Our trees are our most valuable natural asset. Their ability to promote environmental health, energy conservation and aesthetic beauty make them a critical part of our ecological system. The trees in our communities improve air quality, prevent soil erosion, decrease storm water runoff and add many thousands of dollars to property values. Unfortunately, the tree service industry in Michigan is in poor shape. Without any licensing requirements or regulatory oversight, anyone who can spell the word "arborist" can claim to be one. Uneducated, uninformed and downright unscrupulous service providers charge top dollar for old, outdated methods which often cause more damage than good. These "professionals" cost unsuspecting homeowners tens of thousands of dollars each and every year. We