Arborists are horticulturists who are specialized with the horticulture of trees, which is known as arboriculture. In urban gardening, they are not as familiar as gardeners who mow lawns and tend to the annuals, perennials and shrubbery that are close to the ground; but they should be. The trees that arborists maintain are the most significant features in most landscapes.
Bad annuals or poorly tended lawns can get unsightly, but are not too hazardous. However, a tree can be extremely hazardous if it becomes unstable or develops structural deficiency. Falling trees or limbs are very dangerous, and can cause all sorts of damage to anything within reach. Arboriculture is therefore the most important horticulture in home gardens with trees.
Sadly, many trees are severely damaged by improper pruning, which is often performed by those hired to prune them. Some get pruned too severely, or get pruned in the wrong season. Others do not get pruned aggressively enough. Either way, many get structurally compromised so that they drop limbs as they mature. Some trees get damaged too severely to salvage.
This is precisely why arboriculture should be done by qualified arborists. Unfortunately, finding such an arborist may not be as easy as it would seem to be. The industry is notoriously overrun with ‘hackers’, who are unfamiliar (and often unconcerned) with what trees need, and how trees respond to improper pruning.
The International Society of Arboriculture, or ISA, certifies arborists who pass an exam of arboricultural expertise. ISA certified arborists maintain their certification with regular involvement with the ISA, which involves arboricutural seminars and classes, as well as networking with other professional arborists. Certified arborists can be found at the website of the ISA at isa-arbor.com.
Tony Tomeo 
That is good information. I am in need of a professional arborist, as the native trees on my property have really grown in the 20 years since we built out house.
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Although trees are the most significant part of the landscape, they are also more likely to be neglected than lawns and such.
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Oh gosh, “hackers” is such an appropriate word for those not schooled in the arts of proper pruning. Thank you for the laugh this morning – that’s a perfect description!
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‘Most’ of the damage that I must inspect in trees was caused by hackers who were hired to take ‘care’ of trees.
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Generally most people do not or cannot pay for proper arborists as they are too expensive compared to the hackers. This is because arborists have insurance and VAT added to their costs on top of a fee for their professional work. They have safe working practices and have paid to learn their profession. Sadly some people aren’t interested in that if it costs them more money
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They are also not so aware that hackers can and often cause damage that necessitates more work or removal of the damaged trees, which is collectively more expensive.
In my region, where almost all of the residences that I inspect trees at cost more than a million dollars, and most cost several million dollars, it is insulting when clients tell me that arborists charge too much, especially since I am more educated than the majority of those who pay so much for such homes.
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Alas horticulturalists and arborists are undervalued
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We were more respected when the orchards were the main industry in the Santa Clara Valley. Those who are here now are not aware of that.
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That’s tricky
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