Tree People

I just got back from the Wisconsin Arborist Association Winter Conference.  I rejoined the organization last year after being absent for almost two decades.  My job working in the greenhouse and nursery took me in a slightly different direction for awhile.  Being back with WAA fits in well with where my work is taking me again.
Many people can be content with finishing college, getting a job, and never opening another book to learn something new about their field of employment.  I am not one of those people and I like hanging out with people who feel the same way.  The WAA conference was a jam-packed, three day learning event.  You could take away as much as you were willing to put into it.  The speakers were all very knowledgeable with their topics and many were also entertaining.
The main goal of my journey to Green Bay was to take the ISA Arborist Certification test.  I won't know for a few weeks if I am successful, but I am feeling pretty good about most of my answers I put down.  It was pretty intense, so I am glad it is over.
Besides all the information gained and exposure to new equipment and technical skills, the conference is a gathering of some pretty fine people.  They are people passionate about trees and their part in making them part of the urban environment.  Some people are friends I have not seen for many years.  Other people have been more recent acquaintances that are pretty fun to be around.  Many become friends with more time we spend together.  Sharing ideas and information over a drink doesn't hurt.  I look forward to making the conferences on a more regular basis again.

Certified Arborist

I have been studying quite a bit lately to take an arborist certification exam through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).  Just sending in the application to take the exam was the equivalent of applying for a job in some circles.  I have found the material challenging as well as a refresher to some of the things I learned in college.  I have found that I still am not fond of soil studies.
I do not climb trees or oversee a crew that does.  My experience in such is limited.  I worked for over 20 years with nursery stock and never needed a rope and saddle for that.  What I am learning through the study for this test is that even though I don't spend time in the trees, I do apply this knowledge to decisions I make from the ground.  I need to take the time to look over a tree from my base position and make decisions about the trees condition based on what I am looking at from the ground.  Sometimes the bucket truck needs to take a trip up to confirm or disprove what my diagnosis was from below.
My advice to anyone who asks is to hire a certified arborist.  Now that I have an idea of what it will take to gain that certificate and maintain it, I can say with certainty that hiring a certified arborist is a good decision.  The effort to stay educated and knowledgeable is not small.  The people that are certified take a great deal of time to make sure they are doing their job with the most current information available to them in their field.  The ISA keeps an online list to verify that you have a certified arborist working for you.
Just about anyone can buy a truck and chain saw.  An arborist will give you the best advice on tree care.  Hire a certified arborist.  Don't find out the hard way that you should have hired an certified arborist.