N.C. Forest Service - Urban Forestry Professionals
Credentials and How to Choose the Right Provider
Urban forestry requires skilled professionals in urban forestry, arboriculture and related fields to provide services such as consulting, tree maintenance, planting and supply.
These professionals are part of the broader group of professionals known as the "green industry." Professional credentials, affiliation with professional organizations and business qualifications are tools to measure competency and select a service provider. The following are the professionals, the organizations and credentials that work in the field of urban forestry.
Why Credentials Matter
The most reliable way to assess a professional’s qualifications is through the credentials they hold and their affiliation with professional organizations. A credential typically requires:
- Passing exams or audits
- Completing continuing education
- Paying membership and renewal fees
Credentialing ensures that professionals meet industry standards and stay current with best practices.
Arborists
Role: Arborists manage and study trees, shrubs and other woody plants.
Credentials:
- International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): Certified arborist, master certified arborist, tree risk assessment qualification.
- American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA): Registered consulting arborist (RCA).
- Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA): Professional member organization and accreditation for companies that meet safety, legal, ethical and professional standards.
Foresters
Role: Foresters manage rural and urban forests.
Credentials:
- ISA: Certified urban forest professional (formerly municipal specialist), tree risk assessment qualification.
- North Carolina Board of Registration for Foresters: Registers foresters in North Carolina; registration does not confirm urban forestry expertise.
- Society of American Foresters (SAF): Certified urban and community forester credential.
Landscape Architects
Role: Design outdoor spaces, including planting plans, grading and stormwater management.
Note: Landscape architects are primarily designers and typically receive limited training in arboriculture or urban forestry.
Credentials:
- NC Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects
- North Carolina Board of Landscape Architects
Landscape Contractors
Role: Design, install and maintain landscapes; qualified to supply and plant trees.
Credentials:
- National Association of Landscape Professionals
- NC Nursery & Landscape Association
- North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board
Tree Nursery Operators
Role: Grow and supply plants for landscaping, forestry and conservation.
Credentials:
Each organization listed above offers online tools to help you find credentialed professionals in your area. When selecting a provider, consider the following:
General Guidelines
- Confirm qualifications and experience.
- Verify business credentials and insurance.
- Request and check at least three references.
Consultants
Services: Tree assessments, inventories, management plans, planting plans and urban forestry consulting.
Recommended Credentials:
- Urban forestry: ISA certified urban forest professional, SAF certified urban and community forester, North Carolina registered forester or SAF certified forester plus an arboriculture certification.
- Forestry: North Carolina Board of Registration for Foresters.
- Arboriculture: ISA certified arborist, master certified arborist, tree risk assessment qualification, ASCA registered consulting arborist (ideal for appraisals and legal expert witness work).
- Landscape architecture: Landscape architect plus a forestry, urban forestry or arboriculture credential.
Tree Service Providers
Services: Tree maintenance and planting.
Recommended Credentials:
- Tree services: Staff should include ISA certified or master certified arborists, TCIA member or accredited company.
- Tree planting: North Carolina Landscape Contractors’ Licensing Board
Tree Nurseries
Services: Provide high quality trees through retail sales to the public or wholesale to businesses such as other nurseries and commercial professionals.
Recommendations:
- Choose locally grown trees.
- Use the Buy NC Plants Directory.
- Ensure trees meet ANSI Z60.1 standards.
- Forestry seedlings – NCFS Nursery & Tree Improvement Program.
This page was last modified on 09/29/2025