What are the steps to become a certified arborist?
Syd Beddingfield, Cherokee County A: A certified arborist is someone who has passed a test administered by the International Society of Arboriculture, www.isa-arbor.com. After passing the test, a member is required to take continuing education classes to keep up their certification. Studying for the initial test is done on your own, using ISA textbooks. The next test is in April in Cordele, Ga. Becoming an ISA certified arborist is a sign you follow the highest standards of tree health and safety. You can get more information from the Georgia Arborist Association, www.georgiaarborist.org, including details about their tree climbing competition on February 27th. Q: A landscaper has told me we can safely plant new shrubs until the end of January in Atlanta. What say you? Bonnie Collings, e-mail A: They’re right. It would be better to plant shrubs and trees Oct. — Dec., to take advantage of warmer soil, but there is little harm in extending the planting season to January. One bit of advi
