This past week, the controversy surrounding tree removals at Washington’s East Potomac Golf Links became a national news story. Court hearings, political accusations, and images of hundreds of trees being cut down have generated significant public attention. The most visible part of the story is the news footage itself: tree crews, chainsaws, heavy equipment, and large established trees cut down.

Most viewers of these images don’t distinguish between government agencies, contractors, landscapers, utility crews, or arborists. They see people cutting down trees and assume that’s all tree care professionals do. When a high-profile removal project dominates the headlines, it can reinforce the misconception that our profession is primarily about taking trees down.

Tree removal is one small part of a much larger profession dedicated to preserving, managing, and caring for trees. The irony is that the public reaction to stories like this often stems from something arborists understand deeply: people value and care about trees, and want them protected. That same concern is what drives much of the work our industry does every day.

One of the biggest misconceptions about our industry is that we are simply in the business of removing trees. But that misses the reality of what our members do. Professional tree care companies spend much of their time helping trees live longer, healthier, and safer lives. We prune to improve structure, diagnose diseases, manage risk, support storm-damaged trees, improve soil conditions, and protect valuable landscape assets.

Sometimes, removal is the right recommendation. Sometimes it is the only responsible recommendation. But a chainsaw is a tool, not a philosophy.

A homeowner may love a tree that is declining. An arborist may identify a risk that isn’t obvious to the property owner. A tree may be structurally compromised, interfering with infrastructure, or damaged beyond recovery. The role of the tree care professional is to evaluate, educate, and recommend. Ultimately, however, the property owner makes the final decision and that responsibility is exactly why education matters.

At TCIA, we bring focus to and elevate the science, safety, and professionalism of tree care. Through training programs, workforce development initiatives, safety education, and industry certifications, we help tree care professionals make informed decisions that balance preservation, risk, property rights, and public safety.

We know that no discussion about tree care is complete without talking about safety. Whether a crew is pruning a mature oak, supporting a storm-damaged maple, or removing a hazardous tree, the work remains one of the most dangerous professions in America. Every job requires planning, training, proper equipment, and a commitment to sending every worker home safely at the end of the day. That’s why TCIA continues to invest so heavily in safety education and why our members make safety a core part of their business culture. Because education matters not only for homeowners and property owners, but for policymakers as well.

In the months ahead, a new Congress will be sworn in and state legislatures across the country will begin new sessions. Lawmakers will consider issues ranging from workforce development and safety regulations to utility vegetation management, urban forestry, disaster response, and environmental policy. Some of those conversations will involve trees, and we strive to ensure they are based on an understanding of professional tree care.

One of TCIA’s most important advocacy responsibilities is helping policymakers understand the difference between tree care and tree cutting. We work to ensure that decisions affecting our industry are informed by science, safety, professional expertise, and practical experience in the field. When elected officials understand how tree care professionals assess risk, preserve valuable trees, and prioritize worker safety, they are better equipped to develop policies that benefit communities, businesses, workers, and the urban forests we all depend on.

Advocacy, at its core, is education. Just as a professional arborist helps a property owner understand the options in front of them, TCIA helps policymakers understand the realities of tree care so they can make informed decisions.

One concrete way you can help is by spreading the word to friends, neighbors, and family members. Every time someone is looking to hire a tree service, there is an opportunity to help them understand the difference between tree cutting and tree care.

Encourage them to look beyond finding out who owns a chainsaw in their neighborhood to asking about professionalism, training, and safety.

If they want a company that values professional standards, ongoing education, ethical business practices, and a commitment to safety, encourage them to ask one simple question of the tree service provider they are considering: “Are you an accredited TCIA member?”

TCIA members have chosen to be part of a professional community dedicated to advancing tree care. They invest in training. They stay current on industry best practices. They prioritize worker safety. And they recognize that every tree presents a unique set of considerations that deserve thoughtful evaluation.

Good tree care isn’t measured by how many trees come down. It’s measured by having the knowledge, judgment, and professionalism to know when a tree should be preserved, when it should be managed, and when it truly needs to be removed.

As new lawmakers take office, communities debate the future of their trees, and homeowners make decisions about the trees on their own properties, that distinction matters.

That’s the difference between tree cutting and tree care. And it’s why TCIA members work every day to advance the professionalism, safety, and stewardship that define our industry.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash