If you have called around for tree work, you have probably noticed that companies use a range of titles — tree service, tree surgeon, arborist, tree cutter. These terms are not interchangeable, and the differences matter more than most homeowners realize.
What an Arborist Actually Is
An arborist is a professional who specializes in the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants. While a logger focuses on harvesting timber and a landscaper focuses on overall yard design, an arborist's specific focus is the long-term health, structure, and safety of trees. A certified arborist has passed a rigorous examination administered by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and maintains that certification through ongoing education.The Scale of ISA Certification
The ISA is the global authority on arborist certification. As of 2024, ISA has certified more than 23,000 arborists across more than 40 countries worldwide — a relatively small number when you consider how many properties have mature trees requiring professional care. In Ontario specifically, there are approximately 800 ISA Certified Arborists — a figure that underscores how meaningful the credential is and how to tell the difference between a professional operation and someone with a chainsaw and a truck. To maintain ISA certification, arborists must complete a minimum of 30 continuing education units every three years, staying current on pest threats, safety protocols, and evolving best practices.What a Certified Arborist Does
The scope of arborist work goes well beyond cutting. A certified arborist will assess the health and structural integrity of trees, identify disease, pest infestations, decay, and structural defects, prescribe and perform pruning to improve health, safety, and form, evaluate whether a tree should be preserved or removed, plan and oversee safe removal of trees that cannot be saved, and provide written reports for insurance claims, property disputes, or development permit applications.Why Certification Produces Better Outcomes for Your Trees
According to ISA data, trees under professional arborist care live three to seven times longer than trees that receive no professional attention. The difference is compounded over time: a tree that is properly pruned in its first decade develops stronger branch structure, better compartmentalization of wounds, and greater resistance to storm damage and disease throughout its life.Why Certification Matters for You
Tree work involves chainsaws, climbing, and heavy machinery operating near structures, vehicles, and people. An uncertified worker may be able to cut down a tree — but they may not know how to evaluate whether a tree can be safely directionally felled, how to identify decay that affects structural integrity, or how to prune without causing long-term damage. Improper pruning — flush cuts, topping, and over-thinning — is one of the most common and costly mistakes homeowners encounter. It can permanently damage a tree and ultimately shorten its life, often requiring expensive removal years later that proper care could have prevented.When hiring someone to work on your trees, ask for ISA certification, proof of liability insurance, and WSIB coverage. At Axe & Wedge Tree Works, our team includes ISA Certified Arborists and TCIA-accredited professionals, and we are happy to provide all documentation before any work begins. Call 705-540-0760.
