What is Arboriculture?

1. What is Arboriculture? • Horticulture is “the art and science of cultivating plants.” • Arboriculture is “the art and science of cultivating trees.” 1

2. Who and What Are Arborists? “Specialists in the planting and maintenance of trees.” -Webster’s Dictionary 2

3. Who and What Are Arborists? • The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) describes arboriculture as a broad field with several areas of specialization: • Municipal arborists (urban foresters) are involved in the management of publicly owned trees, particularly in cities, towns and other public agencies. They are commonly employed by public agencies either directly or on a contract basis. 3

4. Who and What Are Arborists? Commercial arborists operate businesses that provide tree care services such as pruning, fertilization, health care, planting and tree removal on a fee basis. Clientele include public agencies, private firms and individuals. 4

5. Who and What Are Arborists? Utility arborists are involved in the management of trees along utility rights-of-way. Their primary management goal is to prevent power outages. To that end, utility arborists are involved in; assessing the need for and scheduling tree selection, pruning, applying growth regulators and tree removal. They may be employed by the utility itself or by contractors who provide vegetation management services. 5

6. Who and What Are Arborists? Consulting arborists provide technical expertise including; problem diagnosis, management programs, tree appraisal and litigation support rather than performing service work. Although most consulting arborists operate on a commercial basis, employees of some government institutions may also provide consulting expertise. -Arboriculture, 4th ed. Harris, Clark, Matheny 6

7. Licensing and Certification • Licensing is generally a state(?) or local designation. There is no federal licensing of arborists. • Pesticide application is governed by licensing at the state level. (Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Plant Industry) • Certification is provided by The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Consulting Arborists may obtain the title of Registered Consulting Arborist through The American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA). 7

8. Certifications ISA Certified Arborist – “These professional arborists have a minimum of three years experience in some aspect of tree care and have passed an exam developed by an international panel of experts. The exam extensively covers every aspect of tree care and the individuals must have an acceptable level of knowledge in all areas of arboriculture.” There are approximately 19,000 nationwide. -International Society of Arboriculture, 2008 8

9. Certifications • ISA Board Certified Master Arborist… Requires passing score on an additional, more in depth exam and double the annual requirement for ceus. There are approximately 200 nationwide. • ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist…Requires completion of a 3 day consulting academy, passing score on final exam, passing score on several case study reports and additional annual ceu requirements. There are approximately 220 nationwide. 9

10. Certifications • ISA Certified Tree Worker… These credential holders have a minimum of 18 months experience professionally climbing trees in a safe and efficient manner to perform tree care. They have knowledge in the major aspects involved in tree care including; pruning, removal, cabling and safety. They must pass a knowledge exam and a skills exam conducted by trained evaluators. 10

11. What Can Arborists Do For You? 11

12. What Can Arborists Do For You? • Pruning • Removals • Planting • Fertilization • Pest management/IPM • Specialized services • Lightning protection • Root collar excavation • Growth regulation • Problem diagnosis • Tree preservation • Remediation of construction damage • Tree inventories & appraisals • Risk assessment • Tree management plans • Crew training 12