Certified Arborist in Indianapolis
We promise an ISA Certified Arborist at every estimate and job site.
Or call or text 317-417-9277
Brad Elliott is an ISA Certified Arborist (IN-3746A) with the ISA tree risk assessment credential and a prescription pruning certification, and a certified arborist is at every Nova Tree Care estimate and job site. Call when you need an honest answer about a tree in Indianapolis: is it safe, what's wrong with it, can it be saved, or what is it worth.
Why it matters who looks at your tree
A company that only does removals has every reason to tell you the tree should come down. An arborist asks different questions: how likely is this tree to fail, what would it hit, and is there a cheaper way to make it safe? A big tree over an empty corner of the yard and the same tree over your kid's bedroom are different and should be treated so.
Tree risk assessment
Brad holds the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). You can look up any ISA Certified Arborist, Brad included, on the ISA arborist search. A risk assessment asks three questions: how likely is a tree to fail, how likely is it to hit a specific target, and what are the consequences?
What we look at
Defects: cracks, decay, cavities, dead limbs, weak unions where two trunks split, and fungus at the base
Lean and roots: a lean that's new or getting worse, and roots damaged by construction or digging
Canopy health: dieback in the upper crown and limbs that are overextended and heavy at the tips
Targets: what's underneath, like your house, garage, driveway, play set, fence or the neighbor's roof
What you might hear from us
Leave it. The tree is sound. We'll tell you what to watch for.
Prune it. Reducing the weight at the ends of heavy limbs takes strain off the tree, more than you might think, without taking it down.
Cable or brace it. A cracked union can sometimes be supported and kept for years.
Test it. If we're not sure what's wrong, we'll walk you through sending a sample to a Purdue University lab before anyone cuts anything.
Remove it. When the risk outweighs what the tree gives you, we'll say so plainly and take it down.
Written tree reports for HOAs, businesses and homeowners
When you need it in writing, for an HOA board, a property manager, a business or your own records, Brad writes formal tree risk assessment reports. Every report follows the same five steps.
Free phone call
We talk through what you need, your timeline and the size of the job. You get a price range on the call.
Walk the property
We meet in person, walk the property together, and agree on the final deliverable and a price cap.
Data collection
We collect the data on every tree in scope.
Report write-up
We write the report.
Report delivery
We meet in person to go through the report, and you get digital copies.
Pricing: you get a price range on the first call, and we agree on a price cap at the walk-through, based on the work involved and your timeline. No hourly billing.
Tree appraisal: what are your trees worth?
A tree appraisal puts a value on your trees. It follows the same five steps as a written risk report, with similar pricing: a range on the first call, then a cap at the walk-through.
Cabling and bracing
A cracked limb or a split where two trunks meet doesn't always mean removal. Dynamic cabling and bracing can support a tree that's worth saving, often for years, without making new wounds on a tree. Sometimes pruning to take weight off the limb does the job on its own. We'll tell you honestly when a tree can't be saved.
Diagnosis: what's wrong with my tree?
If a tree looks sick and the cause isn't obvious, we don't guess. Brad will walk you through sending a sample to a Purdue University lab, so the decision about your tree rests on a diagnosis.
Fertilizing and tree treatments
Candidly, there are other companies in Indianapolis that do tree treatments better than we do. So when your tree needs fertilizing or treatment for insects or disease, Brad diagnoses the problem and connects you with a partner we trust who is also a certified arborist in Indianapolis. You can keep Brad as your point of contact if that makes you feel more comfortable or he can pass you off - we want what you prefer.
What customers say
"The tree was encroaching on my neighbor's house and at first I wanted to cut it down, but he had brought up some good points as to why I might want entertain keeping the tree rather than cut it down."
Zachary L., September 2023
"He came out the same day I called to check on a tree in our backyard, gave honest feedback, and even saved us money by explaining it wasn't an urgent issue."
Tracy R., July 2025
"He came out the same day I called to take a look at it, and walked me through the steps of submitting a sample to a Purdue University lab for actual diagnosis when he wasn't positive what was going on himself."
Nick M., August 2026
Frequently asked questions about arborist services in Indianapolis
-
All Nova Tree Care estimates are performed for free by a certified arborist. It's important to us that you get a professional opinion when deciding on your work.
-
All estimates are emailed and nothing is official unless it has been emailed. Brad also regularly texts videos to clients who can't be onsite with his thoughts or important notes on the trees. The estimate is always emailed, though.
-
For a written report, you get a price range on the first call and a price cap at the walk-through, based on the work involved and your timeline. No hourly billing. Formal risk assessments are usually only necessary where house purchases, disputes or other less common situations. Our team can walk you through whether you need a free estimate or a risk assessment if you don't know!
-
If your goal is to keep a tree healthy, you want a certified arborist. If a tree is already coming down, plenty of skilled crews can remove it. Where the arborist matters most is deciding whether it needs to come down at all.
-
ISA certification covers tree biology, pruning, safety and care. The ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification is a further credential built on that background. To enroll, you already need an arborist credential or a related degree or license, then you pass a written and a field assessment. It focuses on judging how likely a tree is to fail and what it would hit. Brad holds both.
-
Sometimes, yes. We'll tell you honestly when it can't be saved. While cabling, bracing and reducing limb weight can solve the issue, it is worth a conservative approach depending on tree location.
-
Not until you know what's wrong. If the cause isn't clear, we'll help you get a sample tested at a Purdue University lab so the decision is based on a diagnosis, not a guess.
-
Not ourselves. Brad diagnoses the problem and refers treatments to a partner we trust who is also a certified arborist. You can keep Brad as your point of contact or work with the partner directly, whichever you prefer.
-
Now. Season matters for routine pruning, but a tree that's a real risk to your house or family gets handled whenever it's found.