Urban and city foresters play a vital role in the health and future of our city’s forest. They care for the trees along our streets and urban river corridors as well as in our parks and yards. To maintain these benefits it is important that the welfare of our community’s tree resources be entrusted to professional management – thus enters the ISA Certified Arborist.
Why consult or hire a Certified Arborist?
ISA Certified Arborists have passed a comprehensive knowledge written exam and must maintain this credential through Continuing Education Units (CEUs). This exam covers trees from top to below bottom. It is important to remember that certification can attest to an individual’s tree care knowledge and competency, but cannot guarantee quality performance. However, there are a number of economic and credibility factors that support city foresters hiring CA’s. One of which is the fact that many municipalities require ISA Certified Arborists – a trend on the rise, with good reason.City foresters should, if possible, include in their bid language the requirement of a CA to help ease their own peace of mind and increase the value of trees. The Fargo Forestry Department now requires the tree contractor to have an ISA Certified Arborist on staff. This requirement is for all pruning along city streets. Beginning the fall of 2006, this will also be required for city administered tree planting projects. The CA requirement took some time to work in, but contractors were given ample opportunity and notification to prepare.
City foresters and municipal arborists work with so many different sectors and professionals – engineers, planners, contractors, public works, service groups, volunteers, and the public. It’s sometimes difficult for folks to understand the vital role city foresters have, and the time necessary, in helping to shape community policy while also working to gain trust and support from citizens. Hiring a CA helps minimize some of the worry and administration time relating to quality tree work.Use of an ISA Certified Arborist is a tool for the city forester. Certification helps provide the public and those in government the opportunity to make an informed selection of tree care services. City foresters and other city managers, by hiring a CA, can often improve their credibility and lower costs.
To help prevent tree care headaches, hire an ISA Certified Arborist. Include it in your contracts. It’s time to take a hard and true stand on the importance of tree care in our communities. Hiring a CA is one way to help set an example of quality. Some city’s even sponsor exam preparation workshops (check our events tab). There is no excuse for a reputable and professional tree service not to be certified. Make it next year’s New Year’s resolution.