To the editor:

In response to Martin Stever regarding arborists picking up work because of the changes in the SMP: ANSI standards are actually a decent thing. There are ANSI standards for your toothbrush, believe it or not.

A300 standards are the generally accepted industry standards for tree-care practices. They are voluntary industry consensus standards developed by TCIA and written by a committee called the Accredited Standards Committee A300, whose mission is to develop consensus performance standards based on current research and sound practice for writing specifications to manage trees, shrubs and other woody plants. Learn more about the history of ANSI A300.

I absolutely believe that even if I weren’t a professional arborist I’d prefer the people I hire for completing one of the most dangerous jobs in the world to be knowledgeable and up to date with current safety practices and regulations for my area.

So, why is needing to hire a professional a bad thing? As an educated consumer, who else do you want working on what could be considered one of the best assets to your property? There are more and more qualified, safe and experienced tree professionals working in our area than ever before.

Mr. Churchill also said, “I am easily satisfied with the very best,” and this too might be how we start to critique the services we are hiring rather than the law put in motion for a reason.

KATY BIGELOW

Bainbridge Island