Certifications, Standards, and Safety-What to Know about Hiring an Arborist

There are several benefits to having trees on your property. Healthy, well-maintained trees provide shade, lowering utility costs. They also enhance the aesthetics of your property and raise property value as well. To keep your trees healthy and looking good, it helps to obtain professional services. The best-qualified individual to care for your trees is an arborist—just like the ones on staff at Promier Tree. In this article, we’ll take a look at what you should look for when hiring an arborist to care for your trees in Kingsport, Johnson City, and Bristol in Tennessee.

What does an arborist do, anyway?

An arborist is an educated, qualified professional in the field of tree care and maintenance. Arborists can help with all the different aspects of tree care, including pruning, fertilization, prevention of disease or pest infestation, or general evaluations and consultations related to tree health. An arborist also can plant new trees or oversee the removal of a tree that is too far gone due to illness or damage.

Look for three key things when considering an arborist

• Certification: Unfortunately, some disreputable individuals and companies out there will claim to be professional arborists but are not. Only consider an arborist that is ISA-certified. That certification carries weight and lets you know you’re dealing with a true tree expert. At Promier Tree, each of our arborists on staff is educated on all types of trees that are prevalent in east Tennessee. Also, all arborists at Promier Tree have been certified through the International Society of Arboriculture.
• Standards: A professional arborist should be happy to share references and provide examples of their work. A qualified arborist also should be licensed and insured. Ask for certificates of liability, as well as their workers’ compensation insurance. A reputable arborist should provide a contract that outlines the job, estimated costs, and a potential timeline of how long it will take.
• Safety: Tree care can be dangerous. Certain jobs require working high above the ground, with powerful tools to cut and prune trees. A qualified arborist knows how to work with these tools safely while also avoiding damage to a healthy tree. Trying to care for or prune trees yourself exposes you to risks—injury to yourself or others or property damage due to negligence.

Professional tree care in Kingsport

Stay aware of any fly-by-night companies that really don’t have the proper knowledge of tree care. Avoid doing any work without a contract, and remember that if a deal sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. At Promier Tree, we have experience working with trees in East Tennessee. We’ve also built a track record of trustworthiness and expertise serving both residential and commercial customers since our company opened in 2003. We can serve all of your tree-related needs, including pruning, emergency care, planting, and general maintenance. Find out more and schedule a consultation with one of our arborists today by calling Promier Tree at (423) 765-2626.