If you spend enough time driving through the tree-lined neighborhoods of Lexington County, you might catch a glimpse of David Morris hanging from an overhead branch.

As a certified arborist and experienced climber, scaling trees isn’t just a job; it’s the culmination of study, grit and a commitment to ethical craftsmanship.

Morris founded Arborism Tree Care in 2018. What began as one man in a van has grown into a family operation that includes his wife, son-in-law and two employees. In a trade where there are no shortcuts, he has worked from the ground up to create a small business that provides tree care.

An arborist isn’t simply a person who prunes or cuts down trees. Arborists are certified professionals who possess in-depth knowledge of tree, plant and soil biology. It’s a complex, and at times dangerous, profession that requires extensive training and legal qualifications.

As a production arborist, Morris specializes in maintaining plants and trees in commercial and residential areas. Many arboriculture companies rely on the use of bucket trucks to prune or remove trees. While he is trained in the operation of forestry trucks, Morris prefers a more hands-on approach to arboriculture.

An experienced arborist can tell a lot about a tree by looking at it. But sometimes, even with the aid of binoculars or a bucket lift, key information about the health of a tree can remain hidden in the branches. And if the crown of a tree is full, hidden cavities, decay or insect infestations are particularly difficult to detect until climbing up for a closer look.

Tree climbing is not a widely offered service among certified arborists. It’s a tricky, often dangerous skill that requires special training and equipment and additional safety precautions. Many tree jobs can be completed safely and effectively with the use of bucket trucks or other machinery. But when a company can’t get a lift or bucket truck into a backyard due to sloped terrain or tight space, they need to call in an independent climber like Morris to handle the job.

The way a tree is climbed also plays a significant role in its health. When scaling a tree for removal, arborists wear spiked footgear that secures footing by puncturing the trunk as they climb. Branches are then removed based on precision and a practiced understanding of the math and physics involved in safely removing and lowering massive limbs.

Any type of puncture wound to a healthy tree opens it up to disease pathogens and the spread of decay. In order to safely prune branches or thin canopies, arborists need to employ a more complicated rope and lanyard system to climb without damaging the bark or cambium layers of the tree. Once in the tree, they must also use a different cutting method to remove limbs in order to allow the plant to wall off decay and prevent disease.

As a recreational climber, Morris has spent a lot of time in trees. He has raced to the top of pines in speed climbing competitions and admired the view from permit-accessible redwood trees in California. Ask him about his favorite type of tree, a sycamore, and he’ll describe everything from the unique grooves within the bark to how the buds take shape and bloom in spring.

"(When you’re) high up in a tree, you see the world from a completely different perspective," Morris said.

Whether he’s climbing for professional reasons or enjoyment, Morris said safety is his top priority. Climbing should never be performed alone or without the proper training, equipment and safety measures.

No matter the size of the tree, climbing is a risky activity. Decaying limbs, cavities, insect infestations and wild animals or reptiles can pose unanticipated dangers that require the proper skill to quickly and safely exit a climb. Factors like inclement weather, equipment malfunctions, dehydration or fatigue can also present serious danger. Even with the appropriate precautions, any climb can turn deadly in a second.

"It almost cost me my life once," Morris said.

Early in his career, Morris overlooked a key detail during an emergency call to remove a dead tree. Before he could disconnect his lanyard, the tree collapsed and he fell 30 feet before landing on the crotch of a double-stemmed tree. Remarkably, the only injuries he sustained were some bruised ribs and a sore leg. It was a valuable lesson he has never forgotten.

Morris takes safety at Arborism Tree Care extremely seriously. He said training in aerial rescue and first aid has taught him the importance of teamwork, effective communication and having a detailed safety plan for every job. He holds mandatory safety meetings with his team each morning before starting work, as well as debriefs at the end of the day to review what went well and what could be improved to prevent future mistakes.

Morris said he strives to run a business built on integrity and ethical plant care. If he encounters a job he doesn’t feel his crew can handle safely, he will recommend another trustworthy company in the area. His company also periodically volunteers with nonprofit efforts in the community to provide pro bono tree services to local families in need.

"At the end of the day, it’s all about being a good neighbor," Morris said.

To qualify for arborist certification, candidates must work for three to five years under the supervision of a certified arborist. This practical apprenticeship involves a lot of study, physical labor and heavy grunt work. At the end of that time, becoming a certified arborist in the United States requires an individual to pass the ISA Certified Arborist Examination, administered by the International Society of Arboriculture. Upon  passing the exam, arborists are issued a certification number through a regional chapter and must recertify every three years.

Arborism Tree Care is based out of the Irmo and Ballentine area in Lexington County. It's open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; closed Saturdays and Sundays. Contact the business at 803-272-8879 or by email at hello@arborismtreecare.com. Learn more at facebook.com/arborismtreecare.