Certifications & Credentials

Certified Arborists. Qualified Risk Assessment. Licensed Treatment Expertise.

Tree Scouts combines ISA-certified expertise, risk assessment training, and licensed treatment knowledge to help homeowners make better decisions for the health, safety, and long-term value of their trees.

ISA Certified Arborist
TX-4955A
TRAQ Qualified
Tree Risk Assessment
Urban Forest Professional
ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional
ISA Certified Arborist
BBB Accredited
TRAQ Qualified
Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave
Cited by Martha Stewart

What Our Credentials Mean for You

Credentials are not just logos. They represent tested knowledge, formal training, and higher standards for tree care decisions.

Badge Logo for the Texas ISA Certified Arborist

ISA Certified Arborist

Indicates formal arboriculture knowledge in tree biology, pruning, diagnosis, safety, and proper care standards. Requires passing a comprehensive exam and maintaining continuing education.

Why it matters to homeowners
You are less likely to get guesswork over-pruning, or improper recommendations that could damage the trees.
Traq Certified

TRAQ -Tree Risk Assessment Qualification

Training focused on evaluating tree defects, site conditions, targets, and failure risk. Helps arborists systematically assess whether a tree poses a genuine safety concern.

Why it matters to homeowners
This helps you make better decisions when a tree may be hazardous but not necessarily need removal.

Urban Forest Professional

Credential holders have attained a fundamental level of knowledge in core areas of the arboriculture practice within an urban forest context and management of trees as a community providing societal benefits.

Why it matters to homeowners
This credential reflects advanced knowledge in urban tree management, planning, and community forestry.

Meet Our Credentialed Experts

The credentials behind Tree Scouts belong to real people who work on your trees.

ISA Certified Arborist Levi Williams

Levi Williams

ISA Certified Arborist • TRAQ Qualified • Urban Forest Professional

Levi leads Tree Scouts' arborist assessments and treatment planning across Central Texas. His focus is helping homeowners understand what's actually going on with their trees. Whether that's a pruning decision, a risk concern, oak wilt diagnosis, or a removal evaluation. He combines formal training with hands-on experience in the species, soil conditions, and weather patterns specific to the Georgetown, Leander, and Austin areas.

ISA Certification #TX-4955A — verifiable through the International Society of Arboriculture

Erek Flynn

Expert Arborist / Owner of Tree Scouts

With over a decade of hands-on experience, Erek co-founded Tree Scouts to bring a higher standard of tree care to Central Texas. He oversees every major project and consults directly with homeowners on pruning decisions, risk concerns, and long-term tree health strategy. His deep knowledge of local species and conditions means you get recommendations grounded in real-world Central Texas arboriculture.

Todd Sanders

Expert Arborist

With more than three decades in professional tree care — including building and running one of San Diego’s largest tree service companies — Todd brings a rare depth of operational and diagnostic experience to every job. A U.S. Marine veteran, he approaches tree work with discipline, precision, and a commitment to doing things right. His expertise spans complex removals, structural assessments, and long-term tree health planning across Central Texas properties.

Why Standards and Training Matter

Credentials influence how we approach every job, from the initial assessment to the final cleanup.

📐
ANSI-Aligned Practices
We aim to follow recognized tree care standards when evaluating pruning, structure, and risk.
🦺
Safety-Focused Procedures
Tree work can be hazardous. Training and process matter for protecting your property and our crew.
🔬
Science-Based Diagnosis
Good tree care starts with understanding the tree, site conditions, and likely causes
🌳
Central Texas Expertise
Recommendations reflect local species, weather stress, pests, and common regional issues like oak wilt.

Want to verify a credential? We're happy to share.

If you have questions about a credential, certification, or license, just ask. We believe homeowners should understand who they are hiring and why those qualifications matter. Recommendations depend on site conditions, species, health, structure, and goals — and credentials are one part of what supports better decisions.

Request Credential Verification

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about arborist credentials, qualifications, and what they mean for your tree care decisions.

What is an ISA Certified Arborist?
An ISA Certified Arborist has passed a comprehensive exam administered by the International Society of Arboriculture covering tree biology, diagnosis, pruning, safety, and proper care standards. They must also maintain continuing education credits to keep the certification current. It indicates formal, tested knowledge — not just field experience.
What does TRAQ mean?
TRAQ stands for Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. It's a specialized training program that teaches arborists how to systematically evaluate tree defects, site conditions, potential targets, and the likelihood of failure. It helps professionals make more informed recommendations about whether a tree is hazardous and what level of risk it presents.
Does every tree job require a certified arborist?
Not every tree job legally requires a certified arborist, but having one involved leads to better outcomes. Pruning, risk evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment planning all benefit significantly from trained expertise. For routine maintenance, a credentialed arborist helps ensure the work follows proper standards and doesn't create long-term problems.
Can Tree Scouts verify its credentials?
Yes. We're happy to provide credential details, certification numbers, or licensing information on request. We believe homeowners should understand who they're hiring and why those qualifications matter. Just ask during your consultation or contact us directly.
Why do credentials matter for pruning, removals, and tree risk decisions?
Credentials indicate that the person making recommendations has formal training in tree biology, structural assessment, and care standards. This matters most when decisions have significant consequences - like whether to remove a large tree, how to prune for long-term health, or whether a tree near your home poses a real safety risk. Credentials don't replace field judgment, but they do show formal training and tested knowledge.

Get advice from a qualified tree care professional.

Whether you need help with pruning, a tree risk concern, treatment options, or a second opinion, Tree Scouts is here to help you make an informed decision.