Everyone knows that when you get sick that you should go to a doctor; but what should you do when your tree gets sick? You see an arborist of course! Arborists, also know as arborculturists, and tree surgeons, are trained tree care specialists. Whether you need tree trimming, plant health care, or pest management, RTEC has certified arborists who are here to help you!
What is a Certified Arborist?
While anyone can call themselves an arborist, a certified arborist requires special training. A certified arborist is a an arborist who has been trained, tested, and certified by a professional organization. RTEC’s arborists are all certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Certified arborists must recertify every few years to ensure their knowledge and practices are up to date! When you hire a certified arborist you can rest easy knowing you are getting high quality work while prioritizing the health and safety of your trees. Similar to a certified arborist, consulting arborists are another great resource for dutiful plant-lovers who want to know detailed information about their trees.
Looking for a certified arborist outside of our service area? Find one with an ISA accreditation.
Consulting Arborists
A consulting arborist specializes in slightly different work than a certified arborist. A consulting arborist is able to provide in depth reports of a tree’s condition and health. This is a great starting point if you are unsure if your trees need any work done or not! Consulting arborists are accredited through the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA). Typically a certified arborist is able to help with most projects, but every now and then a consulting arborist is needed as well. So, what exactly does a consulting arborist do?
Services a Consulting Arborist Can Provide:
- Tree Risk Assessments
- Tree/plant inventories
- Tree planting programs and recommendations
- Contracting preparation
- Expert witness and litigation
- Detailed reports
Need a consulting arborist? You can search for one via your zip code.
How Certified Arborists Can Help You
You may be wondering what kind of work requires a certified arborist versus a typical landscaping crew. In truth, there are some smaller projects that can be executed just fine by a less skilled crew. There are times, however, when a highly-trained arborist is the only one who can help.
Examples of Work a Certified Arborist Does:
- Proper tree pruning that prioritizes the health of the tree
- Diagnosing and prescribing treatment for plant diseases and fungi
- Identify and treat for plant pests
- Create a plan to maintain the health and improve the longevity of your beloved trees and shrubs
- Provide plans for seasonal protection
RTEC’s Certified Arborists
Now that you know the importance of certified arborists, it’s time to meet our favorite team!
Andy Ross
As the founder of RTEC Treecare, Andy has been contributing to the advancement of the local tree care industry for almost 30 years! From a young Andy had a love for nature, and he has been involved in the community ever since. In fact, Andy has even served as the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Board Chair.
Ben Gotch
If you’ve had tree work done by us in recent years, chances are you have met Ben! He is RTEC’s residential arborist and a self-proclaimed tree nerd. Ben has been working for over 15 years as a certified arborist to help homeowners throughout the DMV keep their yards happy and healthy.
Jim Osborn
Looking for help with a complex government project? Jim is the arborist for you! With decades of experience in the field, Jim has seen it all, and is able to take anything on. RTEC has been honored to work closely with national parks over the years to restore precious trees and landscapes, and Jim has been the mastermind behind it. To learn more about our successful government projects, click here!
Hannah Garber
As our newest arborist, Hannah is eager to start tackling real world plant problems. Hannah is passionate about environmentally equality and wants to protect our oldest living organisms (trees). You can look forward to seeing Hannah work with the Environmental Justice Alliance to bring high-quality tree care to people in historically underserved communities!
The benefits of a certified arborist cannot be overstated. By hiring an RTEC certified arborist, you know you are getting years of wisdom, training, and an honest love for doing what is right for people and the planet!
