Get the 411 on calling 911 for trees
One type of tree expert is an arborist who can plant juvenile trees, help maintain trees, and diagnose and aid sick or diseased trees.
These tree experts can also help you determine if your sick tree is worth saving or removing.
Expect to pay $400–$2,000 for professional help with removing a dead tree.
While much of tree care and maintenance can be done on your own, big jobs—like diagnosing diseases and removing dead trees—should be handled by a certified tree expert, which is called an arborist. Read on to learn about all the tasks these tree experts can handle and when to call an arborist for help with your trees.
A tree expert is known as an arborist. These specialists have studied the science of arboriculture and know how to care for trees to ensure these stately plants can live harmoniously alongside us humans (and our homes) safely.
Just as there are different types of trees, there are different types of arborists who practice their craft in specific circumstances. Knowing the differences in each type can help you determine which kind to contact to address your needs.
Commercial arborists work for commercial tree service companies and help plant, fertilize, and prune trees to inspect and remove trees. Their main responsibility is to evaluate and ensure the health of trees on commercial properties and larger landscapes.
Known as urban foresters, municipal arborists manage trees in spaces owned by cities. They are mainly in charge of trees near public buildings, along streets, and in city parks. Your local government likely employs an arborist or a team of them to remove fallen or dead trees, plant new ones, and trim existing trees in public spaces.
Consulting arborists likely won’t do any actual work on your trees. Instead, they act as advisors to recommend treatment or advise on the health, safety, and management of trees. They can either work independently or be employed by insurance companies, lawyers, planners, developers, or landscape architects.
When you think of utilities, you likely think of power, which is a main component for utility arborists to consider when making suggestions or performing work on trees. Their job is to make sure trees are maintained correctly near power lines so as not to disrupt homeowners or businesses’ source of electricity. They make sure trees are clear of power lines to prevent hazards and power outages.
Arborists look after all aspects of a tree’s health. Their responsibilities include:
An arborist can recommend which trees will thrive in your climate and which won’t be invasive and harmful to other plants and wildlife. They’ll also help you plant these trees properly so they receive adequate light and space and can care for them until the trees have developed well-established roots.
An arborist will prune or trim your trees to remove any dead branches or ones that might be getting too close to power lines. Pruning your trees regularly can improve their overall health and growth, and an arborist will know exactly how to prune your specific variety of tree to ensure it thrives. In addition, your pro can evaluate any trimming that might need to happen before a major natural event, such as a big snowstorm.
If you aren’t sure whether or not your tree is about to die—or already has—an arborist can confirm this for a fact. They can also spot any diseases your tree might have and help you address them before it’s too late or they spread to neighboring trees. Arborists provide specialized skills, tools, and knowledge about tree diseases to quickly identify the problem and suggest solutions to save the tree, if possible.
Whether your tree died from a disease or was the victim of a natural disaster, a certified and trained arborist can properly remove it. They can also remove old stumps that might be blocking you from creating the yard of your dreams. The tree removal process is one that may be best handled by a professional considering the safety risks at play.
Maybe you don’t need an entire tree removed or a new one planted, but you could use some aeration or lighting installed. An arborist can also help with a number of tasks associated with trees, such as:
Adding support with cabling or bracing
Improving root growth with aeration
Controlling infestation by spraying with pesticides
Fertilizing
Installing lighting systems
An arborist is a trained pro and charges an hourly rate to reflect this fact. You probably won’t need to call one for every tree question or task you have, but here are some instances of when you should seriously consider hiring one.
Before you decide to remove a sick tree, have an arborist confirm it’s actually diseased and see if they can help you save it. Signs of tree disease include:
Wood dust-like particles on the trunk
Discolored or damaged leaves
Weak or broken branches
Missing bark
Leaning trunk
You should also look out for pest infestations. Pests like to call dying or dead trees their home, so if you spot a nest, it might be time to bid adieu to your old maple.
You can prune small trees that are your height or shorter, but let a pro handle anything taller since they have the right equipment to scale the tree safely and remove the branches. This is especially true if you need to trim branches to prevent them from intersecting with something they shouldn’t, like power lines.
Young trees need to be handled with care to establish healthy roots and have room to grow. An arborist can make sure you choose a tree that’s endemic or native so as not to harm other trees, hedges, or animals. Your local arborist can also plant your new tree in the best possible spot, as well as advise on ongoing care.
Sometimes, you can save a sick tree—and an arborist can certainly advise you about that. But if a diseased tree needs to be removed entirely, an arborist will know how to remove it from your landscape without causing harm to your other plants, home, and even your neighbor’s house.
Natural disasters as small as lightning storms and as major as hurricanes require preparation. Trees need to be trimmed back to ensure their branches won’t fall into power lines or have lightning protection installed around them. A pro can safeguard your tree before any significant natural event.
If your tree has suffered unexpected damage from a hurricane or other disaster, call an arborist to assess its injury, remove any broken branches, and help get it back to its healthy state (or remove it, if necessary).
If you're ready to hire an arborist, ask an arborist near you if they have the proper education and certification; professional accreditation is available from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), and the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA). Your pro should also have proof of liability and workers' compensation insurance.
The cost to hire an arborist depends on the task. They typically offer free consultations, though some companies charge around $75 for an inspection. The cost for tree removal is mainly based on the tree's height and accessibility and can range from $400 to $2,000 (or more).
Horticulturist is a broad term for any type of plant and soil expert. An arborist, meanwhile, specializes in all aspects of tree care. You should hire an arborist when you need assistance with tree-related tasks, such as pruning large trees, removing trees, diagnosing a sick tree, or emergency tree services. Horticulturists aren’t qualified to handle those types of tasks.
If an arborist is certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the highest level of certification available is ISA Board Certified Master Arborist. According to the ISA, this credential is reserved for arborists “who have reached the pinnacle of their profession.” Check your arborist’s credentials before hiring to confirm their level of training and expertise.
Not every arborist climbs trees, but most will do so if that’s the best method for assessing or treating a tree. Arborists have a variety of tree climbing gear and safety equipment to choose from when climbing trees. Consult your local arborist about their tree-climbing plan if your service requires that type of task.
