What is a certified arborist, and do I need one?

Arborist is a word for someone trained in the care of individual trees. A certified arborist has gone through an exam from a professional organization. In the United States, a professional body awards the main certification, and holders must keep up with learning to renew it.

Certification is not the same as a government license, and it is not the same as insurance. It shows knowledge. A certified arborist may still need business insurance, and you should still ask for it.

When is it worth asking for one? A sick or stressed tree where you need to know why. A large old tree you care about, where bad pruning would harm it. A risk check on a tree near your house, where you want an expert opinion. A written report for an insurance claim, a permit, or a neighbor dispute.

For a simple small job, such as removing a small dead tree, you may not need one. Many tree companies employ certified arborists, so you can ask, "Will a certified arborist look at or lead this job?"

Some arborists only give advice and do not do the cutting. That can be helpful because they have no reason to sell you extra work.

Check certifications on the issuing group's website and ask for the person's certificate number.