By the JCS Tree Care team · Led by an ISA Certified Arborist · Updated June 2026
The short version: An ISA Certified Arborist is a tree care professional who has passed the International Society of Arboriculture’s certification exam and keeps the credential current through continuing education. Tree work is unlicensed in many areas, so this is one of the few real, verifiable signals that you’re hiring expertise — someone who can correctly diagnose a tree, judge whether it needs removal or can be saved, and plan the safe way to do the work. Want your tree assessed by one? Get a free assessment, or call (248) 965-9035.
What the credential means
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is the main professional body for arboriculture. To become an ISA Certified Arborist, a person has to have qualifying experience, pass a comprehensive exam covering tree biology, diagnosis, pruning, safety, and more, and then maintain the certification with ongoing education. It’s not a one-time class — it’s a standing credential that has to be kept up.
Why it matters when you’re hiring
Because tree work is largely unregulated, the difference between professionals and “a truck and a chainsaw” isn’t always obvious. A certified arborist brings judgment that a general crew may not:
- Correct diagnosis. Knowing whether a tree is hazardous, diseased, or salvageable — so you don’t remove a tree that could be saved, or keep one that should come down.
- The right plan. Choosing pruning vs. removal, and planning a safe removal sequence for a large or technical job.
- Tree health knowledge. Understanding issues like oak wilt timing, decay, and root problems specific to local species.
It’s the difference between someone who cuts trees and someone who understands them.
How it works at JCS
JCS is led by an ISA Certified Arborist. That’s who assesses your tree and plans the work — your free on-site assessment is done by a certified arborist, not a salesperson. The field crew then carries out that plan with the right rigging and equipment. So you get certified expertise on the diagnosis and the plan, and an experienced crew on the execution.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ISA Certified Arborist?
A tree care professional who has passed the International Society of Arboriculture’s certification exam and maintains it through continuing education. It signals verified expertise in tree care.
Is a certified arborist the same as a licensed tree service?
No. Tree work is unlicensed in many areas. The ISA certification is a professional credential held by an individual, and it’s one of the most meaningful signals of expertise you can verify.
Does an arborist do the actual cutting?
At JCS, the ISA Certified Arborist leads the company and handles the assessment and plan; the trained field crew carries out the removal. You get certified judgment on the diagnosis and plan.
Why should I care if my tree company has one?
Because a certified arborist can correctly tell whether your tree needs removal or can be saved, and plan the safe way to do the work — judgment a general crew may lack.
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