Capital District's ISA Certified Arborist

Honest Tree Care That Puts Your Property First

When you call Clear Choice, a certified arborist shows up at your door — not a salesman. Douglas Kantrowitz has 27 years of field experience and will tell you exactly what your trees need, even if the answer is nothing at all. Free on-site assessments for the Capital District.

You Shouldn't Have to Wonder Whether Your Trees Are Actually OK.

Maybe a neighbor mentioned your oak is leaning. Maybe you noticed something off about a tree after the last storm — a crack you hadn’t seen before, branches that seem thinner than they used to be. Maybe you just don’t know, and that uncertainty has been sitting in the back of your mind.
The problem isn’t that you don’t care about your trees.

The problem is that finding someone qualified to give you a straight, honest answer is harder than it should be.

Most companies will tell you what you want to hear — or worse, recommend whatever generates the priciest invoice. We do something different. Douglas shows up, walks your property, and tells you exactly what he sees. Sometimes that’s a tree that needs to come down. Sometimes it’s a trim and a soil treatment. Sometimes it’s nothing at all — and we’ll tell you that too.

In New York, Anyone Can Call Themselves an Arborist. Here's Why That Matters.

The Reality

New York State has no licensing requirement for tree work. No certification. No mandatory insurance. Anyone with a truck, a chainsaw, and a business card can start cutting trees in your yard.

Most of the companies you’ll find online — even ones with professional-looking websites — have no formal training in arboriculture, no understanding of tree biology or risk assessment, and no insurance that actually covers aerial work above 10 feet.

When something goes wrong — a tree falls the wrong way or a worker gets hurt on your property — the homeowner often ends up being liable under NY Scaffold Law §240.

What ISA Certified Means

To earn the right to be called an ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) certified arborist, you must demonstrate years of tree-care experience and pass a comprehensive examination covering tree biology, diagnosis, pruning standards, risk assessment, and safe work practices — followed by ongoing continuing education to maintain the credential.

In the entire Capital Region, there are approximately five ISA-certified arborists who actually work in the field. Douglas is one of them. He’s also a Certified Tree Care Safety Professional (CTSP), Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ), and holds nearly every credential TCIA offers — including aerial rescue, certified chainsaw operator, certified bucket operator, and EHAP (Electrical Hazard Awareness Program).

When Douglas assesses your trees, you’re getting a real answer — backed by 27 years of field experience and the credentials to support it.

Ensure You’re
Fully Protected.

Take the guesswork out of tree care.

What Clear Choice Handles

From Assessment to Full Tree Care

Get a FREE On-Site Arborist Evaluation — Honest Answers, No Obligation

What Your Free Assessment Includes:

Douglas evaluates your trees in person — structural integrity, health, and risk
You get a plain-language explanation of what he sees and what it means
Written quote for any recommended work — before anything is agreed to
Honest advice, even if the answer is "your trees are fine, do nothing"
No pressure. No upselling. No estimate stuffed in a mailbox.

Spring is the best time to assess winter storm damage and get ahead of summer growth. Scheduling fills quickly — book your free visit now.

Douglas calls you back the same day. No spam, ever.

Schedule My Free Assessment

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Getting a Clear Answer About Your Trees Takes Three Easy Steps

Step 1: Call or Fill Out the Form

Tell us what you're seeing or what's on your mind. We'll schedule a free visit at your convenience.

Step 2: Douglas Comes to You

An ISA Certified Arborist walks your property, evaluates your trees, and gives you a clear, honest assessment. Written quote included for any recommended work.

Step 3: You Decide — No Pressure

If work is needed, we schedule it around you. If it's not, we'll tell you that too — and you'll leave the conversation knowing exactly where things stand.

Providing Unmatched Communication from Start to Finish

Unfortunately, many tree-care companies are notorious for leaving customers in the dark. That’s not how we do things.

We pride ourselves on providing crystal-clear communication throughout the entire process. From your initial consultation and estimate to the final walkthrough, we ensure complete transparency and are always happy to answer your questions.

When you trust Tree and Stump Removal Service, you can rest assured you will:

Receive prompt responses to your calls, texts, and emails.
Be provided with a clear, itemized estimate without hidden “gotcha” fees.
Understand when our crew will arrive and when work will begin.
Know the approximate length of time the job will take.
Receive frequent updates if weather conditions require schedule adjustments.
Get answers to any questions you may have during the project.
Have the opportunity to review the completed work with our arborists.
Be able to reach us easily in the future should the need arise.

This commitment to clear communication is one of the reasons we’ve become the Capital Region’s preferred tree-care team. Contact us today to experience the kind of professional tree-care service you deserve.

These Are the Signs Most Homeowners Miss Until It's Too Late

Warning Signs — Request a Free Evaluation If You Notice:

Cracks, splits, or cavities in the main trunk or major limbs
A lean that appeared or worsened after a storm
Mushrooms, fungal conks, or soft spots at the base of the tree
Dieback at the branch tips — leaves not returning in spring
Bark that's peeling, discolored, or separating from the trunk
Roots lifting pavement, cracking walkways, or visibly declining
Ash trees on your property — EAB is widespread in this region
A tree that dropped branches or shifted during the last storm

The Hidden Risks of Tree Failure

Don't Leave Your Home’s Safety to Chance

Tree failure rarely happens without warning signs — but those signs require a trained eye to catch and interpret correctly. A certified arborist sees what a homeowner can’t, and what an unqualified crew won’t stop to look for.

The cost of a free evaluation is nothing compared to the cost of a tree that fails without warning — damage to your home, your neighbor’s property, or a person on your grounds.

Under NY Scaffold Law §240, if an uninsured worker is injured on your property, you, as the homeowner, can be held personally liable. The right arborist protects your trees and protects you.

Testiomonials From Clients Like You

Our Expert Training and Credentials Explained

Credential

What It Means

ISA Certified Arborist
ISA Number: #NY-5978A

International Society of Arboriculture — the gold standard in arboricultural knowledge and best practices

CTSP — Certified Tree Care Safety Professional

TCIA — comprehensive safety management and hazard recognition in tree care operations

TRAQ — Tree Risk Assessment Qualified

ISA — formal methodology for identifying and evaluating tree structural failures and hazards

TCIA Member

Tree Care Industry Association — commitment to industry standards and ongoing education

Aerial Rescue Certified

Trained to perform aerial rescue operations in tree canopy environments

Certified Chainsaw Operator

TCIA-certified safe chainsaw use and cutting techniques

Certified Bucket Operator

TCIA-certified aerial lift operation

EHAP — Electrical Hazard Awareness Program

Qualifies crew to work near electrical lines safely

30-Hour Pesticide Course

NY DEC — certified for pesticide and soil treatment applications

Class A CDL Crew

Full crew holds Class A Commercial Driver’s License

Serving Latham, Albany & the Full Capital District

Douglas serves homeowners and commercial properties across the Capital District. Whether you’re in Latham, Albany, Schenectady, Troy, or the surrounding suburbs — your assessment is typically scheduled within a few days.

Not sure if we cover your area? Call us — we’ll tell you right away.

Latham
Albany
Schenectady
Troy
Guilderland
Colonie
Delanson
Capital District

Questions About Arborist Services — Answered Honestly

What does a certified arborist actually do?

An ISA-certified arborist is trained in tree biology, proper pruning and removal techniques, disease diagnosis, tree risk assessment, and safe work practices. In practical terms: when Douglas visits your property, he’s not just looking at the tree from the outside. He’s evaluating structure, rooting, canopy density, signs of disease or pest activity, proximity hazards, and what each tree actually needs — then giving you a plain-language explanation and honest recommendation.

What's the difference between an ISA-certified arborist and a regular tree company?

In New York State, there is no licensing requirement for tree work — anyone can call themselves an arborist. An ISA-certified arborist ( ISA Number: #NY-5978A) has passed a comprehensive examination and maintains ongoing education to keep the credential. In the Capital Region, approximately five people work in the field with this certification. Douglas is one of them. The practical difference is that you get an honest, informed assessment rather than a sales pitch.

How much does an arborist evaluation cost?

Douglas’s visual, verbal, on-site evaluation is free with no obligation. You’ll receive a plain-language explanation of what he sees and a written quote for any recommended work — before anything is agreed to. If your trees are fine, he’ll tell you that. If you need a written arborist assessment, a small fee will apply.

Are you insured for this type of work?

Yes — we carry a $4 million tree-specific liability policy and full workers’ compensation. This is different from general liability insurance, which doesn’t cover aerial or tree work above 10 feet. Under NY Scaffold Law §240, homeowners can be held personally liable if an uninsured worker is injured on their property. We make sure you’re fully protected.

Can you help with insurance claims after storm damage?

Yes. Douglas can assess storm-damaged trees, provide documentation, and perform the removal or remediation work. Call (518) 588-1919 for urgent situations.

Do you offer ongoing tree care, or just one-time visits?

Both. Many of our customers call us back season after season — for annual trimming, plant health care treatments, and periodic assessments as their trees grow. We’ll give you an honest recommendation on what your specific trees need and how often.

What trees are most common in the Capital District — and what should I watch for?

The most common species we work with include oak, ash (EAB is a significant regional threat), maple, white pine, spruce, birch, beech, and ornamental varieties like pear. Ash trees in particular deserve attention — emerald ash borer has been widespread in this region, and declining ash trees can become structural hazards quickly. Douglas can assess any species during your free visit.

Ready for a Straight Answer
About Your Trees From Someone Who Actually Knows?

One call. One free visit from a certified arborist. No pressure, no obligation, no estimate stuffed in a mailbox (we provide professional digital estimates to protect you). Just honest answers from someone who’s been doing this in the Capital District for 27 years.

Or Fill Out the Form — We'll Call You the Same Day