Every professional outdoor service has its place. When it comes to tree services, an arborist is the particular specialist you need. However, many other outdoor services advertise tree services as well. Here is a look at what separates arborists from other outdoor services.
Landscapers Deal in Outdoor Aesthetics but Arborists Deal With Trees
The title of landscaper can mean several things. Where one landscaper does lawn work, another might trim shrubbery or create yard arrangements through hardscaping. You may need a landscaper for several things, but for trees, you should consider a specialist.
An arborist deals with trees specifically and exclusively. If you're considering a landscaper's tree-related services, pay close attention to that landscaper's staff. Without an arborist on staff, it's possible the landscaper isn't suitable for doing any work on your trees.
Arborists, sometimes called arboriculturists, have specific training, knowledge, experience, and education that make them experts when it comes to trees. By contrast, a landscaper without those same attributes can do more harm than good when it comes to dealing with trees in any capacity on your property.
The landscaper may lack the proper tools or safety training required to deal with trees, which can lead to less-than-satisfactory results.
You should call a professional landscaper when you need landscaping work done. However, when the work involves a tree, you should seek an arborist. In some cases, you may need both a landscaper and an arborist working together on a project.
Tree Surgeons Deal With Trees but Aren't Always Arborists
People often use the terms tree surgeon and arborist interchangeably, but these aren't always the same thing. Typically, a tree surgeon will do the work of trimming and pruning. A tree surgeon may also perform such services as stump grinding or post-storm cleanup.
The major difference between a tree surgeon and an arborist is the level of education. Arborists can do anything a tree surgeon does and more, while a tree surgeon will not typically have the same level of education and expertise as an arborist.
In some cases, a tree surgeon doesn't need any type of formal training at all to use the title. Qualified tree surgeons do exist, but you should make sure the tree surgeon is also an arborist if you require their tree services. You may want to remove a tree because you think it's sick or a hazard. A tree surgeon can oblige you, but an arborist can let you know that you might have other options as well, such as:
- Keeping the tree
- Nursing it back to health
- Moving it to another location
- Removing only the part that represents an issue
In the state of Mississippi, a tree surgeon who advertises themselves as such must have a
Tree Surgery License. Many arborists are also tree surgeons, so you can't go wrong with choosing a certified arborist with a Tree Surgery License rather than just a person or company who only bills themselves as a tree surgeon.
Tree Trimmers Aren't as Knowledgeable as Arborists
All of this also applies to tree trimmers, which is another service best handled by arborists or with the guidance of arborists. Much like tree surgeons, tree trimmers typically don't have the sheer education and standards that a certified arborist has.
In the end, there aren't any substitutes for a certified arborist when it comes to tree maintenance,
tree care, hazard assessments, and every other aspect of tree doctoring. In most cases, if it involves a tree, you should seek an arborist or an outdoor service that has an arborist on staff.
McClain's Tree Experts are certified arborists and licensed tree surgeons. If you need any tree services, from tree cabling to tree removal, contact us for professional work set to the high standards expected of a certified arborist.
