The Importance of Working With a Certified Arborist
Trees are exposed to many risks in urban and neighborhood settings, where they need specialized attention to maintain them in the healthiest and safest condition. Certified arborists are healthcare providers for trees. Their certifications attest to the knowledge gained from experience and ongoing practice, inspiring confidence that the trees they oversee will be treated with expert care. Here, we’ll explore how certified arborists’ qualifications help them manage the trees across Nashville’s landscape, and how to find a local certified arborist in Nashville and the surrounding areas.
What Is a Certified Arborist?
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is a non-profit organization that offers industry-standard credentials for professionals trained and knowledgeable in all aspects of arboriculture (tree care).
A tree industry professional with three or more years of full-time eligible work experience (gained through internships and entry-level positions) and/or a degree in arboriculture, forestry, or another related field can acquire the certification by taking a test that covers a large number of topics about tree care, including:
Tree species identification
Soil science
Water management
Tree nutrition and biology
Planting, structural support, protection (from weather and construction), and risk management
Diagnosis of diseases, disorders, and pests
Tree worker safety (teamwork, harnessing, using equipment and protective gear, and ensuring safety in the surrounding area)
Best practices (pruning, climbing and working in trees, using equipment, and other care techniques)
Once the rigorous test is passed, certificate holders are allowed to display the ISA logo as long as they actively maintain their certification, including ongoing education requirements.
ISA certification is about legitimizing the fundamental knowledge an individual arborist possesses that gives them flexibility in the arboriculture profession (only individual professionals can be certified; a company or group cannot be). In addition, a code of ethics for ISA-certified arborists strengthens the credibility and reliability of the professional workforce. It’s worth noting that ISA Certification represents a baseline qualification rather than a comprehensive mastery of all aspects of tree care.
The knowledge a certified arborist possesses allows them to assess and make recommendations and decisions about a tree. It also helps these experts educate others about the work they do.
In addition to the ISA’s certified arborist qualification, other credentials can be acquired through the ISA by fulfilling their respective requirements and passing their tests, such as specializations in utilities and tree climbing. The most distinguished certification offered is the Master Arborist Certification, the exam for which is extensive, covering virtually every area of arboriculture management, science, and work practices. There are fewer than one thousand ISA board-certified master arborists in the world, and we’re lucky enough to have two of them on our advisory board!
The Advantages of Working With a Certified Arborist
Certified arborists are equipped to offer safe, informed services based on thoughtful risk assessments and thorough experience with best-practice care. Their specialized knowledge helps keep trees properly maintained for the health of the specimen, the local canopy, and the safety of local residents.
A robust canopy full of big, mature trees in good condition provides important ecosystem services (such as air filtration, soil stability, and a cooling effect from their shade), increases property values, and beautifies an area, all of which improve the local quality of life for residents.
While certain tree-related needs can at times be handled by a landscaping company, such as ground mulching or tree removal, tree care should be handled by a certified expert who is trained in best practices for managing tree growth and health. This helps avoid harmful practices such as tree topping, where branches are hacked off indiscriminately rather than pruned with intention.
Arborists and Canopy Recovery Following Natural Disasters
Natural disasters like the March 2020 tornado and 2026's Winter Storm Fern highlight the importance of an arborist's qualifications in evaluating the health and condition of a tree. When trees are damaged by ice or strong winds, recovery is often a long, slow process of cleanup and assessment. As tree health professionals, certified arborists lead the way in canopy recovery by assessing the extent of damage to individual specimens, recommending and taking action that can save damaged trees, and confirming the possible necessary removal of trees that are unable to be saved, in addition to providing guidance on replanting to replace any lost trees. Their on-hand knowledge from study and experience is indispensable when planning canopy recovery and restoration after severe loss.
Certified Arborists in Nashville
In general, homeowners should have a certified arborist inspect their tree(s) every one to three years if it’s healthy and established, and sooner or more frequently if:
The tree is large and near your home or power lines.
It has a history of disease or storm damage.
You notice dead branches, leaning, cracks, or fungal growth.
It’s newly planted (annual checks are helpful in early years).
It’s also wise to get a professional assessment after major storms. To find a local ISA arborist, treesaregood.org has a searchable registry of certified professionals who can knowledgeably care for your property’s trees.
An ISA qualification offers confidence that an arborist will work with the highest standards in mind, but always be sure to use personal judgment when selecting an arborist to work with. This includes looking for their insurance and liability coverage, reviewing their terms, conditions, and prices, as well as browsing customer ratings and getting a second opinion about your tree(s) when uncertain.
Due to the ongoing recovery efforts for this year’s destructive winter storm, our tree sale is momentarily paused, but we will resume taking orders later in the year for the next planting season, Fall/Winter 2026/27. In the meantime, residents can volunteer with us or donate a tree to be planted somewhere in the city! We also welcome financial donations of any size, which contribute to our ability to fulfill our mission of supporting Nashville’s canopy by promoting, preserving, protecting, and planting trees across the city and its surroundings. Subscribe to our email newsletter to stay informed on tree tips and news, and visit our Linktree for more ways to connect.