Steps to Find a Certified Arborist in Florida
Steps to Find a Certified Arborist in Florida
1. Determine Your Needs
- Identify whether you need tree pruning, removal, disease diagnosis, storm preparation, or general care.
- Some arborists specialize in certain services.
2. Look for ISA Certification
- Visit the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) website: treesaregood.org.
- Use the “Find an Arborist” tool to search for certified professionals in your area by ZIP code.
- ISA Certified Arborists meet rigorous standards and follow industry best practices.
3. Check for Florida Licensure (if applicable)
- Florida doesn’t require arborists to be licensed by the state, but local counties or cities (like Miami-Dade or Orlando) may have specific requirements.
- Contact your local municipality or county extension office to confirm.
4. Verify Insurance and Bonding
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and worker’s compensation insurance.
- This protects you in case of accidents or damage during the work.
5. Read Reviews and Ask for References
- Use sites like Google, Yelp, and Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- Ask the arborist for references from recent clients, especially those in Florida’s climate and tree types.
6. Request Multiple Estimates
- Get written estimates from at least 3 arborists.
- Beware of prices that are too low—they may reflect poor quality or lack of insurance.
7. Ask About Tree Risk Assessment Qualifications
- Arborists with TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualification) have advanced training to identify hazardous trees.
8. Avoid Topping and Bad Practices
- A qualified arborist will never recommend topping trees (severely cutting back branches).
- Make sure their recommended practices follow ANSI A300 standards.
9. Check for Membership in Professional Organizations
- Florida Chapter ISA
- Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)
10. Get a Detailed Written Contract
- Include services, timeline, cleanup, payment terms, and guarantees.
- Never pay in full upfront.
