There are several reasons someone may want to hire a consulting arborist

  1. To diagnose tree health problems.
  2. To Identify tree disease and insect problems.
  3. To inspect the structural integrity of a tree.
  4. To help build a tree management plan.
  5. To assist in tree protection and construction planning.
  6. To help with legal issues regarding trees.
  7. To provide plant appraisals.

The most common reason for hiring a consulting arborist is to determine the health or structural integrity of a tree.  Most tree inspections are limited to visual inspections of accessible tree parts.  Some inspections require further action.  There are two separate issues tree health and tree structure.  Both are independent and one does not necessarily affect the other.  For example you can have a very healthy tree with a full thick green canopy that is structurally unsound.  If it is determined during the visual inspection that more information is needed there are several tests and tools that can be used to aid the consultant.  Tissue and soil samples can be taken and sent for analyses to determine if there are any disease problems or nutrient deficiencies.   .

  1. Resistance drilling is the least expensive way to check the thickness of sound wood in a tree the big problem with this technique is that it damages the tree
  2. Sonic tomography is better than drilling holes in the tree but it can be quite expensive.
  3. The tree radar enables you to see inside the tree but it is also very cost prohibitive.
  4. Air spade is a very useful tool that can be used to remove dirt to expose the trunk flair or roots of a tree for inspection.
  5. pull test determine the extent of the tree problem

It is important to know the level of training an arborist has because it is his/her job to present things that have been scientifically proven to increase the chance that a tree or tree part will fail. At this point there is no way to quantify the chance of failure. There are many formulas and methods out there to try to accomplish this but all have there limitations. In the end it is the experience and knowledge of the consultant that is the best determination of the trees structural integrity. The ISA and MAA both offer a basic competency certification that shows a good understanding of trees and their function. The ISA offers a Board certified master arborist certification that shows a higher degree of knowledge. ASCA offers training for consulting arborists that allows for a very high degree of knowledge.

 

There are several levels of certification and knowledge.

  1. Massachusetts Certified Arborist. The MAA offers a voluntary basic competency exam that shows the arborist has basic knowledge of trees.
  2. International Society of Arboriculture the ISA offers several certifications.
  • Certified Arborist is the basic competency certification.
  • Certified utility arborist is basic competency for working near power lines.
  • Certified tree climber is basic competency for climbing trees.
  • Certified Municipal specialist if for city and town arborists.
  • Certified Areal lift operator is for the operation of a bucket truck.
  • Board Certified Master arborist is a higher level of knowledge.
  1. American society of Consulting Arborists
  • Offers training for consulting arborists. If an arborist has taken the ASCA training you can be certain of a very high level of competency.

 

Different types of testing.

  1. Tissue sample
  2. soil sample
  3. Resistance drilling
  4. sonic tomography
  5. tree radar
  6. pull testing
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