Most homeowners learn the difference the hard way — usually when a landscaper has shaped a live oak with hedge trimmers and the tree starts declining the next season. Here's the simple version, before that happens.
What landscapers do
Landscapers handle the spaces around your trees: lawns, beds, hardscaping, irrigation, planting design, and seasonal care. Many are excellent at what they do — turning a flat yard into something thoughtful. Their primary tools and training are around plants smaller than trees.
Where landscapers fit:
- Lawn care and mowing
- Bed design and planting
- Shrub and hedge trimming
- Irrigation installation
- Mulch, fertilizer, sod work
- Small ornamental tree work (under 12 ft)
What arborists do
Arborists are tree specialists. ISA certification involves coursework, exam, and ongoing continuing education on tree biology, pruning standards, climbing, rigging, hazard assessment, and species-specific care. Arborists work on the tree itself.
Where arborists fit:
- Pruning and structural training of mature trees
- Hazard assessment and risk evaluation
- Removal of large or compromised trees
- Disease diagnosis (oak wilt, hypoxylon canker, root rot)
- Cabling and bracing
- Insurance documentation for storm damage
Why the distinction matters
A landscaper using a hedge trimmer to "trim" a live oak will damage the tree. The cuts are wrong — typically flat-topping or shearing instead of selective branch removal. The tree responds with dense weak regrowth that's prone to failure, and oak wilt entry points if oak wilt is in the area.
A landscaper running a chainsaw without insurance creates legal exposure for the homeowner if anything goes wrong on the property. Most landscapers' liability insurance specifically excludes tree work over 12 feet.
How to tell which you need
| Job | Hire |
|---|---|
| Lawn mowing, mulch, beds | Landscaper |
| Shrubs and small ornamentals | Either |
| Tree pruning over 12 ft | Arborist |
| Tree removal of any size | Arborist |
| "Trimming" mature live oaks | Arborist |
| Storm damage assessment | Arborist |
| Stump grinding | Arborist or stump specialist |
The "but my landscaper does it" problem
Many landscapers offer tree work because clients ask for it. Some are skilled; many aren't. Things to verify before letting any company touch your trees:
- ISA certification (verify on the ISA website)
- Insurance specifically covering tree work (general liability + workers' comp)
- Reference work on similar trees
- ANSI A300 awareness (the standard arborists work to)
Bottom line
Hire a landscaper for what's around the trees. Hire an arborist for the trees themselves. We're ISA-certified arborists; for landscape work, we'll happily refer you to local landscapers we trust. (281) 626-9111.