown thinning, crown reduction, specific branch weight reduction, crown raising and clearance pruning. Climbing arborists handle tree removals of all sizes and degrees of difficulty, often utilizing various complex rigging systems.

3. Utility Arborists: Utility arborists specialize in the maintenance of trees near power lines and other utility infrastructure. They are responsible for ensuring that trees are properly pruned and maintained to prevent power outages and other safety hazards.

Expert Designations and Certifications

In addition to the different types of arborists, there are various types of designations and credentials held by individuals in the industry. These designations and certifications indicate that the individual has met certain education and experience benchmarks and possesses a higher degree of knowledge. The primary organizations responsible for credentialing eligibility and testing are the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). We’ve provided a list of different arborist designations and credentials below:

ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist® (RCA) – Has demonstrated higher skills in certain technical areas related to trees and tree care, providing objective, independent opinions, with training for higher communication, presentation, and/or report writing skills.
ISA Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) – Has demonstrated higher skills in certain technical aspects of tree care and equipment used as an arborist, with higher knowledge of arboriculture.
ASCA Member – Has demonstrated higher skills in certain technical areas related to trees and tree care, providing objective, independent opinions with improved communication and presentation skills.
Educators, Researchers, and Cooperative Extension staff – Have demonstrated higher education and skills in diagnosing tree growth and conditions, with improved communication and presentation skills.
Landscape Architect License/ Registration – Requires a four- or five-year college degree and range of one to five years of design experience to take the license exam; has demonstrated a higher competency in design and planning.
ISA Certified Arborist – Has demonstrated basic knowledge to inspect trees and perform tree care. Has required state arborist statute designations or licenses. Has demonstrated basic knowledge to perform tree care with required minimum qualifications (individual and/or business) to meet statute requirements for the specific jurisdiction.
ISA Certified Arborist Specialties (Municipal, Utilities, and Tree Risk Assessor) – Has demonstrated higher knowledge and skills in the subject specialty of arboriculture.
ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) – Has demonstrated knowledge of a standardized and systematic process for assessing tree risk.
State Licensed or Professional Forester – Has demonstrated basic knowledge of forest practices and forest management plan. Required in some states to write plans for forest management; forestry is generally not required in urban areas; may lack field experience with individual trees.
Certified Urban Forester (CaUFC) or Certified Forester (SAF- CF) – Has demonstrated a higher level of knowledge and experience in urban forestry and urban forest management; may include fire suppression and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) property mitigation/basic knowledge and experience in forestry.
ISA Certified Tree Worker – Has demonstrated a basic knowledge of tree care to assist certified arborists in performing tree care services.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Certified Arborist?

A certified arborist has the knowledge and experience to provide the best care for your trees. They are trained to identify potential problems and provide the best solutions for your trees. Certified arborists also have access to the latest tools and techniques to ensure your trees are healthy and safe. The benefits of using a certified arborist over an unlicensed one include access to professional advice and expertise, assurance that the arborist is knowledgeable and experienced in tree care, and assurance that the arborist is following industry standards and best practices. Certified arborists also have access to specialized tools and equipment, which can help ensure the safety and health of trees.

When it comes to selecting a San Diego arborist, look no further than Atlas Tree Service. Our team includes ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist® (#488) and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist® Ron Matranga, ISA Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist^®John Hamilton, as well as several ISA Certified Arborists, an ISA Municipal Specialist and ISA Certified Tree Workers. We are continuously pursuing continuing education in arboriculture to stay up to date on the latest techniques and information. Our affiliation with the tree care industry’s leading organizations and the resources, training and education we provide our team enables us to consistently stay at the forefront of the industry. The experts at Atlas Tree Service perform work for commercial and residential clients, public agencies, and homeowner associations in San Diego County. If you are searching for a San Diego Arborist, contact us today.