Tree Experts

KevinS

KevinS

Branched out member
Location
ontario
I had a question posed to me the other day that had 100 answers I'm sure. But a lot of companies are named ... tree expert, etc. I work for a tree service and I'm sure it's a marketing thing but is there a point you reach when you can comfortably call your self an expert?

I have a couple credentials, experience for a bit now and have half a grasp on running the day to day show, but an expert... umm maybe not.
 
Guess it depends on what you're comparing yourself to. Though I think it's funny as well. Personally, we call ourselves a tree care company rather than a tree service. Semantics but I think it's a important distinction. I'm here for the trees, rather than at your service.
 
Names for companies are all about marketing, more specifically about branding. Where it applies to individuals it's important that you can live up to what you claim.
 
When I did production work, I wanted my company name to be Aspen Tree Care, but I found out that in the area that I was, it didn't relate to people. I even had some people ask me, "whats that?" Then when I started explaining they would say, "oh a tree service!" So alas, I was Aspen Tree Service. I also really had to go by that name because my full company name, Aspen Arboriculture Solutions, really threw them for a loop.
The late, Bruce Smith, always asked me, "How do you service a tree?" It makes sense, but it all comes down to marketing.

I consider myself a tree expert. Even though I by no means know it all... I guess it comes down to a confidence level of how good you feel you are at your profession and that you know your doing whats in the best in the interest of the clients and the trees. I feel that I can figure out the best course of action for a tree and if need be find out what the best course of action is is I don't know off the bat.
Another way of thinking of it is, when people ask what I do, I say "I'm an Arborist." Doesn't get more simple than that. Let them figure out if I'm the expert or not.
 
Another way to look at it is that you know more than the average Joe. For the questions you do not have the answer for you should have the tools/knowledge to research and find the answer. Never make something up, just answer "I don't know," "I'm not sure," but do say "I can look into it for you." Then you will get credibility points, and learn in the process. No body has all the answers, but if you are an arborist with half a brain then you know more than most. I too feel uncomfortable with the "Expert" title, but could always be a "Practicing Expert"
 
My old man told me once.... Definition of an expert... someone who's often in error, seldom in doubt. Rings true to me, especially in academia and politics. (Have you ever seen ANYONE so cocksure as an Ivy League educated politician who knows better than you how to spend YOUR money on someone else? :D)

I have also seen a lot of "Tree Expert" companies about. They seldom seem to be.
 
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