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Why you might need an arborist and what they really do

Why you might need an arborist and what they really do

07/08/2025
14 minute read
 

Key Takeaways

  • Arborists are trained professionals who maintain tree health, safety, and appearance through tasks like trimming, disease diagnosis, and removal.
  • Hiring a certified arborist ensures they follow best practices and have the expertise to safely care for your trees.
  • Regular tree care prevents costly damage and enhances property value by addressing issues early.

Imagine walking through a neighborhood and spotting a big tree leaning precariously toward a house, its branches laden with disease.Though a tree may appear harmless, neglecting its health can lead to costly damage or even serious safety risks. Indeed, an estimated 30% of tree-related injuries result in some form of inappropriate tree care or a failure to maintain trees.

Arborists are tree care experts. They know how to care for trees so they’re healthy, safe, and maintained. Whether it’s identifying disease, pruning limbs or removing species that pose a threat, arborists have the skills required to take care of it all. This article will outline why it’s crucial to hire a certified arborist, when people need and how they can help to maintain the health and safety of both trees and the property.

What is an Arborist?

An arborist is a person who is specialized in the care of individual trees. They learn about tree biology, diseases, growth patterns and how to safely prune or remove trees. Arborists can perform the most rudimentary of tree trims to the more complex of problems such as diagnosis of tree health and problems involving hazardous trees.

MEET THE EXPERT

  • Matt Latham is a Board Certified Master Arborist with over two decades of experience, specializing in complex tree-related problems, tree preservation, and consulting in the Houston area.
  • Andrew Conboy is an ISA Certified Arborist and urban forester focused on environmental conservation, with a strong presence on social media, promoting ecological restoration and tree care education.

Arborists vs Other Tree Care Professionals

While an arborist specializes in trees and the care of them, others work in similar fields for different reasons.

Aspect Arborist Landscaper Forester
Focus Specializes in the care and maintenance of trees. Primarily focuses on general yard work, lawns, and shrubs. Manages large areas of forests for commercial purposes.
Training & Expertise Extensive knowledge of tree biology, diseases, and growth patterns. Basic knowledge of plant care, including trees, but not in-depth tree expertise. Trained in managing forests, timber production, and land conservation.
Tree Care Services Tree trimming, pruning, health inspections, removal, and disease management. May trim trees, but does not specialize in complex tree care or health issues. Focuses on large-scale tree management, often for timber and conservation.
Certifications Often certified by organizations like the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Typically not certified in tree care, focuses on landscaping certifications. May hold forestry-related certifications but not specific tree care certifications.
Primary Role Ensures the health, safety, and longevity of individual trees. Maintains overall aesthetics and functionality of outdoor spaces. Manages forests and natural woodlands, focusing on land management.
When to Hire When tree health is in question, or there is a need for specialized care or removal. For general yard and garden maintenance. When managing large wooded areas or for timber-related services.

Certification

Certification is a sign that an arborist is more confident about what they know and has better skills. One of the most well-known certifiers is the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). ISA arborists pass exams that evaluate their knowledge in tree care and safety. Certification guarantees the arborist is working based on the industry standards and is current on best business practices and useful tree care measures. When they hire a certified arborist, homeowners can feel more comfortable knowing that their trees are in good hands especially for more complicated jobs such as diagnosing illness, shaping large trees and the safe removal of trees. 

Services Offered by Arborists

Arborists provide a variety of tree-related services to maintain their health, safety and beauty, including inspection and emergency care.

Services Offered by Arborists

  • Tree Health Inspection Services: Arborists carry out in-depth inspections of the trees to determine their general condition. They search for diseases, pest infestation and structural problems, such as weak branches or root damage. This way it’s possible to spot a potential issue early and avoid expensive and dangerous issues later.
  • Pruning and Trimming: Pruning and trimming are necessary in order to ensure a tree looks a certain way and keep it healthy. Tree pruning helps maintain the health and appearance of a tree by selectively pruning out dead or weak limbs, helps promote better air quality and sunlight penetration throughout the tree. It can also help to avoid dangerous branches dropping or becoming destructive.
  • Tree Removal: If a tree is damaging property or putting the safety of others at risk, an arborist may suggest removal. An arborist for tree removal uses different kinds of gears and methods to cut down trees and to haul away any ropes and twigs to make sure no one gets hurt and nothing gets damaged.
  • Stump Grinding and Removal: Once a tree is taken down, the arborist can remove it by grinding it down using a stump grinding machine. This gets rid of an eyesore and avoids problems such as pests entering, shoots from the roots or lawnmower troubles. Stump removal is also useful for making way for new plantings or construction.
  • Emergency Services: Arborists provide emergency services to help take care of situations that pose a hazard to a structure or people caused by trees such as fallen trees, storm damaged trees, or trees that have fallen on a structure due to structural failure. They will promptly evaluate the issue and come up with a plan to get that tree down or anchored so no more damage or danger occurs.
  • Consulting Services: Arborists are consulted by many people including homeowners, architects, government, landscapers, the insurance industry and builders. Whether it’s advising the best tree types to plant in a space, diagnosing tree health concerns, or stipulating maintenance requirements, consulting services help to ensure that trees are well planned and situated within a landscape.

When to Hire an Arborist

Trees on your property are crucial elements; however, they need to be well taken care of and monitored. Although some people believe that trees are easy to take care of, there are major signs that show when it’s time to call an arborist to get proper help. Some common scenarios when hiring an arborist is a must are:

Signs of Tree Stress

Trees can be affected by a number of problems that affect their overall health and aesthetics. Obvious indicators of trouble are droopy leaves, dying, or discolored limbs and fungal growth around the trunk or on the bark. Drooping leaves, especially during the growing season, may be an indication of water stress, disease, or pests.

Dead branches or bark with the appearance of a fungal growth could mean a larger problem, like tree diseases or an unstable structure. If spotting these signs of bad health, an arborist can diagnose the issue and advise the proper treatment, whether it is disease management, pest control, or tree trimming.

Safety Concerns

One of the best reasons to hire an arborist is safety. When trees are close to buildings, driveways, or power lines, they can become dangerous projectiles especially during storms or high winds. Hanging branches can cause damage to electrical wires, a house or vehicle and create unsafe conditions. Trees can sometimes become unstable if they’re being pushed by a root or if a tree is diseased and weak.

Only an arborist is qualified to determine the stability of a tree and if a tree is a danger. They can even take down an unsafe tree or trim potential hit-hazard branches that may threaten the dwelling.

Property Value

The condition of the trees can have a big effect on the property value. Beautiful trees add beauty to the front of a home and improve property value. In contrast, unhealthy or overgrown trees can make a property look like it hasn’t been looked after and can make it less appealing to anyone considering buying it.

An arborist can protect the visual aspect of the garden with scheduled pruning and design solutions for trees’ visual signs of age or injury. Regular tree maintenance can also save money in the long run by minimizing serious damage that could lead to expensive repairs or tree removal.

Regulatory Requirements

There are ordinances in many local communities that mandate professional tree service in some circumstances. For starters, there are many places where people need to get a permit to remove a tree, particularly if this tree is of a protected species or it grows on public land. Furthermore, some municipalities have periodic check-ups to cut down unsafe trees in public roads or public places for safety reasons.

Arborists understand local laws and can guide people through any paperwork or permissions they need to make sure they follow the law. Hiring an arborist for these jobs will save time and possibly fines or legal issues.

Benefits of Hiring a Certified Arborist

Homeowners receive several benefits from hiring a certified arborist to ensure the health, appearance and safety of their trees. Below are a few of the main advantages of hiring one of these certified professionals:

Benefits of Hiring a Certified Arborist

Expertise and Knowledge

Certified arborists have specialized education in tree biology, disease, pest control, and tree maintenance. They know so much about how trees grow, do well and react to the elements that they can diagnose problems that aren’t readily apparent. Arborists rely on their expertise to provide specific solutions for keeping trees healthy, whether it’s recognizing obscure diseases or advising on the proper pruning for a tree.

Safety

Some tree care roles, especially when large branches are pruned or a tree is taken down, are hazardous. Licensed arborists are equipped with proper tools and methods to perform such tasks safely. They also understand how to evaluate other threats, such as trees close to electrical wires or weak branches, and can deal with these challenges in a safe manner that does not put property, people, or the environment at risk. Arborists have the necessary experience to get the job done safely and correctly.

Long-Term Tree Health

For maintaining trees’ long-term health, preventive care is also key. Arborists can develop care plans to deal with potential problems before they develop into serious concerns. Over time, many problems with root damage, pests or overgrowth can be avoided with scheduled inspections, trimming or pest control. Certified arborists help preserve the life of the tree and keep it strong and healthy through proper care.

Legal Compliance

Most municipalities have ordinances regarding tree care in general, and tree removal in particular, and are responsible for public trees. Hired arborists are aware of such laws and work in accordance with local laws, ensuring compliance and avoiding potential issues.

Property owners who don't choose an arborist can risk getting slapped with fines or facing legal consequences for chopping down a tree species that may have been classified as protected, but they didn't realize it. An arborist’s familiarity with local ordinances can help ensure that tree care is safe and legal.

Find a Certified Arborist Near You

Keeping your trees healthy and safe starts with finding a certified arborist you can trust locally. Here are some ways to find a reliable professional:

Find a Certified Arborist Near You

  • Online Directories: Search for certified arborists in the area by utilizing the ISA’s “Find an Arborist” feature.
  • Local Recommendations: Local neighbors, friends or businesses may have hired arborists in the past and can recommend one.
  • Evaluating Credentials: Confirm the arborist is certified through the ISA or other credible program, and verify insurance coverage to protect everyone involved.
  • Getting Estimates: Get several quotes to compare price and service. Enquire about recommended services and any extra charges so people can make an informed decision.

Cost Considerations to Hire an Arborist

Tree care service costs may fluctuate based on tree size, location and complexity of the job. Here’s a breakdown on what to think about:

Factors Influencing Cost

The cost of tree services by arborists can depend on several factors:

  • Tree Size: The larger the tree, the more time, machinery and manpower it takes to trim or fell which will add to the cost.
  • Location: Trees that are close to power lines, structures or in hard-to-reach areas (like backyards that are difficult to access) could require special equipment or more time to be worked on, which can add to the cost of a job.
  • Job Complexity: A job that involves some pruning will not be as expensive as one that includes removing a large tree, tree stump grinding, or one that is happening very close to buildings, other trees or with various obstacles.

Average Pricing

Prices may differ situationally and based on the tree itself, but these offers are a starting point to give a feel for general pricing for the most common arborist tree services:

  • Tree Trimming or Pruning: $200 to $1,000 based on tree size, number of branches and access.
  • Tree Removal: $300 to $2,000 or more, the most complex and extensive removals cost more.
  • Stump Grinding: $100 to $400, depending on the size of the stump as well as whether the grinding has been undertaken as part of a stump removal project.
  • Health Inspections: $100 to $300, an arborist will determine the overall health and stability of a tree.

Budgeting Tips

Here are tips to help control the costs in planning out the costs of tree care:

  • Get Multiple Quotes: Request multiple quotes from different arborists to compare pricing and services. It will better define what would be a reasonable rate for the work that people need done.
  • Prioritize Services: If tree care must be done in phases, begin with priority work (such as hazard tree removal) and proceed with less necessary work (such as aesthetic pruning) later on.
  • Regular Maintenance: If people maintain the trees and keep them well-trimmed over time they will avoid the inevitable emergency tree removal costs in the future.
  • Consider Package Deals: A few arborists will give a discount if people avail other services such as stump grinding along with tree trimming that will then cost less in the future.

FAQs

What does an arborist do?
An arborist is an expert in the practice of arboriculture, which is the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees and other plants, and other perennial woody plants.

When to use an arborist?
You should hire an arborist for tree trimming, removal, health inspections, or any professional tree care needs.

What are the qualities of an arborist?
An arborist must possess boundless knowledge, certification, safety consciousness, and be an expert in tree biology, pruning and general tree care.

The Bottom Line

Like people, trees need professional care to ensure they live and grow up to be strong and healthy as can be. They can help with needs like determining what might be causing diseases of the trees, trimming them and eliminating hazardous trees. The beneficial effects of hiring an ISA certified arborist to examine and care for the trees go far beyond home protection. They also offer significant benefits to the trees themselves. 

Understanding when to bring in an arborist and what they do can help homeowners better care for their trees. Regular care can save money in the long run because of the money one avoids spending on big problems later on.

When it comes to professional tree care, Growcycle is the best bet because they provide dependable arborist services that help to keep the trees happy and healthy.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, specializing in sustainable agriculture. With a passion for storytelling, he highlights the latest trends, innovations, and practices that promote ecological balance and responsible farming.