Arboriculture Resources, Certifications, and Techniques David S. Vandergriff

Topics Covered Arboricultural Resources Certifications Proper Planting Techniques Diagnostic Techniques Professional Practices

Arboriculture is the science and art of caring for trees, shrubs, and other woody plants in landscape settings. ( Harris and others, 1999)

Arborist – An individual engaged in the profession of arboriculture who, through experience, education, and related training possesses the competence to provide for or supervise the management of trees and other woody plants. (ANSI A300 Part 3 – 2001 Pruning)

Internet Resources Dr. Ed Gilman : Treelink: USDA Urban Forestry South: Interface South: Urban Horticulture Institute: ISA Consumer Tree Care: American Society of Consulting Arborists:

ISA Certified ArboristISA Certified Arborist - This is the largest group of credential holders. These professional arborists have a minimum of three years experience in some aspect of tree care and have passed an exam developed by an international panel of experts. The exam extensively covers every aspect of tree care and the individuals must have an acceptable level of knowledge in all areas of arboriculture.

ISA Certified Arborist/ Utility SpecialistISA Certified Arborist/ Utility Specialist - This certification is for professional arborists who are ISA Certified Arborists in good standing and have additional experience in the specialty area of tree care around power lines. The utility specialists work for utility companies, their contractors or consultants. One of the certification objectives is to provide the public and those in government with a means to identify those professionals who have demonstrated, through a professionally developed exam and education program, that they have a thorough knowledge of line clearance vegetation management.

ISA Certified Arborist/ Municipal SpecialistISA Certified Arborist/ Municipal Specialist - This certification is also for professional arborists who are ISA Certified Arborists in good standing and have additional experience in the specialty area of urban trees. The municipal specialists work for cities and states, parks, contractors or consultants. One of the certification objectives is to provide the public and those in government with a means to identify those professionals who have demonstrated, through a professionally developed exam and education program, that they have a thorough knowledge of establishing and maintaining trees in a community.

ISA Certified Tree Worker/Climber SpecialistsISA Certified Tree Worker/Climber Specialists - These credential holders have a minimum of 18 months experience professionally climbing trees in a safe and efficient manner to perform tree care. They have knowledge in the major aspects involved in tree care including, pruning, removal, cabling and safety. They must pass a knowledge exam and a skills exam conducted by trained evaluators.

ISA Board-Certified Master ArboristISA Board-Certified Master Arborist - This credential is designed for arborists who have reached the pinnacle of their profession. To sit for the exam, individuals must be a Certified Arborist in good standing and have obtained other prerequisistes, or "points" defined by ISA. A minimum of eight points are required, obtained through measurable experience, formal education, related credentials, or professional experience. The computer-based exam covers science, practice and management.

ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist There is neither a higher authority nor a more objective voice in the arboricultural profession than a Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA) on matters involving the legal, environmental and aesthetic considerations of trees and plants. Those who earn the RCA designation are routinely called upon for expert testimony, damage assessment and appraisal, municipal and commercial landscape planning and development, tree preservation, hazard assessment, and other situations requiring expert knowledge and experience in the arboricultural industry. Registered Consulting Arborists must meet stringent requirements for technical education and experience, successfully complete the requirements of ASCA's rigorous Consulting Academy program, and produce a series of consulting reports that meet strict professional review standards.Consulting Academy

Proper planting detail click hereclick here for container illustration If you form a berm of mulch (preferred) or soil (less preferred) around the root ball to hold irrigation, keep it less than about 4 inches high. Water held in a taller berm wastes water because it simply runs through the root ball. It might be more appropriate to make the berm from mulch since the berm typically ends up on top of the root ball eventually. Placing soil over the root ball cuts off oxygen and water. When planting on slopes set the tree so the top-most root in the ball on the uphill side is about even with the soil. The side of the root ball on the downhill side will be well above the surrounding soil. Bring in enough soil to cover the sides of the root ball with soil. Apply mulch to finish the planting job as shown in the diagram above.even with the soil

Click hereClick here for photo Plant so about the top 10% of the root ball is above the landscape grade. This ensures that the point where the top- most root emerges from the trunk remains at or slightly above ground even if the root ball settles. Cover the sides of the root ball with mulch, or perhaps soil. Form a water ring (berm) from mulch only if trees will be irrigated with a hose. The water ring is not needed if trees will not be watered after planting or if trees are irrigated with a low volume head. Water rings made from soil can lead to problems because the soil is typically pushed over the root ball later. Roots will grow extremely fast into the mulch and surrounding soil and trees establish quickly using this planting technique.

Top-most root should be near the surface 1) Planting too deeply reduces air exchange between soil and air. The result can be roots starve for oxygen. 2) Planting deeply can trap too much moisture in the root ball, especially if the soil is poorly drained. 3) Deep planting can lead to the root ball drying out. This occurs because the soil and mulch placed over the root ball holds some of the water applied over the root ball. 4) Deep planting also can encourage development of stem- girdling roots which can kill trees. These roots may develop because the loose soil spread over the root ball is very suitable for root growth. Research is needed to confirm this but clinical evidence suggests this to be the case. On many planting sites, this can be the best soil on the site so it is not surprising that roots grow well here. Research in Minnesota (Johnson and Johnson, 2001) showed that many affected trees don't show symptoms or fail until 12 to 20 years after planting. Locate the root flare The root flare (root crown, trunk flare) should be visible at the surface. The place where the top-most root originates from the trunk will be just below this point.

Decay Assessment is a critical process in maintaining healthy and safe urban trees.