Q: What is a Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA)?

An RCA is the premier credential for arboricultural consulting, focusing on the technical aspects of trees. While a Certified Arborist focuses on how to care for the tree, an RCA (like Mariah Menzie) provides the high-level analysis of why, offering tree appraisals, risk assessments, trespass/legal reports, and preservation plans for construction sites. If you need data, legal documentation, or expert witness testimony, you need an RCA.

Question 1

What is the difference between a "tree trimmer" and a Certified Arborist?

Accepted Answer

A "tree trimmer" is often just someone with a chainsaw and a truck. An ISA Certified Arborist is a credentialed professional who has passed a comprehensive examination on tree biology, diagnosis, maintenance, and safety. While a trimmer might simply cut branches to make a tree look smaller, an Arborist understands how each cut affects the tree's health, structural integrity, and long-term survival. At Tree Wizard, we don't just cut trees; we manage living organisms.

Question 2

Why does it matter if the owners are Certified Arborists?

Accepted Answer

In some companies, the owner is a businessman, not a tree expert. At Tree Wizard, our owners (Don & Stephanie Menzie) are both ISA Certified Arborists. This means the company’s core values and operational decisions are based on arboricultural science, not just profit margins. It ensures that a culture of professional excellence starts at the very top.

Question 3

What is a Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA)?

Accepted Answer

This is the highest level of certification offered by the International Society of Arboriculture, held by fewer than 2% of all arborists. To achieve BCMA status, one must pass a rigorous, scenario-based exam covering science, management, and practice. Having a BCMA on staff (Mariah Menzie) means Tree Wizard can handle complex diagnostic cases, forensic consulting, and preservation plans that are beyond the scope of a standard tree service.

Question 4

What is a Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA)?

Accepted Answer

An RCA is the premier credential for arboricultural consulting, focusing on the technical aspects of trees. While a Certified Arborist focuses on how to care for the tree, an RCA (like Mariah Menzie) provides the high-level analysis of why, offering tree appraisals, risk assessments, trespass/legal reports, and preservation plans for construction sites. If you need data, legal documentation, or expert witness testimony, you need an RCA.

Question 5

Why is hiring a Certified Arborist worth the investment?

Accepted Answer

Bad tree work is irreversible. Improper pruning (like topping) or unsafe removal practices can cause thousands of dollars in property damage and reduce the value of your home. Hiring a team of Certified Arborists and a CTSP (Certified Treecare Safety Professional) is an investment in peace of mind. You are paying for insurance, safety training, and the assurance that your trees will be an asset to your property, not a liability.

Meet Our Certified Arborists

Dedicated professionals committed to your trees' health and safety.

Owners - Don And Stefanie Menzie

Registered Consulting Arborist/Master Arborist - Mariah Menzie

ISA Certified Arborist & Plant Health Care Specialist

ISA Certified Arborist & Production Climber

Answers to common questions

Find quick, clear information to help you get started

What is the difference between a "tree trimmer" and a Certified Arborist?

Why does it matter if the owners are Certified Arborists?

What is a Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA)?

What is a Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA)?

Why is hiring a Certified Arborist worth the investment?

Meet Our Certified Arborists

Dedicated professionals committed to your trees' health and safety.

Owners - Don And Stefanie Menzie

Registered Consulting Arborist/Master Arborist - Mariah Menzie

ISA Certified Arborist & Plant Health Care Specialist

ISA Certified Arborist & Production Climber

Answers to common questions

Find quick, clear information to help you get started

Question

What is the difference between a "tree trimmer" and a Certified Arborist?

Question

Why does it matter if the owners are Certified Arborists?

Question

What is a Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA)?

Question

What is a Registered Consulting Arborist (RCA)?

Question

Why is hiring a Certified Arborist worth the investment?