The Top 5 Benefits of Hiring an Arborist in Northern Virginia

Not everyone with a chainsaw is a tree care expert. When comparing tree services, it’s easy to be swayed by the lowest price – but that bargain hire could cost you more in the long run.

Without proper training, what looks like a simple trim or removal can quickly turn into lasting damage to your tree or even your property. If you want it done right, you need a certified arborist. Here’s why working with a true professional matters when it comes to tree care in Northern Virginia.

Key Takeaways:

• Certified Arborists follow proper ANSI A300 pruning techniques that promote tree health, unlike general landscapers who may lack specialized training.
• Arborists understand Northern Virginia’s local tree species and growing conditions, including challenging factors like marine clay soil and temperature fluctuations.
• Professional arborists can safely remove downed trees that could cause injury or property damage.
• Arborists provide comprehensive maintenance services, including fertilization tailored to specific tree needs and prevention or treatment of diseases and insect infestations.
• Arborists consider removal only when a tree can’t be safely preserved due to poor placement, severe pest or disease damage, storm impact, or hazardous leaning.

5 Reasons Why You Should Hire an Arborist to Help with Your Trees

There are plenty of good reasons to hire an arborist instead of just anyone for your tree care needs, including:

1. Arborists Follow the Proper Pruning Techniques

Many companies with a few chainsaws and a pickup truck will tell you they can prune your trees. And while they may be able to cut limbs, they likely won’t follow the proper pruning techniques that benefit your tree.

“Trimming a tree is beneficial at all stages of its life, from the time when it is a little sapling to 50 years later when they are a sprawling shade tree. Different species have different pruning concerns, and what we might do for a young sapling will be very different than what we do when it is established. An arborist will know the best way to cut the tree to encourage healthy growth and limit the risk of damaging your property.” – Alex Shy, Board Certified Master Arborist at Absolute Tree

Arborists should follow the ANSI A300 standards for pruning. These guidelines provide a framework on how to correctly prune for better health and to limit the stress on the trees.

Want to learn more about the concerns and difficulties of pruning in Northern Virginia? See some of our previous articles on the topic:

• How Tree Pruning Differs in Rural and Urban Areas of Northern Virginia
• Frequently Asked Questions on HOA Tree Removal and Pruning
• Tree Pruning to Prevent Storm Damage
• Why is Tree Trimming Important?

2. Arborists Understand Our Local Species

Northern Virginia has a unique ecosystem filled with a variety of trees. Certified Arborists are arboriculture experts, as they have completed courses and exams to develop their knowledge of different species and their concerns. When you decide to plant a tree on your property, you’ll have to consider several factors, such as:

• Soil Type and Condition: Many homeowners in our area have marine clay soil that complicates growth.
• Fluctuations in Temperature: Fairfax County has recently seen temperatures that are blazing hot and unbearably cold.
• Space Requirements: Urban residents in Arlington or Alexandria likely won’t have room for massive shade trees.

Keeping all of these concerns in mind is difficult, especially if you aren’t an expert. Consulting with an arborist before you plant will ensure you have the right tree in the right place.

Arborists can provide targeted insect and disease treatments for your trees.

3. Arborists Perform Maintenance Services to Keep Trees Healthy

Regular maintenance is crucial if you have a tree or plenty of trees at your home or business site. Trees in your yard can add to your property value if they are in good condition. Some methods an arborist can use to help include:

• Fertilization: Fertilization is perfect for trees and shrubs when there is a nutrient deficiency. A tree with the appropriate amount of nutrients is able to grow better and is less prone to diseases and insects. Arborists can create personalized cocktails of fertilizer to deliver precisely what your plants need.
• Disease and Insect Control: Fairfax County is home to native and invasive insects, as well as diseases that can kill your trees. Arborists offer preventive treatment services to protect your at-risk trees.
• Arborist Assessments: If your trees were damaged in a storm and you’re unsure about their condition, an arborist assessment can give you answers. A Certified Arborist will inspect your trees, recommend the best course of action, and provide documentation if needed.

4. Arborists Can Safely Remove Downed Trees

Downed trees are dangerous to work with, especially when they end up on your home or tangled up in utility lines. Trees falling in a storm is a fairly common occurrence in Fairfax County and can happen at any point throughout the year.

Removing downed trees is riskier because they can shift as you try to take them apart in pieces. This movement can further damage the structure they’re resting on or cause the trunk to fall onto the person working on it. If the branches are touching a power line, it could lead to electrocution.

Arborists are specially trained to work safely around downed or storm-damaged trees, using techniques that minimize the risk of injury and prevent collateral damage. In fact, safety practices make up 15% of the Certified Arborist exam, highlighting just how important proper safety is in professional tree care.

Arborists know when a tree needs to be removed, such as this tree that was planted too close to power lines.

5. Arborists Know When (and When Not) to Remove a Tree

Sometimes, there is no choice but to remove a tree. However, in many cases, there might be something an expert can do to save it instead. An arborist will be able to make recommendations on ways to preserve it and avoid removal.

If there is nothing they can do, arborists can handle your tree removal. Some of the typical reasons an arborist may suggest removal include:

• The tree is in the wrong place
• Insects and diseases killed the tree
• A storm damaged too much of the tree’s canopy
• The tree has developed a dangerous lean

Frequently Asked Questions About Certified Arborists

To help you better understand the importance of arborists, we’ve answered some of the common questions we get about Certified Arborists and why you should hire one.

How does someone become an ISA Certified Arborist?

To qualify to become an ISA Certified Arborist, an individual must have a combination of education and experience in the arboriculture industry. Once they fulfill the requirements, a professional can take an exam for certification. The test covers all aspects of tree care, from identifying species to determining what insect or disease is harming a tree.

Do arborists have to continue their education in tree care?

Yes, arborists need to continue their education and training even after certification. To do this, they may complete courses, attend seminars, participate in practical training, and study new developments in arboriculture.

How often should I have an arborist inspect my trees?

Tree inspections are typically recommended every three to five years. However, if you’re just beginning to work with an arborist – or if your property hasn’t been professionally maintained in a while — more frequent inspections are a smart choice. Annual visits during the first couple of years help the arborist get to know your trees and catch potential issues early. Once your trees are on a healthy maintenance track, inspections can usually shift to the standard 3–5-year schedule.

When You Need a Certified Arborist You Can Trust, Call Absolute Tree

Your trees deserve more than just surface-level care—they need expert attention from someone who understands what’s happening beneath the bark. Certified Arborists provide a thorough, science-based approach to tree health, addressing both visible symptoms and underlying issues.

At Absolute Tree, we’re proud to have a Certified Arborist on our team, delivering expert tree care throughout Fairfax County with professionalism, precision, and long-term results. Call us today at 703-969-6207 or request an estimate online for an inspection or any other service your trees need.