February 20, 2019 While it can be tempting to hire the first person willing to take care of the situation, there are several reasons why you might want to make sure you’re working with a certified arborist before anyone touches your trees. The Benefits of Working with a Certified Arborist No one ever wants to take down a tree, but there are times when it’s unavoidable. When a tree presents an obstruction which cannot be corrected, for instance, or when it’s contributing to crowding which threatens trees you’re more invested in protecting, there may be no other viable solution. When a dead or dying tree presents an unacceptable risk, however, it’s important to have them evaluated and removed by a certified arborist. It may seem as if any able-bodied handyman with a chainsaw can remove a tree, but this often simply is not the case. First and foremost, a certified professional can quickly and accurately assess the situation to determine what, if any, strategies exist for saving a tree. In some cases, removal may not be the only option and an experienced, knowledgeable professional will be able to help you keep your valuable, beautiful trees intact. Working with someone who has less specialized knowledge can sometimes lead to the unnecessary removal of a tree which contributes to your curb appeal and property value, when a course of treatment and special care could have done the trick. When there really is no path to preservation, an arborist can ensure tree removal is done safely, with minimal risk to surrounding structures or other trees. There’s also less of liability risk, as a certified service provider will come with all the requisite licensing and insurance to protect the interests of all involved parties. A handyman or general laborer who performs odd jobs may offer to cut down a tree, but they likely won’t have the knowledge, the experience, or the full insurance coverage a professional brings to the table. Should a worker fall on your property in the process of removing a tree or cause damage to nearby property due to improper removal techniques, you can be held liable for the damages. When it’s all said and done, you could find your cut-rate worker costing you many times more than you initially expected because they didn’t have the proper coverage to do a job which is inherently dangerous to those without the right experience. Choosing a Certified Arborist When you start looking for an arborist to remove a dead or dying tree safely, there are some things you will want to ask in order to ensure you are making the best possible hiring decision. Look for active membership in an organization like the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), or the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Arborists with certifications through such organizations not only shows a dedication to the field of arboriculture, but also an eagerness to keep up with all developments in tree care and treatment. It’s also an indicator the arborist you’re working with has passed rigorous testing to ensure they’re knowledgeable in their field. A certified arborist may evaluate other trees on your property when they come to remove a dead or dying specimen, but they will not offer to provide excessive and dangerous services like tree “topping,” nor will they wear damaging equipment like climbing spikes on any tree they’re not completely removing. It’s also wise to be wary of anyone who comes to you unsolicited, offering to remove a tree which seems to be in perfectly good health. Door-to-door solicitation is simply not something most certified arborists have time to do, and it’s usually not a good idea to simply take on faith the word of a stranger claiming your trees are dying, dead, or presenting a risk to the property. When an arborist comes to assess your trees and provide an estimate for the cost of removal at your invitation, however, they may offer you alternatives to removal, like bracing or cabling, which can support weakened limbs enough to lessen the need for total removal. They will also be able to pinpoint the cause of a tree’s death, which can be particularly useful when the culprit is a contagious disease. Just like humans and animals, trees can become infected by parasitic, fungal, and bacterial organisms which cause them to weaken, sicken, and eventually die. Fortunately, these diseases can sometimes be treated and eradicated when they’re detected in earlier stages. A certified arborist will have the knowledge base to determine whether a tree was lost to disease, and how likely the disease is to spread to surrounding trees. In such cases, an arborist can potentially stave off contagious diseases which may threaten every tree on your property. In addition to saving the trees, a certified professional may actually be able to save you money in the long run by catching problems quickly and addressing them effectively. A jack-of-all-trades isn’t likely to be as well-versed in the diseases, parasites, and insects capable of felling an enormous tree, which means the infestation or infection can continue to spread unchecked. When you’re worried about a potentially dying or dead tree on your property, working with experts is the single most effective way to prevent further tree death and to ensure the removal of affected trees safely. At Front Range Arborists, Inc., we pride ourselves on offering the very best in treatment and removal of trees throughout the Colorado Springs area. Customers in Manitou Springs, Black Forest, Woodland Park, Fountain, Monument, and beyond rely upon our expertise to provide not only the safest tree removal, but also trimming, pruning, soil care, and more for a beautiful, healthy, and safe lawn. A damaged tree doesn’t have to be a safety risk. Call us today at (719) 635-7459 or use our easy online form to get a free estimate for a range of top-tier tree care and removal services.
