When it comes to maintaining the health and safety of trees, whether in urban landscapes or rural settings, arborist consultations are invaluable. Arborists are trained professionals specializing in tree care, offering a range of services from planting to maintenance to removal. Three common reasons for seeking their expertise include disease diagnosis, pest problems, and risk assessment.
Disease Diagnosis
Trees, like any living organism, are susceptible to diseases which can affect their growth, stability, and aesthetics. The signs of tree diseases can be subtle and often go unnoticed until significant damage has occurred. Common symptoms include discoloration of leaves, dieback of branches, abnormal growth patterns, and the presence of fungi. Homeowners or property managers often seek arborist consultations when they notice such symptoms but cannot identify the specific illness or its severity.
Arborists employ various diagnostic tools and methods to determine the exact nature of the disease affecting a tree. They might collect samples for laboratory analysis or use specialized equipment to assess tree health more accurately. Based on the diagnosis, arborists can recommend appropriate treatments such as fungicides, adjusted watering practices, or soil amendments which could help manage the disease and prevent further deterioration.
Pest Problems
Pests pose another significant threat to tree health and longevity. Insects such as borers, beetles, aphids, and caterpillars can cause extensive damage if not controlled timely. Arborists are skilled in identifying these pests and understanding their life cycles which is crucial for effective management.
During a consultation for pest problems, an arborist will inspect trees for signs of infestation like holes in the bark, sawdust-like frass (insect droppings), weakened limbs, leaf deformities or premature leaf drop. Knowing what pest is present guides the selection of treatment options - biological controls (like introducing natural predators), mechanical controls (such as trapping), chemical applications or cultural practices like altering irrigation schedules to discourage pests.
Risk Assessment
Perhaps one of the most critical reasons for seeking an arborist's consultation is risk assessment. Trees can become liabilities if they pose risks due to instability or structural compromises that might lead to falling branches or tree failure particularly during storms or under heavy loads.
Risk assessment involves evaluating a tree's location relative to homes, utility lines and public spaces alongside assessing its health status. An arborist looks at factors such as soil condition and moisture levels; trunk integrity; root health; branch attachment points; previous storm damage; and general age-related decline among other criteria. If a risk is deemed significant enough they might advise on preventive measures ranging from pruning overextended limbs enhancing stability through cabling systems or even recommending removal if no other remedy ensures safety.
In conclusion while trees add immense value environmentally aesthetically economically managing them well requires understanding recognizing addressing challenges posed by diseases pests potential hazards timely effectively All this underscores importance invaluable role played by professional arborists ensuring our green assets continue thrive contribute positively ecosystems communities alike
The Diagnostic Process: How Arborists Assess Tree Health
When it comes to the health and safety of trees, arborists play a crucial role. These trained professionals are not only experts in the care of trees but also masters in diagnosing various tree-related problems. The diagnostic process is a fundamental aspect of their work, enabling them to recommend precise interventions that can help maintain or restore a tree's health. This process involves a combination of visual inspection techniques and the use of specialized equipment.
Visual Inspection
The first step in an arborist's diagnostic process usually involves a thorough visual inspection. This is where the arborist examines the tree for any signs of distress or abnormalities. They look at the overall vigor of the tree, checking for any symptoms such as discolored leaves, defoliation, or unusual leaf sizes and shapes which can be indicative of nutrient deficiencies or disease.
The structure of the tree is critically assessed during this visual check. An arborist will look for weak branches, cracks in the trunk, decay (which might be hidden deep within the trunk), or any cavities that could compromise the tree's structural integrity. The presence of fungi, such as mushrooms growing at the base of the trunk, can also indicate rot or other internal issues.
Another critical area inspected by arborists is the root zone because problems here often manifest throughout the entire tree. Symptoms like heaving soil or fungal growth can suggest issues with root health which might be due to waterlogging, compaction, or harmful pathogens.
Use of Specialized Equipment
To supplement their visual inspections and gain deeper insights into a tree's condition, arborists employ various specialized tools and equipment. One common tool is a resistograph, which helps detect internal decay by measuring resistance as a fine drill penetrates wood tissue. This data provides an understanding of how solid or hollow parts of a wood structure are without causing significant damage to the tree.
Similarly, air spades are used to gently blow away soil around roots using compressed air allowing for close examination without harming root structures. This method is particularly useful for inspecting root health and identifying potential issues like girdling roots or root rot.
For more extensive assessments especially in large trees or those in sensitive environments, arborists might use sonic tomography technology. This innovative tool uses sound waves to create cross-sectional images revealing internal flaws such as cracks or hollow sections inside trunks.
Finally, drones equipped with cameras can offer a bird's-eye view providing comprehensive visuals on otherwise difficult-to-reach branches and crowns. This method not only improves safety by reducing the need for climbing but also offers detailed observations about crown density and other aerial aspects impacting tree health.
Conclusion
In summary, assessing tree health is both an art and science requiring skillful observation combined with technological assistance from specialized equipment. Through these methods-visual inspection paired with advanced tools-an arborist can diagnose current issues accurately while also predicting potential future problems thereby guiding effective treatment plans ensuring longevity and sustainability of trees within our landscapes.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a multifaceted strategy that integrates various environmentally sensitive approaches to managing pest populations. In the context of arboriculture, where the focus is on maintaining and preserving tree health, IPM plays a crucial role in effectively controlling tree pests in a sustainable manner. Arborists often rely on IPM not only to mitigate damage caused by pests but also to ensure that interventions are ecologically responsible and beneficial for long-term tree health.
IPM strategies begin with a thorough assessment of the affected environment, which involves identifying both the pest species and their natural enemies. This diagnostic phase is critical as it helps determine the most appropriate methods to manage pests without causing undue harm to other organisms or disrupting the ecological balance. Arborists conduct detailed inspections of trees and surrounding areas to assess symptoms of pest activity such as leaf discolorations, abnormal growth patterns, or visible damage to bark and foliage.
One of the primary tactics used in IPM is cultural control, which aims at modifying maintenance practices to reduce pest attraction and reproduction. This could involve adjusting watering schedules because excessively moist conditions can attract certain pests or pruning techniques that help avoid creating entry points for pathogens. Proper hygiene around tree bases by removing fallen debris can also discourage pest breeding.
Mechanical controls constitute another strategy within IPM, focusing on physically removing or blocking pests from accessing trees. For example, installing barriers like trunk wraps can prevent borers from infiltrating tree bark. Similarly, manual removal of infested branches or employing traps can help control insect populations without resorting to chemical measures.
Biological control involves using natural predators or parasites of the target pests as a method of controlling them. Introducing or encouraging beneficial insects like ladybugs, which feed on aphids, can help keep those pest populations in check naturally.
When these methods are insufficient alone and chemical intervention becomes necessary, IPM still emphasizes minimal use of pesticides and focuses instead on targeted applications rather than widespread spraying. Selective pesticides that are less toxic to non-target species are preferred, and treatments are applied only during stages when pests are most vulnerable and when it will have minimal impact on other organisms.
Monitoring continues throughout all stages of IPM implementation. Regular follow-ups allow arborists to assess treatment efficacy and make adjustments if necessary. Monitoring also ensures early detection of any new threats before they become significant problems.
Effective communication forms an essential part of IPM strategies in arboricultural settings. Educating clients about signs of pest problems, prevention techniques, and treatment plans fosters cooperation that is vital for successful management programs.
In conclusion, Integrated Pest Management represents more than just an approach to dealing with tree pests; it embodies a philosophy aimed at achieving pest control objectives in an environmentally sensitive manner while promoting sustainable ecosystem health. Through diligent diagnostics, diverse management strategies ranging from cultural practices to biological controls, careful pesticide use where necessary, continuous monitoring, and effective client education, arborists can manage tree pests effectively while safeguarding our green environments for future generations.
In the realm of arboriculture, maintaining the health of trees is crucial not only for the aesthetics and environmental benefits they offer but also for safety reasons. Arborists play a key role in this by providing expert consultations and diagnostics to identify tree diseases, which is essential for effective management and treatment. This essay explores common methods employed in disease identification and discusses recommended treatments or prevention strategies.
To begin with, an arborist's approach to diagnosing tree diseases often starts with a thorough visual inspection. Symptoms like discolored leaves, stunted growth, abnormal leaf fall, visible fungi, or unusual growths are all potential indicators of disease. It's important to understand that different species may exhibit specific symptoms or be prone to particular pathogens. For instance, oak trees might suffer from oak wilt characterized by leaf discoloration and wilting, while apple trees might show signs of apple scab through dark, olive-colored spots on leaves.
After initial observations, further diagnostic techniques could include sampling soil around the tree or testing parts of the plant itself in a lab. This helps in identifying pathogens like bacteria, fungi, or viruses that could be affecting the tree's health. Advanced techniques such as DNA analysis can also be used for precise identification of less common or newly emerging diseases.
Once a disease is identified, treatment options vary depending on the severity and type of disease. Chemical treatments can include fungicides or bactericides applied directly to affected areas or used as soil treatments to target root infections. However, chemical interventions are increasingly being replaced or supplemented by more sustainable practices.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies are highly recommended due to their holistic approach. IPM involves multiple tactics: cultural controls such as proper sanitation which involves removing diseased leaves or branches to prevent spread; mechanical controls like adjusting irrigation practices to avoid waterlogging (which often exacerbates fungal infections); biological controls using natural predators or antagonists to reduce pathogen levels; and chemical control as a last resort.
Preventative measures are equally vital in managing tree health. Proper selection of species resistant to certain pathogens is crucial when planting new trees. Regular maintenance schedules including appropriate pruning help improve air circulation through the branches and reduce moisture retention on leaves which minimally invites pathogens.
Moreover, improving soil conditions by adding organic matter can enhance root health and overall tree vigor making them less susceptible to diseases. Regular consultation with an arborist ensures early detection of potential issues through scheduled check-ups thereby avoiding large-scale damage not only to individual trees but also ensuring overall ecosystem stability within urban landscapes.
In conclusion, effective management of tree diseases requires a combination of careful observation skills enhanced by scientific diagnostic tools followed by targeted treatment plans incorporating both chemical and non-chemical strategies. Preventative care through cultural practices forms the backbone of sustainable disease management ensuring that our valuable arboreal assets continue contributing positively towards urban environments. Engaging professional arborist services ensures that these aspects are handled efficiently with expertise leading not only towards healthier trees but also promoting an enriched coexistence between nature and urban life.
Tree risk assessment is a critical aspect of urban and suburban landscape management, necessitating specialized knowledge that only professional arborists can provide. The increasing integration of trees into urban planning underscores the need for these evaluations, which aim to balance ecological benefits with human safety.
The structural integrity and safety risks posed by trees are influenced by various factors including age, species, soil conditions, weather events, and proximity to structures or human activity. Without proper assessment and management, the very trees intended to beautify and benefit our communities could pose significant threats.
An arborist's consultation begins with a thorough inspection of the tree in question. This involves looking at signs of disease or decay such as fungi growth or dead branches. Arborists also evaluate the tree's structure; weak branch unions or cracks in the trunk could indicate potential failure points. Root health is another crucial element examined during an assessment since issues like root rot or upheaval can compromise a tree's stability without obvious above-ground signs.
Another important aspect of tree risk assessment involves understanding the context in which a tree exists-its relationship with its immediate environment. For example, trees standing alone often withstand more wind stress compared to those in a forested area, potentially leading to increased risk of falling during severe weather events. Similarly, trees near construction sites might be subjected to soil compaction or root damage, affecting their health and stability.
Arborists use tools like resistographs to measure wood density and detect internal decay and sonic tomography for imaging internal flaws. These diagnostics help in making informed decisions about whether a tree should be preserved through care interventions or removed for safety.
Risk assessment isn't just about identifying problems but also involves proactive management strategies aimed at prolonging tree life and ensuring public safety. Pruning overgrown branches can reduce weight and wind resistance, while cabling weaker limbs provides additional support against external forces like strong winds.
Urban planners and property owners must heed the advice given by arborists following a risk assessment. These professionals not only identify risks but also recommend solutions tailored to each specific situation - whether it's regular maintenance schedules, immediate corrective actions, or sometimes removal when other mitigation measures are deemed insufficient.
Ultimately, effective tree risk assessments contribute significantly towards creating safer urban environments while preserving valuable green spaces that enhance our quality of life. Engaging qualified arborists ensures that our community landscapes remain both beautiful and safe for everyone who navigates them.
Soil Analysis and Its Importance in Arborist Consultations and Diagnostics
Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy tree. It's where trees absorb most of their nutrients, water, and oxygen – essential elements for their growth and survival. The complex relationship between soil conditions and tree health highlights the crucial role of soil analysis in arboriculture. Through comprehensive diagnostics, arborists use soil testing to ensure that trees thrive in their environment, thereby maintaining both the aesthetic and ecological value they add to landscapes.
Soils vary greatly in composition, structure, pH level, nutrient content, and moisture availability. Each of these factors plays a significant role in determining a tree's health. For instance, compacted soils can limit root growth and reduce oxygen availability to roots, leading to stunted growth or even tree death. Similarly, soils with improper pH levels can hinder the absorption of essential nutrients by trees. A soil that is too acidic or alkaline can lock out necessary minerals like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium which are crucial for tree growth and resilience against diseases.
Arborists often begin their consultations with thorough soil testing to understand these variables accurately. This process involves collecting soil samples from multiple locations around a tree at various depths. These samples are then analyzed for texture (clay, sand, silt), structure (compactness), pH level (acidity), nutrient content (like nitrogen and phosphorus levels), organic matter content as well as moisture holding capacity.
The importance of this analysis cannot be overstated when it comes to diagnosing problems or planning care routines for trees. For example, if an arborist identifies a deficiency in magnesium through a soil test this could explain why leaves might be turning yellow prematurely. Similarly discovering high salt concentrations might explain wilting despite adequate rainfall or irrigation.
Based on the results of these tests an arborist can make informed recommendations tailored specifically to each tree’s needs which might involve altering watering schedules adjusting fertilizers applying lime to adjust pH levels or aerating the soil to reduce compaction.
Furthermore preventive measures such as regular monitoring of nutrient levels can help anticipate issues before they become severe ensuring that trees remain robust over time.
In conclusion understanding soil conditions through detailed analysis is indispensable within arboriculture consultations and diagnostics not only does it enable targeted interventions that rectify existing problems but it also provides insights into preventive strategies which ultimately contribute towards sustainable management practices enhancing both the longevity and vigor of trees within our urban forests.
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Forestry is the science and craft of creating, managing, planting, using, conserving and repairing forests and woodlands for associated resources for human and environmental benefits.[1] Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands.[2] The science of forestry has elements that belong to the biological, physical, social, political and managerial sciences.[3] Forest management plays an essential role in the creation and modification of habitats and affects ecosystem services provisioning.[4]
Modern forestry generally embraces a broad range of concerns, in what is known as multiple-use management, including: the provision of timber, fuel wood, wildlife habitat, natural water quality management, recreation, landscape and community protection, employment, aesthetically appealing landscapes, biodiversity management, watershed management, erosion control, and preserving forests as "sinks" for atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Forest ecosystems have come to be seen as the most important component of the biosphere,[5] and forestry has emerged as a vital applied science, craft, and technology. A practitioner of forestry is known as a forester. Another common term is silviculturist. Silviculture is narrower than forestry, being concerned only with forest plants, but is often used synonymously with forestry.
All people depend upon forests and their biodiversity, some more than others.[6] Forestry is an important economic segment in various industrial countries,[7] as forests provide more than 86 million green jobs and support the livelihoods of many more people.[6] For example, in Germany, forests cover nearly a third of the land area,[8] wood is the most important renewable resource, and forestry supports more than a million jobs and about €181 billion of value to the German economy each year.[9]
Worldwide, an estimated 880 million people spend part of their time collecting fuelwood or producing charcoal, many of them women.[6][quantify] Human populations tend to be low in areas of low-income countries with high forest cover and high forest biodiversity, but poverty rates in these areas tend to be high.[6] Some 252 million people living in forests and savannahs have incomes of less than US$1.25 per day.[6]
Over the past centuries, forestry was regarded as a separate science. With the rise of ecology and environmental science, there has been a reordering in the applied sciences. In line with this view, forestry is a primary land-use science comparable with agriculture.[10] Under these headings, the fundamentals behind the management of natural forests comes by way of natural ecology. Forests or tree plantations, those whose primary purpose is the extraction of forest products, are planned and managed to utilize a mix of ecological and agroecological principles.[11] In many regions of the world there is considerable conflict between forest practices and other societal priorities such as water quality, watershed preservation, sustainable fishing, conservation, and species preservation.[12]
Silvology (Latin: silva or sylva, "forests and woods"; Ancient Greek: -λογία, -logia, "science of" or "study of") is the biological science of studying forests and woodlands, incorporating the understanding of natural forest ecosystems, and the effects and development of silvicultural practices. The term complements silviculture, which deals with the art and practice of forest management.[13]
Silvology is seen as a single science for forestry and was first used by Professor Roelof A.A. Oldeman at Wageningen University.[14] It integrates the study of forests and forest ecology, dealing with single tree autecology and natural forest ecology.
Dendrology (Ancient Greek: δÎνδρον, dendron, "tree"; and Ancient Greek: -λογία, -logia, science of or study of) or xylology (Ancient Greek: ξÏλον, ksulon, "wood") is the science and study of woody plants (trees, shrubs, and lianas), specifically, their taxonomic classifications.[15] There is no sharp boundary between plant taxonomy and dendrology; woody plants not only belong to many different plant families, but these families may be made up of both woody and non-woody members. Some families include only a few woody species. Dendrology, as a discipline of industrial forestry, tends to focus on identification of economically useful woody plants and their taxonomic interrelationships. As an academic course of study, dendrology will include all woody plants, native and non-native, that occur in a region. A related discipline is the study of sylvics, which focuses on the autecology of genera and species.
The provenance of forest reproductive material used to plant forests has a great influence on how the trees develop, hence why it is important to use forest reproductive material of good quality and of high genetic diversity.[16] More generally, all forest management practices, including in natural regeneration systems, may impact the genetic diversity of trees.
The term genetic diversity describes the differences in DNA sequence between individuals as distinct from variation caused by environmental influences. The unique genetic composition of an individual (its genotype) will determine its performance (its phenotype) at a particular site.[17]
Genetic diversity is needed to maintain the vitality of forests and to provide resilience to pests and diseases. Genetic diversity also ensures that forest trees can survive, adapt and evolve under changing environmental conditions. Furthermore, genetic diversity is the foundation of biological diversity at species and ecosystem levels. Forest genetic resources are therefore important to consider in forest management.[16]
Genetic diversity in forests is threatened by forest fires, pests and diseases, habitat fragmentation, poor silvicultural practices and inappropriate use of forest reproductive material.
About 98 million hectares of forest were affected by fire in 2015; this was mainly in the tropical domain, where fire burned about 4 percent of the total forest area in that year. More than two-thirds of the total forest area affected was in Africa and South America. Insects, diseases and severe weather events damaged about 40 million hectares of forests in 2015, mainly in the temperate and boreal domains.[18]
Furthermore, the marginal populations of many tree species are facing new threats due to the effects of climate change.[16]
Most countries in Europe have recommendations or guidelines for selecting species and provenances that can be used in a given site or zone.[17]
Forest management is a branch of forestry concerned with overall administrative, legal, economic, and social aspects, as well as scientific and technical aspects, such as silviculture, forest protection, and forest regulation. This includes management for timber, aesthetics, recreation, urban values, water, wildlife, inland and nearshore fisheries, wood products, plant genetic resources, and other forest resource values.[19] Management objectives can be for conservation, utilisation, or a mixture of the two. Techniques include timber extraction, planting and replanting of different species, building and maintenance of roads and pathways through forests, and preventing fire.
The first dedicated forestry school was established by Georg Ludwig Hartig at Hungen in the Wetterau, Hesse, in 1787, though forestry had been taught earlier in central Europe, including at the University of Giessen, in Hesse-Darmstadt.
In Spain, the first forestry school was the Forest Engineering School of Madrid (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Montes), founded in 1844.
The first in North America, the Biltmore Forest School was established near Asheville, North Carolina, by Carl A. Schenck on September 1, 1898, on the grounds of George W. Vanderbilt's Biltmore Estate. Another early school was the New York State College of Forestry, established at Cornell University just a few weeks later, in September 1898.
Early 19th century North American foresters went to Germany to study forestry. Some early German foresters also emigrated to North America.
In South America the first forestry school was established in Brazil, in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, in 1962, and moved the next year to become a faculty at the Federal University of Paraná, in Curitiba.[34]
Today, forestry education typically includes training in general biology, ecology, botany, genetics, soil science, climatology, hydrology, economics and forest management. Education in the basics of sociology and political science is often considered an advantage. Professional skills in conflict resolution and communication are also important in training programs.[35]
In India, forestry education is imparted in the agricultural universities and in Forest Research Institutes (deemed universities). Four year degree programmes are conducted in these universities at the undergraduate level. Masters and Doctorate degrees are also available in these universities.
In the United States, postsecondary forestry education leading to a Bachelor's degree or Master's degree is accredited by the Society of American Foresters.[36]
In Canada the Canadian Institute of Forestry awards silver rings to graduates from accredited university BSc programs, as well as college and technical programs.[37]
In many European countries, training in forestry is made in accordance with requirements of the Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area.
The International Union of Forest Research Organizations is the only international organization that coordinates forest science efforts worldwide.[38]
In order to keep up with changing demands and environmental factors, forestry education does not stop at graduation. Increasingly, forestry professionals engage in regular training to maintain and improve on their management practices. An increasingly popular tool are marteloscopes; one hectare large, rectangular forest sites where all trees are numbered, mapped and recorded.
These sites can be used to do virtual thinnings and test one's wood quality and volume estimations as well as tree microhabitats. This system is mainly suitable to regions with small-scale multi-functional forest management systems
Forestry literature is the books, journals and other publications about forestry.
The first major works about forestry in the English language included Roger Taverner's Booke of Survey (1565), John Manwood's A Brefe Collection of the Lawes of the Forrest (1592) and John Evelyn's Sylva (1662).[39]
cite book
cite journal
The Society of American Foresters grants accreditation only to specific educational curricula that lead to a first professional degree in forestry at the bachelor's or master's level.
This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 (license statement/permission). Text taken from Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 Key findings​, FAO, FAO.
This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (license statement/permission). Text taken from The State of the World's Forests 2020. Forests, biodiversity and people – In brief​, FAO & UNEP, FAO & UNEP.
This article incorporates text from a free content work. Licensed under CC BY-SA IGO 3.0 (license statement/permission). Text taken from World Food and Agriculture – Statistical Yearbook 2023​, FAO, FAO.
An arborist, or (less commonly) arboriculturist, is a professional in the practice of arboriculture, which is the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants in dendrology and horticulture.[citation needed]
Arborists generally focus on the health and safety of individual plants and trees, rather than managing forests or harvesting wood (silviculture or forestry). An arborist's scope of work is therefore distinct from that of either a forester or a logger.[citation needed]
In order for arborists to work near power wires, either additional training is required or they need to be certified as a Qualified Line Clearance Arborist or Utility Arborist (there may be different terminology for various countries). There is a variety of minimum distances that must be kept from power wires depending on voltage, however the common distance for low voltage lines in urban settings is 10 feet (about 3 metres).[1]
Arborists who climb (as not all do) can use a variety of techniques to ascend into the tree. The least invasive, and most popular technique used is to ascend on rope. There are two common methods of climbing, Single Rope System (SRS) and Moving Rope System (MRS). When personal safety is an issue, or the tree is being removed, arborists may use 'spikes', (also known as 'gaffs' or 'spurs') attached to their chainsaw boots with straps to ascend and work. Spikes wound the tree, leaving small holes where each step has been.[citation needed]
An arborist's work may involve very large and complex trees, or ecological communities and their abiotic components in the context of the landscape ecosystem. These may require monitoring and treatment to ensure they are healthy, safe, and suitable to property owners or community standards. This work may include some or all of the following: planting; transplanting; pruning; structural support; preventing, or diagnosing and treating phytopathology or parasitism; preventing or interrupting grazing or predation; installing lightning protection; and removing vegetation deemed as hazardous, an invasive species, a disease vector, or a weed.[citation needed]
Arborists may also plan, consult, write reports and give legal testimony. While some aspects of this work are done on the ground or in an office, much of it is done by arborists who perform tree services and who climb the trees with ropes, harnesses and other equipment. Lifts and cranes may be used too. The work of all arborists is not the same. Some may just provide a consulting service; others may perform climbing, pruning and planting: whilst others may provide a combination of all of these services.[2]
Arborists gain qualifications to practice arboriculture in a variety of ways and some arborists are more qualified than others. Experience working safely and effectively in and around trees is essential. Arborists tend to specialize in one or more disciplines of arboriculture, such as diagnosis and treatment of pests, diseases and nutritional deficiencies in trees, climbing and pruning, cabling and lightning protection, or consultation and report writing. All these disciplines are related to one another and some arborists are very well experienced in all areas of tree work, however not all arborists have the training or experience to properly practice every discipline.[citation needed]
Arborists choose to pursue formal certification, which is available in some countries and varies somewhat by location. An arborist who holds certification in one or more disciplines may be expected to participate in rigorous continuing education requirements to ensure constant improvement of skills and techniques.[citation needed]
In Australia, arboricultural education and training are streamlined countrywide through a multi-disciplinary vocational education, training, and qualification authority called the Australian Qualifications Framework, which offers varying levels of professional qualification. Government institutions including Technical and Further Education TAFE offer Certificate III or a diploma in arboriculture as well as some universities.[3][4] There are also many private institutions covering similar educational framework in each state. Recognition of prior learning is also an option for practicing arborists with 10 or more years of experience with no prior formal training. It allows them to be assessed and fast track their certification.[citation needed]
In France, a qualified arborist must hold a Management of Ornamental Trees certificate, and a qualified arborist climber must hold a Pruning and Care of Trees certificate; both delivered by the French Ministry of Agriculture.[5][6]
In the UK, an arborist can gain qualifications up to and including a master's degree. College-based courses include further education qualifications, such as national certificate, national diploma, while higher education courses in arboriculture include foundation degree, bachelor's degree and master's degree.[citation needed]
In the US, a Certified Arborist (CA) is a professional who has over three years of documented and verified experience and has passed a rigorous written test from the International Society of Arboriculture. Other designations include Municipal Specialist, Utility Specialist and Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA). The USA and Canada additionally have college-based training which, if passed, will give the certificate of Qualified Arborist. The Qualified Arborist can then be used to offset partial experience towards the Certified Arborist.
Tree Risk Assessment Qualified credential (TRAQ), designed by the International Society of Arboriculture, was launched in 2013. At that time people holding the TRACE credential were transferred over to the TRAQ credential.[citation needed]
In Canada, there are provincially governed apprenticeship programs that allow arborists' to work near power lines upon completion. These apprenticeship programs must meet the provincial reregulations (For example, in B.C. they must meet WorkSafeBC G19.30), and individuals must ensure they meet the requirements of the owner of the power system.[citation needed]
Trees in urban landscape settings are often subject to disturbances, whether human or natural, both above and below ground. They may require care to improve their chances of survival following damage from either biotic or abiotic causes. Arborists can provide appropriate solutions, such as pruning trees for health and good structure, for aesthetic reasons, and to permit people to walk under them (a technique often referred to as "crown raising"), or to keep them away from wires, fences and buildings (a technique referred to as "crown reduction").[7] Timing and methods of treatment depend on the species of tree and the purpose of the work. To determine the best practices, a thorough knowledge of local species and environments is essential.[citation needed]
There can be a vast difference between the techniques and practices of professional arborists and those of inadequately trained tree workers. Some commonly offered "services" are considered unacceptable by modern arboricultural standards and may seriously damage, disfigure, weaken, or even kill trees. One such example is tree topping, lopping, or "hat-racking", where entire tops of trees or main stems are removed, generally by cross-cutting the main stem(s) or leaders, leaving large unsightly stubs. Trees that manage to survive such treatment are left prone to a spectrum of detrimental effects, including vigorous but weakly attached regrowth, pest susceptibility, pathogen intrusion, and internal decay.[8]
Pruning should only be done with a specific purpose in mind. Every cut is a wound, and every leaf lost is removal of photosynthetic potential. Proper pruning can be helpful in many ways, but should always be done with the minimum amount of live tissue removed.[9]
In recent years, research has proven that wound dressings such as paint, tar or other coverings are unnecessary and may harm trees. The coverings may encourage growth of decay-causing fungi. Proper pruning, by cutting through branches at the right location, can do more to limit decay than wound dressing [10]
Chemicals can be applied to trees for insect or disease control through soil application, stem injections or spraying. Compacted or disturbed soils can be improved in various ways.[citation needed]
Arborists can also assess trees to determine the health, structure, safety or feasibility within a landscape and in proximity to humans. Modern arboriculture has progressed in technology and sophistication from practices of the past. Many current practices are based on knowledge gained through recent research, including that of Alex Shigo, considered one "father" of modern arboriculture.[11]
Depending on the jurisdiction, there may be a number of legal issues surrounding the practices of arborists, including boundary issues, public safety issues, "heritage" trees of community value, and "neighbour" issues such as ownership, obstruction of views, impacts of roots crossing boundaries, nuisance problems, disease or insect quarantines, and safety of nearby trees or plants that may be affected.[citation needed]
Arborists are frequently consulted to establish the factual basis of disputes involving trees, or by private property owners seeking to avoid legal liability through the duty of care.[12] Arborists may be asked to assess the value of a tree[13] in the process of an insurance claim for trees damaged or destroyed,[14] or to recover damages resulting from tree theft or vandalism.[15] In cities with tree preservation orders an arborist's evaluation of tree hazard may be required before a property owner may remove a tree, or to assure the protection of trees in development plans and during construction operations. Carrying out work on protected trees and hedges is illegal without express permission from local authorities,[16] and can result in legal action including fines.[17] Homeowners who have entered into contracts with a Homeowner's association (see also Restrictive covenants) may need an arborists' professional opinion of a hazardous condition prior to removing a tree, or may be obligated to assure the protection of the views of neighboring properties prior to planting a tree or in the course of pruning.[18] Arborists may be consulted in forensic investigations where the evidence of a crime can be determined within the growth rings of a tree, for example. Arborists may be engaged by one member of a dispute in order to identify factual information about trees useful to that member of the dispute, or they can be engaged as an expert witness providing unbiased scientific knowledge in a court case. Homeowners associations seeking to write restrictive covenants, or legislative bodies seeking to write laws involving trees, may seek the counsel of arborists in order to avoid future difficulties.[19]
Before undertaking works in the UK, arborists have a legal responsibility to survey trees for wildlife, especially bats, which are given particular legal protection. In addition, any tree in the UK can be covered by a tree preservation order and it is illegal to conduct any work on a tree, including deadwooding or pruning, before permission has been sought from the local council.[citation needed]
The protagonist in Italo Calvino's novel The Baron in the Trees lives life on the ground as a boy and spends the rest of his life swinging from tree to tree in the Italian countryside. As a young man he helps the local fruit farmers by pruning their trees.[citation needed]
Some noteworthy arborists include:
The International Society of Arboriculture, commonly known as ISA, is an international non-profit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia,[1] United States. The ISA serves the tree care industry as a paid membership association and a credentialing organization that promotes the professional practice of arboriculture.[2] ISA focuses on providing research, technology, and education opportunities for tree care professionals to develop their arboricultural expertise. ISA also works to educate the general public about the benefits of trees and the need for proper tree care.[3][4]
Worldwide, ISA has 22,000 members and 31,000 ISA-certified tree care professionals with 59 chapters, associate organizations, and professional affiliates throughout North America, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and South America.[5]
ISA offers the following credentials:
The Certified Arborist credential identifies professional arborists who have a minimum of three years' full-time experience working in the professional tree care industry and who have passed an examination covering facets of arboriculture.[6][7] The Western Chapter of the ISA started the certification program in the 1980s,[citation needed] with the ISA initiating it in 1992.[8]
The Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) or simply Master Arborist credential identifies professional arborists who have attained the highest level of arboriculture offered by the ISA and one of the two top levels in the field. There are several paths to the Board Certified Master Arborist, but typically on average each has been an ISA Certified Arborist a minimum of three to five years before qualifying for the exam (this can vary depending upon other education and experience). The certification began as a result of the need to distinguish the top few arborists and allow others to identify those with superior credentials.
The Master Arborist examination is a far more extensive exam than the Certified Arborist Exam, and covers a broad scope of both aboriculture management, science and work practices. The exam includes the following areas:
Another credential that is on a par with the Master Arborist is that of the American Society of Consulting Arborists, the Registered Consulting Arborist.[9] There are perhaps six hundred individuals with that qualification, and only 70 arborists who hold both credentials.[citation needed]
Arboriculture (/ˈɑËrbÉ™rɪˌkÊŒltʃər, É‘ËrˈbÉ”Ër-/)[1] is the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants. The science of arboriculture studies how these plants grow and respond to cultural practices and to their environment. The practice of arboriculture includes cultural techniques such as selection, planting, training, fertilization, pest and pathogen control, pruning, shaping, and removal.
A person who practices or studies arboriculture can be termed an arborist or an arboriculturist. A tree surgeon is more typically someone who is trained in the physical maintenance and manipulation of trees and therefore more a part of the arboriculture process rather than an arborist. Risk management, legal issues, and aesthetic considerations have come to play prominent roles in the practice of arboriculture. Businesses often need to hire arboriculturists to complete "tree hazard surveys" and generally manage the trees on-site to fulfill occupational safety and health obligations.[citation needed]
Arboriculture is primarily focused on individual woody plants and trees maintained for permanent landscape and amenity purposes, usually in gardens, parks or other populated settings, by arborists, for the enjoyment, protection, and benefit of people.[citation needed]
Arboricultural matters are also considered to be within the practice of urban forestry yet the clear and separate divisions are not distinct or discreet.[citation needed]
Tree benefits are the economic, ecological, social and aesthetic use, function purpose, or services of a tree (or group of trees), in its situational context in the landscape.
A tree defect is any feature, condition, or deformity of a tree that indicates weak structure or instability that could contribute to tree failure.
Common types of tree defects:
Codominant stems: two or more stems that grow upward from a single point of origin and compete with one another.
Included bark: bark is incorporated in the joint between two limbs, creating a weak attachment
Dead, diseased, or broken branches:
Cracks
Cavity and hollows: sunken or open areas wherein a tree has suffered injury followed by decay. Further indications include: fungal fruiting structures, insect or animal nests.
Lean: a lean of more than 40% from vertical presents a risk of tree failure
Taper: change in diameter over the length of trunks branches and roots
Epicormic branches (water sprouts in canopy or suckers from root system): often grow in response to major damage or excessive pruning
Roots:
Proper tree installation ensures the long-term viability of the tree and reduces the risk of tree failure.
Quality nursery stock must be used. There must be no visible damage or sign of disease. Ideally the tree should have good crown structure. A healthy root ball should not have circling roots and new fibrous roots should be present at the soil perimeter. Girdling or circling roots should be pruned out. Excess soil above the root flare should be removed immediately, since it present a risk of disease ingress into the trunk.
Appropriate time of year to plant: generally fall or early spring in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.
Planting hole: the planting hole should be 3 times the width of the root ball. The hole should be dug deep enough that when the root ball is placed on the substrate, the root flare is 3–5cm above the surrounding soil grade. If soil is left against the trunk, it may lead to bark, cambium and wood decay. Angular sides to the planting hole will encourage roots to grow radially from the trunk, rather than circling the planting hole. In urban settings, soil preparation may include the use of:
Tree wells: a zone of mulch can be installed around the tree trunk to: limit root zone competition (from turf or weeds), reduce soil compaction, improve soil structure, conserve moisture, and keep lawn equipment at a distance. No more than 5–10cm of mulch should be used to avoid suffocating the roots. Mulch must be kept approximately 20cm from the trunk to avoid burying the root flare. With city trees additional tree well preparation includes:
Tree grates/grill and frames: limit compaction on root zone and mechanical damage to roots and trunk
Root barriers: forces roots to grow down under surface asphalt/concrete/pavers to limit infrastructure damage from roots
Staking: newly planted, immature trees should be staked for one growing season to allow for the root system to establish. Staking for longer than one season should only be considered in situations where the root system has failed to establish sufficient structural support. Guy wires can be used for larger, newly planted trees. Care must be used to avoid stem girdling from the support system ties.
Irrigation: irrigation infrastructure may be installed to ensure a regular water supply throughout the lifetime of the tree. Wicking beds are an underground reservoir from which water is wicked into soil. Watering bags may be temporarily installed around tree stakes to provide water until the root system becomes established. Permeable paving allows for water infiltration in paved urban settings, such as parks and walkways.
Within the United Kingdom trees are considered as a material consideration within the town planning system and may be conserved as amenity landscape[2] features.
The role of the Arborist or Local Government Arboricultural Officer is likely to have a great effect on such matters. Identification of trees of high quality which may have extensive longevity is a key element in the preservation of trees.
Urban and rural trees may benefit from statutory protection under the Town and Country Planning[3] system. Such protection can result in the conservation and improvement of the urban forest as well as rural settlements.
Historically the profession divides into the operational and professional areas. These might be further subdivided into the private and public sectors. The profession is broadly considered as having one trade body known as the Arboricultural Association, although the Institute of Chartered Foresters offers a route for professional recognition and chartered arboriculturist status.
The qualifications associated with the industry range from vocational to Doctorate. Arboriculture is a comparatively young industry.
We recently had five large pine trees taken down in our front yard. We had three bids from different tree companies. We also wanted the stumps ground as well as chasing roots above ground. Rudy was fantastic and his workers were very skilled and the clean up was exceptional. We would highly recommend them and not hesitate to use them again.
Used Rudy and All In Tree for numerous things over the last year and a half. Pricing is Competitive. Very responsive to calls and tests. I like that they're insured. Did what he said what he was going to do and when he said he was going to do it. A couple of things didn't meet my expectations and he immediately came out and made it right. I have recommended to multiple other people.
Update! 10/10/23 After they helped me last month, All in Tree Service has again saved the day! A couple of large trees washed down the creek on my property recently and one of them was lodged against the pipes that go from my house to the street. There were other large tree trunks in the creek as well and also one wedged against the supports for my bridge. The All In team went to work and within a couple of hours had everything cleaned up and removed. The pipes and the bridge are safe! I recommend this team wholeheartedly. They care about what they do and it shows. Thank you! I’m very grateful. This team exemplifies professionalism. The before and after pictures tell a great story. September 2023 I recently was fortunate enough to find Rudy and Yaremi of All In Tree Services. A very large and very high limb on a big oak tree was hanging after a storm. It was a danger to me, to my dogs and to the fence below it. I had never met Rudy and Yaremi before. They were the first to call me back when I started my search for a reliable tree service. They clearly wanted the business so I gave them a chance. I’m so glad I did. They were very impressive! Their strategy and teamwork were incredible. Clearly they are very experienced at this kind of work. I took some pictures but I wish I had filmed the whole thing. It was amazing. They roped off the limb so it would not fall on anything or anyone. Then they quickly got the limb cut and safely on the ground and helped to clear up the debris. I am extremely happy with their service and with the friendly and professional manner with which they conducted themselves. I have already recommended them to my neighbors and I strongly encourage anyone who needs tree services to call them.
All professional service. Timely, efficient, friendly. I had big old dead trees that I feared daily were going to come down. I called them in an emergency and they came the very next morning, no problem, no excuses. The guys were about service and me as a customer. They saw what I needed and went above and beyond to make sure I was a satisfied customer. I am a satisfied customer. I will use this company again and again. Thank you Rudy.