In Oregon, most tree services are under the CCB, or construction contractors board for a license.

That does not allow the tree planting side of arboriculture. If you are a CCB tree service in Oregon, you must get a LCB, landscape contractors board license to advertise and plant, or transplant trees. Big tree spade work fits that mold too.

The Landscape Contractors Board currently is working to resolve this issue, so that professionals need not have two licenses.

The landscapers have a similar issue. They can do a lot of tree work, especially for installation, because of a CCB exemption. But the landscapers are not given the authority by the landscape board. It's a matter of permission, not authorization.

And a bit of it is grey. There are several tree services licensed with the landscape board.

This issue will probably go for legislative change in one form or another.

If you are in Oregon, keep an eye open. The best bet, is to wait until summer 2004, and call the Landscape Contractors Board and ask if the issue is moving along, and if so, how is it evolving. Right now, there are goals, but no plan. So opinions would not matter at this point.

Mario Vaden
Certified Arborist
Certified Landscape Technician
M. D. Vaden Trees & Landscapes