What is an Arborist? 

Arborists are skilled trade professionals with a mastery of trees and tree care practices. Tree Trust’s team of professional arborists are experts in tree care and tree removal, always following proper safety protocols. Arborists know how to plant, care for, diagnose, and safely remove trees and woody shrubs. Tree Trust’s YouthBuild and Branches programs both offer entry-level tree care curriculum, including hands-on training for young people to explore the career of an arborist. Tree Trust Landscape Services leaders mentor tree care technicians as they level up their skillset through industry standard certification with our Arborist Apprenticeship Program. In the field of arboriculture, there are many different pathways leading to a family-supporting, in-demand career.

Arborist Apprenticeship Program 

Tree Trust Landscape Services offers a nationally recognized Arborist Apprenticeship Program registered through the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. This three-year certification program combines on-the-job training, classroom instruction, and professional development, all while learning a skilled craft. Tree Trust’s program participants receive competitive wages as they work to level up their skillset. Upon graduation, arborists earn the nationally recognized Journeyworker credential. Participants enter the program as apprentices and graduate as industry professionals, ready to mentor the next generation of tree care workers.

Ask An Arborist Your Tree Care Questions  

Kristenza N. from Saint Paul, Minnesota, asked – My maple tree lost many branches in the spring snowstorm and has a big hole in the middle of the canopy. Can I give it nutrients to strengthen it?

Certified Tree Trust Arborist Matthew Ronald replies – That tree just needs time to fill its canopy out again. New growth will be able to sense an increase in available sunlight and will fill the gap on its own, though it may take years. Some pruning on the ends of other branches would help to prevent future limb failure by removing points for snow to accumulate and wind to drag upon. Adding nutrients to the soil will not help to strengthen existing wood, and the tree does not have any visible signs of nutrient deficiencies. Sadly, we cannot add on new branches and the gap in the canopy will be there for a while.

Robynn E. from Saint Paul, Minnesota, asked – My dog devoured the main root of my peach tree. I sprayed the stuff that keeps burrowing insects out of it, taped it up with tree wrap, and staked up the tree. Will it survive?

Certified Tree Trust Arborist Matthew Ronald replies – If the wrap material is on the root itself, I would remove it, as it could become an impediment to the thickening of the roots as the tree continues to grow. The best thing to help address the root damage would be to make sure it is properly reburied and watered frequently. Mulching with an organic material such as wood chips could help to keep the dog from getting at it again. I would also recommend some sort of barrier or fencing to keep the dog outside of the root zone. Trees can suffer a surprising amount of abuse, and only time will tell if it survives.

Tree Trust Arborists Are Here To Help

Tree Trust’s Certified Arborists want your trees to be healthy trees. Please reach out on social media using the hashtag #askanarborist to ask our tree care professionals questions about your tree. We will respond and share each tree question and answer on our social media channels. Proper care of trees is important to ensure the growth of mature trees. Thanks to Tree Trust Arborist Matthew Ronald for taking the time to answer this round of questions. If you would like to schedule time with a professional arborist to visit your home and provide a quote for any recommended tree care, please contact our Tree Trust Landscape Services team.