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Gold Leaf List

Experience the First Choice Difference

Top-Rated Tree Care Professionals

Owned & Operated Locally Since 1996

Since 1996, our team of ISA Certified Arborists have committed to providing our customers with safe, beautiful, and healthy trees. Our Wisconsin tree care experts pride themselves on the ability to respond and listen to your needs, provide an honest appraisal and recommendation for the services requested, and are committed to your total satisfaction throughout every phase of your project.

At First Choice Tree Care, we practice professional, science-based arboriculture. We have grown to service all of Central and Southeastern Wisconsin - more communities than any other Wisconsin tree care company.

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Milwaukee & Wausau Certified Arborists

Experience the First Choice Difference

Service and quality that has made us the preferred tree care provider in Wisconsin communities for over 20 years.

In addition to our high-quality service, experience, and knowledge, there are many differences that set us apart from other tree care companies in Wisconsin:

  • Our "Gold Leaf Customer Program" allows our customers to receive free annual inspections of their tree and shrub plantings, free diagnostic services, and first, 'top-of-the-list' priority in the event of storm damage.
  • We continue to invest in the science of arboriculture. We practice 'leading edge science' using all the latest and safest techniques and follow professional best practice standards of the industry and ANSI (American National Standards Institute). Examples include the use of the latest, most effective, and least-risk fungicides, insecticides, growth regulators, and fertilizers available; the use of leading-edge branch support technology (Cobra systems).
  • Our experts have the knowledge and education to help you. Every one of our arborists is an ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Exam Certified Arborist, has a college-level degree in the tree care sciences, and is Wisconsin Pesticide Certified.
  • We believe in the importance of continuing education. As a result, you can be assured that the arborist working at your home can honestly, articulately, and intelligently answer your questions and concerns.
  • Our arborists work hard and are courteous, respectful, and friendly. You'll like them.
  • We actively support research in our industry by assisting University staff with research projects, participating in fundraising activities, and donating to research and scholarship causes. We partner with the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and Mid State Technical College to provide year-round internship training for their arboriculture students. Our staff also donates their time to teach classes at these and other schools.
  • We are statewide and national leaders in our industry. We actively volunteer time to many state and national professional organizations such as the Wisconsin Arborist Association, ISA, and TREE Fund.
  • For your protection and for that of our employees, we are fully insured. For your peace of mind, we'll happily provide you with a current, up-to-date certificate of insurance.

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Residential and Commercial Clients

We service both residential and commercial clients. We understand the importance homeowners and business owners place in maintaining their property as it reflects their overall brand image and property value. Our Wisconsin experts assist in providing the proper prevention treatments and maintenance to keep your trees healthy and beautiful, while using the latest technology combined with time-tested techniques to provide the most effective and environmentally safe approach to residential and commercial tree care.

Memberships

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): The International Society of Arboriculture is a worldwide professional organization dedicated to fostering a greater appreciation for trees and to promoting research, technology, and the professional practice of arboriculture.

Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA): The mission of the Wisconsin Arborist Association is to improve the understanding of trees and the practice of arboriculture, and to promote high ethical and professional standards. Founded in 1964, the WAA has grown into a large organization of commercial, municipal, utility and academic arborists providing public and private services and research.

Milwaukee & Wausau Tree Care Experts
ISA and WAA Members

Code of Ethics

  • Arborists have the responsibility to provide professional care of trees for current and future generations. We pledge to be advocates and practitioners of the highest arboricultural standards and practices.
  • Since arboriculture is an ever-changing science, we pledge to educate ourselves, our constituents, and our clients in the most current research and practices available to the industry.
  • We pledge to conduct ourselves and businesses in an honest and dignified manner, reflecting our adherence to the laws that govern us locally, nationally and internationally. We will endeavor to grow our work force through training and employee development.
  • We agree that the arboriculture profession is extremely high profile in public perception. We pledge to look and act professional so as to reflect a positive image for the green industry, and promote our profession.
  • We agree that safety, training and education are of the utmost importance in maintaining a professional workforce. We pledge to provide for the safety and training of employees to ensure a healthy work environment.
  • We pledge to respect the views, ideas and contributions of our peers. Open and honest communications, sharing of ideas and experiences has been a cornerstone of professional memberships, fostering goodwill between companies. We pledge to continue this tradition.
  • As members of ISA and WAA we believe that active participation on committees and Boards, and serving in other areas of leadership is extremely important to keeping a healthy, diverse association.
  • We will provide the quality of services at the price we have quoted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arborists are trained professionals that are knowledgeable and equipped to provide proper tree care. They are specially trained to provide a variety of services to maintain trees. ISA Certified Arborists are individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through at least three years of experience and have passed a comprehensive examination. They are also required to continue their education in order to maintain their certification, ensuring their knowledge is updated on the latest arboriculture techniques. ISA Arborist Certification is a non-governmental voluntary process that operates without the mandate of law. It is an internal self-regulating device administered by the International Society of Arboriculture. Certification provides a measurable assessment of an individual's knowledge and competence required to provide proper tree care.

The type and frequency of tree care depend on the species, age, location, climate, and other factors that affect the tree's growth. The first step is to educate yourself about your trees and understand their needs. It is imperative to understand that proper tree care is a lifelong process and that planting and caring for a tree is a long-term commitment. A Certified Arborist can create a management plan to best suit the needs of each individual tree in your landscape.

Topping is the indiscriminate cutting of tree branches to stubs or lateral branches that are not large enough to assume the terminal role. Other names for topping include "heading," "tipping," "hat-racking," and "rounding over." Topping is perhaps the most harmful tree pruning practice known. It is usually done to reduce the size of a tree. Often, homeowners top their trees because they feel that they have become too large for their property and are a hazard. However, topping will make a tree more hazardous in the long term and is very harmful to the health of a tree. No educated arborist would ever "top" a tree. "Pollarding," often confused with topping, is an ornamental style of pruning popular in Europe, which involves annual trimming of the new shoots.

Mulches are organic materials placed over the soil surface to maintain moisture. Mulching is extremely beneficial to trees. It can reduce water loss from soil, minimize weed competition, and improve soil structure. Properly applied, mulch gives landscapes a healthy dose of benefits for your trees.

As soon as you notice any abnormality in your tree's appearance, you should begin a careful examination of the problem. Insects and diseases can threaten a tree's health. You should contact a Certified Arborist for assistance immediately. By identifying the specific symptoms of damage and understanding the causes, they will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend appropriate actions for treatment.

Trees are essential to our world, offering a wide range of environmental benefits. However, trees become hazardous liabilities if they fall and injure people or damage property. Proper, constant maintenance will help prevent and identify when a tree becomes dangerous. Evaluating the seriousness of a tree's condition is best done by a Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) Arborist.

One of the best websites for consumer tree care information is www.treesaregood.org. For personalized service and detailed information pertaining to your trees, it is best to contact an ISA Certified Arborist to schedule a consultation. For a nominal fee, a Certified Arborist can provide you with a wealth of information, including tree identification, proper pruning, insect and disease problems, and soil nutrition.

Serving The Greater Milwaukee & Wausau/Stevens Point Areas

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