Certified or not?

[josephcox]

How important is it to be a "Certified Arborist"? I notice around where I live there are a few tree services that claim certified arborist, but the majority don't. My personel opinion is that its not a huge priority to the customer, as say a services reputation. I worked for a service for 2 years and the owner wasn't certified, nor myself. I was the one actually doing all the work. I operated his A300 Bobcat, bucket truck, and did 95% of the climbing with one other man as a groundman. We ran this tree service as a 2 man crew, minus the owner. Asking because I am taking classes and working toward my Cert. and looking to go into buisness for myself. Any Feedback?

 

[treeseer]

PM TreeCo on this site. He is in your area and certified and it makes a BIG difference for him.

 

[Blinky]

What can it hurt? You've got three years in right? The higher end customers will like to see certifications and continuing education... it could get you picked over someone without certs even when your bid is higher.

I'll definitely sit for the exam when I have my time in.

 

[Ed Roland]

Hey, JC, The certification means quite a bit for my business. I perform work for some high end clients that demand certification ie, landscape architechs. They understand the work involved with qualifying/passing the exam, and call me for hazard tree assessments, pruning/removals, and even pest/pathology consults. If for no other reason: I use scientific nomenclature for all the trees on the property and the clients love it. The test is expensive and demanding but WELL worth it in the long run.

 

[treeseer]

Did I do good, Guy?

You da man Dan. Dunno who them thimkers are you spake of thou...

 

[Sunrise Guy]

Certification has made a big difference for me both intellectually, when it comes to speaking knowledgeably about arboricultural issues with my clients, and in the sense that it connects me to a wellspring of information via ISA publications and workshops. Go for it. You'll be glad you did.

 

[Timberhauler]

How important is it to be a "Certified Arborist"? I notice around where I live there are a few tree services that claim certified arborist, but the majority don't. My personel opinion is that its not a huge priority to the customer, as say a services reputation. I worked for a service for 2 years and the owner wasn't certified, nor myself. I was the one actually doing all the work. I operated his A300 Bobcat, bucket truck, and did 95% of the climbing with one other man as a groundman. We ran this tree service as a 2 man crew, minus the owner. Asking because I am taking classes and working toward my Cert. and looking to go into buisness for myself. Any Feedback?

I've been in the business for fifteen years,and have a reputation for doing some of the best work as far as removals go..I am working very hard at getting certified myself.The biggest reason is because I have alot of high end clients that will not even talk to anyone unless they are certified...and it doesn't matter waht they want done.They could want something as simple as a little pine tree taken out of the backyard,but they want a certified arborist to do it..I have a guy working for me who is certified...And even though he hasn't been in the business half as long as I have,and is not near as experienced or as knowledgeable as I am,there are alot of people who won't deal with anyone else,no matter who you are or how good you are..I wish I would have gotten certified a long time ago.

 

[Ed Roland]

Not that I'm interested in commuting 3 hours a a day but the town of Greenville, SC recently was taking bids for a VERY large urban tree project and would not even look at your bid unless you have certification. The dendrician that bid on the job was embarrassed to have it handed back to him. He asked around and found me, tried to contract me to drop everything to be present @ the site daily so he could get the job. Kooky, but u can c why certification is important to your business.

 

[jonseredbred]

Not that I'm interested in commuting 3 hours a a day but the town of Greenville, SC recently was taking bids for a VERY large urban tree project and would not even look at your bid unless you have certification. The dendrician that bid on the job was embarrassed to have it handed back to him. He asked around and found me, tried to contract me to drop everything to be present @ the site daily so he could get the job. Kooky, but u can c why certification is important to your business.

I have a huge problem with this type of regulation on a bid. How can a public bid be contingent on a certification from a industry association? I know it is meant to have good intentions, but it is cronyism.

 

[treeseer]

I have a huge problem with this type of regulation on a bid. How can a public bid be contingent on a certification from a industry association? I know it is meant to have good intentions, but it is cronyism.

What system do you propose for the tree owners to know that the contractors are qualified to do the work? Some tree workers do not know an oak from a dogwood. It makes a difference.

It works for electricians and plumbers; why not us?

I don't know what "cronyism" means.

 

[woodchux]

Certification and knowledge are good things to have, but in the 5 years ive had my own business, ive only gotten 2 calls asking for "certified arborist". I have hundreds of clients. Im about 1+1/2 hour away from where you are. I can see that in some circumstances it would be an advantage, but its not "necessary".

 

[jonseredbred]

What system do you propose for the tree owners to know that the contractors are qualified to do the work? Some tree workers do not know an oak from a dogwood. It makes a difference.

I belong to the ISA and I agree that the ISA CA is useful in your post I have quoted above.

My problem is the fact that a city, town, village ect. can put out a tree removal bid and require a CA to be on staff. The CA doesn't need to do the work, just be there. Most of those bid requirements are written by CA's and the only purpose is to provide work for their CA friends.

Most of those bids I have seen are so one sided to a CA that they dont allow for a crew of CTW's to do the work. Why aren't CTW's able to conduct tree removals in the eyes of a CA?

 

[Ed Roland]

Why aren't CTW's able to conduct tree removals in the eyes of a CA?

This is a compelling discussion. Not that tree work is the same but... my wife is a third year med student and a hospital will not hire her to practice without that sheepskin. A plumber, electrician and builder must be certified. BUT ive worked with many old school tree men who can not even pronounce the word 'phytophthora' much less treat for instance of it, yet, I learned everything I know about take-downs from Virginia tree workers who were not certified. I would hire those boys anyday. With that said, a customer should have some way to ensure that the tree firm they hire has, at least, a modicum of skill and knowledge by being a certified member in a professional organization.

 

[treevet]

I have been certified since the programs inception. I m all for it and would encourage young Mr. Cox to certify. I am not just a little dissapointed, however, in the ISA's sustained inability to provide some small effort of advertising, preferably television w all the heaps of money they make from this program and related sources of revenue.

 

[Ed Roland]

I am not just a little dissapointed, however, in the ISA's sustained inability to provide some small effort of advertising, preferably television w all the heaps of money they make from this program and related sources of revenue.

Treevet, RIGHT ON!
Gentlemen, check this out. Arborist News, volume 16, number 1, article by Walt Warriner ISA Board VP, february 2007, Page 9, paragraph 8, says the following: "However, in spite of our growing membership the public's awareness of Arborists is still limited: There was a recent on-line article about a poll on which profession is the most respected." He goes on to say "Arborists were not on that list. What that tells me is that inspite of all our efforts at media outreach, we still have a long way to go before we get the recognition that we deserve."
What media outreach? I worked hard for my education and enjoy being a cut above, if u will. So come on ISA STEP-UP!

 

[treevet]

I have a number of friends that are greenskeeper/golf crs supers. You watch almost any pro tournament and their organization has been advertising for them for years. It always makes me jealous. Let s start a revolution Woodweasel!

 

[Ed Roland]

Let s start a revolution Woodweasel!

Lets stick it to the man!

Seriously, i will, for what it is worth, complain to those fat cats.

Horticulture degree from a small accredited college $52,000
Internship at Bartlett Tree lab Facility for 2 years $10.00hr
Learning the ROPES in the field for another 3 years $15.00hr
Having the highly acclaimed Professional organization I joined SH*T on me,
PRICELESS!

 

[Streyken]

It may depend on your area, but I'd say get certified. Around here the municipalities do a good job of educating the public with regards to certified arborists. At least 1/3 of my new callers ask me about my certification and insurance. Where I'm located, to be able to work on municipal or protected trees under the environmental bylaw, arborist certification (not just ISA) has been mandatory since 1995. Now in some municipalities their tree bylaw states that in order to call a tree a hazard it's not enough to be certified, you must go through the ISA Tree Risk Assessor course - shrug your shoulders, go with the flow - it's good for business.

 

[treeseer]

It may depend on your area, but I'd say get certified. Around here the municipalities do a good job of educating the public with regards to certified arborists. At least 1/3 of my new callers ask me about my certification and insurance. Where I'm located, to be able to work on municipal or protected trees under the environmental bylaw, arborist certification (not just ISA) has been mandatory since 1995. Now in some municipalities their tree bylaw states that in order to call a tree a hazard it's not enough to be certified, you must go through the ISA Tree Risk Assessor course - shrug your shoulders, go with the flow - it's good for business.

Excellent post. That assessor course is excellent, and will be replicated elsewhere. Munis are a growing source of cert promo.

I agree more should be done, but how to do it effectively is the trick. If woodweasel and treevet want to improve matters, try joining the committee and working on it. You will soon see that "the man" you want to stick it to is YOU! Let's all add to this page: http://www.isa-arbor.com/mediaSource/default.aspx

The unfortunate bottom line is, we lack the cash that golfers pump in. If you want to see more blaring pro-arb ads, get ready for a dues hike.

 

[Ed Roland]

If woodweasel and treevet want to improve matters, try joining the committee and working on it. You will soon see that "the man" you want to stick it to is YOU!The unfortunate bottom line is, we lack the cash that golfers pump in. If you want to see more blaring pro-arb ads, get ready for a dues hike.

Mr. Treeseer, I respectfully disagree. You may be content with ISA's public education efforts but I tend to agree with Mr. Walt Warriner, ISA Board VP. ISA has MUCH more to do in this area. As for an increase in fees for certified members... well, I would certainly pay more if it would help educate the public to hire arborists instead of the cut throat hacks.