Legally, one doesn’t need certification to care for or remove trees, but employing a non-certified person can be a risky proposition. “There are considerable safety issues involved with tree work,” says James Cairnes, owner of Small World Tree Company. “Both people and property are at risk if something goes wrong.”
A tree worker aloft needs to know what they’re doing to safely perform their job, and removing a tree usually isn’t as simple as cutting it down. “There’s definitely a methodology to it,” says Mr. Cairnes. “A tree care provider needs to do a risk assessment beforehand to see if there are any utility lines among the roots or if there’s a risk to a building if a tree comes down the wrong way.” Someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing can trigger a significant amount of damage or cause serious injuries.
A certified arborist can also help advise how to maintain healthy trees on your property. “A lot of people overwater mature oak trees,” says Mr. Cairnes. “Oaks go into decline if they get too much water in summer months. The best thing for them is to apply wood chips or mulch to the base, which keep out other plants and weeds and retain soil moisture. Also, have your property’s irrigation systems checked to ensure they’re working properly and not leaking too much water.”
