How to find a good arborist/tree scientist

[Alien Crouton]

I need to solicit some expert help. We have a tree next to our house, a 3-foot diameter, 100 foot tall poplar which is rooted very close to an eroding ditch in our yard. I believe I see the roots loosening and I am sure it will crash on our house and kill us with the next stiff breeze. She says that can't be true, because it would cost way too much to remove it ($3000 I think was the estimate).

I want to get an analysis by someone with real tree-smarts, someone who has more experience with examining trees than with deconstructing them. How can I look for the former and not the latter? Not sure I can trust someone who thinks he can make a few grand off a scary diagnosis.

[Suburban Plankton]

It might help if we knew where you were located. If you have a university nearby with a good agricultural department, try there. If not, a good nursery might be a place to start; if they can't help you themselves they can probably direct you to someone who can. If I had a similar problem here, I'd probably start my inquiries at UC Davis.

[Papaw]

If the eroding ditch is in your yard, maybe you should have that looked at first. Maybe you can save the tree by repairing the ditch. I know a good arborist, but he is in Alabama.

[Campion]

Start by finding a certified arborist (here's the International Society of Arborists). Then find a couple more. Then ask each of them to come out and take a look at it. You should pretty quickly be able to tell if they're tree guys or if they just want to get out the crane and knock down the big tree.

I went through this last year; a hundred foot tall tree about twenty feet from my house died. I called out a couple arborists, and the first one was the best. Knew his stuff, was very pro-tree and anti-getting rid of trees. He recommended taking it out, and said his company couldn't do it because they didn't have a crane. So I had to go with my second choice to take the tree out (and it did cost two grand so I hear your pain on that).

[marymary]

Call your state extension office.