What is a Certified Arborist and Why Does It Matter for Your Trees?

When you need work done on your home’s electrical system, you hire a licensed electrician. When you need structural work done on your property’s trees, you should hire a certified arborist. However, the tree care industry in Quebec is plagued by “guys with chainsaws” who operate without formal training, insurance, or certification. Understanding what a certified arborist is—and why it matters—is the first step in protecting your property and your liability.

What Does “Certified Arborist” Actually Mean?

In North America, the gold standard for tree care professionals is certification through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). An ISA Certified Arborist is not just a landscaper who knows how to cut wood; they are trained professionals who understand the biology, biomechanics, and pathology of trees [1].

To earn this credential, an individual must:
1. Have a minimum of three years of full-time, hands-on experience in arboriculture.
2. Pass a rigorous, comprehensive exam covering tree biology, diagnosis, maintenance practices, safety, and risk assessment.
3. Maintain their certification through continuous education (CEUs) to stay updated on the latest diseases, pests, and safety protocols.

In Quebec, professionals may also hold credentials from the Société Internationale d’Arboriculture Québec (SIAQ) or be registered as Forest Engineers (Ingénieurs forestiers) with the OIFQ for larger commercial projects.

Why Certification Matters for Your Trees

Hiring an uncertified contractor to save a few dollars often results in catastrophic, irreversible damage to your landscape.

1. Accurate Diagnosis vs. Unnecessary Removal

An uncertified cutter makes money by cutting down trees. When presented with a sick tree, their solution is almost always removal. A certified arborist understands tree health assessment. They can identify whether a tree is suffering from a minor fungal infection, soil compaction, or a fatal disease like Emerald Ash Borer. Often, a tree can be saved through proper pruning, soil aeration, or targeted treatments.

2. Proper Pruning Techniques

Uncertified workers frequently engage in “topping”—indiscriminately cutting the crown off a tree to reduce its height. This permanently destroys the tree’s structure, introduces massive rot, and creates weak, hazardous regrowth. Certified arborists follow strict ANSI A300 pruning standards, using techniques like crown thinning and structural reduction that maintain the tree’s health and natural shape [2]. Read more in our residential pruning guide.

3. Municipal Permit Approval

If you need to remove a tree in Quebec, you need a municipal permit. Municipalities like Montreal, Laval, and those in the Laurentides will not accept a letter from a landscaper. They require a formal, written report from an ISA Certified Arborist or Forest Engineer detailing the exact structural or biological reasons the tree must be removed.

Liability and Insurance: The Hidden Risk

Tree work is inherently dangerous. It involves heavy timber, heights, chainsaws, and proximity to homes and power lines.

If you hire an uncertified, uninsured “cash deal” operator and they drop a branch through your neighbor’s roof, or worse, injure themselves on your property, you can be held personally liable.

Professional arboriculture companies carry specific, high-limit liability insurance (typically $2M to $5M) and are registered with the CNESST in Quebec. This protects you, your property, and the workers. Furthermore, professional teams use specialized equipment like the Spider Nacelle to safely dismantle trees without crushing your landscaping.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I verify if an arborist is actually certified?

You can ask for their ISA certification number (it looks like QC-XXXXA) and verify it instantly on the official ISA Verify a Credential website.

Does a certified arborist cost more?

Professional tree care companies carry overhead costs for training, specialized equipment, and comprehensive insurance. While their initial quote might be higher than an uninsured handyman, the long-term cost of repairing property damage, paying municipal fines, or dealing with a butchered tree makes the certified professional significantly cheaper in the long run. Learn more in our pricing guide.

Can a landscaper do the same job?

No. Landscapers specialize in lawns, shrubs, and hardscaping. They generally do not have the training in tree biomechanics, nor the heavy rigging equipment required to safely dismantle mature trees.

Do certified arborists provide stump grinding?

Yes. Reputable companies provide end-to-end service, including deep stump grinding and soil restoration, ensuring your property is clean and safe after the tree is removed.