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- Tree Mail: Fall 2014
- Tree Issue - Hiring An Arborist
Hire an Arborist: Respecting Our Trees Through Qualified Care
Tree care businesses are abundant, and it’s probably safe to say that if
a person needs to have some tree work done they will never have a hard
time finding someone who claims that they can do the job. How can one
tell if they are qualified, though? After all, a person shouldn’t
entrust the livelihood of their trees to just anyone. Unfortunately,
there are many tree care businesses out there carrying out
non-recommended practices and harming trees, simply because they lack
the knowledge and experience to do it the right way. Their missteps can
cost homeowners a shortened life span on mature trees, reduced benefits
provided by their trees, and can contribute to high risk situations
related to loss in a tree’s structural stability (not to mention greater
costs in maintenance).
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) has made this dilemma a lot easier on property owners, by creating the Certified Arborist program. According to the ISA, “Certified Arborists are individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through experience and by passing a comprehensive examination developed by some of the nation’s leading experts on tree care.” Urban Forestry recommends seeking a Certified Arborist for tree work, due to their knowledge of proper tree care practices and the fact that they are accountable to the code of ethics set forth by the ISA. It’s easy to search for a local Certified Arborist online at Trees Are Good.
Sometimes treatment of trees requires the use of chemicals to correct a mineral deficiency or address a pest/disease problem. Application of these products can, when used correctly, greatly benefit a tree, but if applied improperly can result in detriment. When hiring someone to apply chemicals to your trees, or anywhere on your property for that matter, make sure that they hold a valid Pesticide Applicator license with the State of Oklahoma.
Finally, ask for proof of insurance when consulting with an arborist – hiring a company with valid insurance protects you in the case that an incident occurs while the work is taking place. Asking for references from previous customers is never a bad idea either.
The Urban Forestry Department is here as a resource to Edmond residents as well. Feel free to contact us if you have questions about your trees and just need someone to look at them and provide some technical advice. Citizen consultations are a service that we provide to residents within Edmond City Limits, within reason. In addition, we post information about relevant tree issues on our Facebook page. This is a great way to find out about common ailments of trees growing in the Edmond area and tips for keeping your trees healthy.
Pictured above: Hiring a qualified arborist can help to prevent damage done to one's trees through non-recommended practices such as topping.
Check out other topics from the Fall 2014 issue of Edmond Tree Mail
Sometimes treatment of trees requires the use of chemicals to correct a mineral deficiency or address a pest/disease problem. Application of these products can, when used correctly, greatly benefit a tree, but if applied improperly can result in detriment. When hiring someone to apply chemicals to your trees, or anywhere on your property for that matter, make sure that they hold a valid Pesticide Applicator license with the State of Oklahoma.
Finally, ask for proof of insurance when consulting with an arborist – hiring a company with valid insurance protects you in the case that an incident occurs while the work is taking place. Asking for references from previous customers is never a bad idea either.
The Urban Forestry Department is here as a resource to Edmond residents as well. Feel free to contact us if you have questions about your trees and just need someone to look at them and provide some technical advice. Citizen consultations are a service that we provide to residents within Edmond City Limits, within reason. In addition, we post information about relevant tree issues on our Facebook page. This is a great way to find out about common ailments of trees growing in the Edmond area and tips for keeping your trees healthy.
Pictured above: Hiring a qualified arborist can help to prevent damage done to one's trees through non-recommended practices such as topping.
Check out other topics from the Fall 2014 issue of Edmond Tree Mail