Great Tree Care Resources

• International Society of Arboriculture - we are members
• Western Chapter of the ISA - we are members
• Trees Are Good - ISA's Consumer Education website
• Tree Help.com - lots of helpful information
• Arbor Day Foundation - another outstanding organization
• California Landscape Contractors Association - This is a great organization, and a wonderful website. Please check them out when you want help designing your yard! Getting a qualified Landscape Contractor from the beginning will make all the difference in the world!

Local Groups we like a lot

• Belmont Nursery - where we go for trees!
• Tree Fresno - we are members
• Reading and Beyond - our favorite Charity
• Fresno County Women's Chamber of Commerce - Liesl is a member and opens each meeting with a Great Start (poetry)

Always Check References!

There are many ways to do this. Here are some of the basic things that a Tree Service should be able to provide you without any problem:

 1. Proof of being a Licensed Contractor - you can also check for their current status on the Contractor's State License Board website. On the upper left hand side of the site, there is a Button that says, "Instant License Check" - click that and you can check any kind of contractor by name, contractor's license or personnel name.

2. Check for Insurance Coverage - you can do this on the Contractor's State License Board website - or you can ask the contractor directly for proof of insurance. Our insurance carrier will provide on the spot insurance proof - so the day we request it, they can send directly to the requester proof of all the various commercial insurance policies we hold. If someone you are considering hiring for any type of Home Improvement project cannot do the same - save yourself some giant headaches and move on to someone who can!

3. For a Tree Service - you want to make sure that you Hire a Certified Arborist. Click on the text to verify a Certified Arborist's credentials.

WE-7240A

Michael Scott Garner

In order to pass the four-hour test issued by the International Society of Arboriculture, a person has to have good understanding of  Tree Biology, Tree Identification, Tree/Soil Relations, Water Management, Tree Nutrition and Fertilization, Tree Selection, Installation and Establishment, Proper Pruning Techniques, Tree Support and Protection Systems, Diagnosis and Plant Disorders, Plant Health Care, Tree Assessment and Risk Management, Trees and Construction, Safety, and Climbing and Working in Trees.

Don't let someone tell you they "could" be a Certified Arborist or they could teach those classes - but for some reason they are above such classifications. The proof of their tree knowledge is in whether they are able to pass this test. Check that they have the knowledge and continuing education to handle your trees properly.