Category Ask Texas Tree Surgeons

There are many different names used to identify people who care for trees: tree trimmers, arborists, landscapers, etc. In Europe and other parts of the world, professionals who care for trees are often called “tree surgeons.” While that term is not in common use in North Texas, it does a great job of describing the level of care and attention that goes into properly trimming a tree.

What is the Difference between an Arborist and a Tree Surgeon?

Like “arborist,” the term “tree surgeon” could be applied, generally, to anyone who trims or otherwise cares for trees. In the US, there is no standard definition of “tree surgeon,” “arborist,” or any other general term. While some states have licensing for tree workers, there is no state arborist license in Texas. Luckily, the International Society of Arboriculture(ISA) has established a world-wide standard for tree worker education, training and certification. No matter what city, state, or country you are in, finding an ISA Certified Arborist(r) guarantees that the individual has experience and proven knowledge in the field of tree care. For more information about certified arborists, read our previous post.

How Can I Find a Reputable Tree Surgeon Near Me?

While anyone can call themselves a “tree surgeon” or “arborist,” there are a few important considerations to keep in mind when hiring a tree care service:

• Credentials

  • The most important credential a tree worker can have is ISA Certified Arborist

    • Find certified arborists in your area at https://treesaregood.com

    • This shows a proven understanding of tree health and biology, as well as industry-standard tree care practices

    • Additionally, there are specializations that an ISA Certified Arborist can attain

      • Tree Risk Assessment Qualification – for evaluating and remedying hazards related to a tree’s structure

      • Texas Oak Wilt Qualification – a local specialization for managing the oak wilt disease in Texas

      • Utility, municipal, etc. specializations – for arborists working in specific practice areas

  • If a company is applying pesticide or other regulated chemicals, they must employ someone with an applicator’s license

    • In Texas, these are administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture

  • Other certifications offered by organizations such as the Tree Care Industry Association or individual state licensing boards may indicate training or experience, but are not as comprehensive or universal as ISA certification.

• Insurance

  • Make sure that the company has coverage for damages or accidents that occur on your property

    • Ask to see a copy of their Certificate of Insurance, and don’t be afraid to call their insurers to verify coverage

• Reviews

  • Online reviews can give a good idea of past customers’ experiences with the company

    • Be wary of fake-sounding reviews

    • Keep in mind that some review platforms may allow companies to pay to remove bad reviews

  • Neighborhood-based social networks can be a good source for word-of-mouth referrals

• Customer Service

  • Any company you contact should have a easily-understandable procedure and good communication

  • Ask questions up front (such as about insurance, etc.) to avoid surprises later

  • Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics or too-good-to-be-true claims

    • Always feel free to get a second opinion

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! We are proud to call ourselves “tree surgeons,” and are dedicated to providing the best in tree care and customer service. We have ISA Certified Arborists on staff, who are ready to answer any question you have about caring for your trees. In addition, we have several ISA Board Certified Master Arborists, and an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist, each of whom have years of experience and have undergone extensive training and examination to attain those credentials. Just like medical practices, we are a team made up of individuals with different specialties and responsibilities, from the ISA Certified Arborists who evaluate your tree care needs, to the TDA Licensed Applicators who perform our Plant Health Care treatments, to our customer service professionals who ensure that communications among all parties happen seamlessly and efficiently. Want one of our professional tree surgeons out to take a look at your trees? Let us know!

We regularly get calls from prospective homebuyers and real estate agents asking us to assess the trees at a property before it is purchased. Sadly, we also get many calls from new homeowners who, not long after moving in, discover issues with the health or safety of their trees and are forced to remove them. Other homeowners, not native to North Texas, may have questions about trees that they are unfamiliar with, and want to know how best to care for them.

We’ve discussed the differences between ISA Certified Arborists and other types of tree workers, but there is a third category that is less well-known: the consulting arborist.

WHAT IS A CONSULTING ARBORIST?

While any arborist, certified or not, may be able to give an opinion or “consultation,” consulting arborists are specially-trained and able to provide formal, written opinions and reports. Additionally, consulting arborists are often called upon to serve as expert witnesses in court cases or other proceedings. Consulting arborists may specialize in certain areas, as well, such as tree appraisal, tree inventories, or education. The organization that sets the standards for consulting arborists and provides training and certification is the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA).

HOW DO YOU BECOME A CONSULTING ARBORIST?

As with any field, it takes experience, training, and education to become a source for reliable opinions. ASCA has established the Registered Consulting Arborist© (RCA) credential to indicate that an individual has achieved a demonstrable level of knowledge of proper tree care and assessment. There are many paths to RCA status, the two most common being formal postgraduate education in a tree-related field or achievement of the ISA Board Certified Master Arborist credential. In addition to this education and training, candidates for RCA status must complete ASCA’s own Consulting Academy and demonstrate their ability to assess, analyze, and communicate information related to tree health and safety by completing several written reports based on both hypothetical and actual situations. After achieving RCA status, the consulting arborist must maintain the credential through continuing education. Additionally, ASCA offers training in tree appraisal and many other specialized topics for RCA credential holders.

HOW CAN A CONSULTING ARBORIST HELP ME?

Depending on your situation, there are many services that a consulting arborist may offer that other tree care professionals may be unable to perform. One common area of expertise that RCAs offer is that of tree inventory and appraisal. In coordination with real estate professionals, and depending on the area, an RCA can assess and appraise the trees and other landscaping to determine a replacement or insurance value. Another area is the preparation of a report detailing the health or safety issues affecting a particular tree or trees. These reports are often used when damage has occurred as the result of construction or other human activity in order to establish liability for loss. In other cases, the consulting arborist’s report is presented to an HOA or similar governing organization in order to establish a need for remediation. One particularly helpful area of consulting arborist service is education of homeowners, homebuyers, and home builders. With the right information and safeguards, home builders can minimize the effects of construction on existing trees and landscape architects can better choose trees to add to a property. Similarly, homeowners and prospective homebuyers can better understand the needs of their trees and better anticipate any issues that may arise based on the species, age, and location of their trees. Consulting arborists can also help to draft tree preservation plans for construction sites and care and maintenance plans for tree owners.

HOW MUCH DOES AN ARBORIST CONSULTATION COST?

How much a consulting arborist charges for his or her services can vary greatly for region to region and service to service. For a detailed report, tree inventory, or tree appraisals, consulting arborists generally charge an hourly rate to cover site visit, research, analysis, and preparing the written report. Rates for consulting arborists vary, but generally range from $100 to $300 per hour. Be sure to ask for a price quote before contracting for services to avoid any surprises. Some services, such as a standard residential property review, may be available for a flat fee.

Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what’s wrong? Let us know!

I sometimes hear the term “tree doctor;” is that a real thing?

We are used to going to the doctor when we are sick. We go to the dentist for our teeth, and take our pets to the veterinarian, but what about our trees? Is there such a thing as a “tree doctor?” How can I find a “tree doctor” near me?

Luckily, there are “tree doctors,” and like human doctors, they have to undergo education, have experience, and can have certain specializations. Also like human doctors, “tree doctors,” called “certified arborists,” rely on many other professionals to provide the highest standard of care.

What is a Tree Doctor?

• In the tree care industry, “tree doctors” are called “certified arborists.”
  • When we use the term “certified arborist,” we mean a tree worker with a specific set of skills and training.
• The organization that sets the standards for arborist certification, like the licensing boards for physicians, is called the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
  • The ISA has chapters all over the world, and covers every state in the US.
• In order to be certified by the ISA, an arborist must demonstrate experience caring for trees, pass a written exam, and earn a certain amount of continuing education credits.
  • Certification must be renewed every three years.

If ISA Certified Arborists are tree doctors in general practice, then ISA Board Certified Master Arborists are like specialists.

• To become a master arborist, one must be a certified arborist for a certain number of years or have a degree in arboriculture, forestry, or a related field.
  • On top of that, one must have demonstrated experience as an arborist for a period of time, pass a difficult written exam, and be individually approved by the ISA Board of Examiners.
  • To maintain board certification, the master arborist has to complete extensive continuing education in different subject areas every three years.

What Does a Tree Doctor Do?

Certified arborists are trained in all aspects of tree care, including proper trimming, health assessments, pest and disease diagnosis, watering and fertilization, planting, and basic tree safety protocols.

• Depending on their particular job, an arborist may have more experience in one area than another, or may have additional skills, like tree climbing.
• In general, certified arborists should know how to trim a tree to keep it healthy; how to identify diseases, pests, or stressors that might be affecting the tree; and when to recommend removal for safety reasons.

In addition to the fundamentals of tree care, some certified arborists attain further credentials in a specific area.

• An often-studied subject is how to identify and manage safety risks related to tree breakage or failure.
  • The ISA has established the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) as a way for certified arborists to demonstrate their knowledge in this area.
• The Texas Chapter of the ISA has also created the Texas Oak Wilt Qualification (TOWQ) to recognize certified arborists who are trained in the identification and management of the virulent oak wilt disease.
• Additionally, there are qualifications available for specialized tree workers, for safety specialists, and for arborists who work around dangerous power lines or perform municipal work.

Will A Tree Doctor Trim My Trees?

While all ISA Certified Arborists should understand proper tree trimming for health and safety, that does not necessarily mean that it is the arborists themselves who do the actual trimming or other tree work.

• In the case of larger, more established tree care companies, certified arborists will establish protocols and methods for tree care.
  • Guidelines for tree care are published by the ISA, the Tree Care Industry Association, and other professional associations,
  • The instructions of certified arborists will be executed by trained tree workers, who may not hold arborist certifications themselves.
• Similarly, if trees need fertilization or pest control, the individuals who apply the products are usually experienced in the application process, not the diagnosis.

It may be helpful, again, to compare a “tree doctor” to a medical doctor. In most cases, especially in a larger clinic or hospital setting, the primary care doctor will diagnose an illness or condition and write orders for further testing, prescriptions for medications, or referrals to specialists.

• Certified arborists oversee the entire process of care for a particular tree, deciding on a course of action.
  • From there, the certified arborists assign certain tasks to certain other team members who are experienced and trained in that area.
• The tree climbers and other tree workers are like the physician’s assistants and medical technicians who perform the specific tasks of patient care.
• The plant health care technicians are like the pharmacists who distribute medication.
• Certified arborists even have access to a lab for performing tests on samples — in Texas, the experts at the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory provide lab services for arborists all over the state.

Nurses and patient care professionals are tasked with the day-to-day activities of treating disease, and the diverse members of a tree care team each have a particular set of skills that lead to trees receiving the highest level of care.

Do Tree Doctors Know Everything About Trees?

Additionally, just as medical doctors recommend second opinions or refer patients to specialists, effective certified arborists consult with others in their field to offer better tree care. As mentioned before, master arborists have a greater depth of knowledge and experience in many areas, and can provide support to other arborists as well as primary tree care themselves.

• Certified arborists with a credential in a specific disease or in tree risk assessment may be asked to consult on a particular project.
• In some instances, such as when a tree’s monetary value is in question, even master arborists may seek the services of an American Society of Consulting Arborists registered individual who has received training in the area of tree valuation.
• Ultimately, the best certified arborists in your area may not individually have detailed knowledge of every particular of tree care, but they should know how to find it.
• When you are considering hiring an arborist, be sure to ask about what resources (experts, labs, etc.) they use to diagnose and care for trees.

Like a trustworthy medical doctor, a reliable tree doctor knows when to ask for help, to make sure your trees are expertly cared for.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we are proud to employ ISA Certified Arborists and Board Certified Master Arborists holding both Tree Risk Assessment and Texas Oak Wilt Qualifications. Our arborists are committed to continuing education and growing in the knowledge and practice of their profession. Our full-service tree care team includes experienced crews who train under an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Texas Department of Agriculture Licensed Applicators who apply our plant health care products, and a diverse support staff who handle all aspects of our locally-owned and family-run business. We are always happy to answer your questions about how we work and what we do. To learn more about our services, training, and experience, browse our website or get in touch!

Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what’s wrong? Let us know!

I have a sprinkler system in my yard. Do I need to do anything special for my trees?

We have discussed the watering needs of trees before, but proper watering is something that cannot be reinforced enough. Even when North Texas is not in a drought condition, the summers are long and hot and take their toll on every yard and green space.

While in-ground sprinkler systems can do a great job of providing water to turf grass and smaller landscape features, trees need particular care and attention when it comes to watering. Most sprinkler set-ups, unfortunately, do not provide enough water in the right areas to keep large trees hydrated. However, the simple addition of a garden or soaker hose to your watering routine can keep all your trees healthy during the hottest parts of the year. The best method of watering depends upon the age and size of the tree.

How Should I Water A New Tree?

Newly-planted trees are already in a vulnerable state, having been stressed from the transplantation process. Even when properly planted, a young tree can easily succumb to under- or over-watering.

• Young trees require watering more often than older, established trees.
  • It can take some time to properly determine the best watering schedule for your trees.
• To start, use a garden hose to water all around the root area of the tree.
  • If the tree has been well-mulched, you may have a small “basin” around the trunk.
  • Fill this area, let it soak in, and then fill it again.
• After this initial watering, check the root area soil every two to three days for moisture.
  • Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!
  • You need to feel how wet the soil is to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.
    • A screwdriver can be useful to test the firmness of the soil, but using your hands to feel for moisture is best.
  • If the soil is dry, water again.
  • If the soil is still wet, wait another day or two and check again.
• The exact watering schedule for your tree depends on
  • Composition of the soil
  • How well the soil drains
  • Other plants competing for the water
  • Weather
• Ideally, you want to keep the entire root zone moist, but not soggy, to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.
  • As the weather changes, be sure to adjust your watering routine accordingly.

How Do I Water a Mature Tree?

Watering a mature, established tree allows for a greater margin-of-error than tending to a newly-planted one. As trees grow, they develop the ability to store more water in their root systems so they can survive periods of drought.

• It is important to water the entire root zone, under and beyond the canopy dripline.
• Wet the soil to a depth of 12 to 18 inches.
  • Use of a screwdriver or other probe can be helpful in determining soil moisture below the surface.
• Once the root area is properly watered, it may not need to be watered again for one to two weeks or more, depending on the weather.
• Regular monitoring is key to maintaining the proper level of moisture.

Can I Water a Tree Too Much?

Trees, both young and old, are as stressed by too much water as they are by not enough. The signs of over-watering can often be mistaken for under-watering.

• Soggy soil is the first and biggest sign of over-watering.
  • If there is standing water, or the ground is squishy, the soil is waterlogged and needs time to dry out.
• Yellowing leaves can be a sign of both over-and under-watered trees
  • If the leaves are leathery, rather than dry, or hard to pull off the tree, it is likely that the tree has been watered too much.
• Visible fungus activity, such as mushrooms at the base or on the trunk of the tree, is a sure sign that there is too much water present.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! The wet spring we had in 2020 caused a lot of fungal issues with trees in North Texas. Over-watering during the summer can extend the duration of those issues, or cause them to get worse. Under-watering during the hottest parts of the year can lead to tree decline and death. Don’t rely on your sprinkler system to do all the work! Check your trees regularly for signs of over- or under-watering and make adjustments as necessary. If you have any questions about your watering schedule or your trees’ health, let us know! We are always happy to have one of our arborists out to evaluate your tree and provide recommendations for how best to care for them.