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Community Tree Care

Tree Care Professionals

See our tips for selecting a tree care professional to care for your trees.

Certified Arborists

ISA Certified Arborists must have at least three years of full-time arboriculture work experience and/or a degree in arboriculture, horticulture, landscape architecture, or forestry from a regionally accredited educational institute.  Certified Arborists must pass an exam, maintain continuing education requirements, and adhere to a Code of Ethics.  To find a certified arborist in your area (or verify a credential), visit the International Society of Arboriculture website.

Tree Surgery and Landscape Horticulturist Licensing

In Mississippi, persons who advertise as a licensed or bonded or insured tree surgeon and who receive compensation for any work or consultation relative to the care, pruning, cabling, bracing, topping, trimming, fertilizing, cavity work, and removal of ornamental trees and shrubs in any manner are required to have a Tree Surgery License (TSL) issued through the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) Bureau of Plant Industry.  Likewise, a Landscape Horticulturist License (LSL) is required for persons engaged in landscaping services and the setting or replacement of any plants.  Professional arborist credentials are not presently required for these licenses; however, the Mississippi Forestry Commission promotes the hiring of companies that have ISA-certified professionals on staff.

For further information about Tree Surgery and landscape Horticulturist Licensing in Mississippi, visit the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce website.

For a list of licensed tree surgeons and landscape horticulturists (or to check a license), click here.

Tree Care Resources

Sick Tree FAQ

We answer common questions about caring for trees on your property.

Ash Tree Inventory and Emerald Ash Borer Cost Calculator Tool

This tool allows users to map and inventory trees in their community, calculate their benefits, track and report on maintenance and management needs, and create cost scenarios for managing Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).

Pruning Information

Pruning can be of great value to shade and ornamental trees. Not only does it improve the appearance of most trees, but properly pruned trees will usually remain healthier and live longer than unpruned trees.

Download our Guide to Pruning Shade and Ornamental Trees.

Tree Care in Construction Sites

MFC’s Guide to Tree Protection Standards in Construction Sites gives your trees the best chance of survival during and after construction. You’ll follow advice from professional arborists and published standards and practices to protect your trees from damage.

Email Alex Ballard at aballard@mfc.ms.gov to learn what trees grow well in your area, get advice on tree health, receive contact information from other local professionals, and obtain various other valuable services.