If you’re looking to care for the trees in your yard, you may ask, “What does an arborist do?” Tree Care Inc. is the trusted source for expert tree services in Louisville, KY.
We have a certified arborist on staff because your trees are our expertise. Continue reading to understand all the tasks we can perform and how working with our highly qualified expert benefits you.
How To Become a Certified Arborist
Knowing how to become an arborist helps you understand why they can perform jobs that regular landscapers shouldn’t touch. An arborist becomes certified after at least three years of hands-on experience. They can meet a portion of this requirement with a college degree in forestry, horticulture, or a related field.
To obtain their certification through the International Society of Arboriculture, one must take a comprehensive test that includes questions about safety, tree maintenance, and all the other tasks they’ll perform.
However, their expertise doesn’t stop there. They must undergo 30 hours of continuing education every three years. The credits can come from workshops, seminars, online courses, and more.
Eight Tasks a Certified Arborist Can Perform
What does an arborist do? They can perform a wider variety of tasks than non-certified professionals.
1. These Experts Can Assess Tree Health
With a detailed tree health assessment, an arborist can determine the overall health of a tree. The process includes the following:
- Visual inspection: When the expert assesses the tree’s overall appearance, they can notice symptoms and prioritize looking for the most likely problems.
- Leaf assessment: Discoloration and other issues with the foliage point to a lack of nutrients, pest infestations, or disease.
- Bark analysis: If the arborist notices peeling bark or the presence of fungus, they can determine the underlying cause.
- Soil testing: The arborist can determine whether your soil has the correct nutrients and look for issues like compaction.
- Root checks: Roots are essential for absorbing water from the soil. The expert ensures they’re healthy and don’t pose a threat to nearby structures.
- Structural stability inspection: By checking the lean of the trunk or whether it has any damage like rot, they determine the likelihood it might fall.
- Illness identification: Every illness or infestation manifests with slightly different symptoms. By finding the problem, the arborist discovers the best approach for treatment.
- Treatment plans: From hollow trunks to holes in the leaves, the experts always find a solution that balances the best results with a cost-effective approach.
2. They Provide Pruning and Trimming Without Complication
Hiring an arborist yields better results from pruning and trimming. You should schedule these essential maintenance tasks every one to five years, depending on the tree’s age and species. While they have similar results, pruning focuses on tree health and trimming on appearance.
3. Arborists Increase Safety During Tree Removal
What does an arborist do? When you schedule tree removal services, they ensure the team doesn’t experience any injury or cause damage to the surrounding structures.
Tree removal is a dangerous process, which is why you should never attempt it yourself. It requires equipment like powered saws and workers to climb to great heights. Without the proper technique, branches could fall and injure someone or damage property.
4. Their Pest and Disease Management Helps Save Trees
When a tree becomes sick, it’s most likely from a fungus or an insect infestation. These issues can affect the roots and bark but often create more obvious problems with the tree’s leaves. Common illnesses include:
- Dutch elm disease, a fungus spread by beetles that wilts the tree
- Anthracnose, a fungus that causes spots in the leaves of sycamores, dogwoods, and maples
- Fire blight, a bacterial infection that affects the fruits of apple and pear trees, leaving the branches looking blackened
- Root rot, a fungus that arises from excessive moisture in the soil, leading to decay
While catching these diseases early enough to save the tree often poses a challenge, an arborist has the best chance. They can either nurse the tree back to health or keep the problem from spreading.
5. They Can Replant Younger Trees
When property owners plant a tree, they don’t always do it in the best location. It may offer too much shade or pose a threat to nearby structures.
An arborist can usually move a tree under five feet tall, though as it approaches this height, the chances of success decrease. To avoid this issue, ask an arborist for input about location and species before adding a tree to your property.
6. Urban Forestry Management Improves City Ecosystems
What does a certified arborist do? They’re experts in urban greenery. Cities often employ them to keep public spaces like parks healthy and vibrant.
Trees play an essential role in controlling pollution in urban environments and also help people maintain their mental health. Arborists advise about where to plant trees and how to uphold biodiversity.
7. Performing a Tree Risk Evaluation Helps Determine the Best Course of Action
A tree risk evaluation reveals whether a tree poses a threat to a property. For example, if you see a tree start to lean, the arborist can determine whether removal offers the best solution or whether they could brace it with cables.
Tree companies often include such assessments with routine maintenance. By scheduling an inspection annually, homeowners invest in the safety and health of their trees and address issues before they become serious.
8. They Mitigate the Damage From Tree Emergencies
When you have a tree emergency, you need a fast and reliable response to avoid damage to your home or harm to your family. An emergency includes anything that poses an immediate threat, such as a tree catching on fire or falling onto your roof. An arborist ensures the best possible results.
Schedule an Appointment With an Arborist Today
What does an arborist do? At Tree Care Inc., our staff is passionate about proactive solutions and community beautification. We’re the expert tree care service that prioritizes safety and guarantees a minimal impact on your property.
Call (502) 326-3661 to get a free estimate.
