Question
QUESTION: What is the difference between an certified arborist and a certified gardener?  Which would be the best choice for a large complex?

ANSWER: Lori:
I have never heard of a certified gardener. I think anybody can be a gardener. A certified Arborist has specialized knowledge in trees and tree care. They are primarily suitable for making an assessment of trees regardless of the type or size of property. Some arborist are simply knowledgeable of general tree information including growth, care, and pests. Others are practicing arborist who may be able to physically climb, prune, and diagnose difficult diseases and pest problems in trees. An Arborist may or may not be qualified in other ways to design landscapes.

I believe what you are looking for is a certified Landscape Designer. These professionals typically have had minimal training in design and plants.

However, the best choice for designing a large complex would be a Registered Landscape Architect. See this link to learn more.
http://www.asla.org/FAQ.aspx

I hope this has helped.

Sean J Murphy, RLA



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your response.

We have a large complex and the current employee attending to the grounds calls himself a Certified Gardener and Landscape Technician neither title could I find any reference in any Internet searches or at the local gardening stores.  The gardening stores said they had never heard of such titles they all refer to certified arborists and the associations of arborists or governing bodies.

I am just trying to determine his credentials.

Thank you again for the assistance.

I have looked at the web site it is helpful thank you!

Lori

Answer
There are lots of independent organizations out there and I suppose one might have been started for a "certified Gardner" in some small local area but it is definitely not a major national organization with any known reputation. Their are Certified "Master Garners" which are typically certified by county extension offices. As for Landscape Technician, sounds like a fancy way to say "Landscaper". Kind of like calling a Janitor and "sanitation engineer". In either case, if all he is doing is grounds maintenance for a complex he doesn't need any qualification other than experience. You are not typically not going to find a grounds keeper with a college degree or significant design certification....or else they would probably be doing something else.


Sean