By Mid Florida Tree Service
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08 Jul, 2023
Mid Florida Tree Service currently has two (2) City of Tampa Self-Certified Private Arborists on staff. Because of this, we are able to help our customers through the permitting processes. What is a Certified Arborist? A Certified Arborist is a trained professional who has obtained recognized certification, typically from organizations like the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and possess expertise in tree care, maintenance, and management. They are knowledgeable in assessing tree health, diagnosing issues, and providing guidance on proper tree care practices. Their role is to preserve and enhance the well-being of trees in diverse settings, such as urban areas, parks, and private properties. What's this about Self Cetification? The City of Tampa has created a system of self certifcation (SCPA) that can be fully explored here: https://www.tampa.gov/construction-services/tree-information/scpa Once an arborist obtains the SCPA certification, they gain the ability to perform several important tasks. Firstly, they can conduct tree conditions evaluations and risk assessments, which are necessary for the issuance of tree removal permits. These permits cover various types of trees, including protected, specimen, and grand trees. Additionally, the certified arborists can assess tree conditions and risks for the issuance of tree pruning permits, specifically for specimen and grand trees. Furthermore, with their SCPA certification, arborists can provide certification for tree surveys. These certified surveys are valuable for zoning reviews, right-of-way permit reviews, and building permit reviews. They offer crucial information about the condition and significance of trees on a specific property. In addition to tree surveys, certified arborists can provide certification for arborist reports. These reports play a vital role in zoning reviews, right-of-way permit reviews, and building permit reviews. They contain detailed assessments and professional opinions regarding trees, aiding in the decision-making process for development projects. In summary, the SCPA certification enables arborists to conduct tree conditions evaluations and risk assessments for tree removal and pruning permits. They can also provide certified tree surveys and arborist reports, which are essential for zoning, right-of-way, and building permit reviews. To participate in the SCPA program, applicants must have an active certification from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). This certification ensures that they have the necessary skills and knowledge in arboriculture. It's important to note that the certification is only valid for the certified arborist and cannot be used by anyone else, such as another person, company, or entity. Recertification is required every two years to maintain SCPA membership. Additionally, attendance at quarterly advisory meetings is mandatory. This ensures that certified arborists stay up to date with the latest practices and developments in the field. When it comes to self-certification, arborists need to use specific forms and follow approved evaluation and risk assessment methods provided by the city. The documentation they submit as part of the self-certification process serves as the accepted information for a particular development site. This means that Natural Resources won't need to conduct additional inspections for that site. Natural Resources has the authority to perform routine audits of the forms, reports, documentation, and methods submitted by SCPAs. This helps ensure that the program's standards are being followed and maintained. If there are any changes to local, state, or federal laws that affect the City Codes and Technical Standards taught in the program, additional or updated courses may be required to keep the certification valid. It's crucial for arborists to successfully complete these courses; otherwise, their certification could become void. Lastly, if an audit is conducted and an SCPA is found to be in violation of the program's requirements, their certification may become void. Compliance with the rules and regulations is essential to maintain the integrity of the SCPA program. Mid Florida Tree Service is always working toward providing the best service possible, while making things as easy as possible for our clients!
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