Science meets Trees

David Nowak has been a leading researching of how urban canopy cover helps reduce air pollution, prevent storm runoff, it lessens energy costs on cooling during summer, and can even be linked to better human health in communities with more trees. Science supports the idea that we should value trees in our landscape, but does everyone who works with trees utilize science to better care for trees?

The International Society of Arboriculture has created a standard test to make sure arborist have a base knowledge and requires certified arborist maintain their certification through continuing education, which is a step in the right direction. Many “tree care” companies lack anyone with this certification, which may work if you don’t need professional knowledge or care, but in many cases “tree care professionals” will sell removing trees because that is what they make money from. As a consulting arborist, I take in the clients concerns and provides them with accurate information to make the best informed decisions. I also offer consultation to fellow ISA certified arborist or tree care professionals who want lean better tree care through biological solutions, need a second opinion on tree health care issues, or learn more identifying fungi species as it relates to tree care.