What is a Certified Arborist?

The following is an excerpt from the Certified Tree and Lawn website:

Rigorous testing means greater understanding. Greater understanding means high quality results you’ll appreciate.

Consider the following: MCA and MCLP certification exams are offered just twice a year, and this past year only about 30% of those who took the certification tests passed. That’s quite a select group. What’s more, those who become certified are required to earn yearly credits in order to maintain their certified status. Which means that before certified professionals take your property in hand, they must be thoroughly versed in the skills and knowledge of their profession.

Individuals who hold the Massachusetts Certified Arborist (MCA) or Massachusetts Certified Landscape Professional (MCLP) designation have been found to meet criteria of competence as established by the certification and examining committees of the MAA and MLP.

We believe superior service resides in the details. To master those details, certified professionals are rigorously tested before they are certified. They’re required to demonstrate expert knowledge in many areas. Here are just a few:

• Comprehensive plant and tree identification
• Insect and disease diagnosis and management
• The latest planting and transplanting practices
• Advanced soil analysis and fertilization methods
• Lawn restoration and tree preservation techniques

To maintain their certification, every year certified professionals must complete a detailed accounting of involvement in the industry including continuing education, training and professional contributions.