The knowledge gained with this certification can improve the productivity, quality of care and security practices of credential holders. A certified arborist is a person trained in the art and science of planting and maintaining individual trees. International Arboricultural Society certified arborists have a minimum of three years of full-time experience working in the professional tree care industry, follow a code of ethics to ensure the reliability of their work, and have passed an arboriculture exam or have a degree in arboriculture. forestry, landscape architecture or horticulture.
Obtaining the certification demonstrates that the arborist is an expert and experienced tree care professional. As you can see, it means a lot when we talk about having ISA-certified arborists. They are, by definition, the best people you can have working on your plants and trees. The Certified Arborist credential identifies professional arborists who have a minimum of three years of full-time experience working in the professional tree care industry and who have passed an exam covering the facets of arboriculture.
The Western Chapter of the International Arboricultural Society (ISA) started the certification program in the 1980s. As the program proved its worth, it was taken over and expanded by the ISA's parent organization. More recently, the ISA added specialty certifications of Public Utility Specialist, for those who maintain vegetation around electric utility cables, Municipal Specialist, for those with additional experience in managing public urban trees, and the Board-Certified Master Arborist, for those with extensive knowledge that comes with higher levels of education and experience. Arbolists are responsible for maintaining trees and shrubs on public or private property.
This maintenance includes monitoring the health and appearance of plants, as well as addressing the safety hazards that plants may pose to humans. Organizations that employ arborists include golf courses, parks, universities, and utilities, as well as landscaping companies that serve homeowners. So what does it take to be an arborist? A degree is not required, but may be useful, and certification is recommended. The International Society for Arboriculture (ISA) offers an Arborist Certification Program (ACP), which includes a 3.5-hour multiple-choice test and 220 questions, with questions on soil management, safe working practices, tree biology, pruning, urban forestry and tree protection, among others.
Becoming an ISA-certified arborist is a voluntary process through which people can measure the knowledge and competence needed to provide proper tree care. The ISA certification is not sponsored or endorsed by the government. It is managed by the International Society of Arboriculture as a way for tree care professionals to demonstrate their commitment to the profession and industry. If you want the best for your trees and your garden, you need to work with certified tree experts dedicated to getting the job done well and caring for your trees in a professional and experienced manner.
The Certified Arborist exam has 200 questions on basic tree biology, tree identification and selection, tree-soil-water relationships, tree nutrition and fertilization, tree planting and establishment, pruning concepts and techniques, wiring, bracing and lightning protection, problem diagnosis and management, tree conservation on construction sites, climbing practices and safe work, and tree risk assessment. The International Arboriculture Society also offers other more specialized certifications you should look for, including Board Certified Master Arborist, Certified Arborist, Public Utility Specialist, Certified Arborist, Municipal Specialist, Certified Tree Worker, Aerial Lift Specialist, Tree Certified Worker Climber Specialist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. Additional certifications are available for arboreal workers, tree climbers, municipal and utility specialists. Since tree care can be hazardous work, you also won't know if your tree surgeon has received proper training in safety procedures, unless you can prove that you are also an ISA-certified arborist.
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