Charlotte Arborists Association
FAQ's about certified arborists
What is a ISA certified arborist ?
An ISA certified arborist is a tree professional who has at least 3 years experience in the tree industry and has PASSED a test on legitimate tree practices. The certificate is administered by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). It is a voluntary certification.
They must also attended educational classes to keep their certificate valid.
Certified arborists carry a card with them that should resemble following pattern: SO-1495. The SO stands for Southern Chapter. Check the list of certified arborists or contact the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at 336.2561 if you doubt that someone is a certified arborist.
Be wary: just because an arborist is a member of ISA or NAA (National Arborist Association) does not mean he/she is an ISA certified arborist.
What practices should I pay for ?
Removing dead, diseased, or damaged wood any time of year.
Fertilizing trees based on a soil test.
What types of practices should I not pay for ?
Do not have your small or large trees topped. This can lead to long or short term tree damage/death. Instead have your tree's health and structure inspected once every 3 years by a certified arborist.
Do NOT let an arborist climb your tree with spikes on their shoes if you want to keep the tree. This practice inflicts hundreds of wounds on the tree.
Do NOT have the interior of your tree excessively limbed up or thinned out.
How do I know if an ISA certified arborist is removing a tree just to make money ?
ISA certified arborists have based their skills and reputations on preserving trees. They like trees. It's not just a way for them to make a buck. They will only remove trees if they feel it is a structural hazard. A ball park estimate we use is that if the tree has lost 1/3 of its structural integrity removal is recommended.
Those who are not ISA certified arborists often do not have the skills or interest in preserving trees.