SA has developed a series of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the purpose of interpreting tree care standards and providing guidelines of practice for arborists, tree workers, and the people who employ their services.

This BMP describes proper installation and maintenance of lightning protection systems that can effectively prevent serious lightning damage to trees. It also serves as a companion publication for American National Standard for Tree Care Operations-Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Management-Standard Practices (Lighting Protection Systems).

Chapters in this BMP include:
  • Identification of Trees Needing Lightning Protection.
  • Limitations of Tree Lightning Protection Systems.
  • Susceptibility to Lightning Strikes.
  • Lightning Protection Materials and Equipment.
  • Lightning Protection System Design and Installation.
  • Installation Methods.
  • Lightning Protection System Maintenance.
  • Lightning-Damaged Trees.
  • Electrical Testing of Grow-Over Conductors.
  • Testing Ground Systems.
  • Glossary of Terms.

Tree Support Systems

by E. Thomas Smiley

Published 30 January 2014
ISA has developed a series of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the purpose of interpreting tree care standards and providing guidelines of practice for arborists, tree workers, and the people who employ their services.

This BMP describes proper installation and maintenance of cables, braces, guys, and props that can effectively limit the movement of branches, leaders, or entire trees. It also serves as a companion publication for the American National Standard for Tree Care Operations-Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Management-Standard Practices (Supplemental Support Systems).

Chapters in this BMP include:
  • Installation Tools.
  • Cabling.
  • Bracing.
  • Guying Established Trees.
  • Propping.
  • Guying Newly Planted Trees.
  • Glossary of Terms.

ISA has developed a series of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the purpose of interpreting tree care standards and providing guidelines of practice for arborists, tree workers, and the people who employ their services.

This BMP is intended to serve as a guide for arborists to assess tree risk as accurately and consistently as possible, to evaluate that risk, and to recommend measures that achieve an acceptable level of risk. It also serves as a companion publication for the American National Standard for Tree Care Operations-Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Management-Standard Practices (Tree Risk Assessment a. Tree Failure).

Chapters in this BMP include:
  • Risk Assessment Basics.
  • Levels and Scope of Tree Risk Assessment.
  • Assessing Targets, Sites, and Trees.
  • Tree Risk Categorization.
  • Risk Mitigation: Preventive and Remedial Actions.
  • Risk Reporting.
  • Tree Related Conflicts That Can Be a Source of Risk.
  • Loads on Trees.
  • Structural Defects and Conditions That Affect Likelihood of Failure.
  • Response Growth.
  • Description of Selected Types of Advanced Tree Risk Assessments.

Root Management

by Larry Costello and E. Thomas Smiley

Published 30 January 2017
Recommended practices for inspecting, pruning, and directing the roots of trees in urban environments to promote their longevity, while minimizing infrastructure conflicts.

Pruning

by Sharon J. Lilly and E. Thomas Smiley

Published 30 January 2019
ISA has developed a series of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the purpose of interpreting tree care standards and providing guidelines of practice for arborists, tree workers, and the people who employ their services.

This BMP, updated in 2019, provides reasons why pruning should be undertaken, explains pruning types, provides background on pruning cuts, reviews sample pruning specifications, and comments on the timing and necessity of these operations.

Chapters in this BMP include:
  • Pruning Systems.
  • Pruning Objectives.
  • Pruning Cuts.
  • Pruning Practices.
  • Poor Pruning Practices.
  • Pruning Conifers, Palms, and Bamboo.
  • Pruning Specifications.
  • Glossary.

ISA has developed a series of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the purpose of interpreting tree care standards and providing guidelines of practice for arborists, tree workers, and the people who employ their services.

This BMP discusses the selection and application of fertilizers for trees and shrubs. It also serves as a companion publication for the fertilization portion of the American National Standard for Tree Care Operations—Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Management—Standard Practices (Soil Management a. Assessment, b. Modification, c. Fertilization, and d. Drainage).

Chapters in this BMP include:
  • Essential Elements.
  • Determining Goals and Objectives of Fertilization.
  • Soil Testing and Plant Analysis.
  • Fertilizer Selection.
  • Fertilizer Timing.
  • Fertilizer Application.
  • Fertilizer Application Area.
  • Fertilizer Rates.
  • Storage and Handling of Fertilizer.
  • Tree and Shrub Nutrient Demand and Supply, Plant Response Expectation Rubric.
  • Sample Fertilizer Contract for Commercial/Municipal Clients.