• Skip to main content
  • 469-387-6000
  • [email protected]
  • Local Arborist
  • Services

    All Services

    Local Arborist

    Consulting

    Tree Trimming

    Tree Removal

    Tree Health Care

    Tree Planting

    Stump Grinding

  • Service Area
    Addison Allen Arlington Carrollton Colleyville Coppell Dallas Denton Euless Farmers Branch Flower Mound Fort Worth Frisco Garland Grand Prairie Grapevine Highland Park Irving Keller Lewisville McKinney Mesquite Murphy North Richland Hills Plano Prosper Richardson Rockwall Southlake Trophy Club University Park Wylie
  • Information
    About How We Work Faqs “Arborist” vs. “Certified Arborist” Emergency Tree Work Gallery
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
    All Blog North Texas Tree Owner’s Guide Tree Recommendations Insects & Diseases Whats Wrong with My Tree Fall Tree Care Winter Tree Care Spring Tree Care Summer Tree Care
  • Pay Invoice
  • Contact Us
  • Tree Health Care
  • Resources
  • Ask Texas Tree Surgeons

Is There Such a Thing as a “Tree Doctor?”

Aug 07, 2020

Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what’s wrong? Let us know!

I sometimes hear the term “tree doctor;” is that a real thing?

We are used to going to the doctor when we are sick. We go to the dentist for our teeth, and take our pets to the veterinarian, but what about our trees? Is there such a thing as a “tree doctor?” How can I find a “tree doctor” near me?

Luckily, there are “tree doctors,” and like human doctors, they have to undergo education, have experience, and can have certain specializations. Also like human doctors, “tree doctors,” called “certified arborists,” rely on many other professionals to provide the highest standard of care.

What is a Tree Doctor?

  • In the tree care industry, “tree doctors” are called “certified arborists.”
    • When we use the term “certified arborist,” we mean a tree worker with a specific set of skills and training.
  • The organization that sets the standards for arborist certification, like the licensing boards for physicians, is called the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
    • The ISA has chapters all over the world, and covers every state in the US.
  • In order to be certified by the ISA, an arborist must demonstrate experience caring for trees, pass a written exam, and earn a certain amount of continuing education credits.
    • Certification must be renewed every three years.

If ISA Certified Arborists are tree doctors in general practice, then ISA Board Certified Master Arborists are like specialists.

  • To become a master arborist, one must be a certified arborist for a certain number of years or have a degree in arboriculture, forestry, or a related field.
    • On top of that, one must have demonstrated experience as an arborist for a period of time, pass a difficult written exam, and be individually approved by the ISA Board of Examiners.
    • To maintain board certification, the master arborist has to complete extensive continuing education in different subject areas every three years.

What Does a Tree Doctor Do?

Certified arborists are trained in all aspects of tree care, including proper trimming, health assessments, pest and disease diagnosis, watering and fertilization, planting, and basic tree safety protocols.

  • Depending on their particular job, an arborist may have more experience in one area than another, or may have additional skills, like tree climbing.
  • In general, certified arborists should know how to trim a tree to keep it healthy; how to identify diseases, pests, or stressors that might be affecting the tree; and when to recommend removal for safety reasons.

In addition to the fundamentals of tree care, some certified arborists attain further credentials in a specific area.

  • An often-studied subject is how to identify and manage safety risks related to tree breakage or failure.
    • The ISA has established the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) as a way for certified arborists to demonstrate their knowledge in this area.
  • The Texas Chapter of the ISA has also created the Texas Oak Wilt Qualification (TOWQ) to recognize certified arborists who are trained in the identification and management of the virulent oak wilt disease.
  • Additionally, there are qualifications available for specialized tree workers, for safety specialists, and for arborists who work around dangerous power lines or perform municipal work.

Will A Tree Doctor Trim My Trees?

While all ISA Certified Arborists should understand proper tree trimming for health and safety, that does not necessarily mean that it is the arborists themselves who do the actual trimming or other tree work.

  • In the case of larger, more established tree care companies, certified arborists will establish protocols and methods for tree care.
    • Guidelines for tree care are published by the ISA, the Tree Care Industry Association, and other professional associations,
    • The instructions of certified arborists will be executed by trained tree workers, who may not hold arborist certifications themselves.
  • Similarly, if trees need fertilization or pest control, the individuals who apply the products are usually experienced in the application process, not the diagnosis.

It may be helpful, again, to compare a “tree doctor” to a medical doctor. In most cases, especially in a larger clinic or hospital setting, the primary care doctor will diagnose an illness or condition and write orders for further testing, prescriptions for medications, or referrals to specialists.

  • Certified arborists oversee the entire process of care for a particular tree, deciding on a course of action.
    • From there, the certified arborists assign certain tasks to certain other team members who are experienced and trained in that area.
  • The tree climbers and other tree workers are like the physician’s assistants and medical technicians who perform the specific tasks of patient care.
  • The plant health care technicians are like the pharmacists who distribute medication.
  • Certified arborists even have access to a lab for performing tests on samples — in Texas, the experts at the Texas Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory provide lab services for arborists all over the state.

Nurses and patient care professionals are tasked with the day-to-day activities of treating disease, and the diverse members of a tree care team each have a particular set of skills that lead to trees receiving the highest level of care.

Do Tree Doctors Know Everything About Trees?

Additionally, just as medical doctors recommend second opinions or refer patients to specialists, effective certified arborists consult with others in their field to offer better tree care. As mentioned before, master arborists have a greater depth of knowledge and experience in many areas, and can provide support to other arborists as well as primary tree care themselves.

  • Certified arborists with a credential in a specific disease or in tree risk assessment may be asked to consult on a particular project.
  • In some instances, such as when a tree’s monetary value is in question, even master arborists may seek the services of an American Society of Consulting Arborists registered individual who has received training in the area of tree valuation.
  • Ultimately, the best certified arborists in your area may not individually have detailed knowledge of every particular of tree care, but they should know how to find it.
  • When you are considering hiring an arborist, be sure to ask about what resources (experts, labs, etc.) they use to diagnose and care for trees.

Like a trustworthy medical doctor, a reliable tree doctor knows when to ask for help, to make sure your trees are expertly cared for.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we are proud to employ ISA Certified Arborists and Board Certified Master Arborists holding both Tree Risk Assessment and Texas Oak Wilt Qualifications. Our arborists are committed to continuing education and growing in the knowledge and practice of their profession. Our full-service tree care team includes experienced crews who train under an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, Texas Department of Agriculture Licensed Applicators who apply our plant health care products, and a diverse support staff who handle all aspects of our locally-owned and family-run business. We are always happy to answer your questions about how we work and what we do. To learn more about our services, training, and experience, browse our website or get in touch!

Share This Blog
PREV BLOG
NEXT BLOG

Search Within Blogs

Recent Posts

  • Arbor Day Foundation Recognition Programs: It’s Not Just for Cities!
    Interested in enhancing your community through thoughtful tree stewardship? At Texas Tree Surgeons, we can guide your organization through application strategies and implementation—helping you earn well-deserved recognition while planting the seeds for a greener tomorrow. […]
  • What to Expect During Tree Installation from Texas Tree Surgeons
    To ensure that your tree install is smooth, and safe, […]
  • 8 Benefits of Hiring Arborists for Tree Planting in North Texas
    While it may seem like a simple task, there are numerous factors to consider to ensure the trees thrive after planting. Hiring local tree care professionals for planting can make all the difference. […]
  • Saluting Branches | Veterans Park
    Saluting Branches is a national day of service where […]
  • Same red oak, total tree, damage, and view of hollow stump10 Signs You Need Emergency Tree Removal Services
    If you are unable to have regular inspections it is important to recognize when a tree poses a risk so you can act quickly and contact professional emergency tree removal services. […]

Ask Texas tree Surgouns

  • What's Wrong with My Tree
  • Local Arborist Services
  • Consulting
  • Tree Planting
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Trimming
  • Tree Health Care
  • Roots
  • Insects & Diseases
  • Tree Recommendations
  • Turf & Trees
  • Extreme Weather
  • Fall Tree Care
  • Spring Tree Care
  • Summer Tree Care
  • Winter Tree Care
  • Top 10
  • Resources
  • Tree Owner's Guide
  • Ask Texas Tree Surgeons
  • Events
  • Video

Follow

Recent Comments

    Archives

    • September 2025
    • August 2025
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • February 2025
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • March 2024
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • August 2023
    • July 2023
    • May 2023
    • February 2023
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • August 2022
    • May 2022
    • April 2022
    • March 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • March 2021
    • February 2021
    • January 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • August 2020
    • June 2020
    • April 2020
    • March 2020
    • February 2020
    • January 2020
    • December 2019
    • November 2019
    • October 2019
    • September 2019
    • August 2019
    • July 2019
    • June 2019
    • May 2019
    • April 2019
    • March 2019
    • February 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • September 2018
    • August 2018
    Related

    Related Blogs

    Similar blogs related to this topic

    All Blogs
    Tree Planting

    How to Take Care of a Recently Planted Tree

    Planting a new tree is an investment in your landscape and in the health of our community’s urban forest. But planting is only the beginning. The first year after planting is one of the most…

    Read more Aug 27, 2025
    What's Wrong with My Tree

    Phyllosticta Leaf Spot

    At Texas Tree Surgeons, we frequently get asked, “Why is my tree dropping leaves so early?” or “What are these dark spots on my crape myrtle?” One possible culprit, especially during warm, wet seasons is…

    Read more Aug 24, 2025
    What's Wrong with My Tree

    What’s Wrong with My Red Oak?

    If your red oak is dropping leaves early or developing strange brown spots with yellow halos, you’re not alone—and your tree may be dealing with Tubakia leaf spot. Common in North Texas, this fungal disease…

    Read more Aug 19, 2025
    Contact Us

    Get Your Estimate Today!

    Ready to get started? Have a question? We’d love to hear from you. Request an estimate and get started today.

    Contact Us
    Locations

    Areas Served

    Tree Services in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

    • Dallas
    • Grand Prairie
    • Plano
    • Denton
    • North Richland Hills
    • Southlake
    • Fort Worth
    • Lewisville
    • Carrollton
    • Highland Park
    • Euless
    • Colleyville
    • Arlington
    • Frisco
    • McKinney
    • Grapevine
    • Garland
    • Wylie
    • Irving
    • Richardson
    • Coppell
    • Mesquite
    • Farmers Branch
    • Flower Mound
    • Keller
    • Addison
    • Rockwall
    • Prosper
    • Allen
    • Murphy
    • University Park
    • Trophy Club
    view more
    footer logo

    Dallas Tree Surgeons or Texas Tree Surgeons? Both! Same great people. Different name.

    • 469-387-6000
    • [email protected]
    Services
    • All Services
    • Local Arborist
    • Tree Health Care
    • Tree Removal
    • Tree Trimming
    • Tree Planting
    • Stump Grinding
    Quick Links
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Faqs
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    Follow us on

    "Dallas Tree Surgeons" and "Texas Tree Surgeons" are registered marks of Tree Surgeons LLC.

    Copyright ©2018-2024 Tree Surgeons LLC