Choosing a Tree Care Company, or Arborist

Choosing a tree company, or arborist, to perform tree pruning at your property, house, resort, hotel, apartment complex, or commercial office park can be challenging and overwhelming. Tree care companies range in size from small, local owner-operators to larger state-wide or regional providers to companies that offer services nation-wide. Price is always a consideration, but in this case, you definitely “get what you pay for” in terms of safety, insurance, professionalism, and expertise. Here are a few factors to consider when making a decision regarding your irreplaceable assets, trees.

• Is an ISA Certified Arborist on staff? Ask for a copy of the certificate. And ask if that arborist will be on your property while work is underway.
  
  
• Find out how long they’ve been in business – a long track record suggests a solid reputation.
  
  
• Ask for AND check references.
  
  
• Ask for verification of personal and property liability insurance, and worker's compensation.
  
  
• Find out if permits are required for the job, and if so, does the company plan to pull permits?
  
  
• Ask about safety procedures, training, and recent incidents – any good tree care company will have a lengthy and detailed response.
  
  
• Avoid companies that use “climbing spikes” or that are ok with “topping” trees.
  
  
• Solicit multiple companies for proposals, compare proposals and how the onsite meetings went, and remember that lowest price is lowest for a reason.
  
  
• Ask about the ANSI A300 pruning standard – again, any good tree care company will have a lengthy and detailed response: https://www.tcia.org/TCIA/Build_Your_Business/A300_Standards/A300_Standards.aspx?hkey=96ef3b27-af56-4ada-8670-d848787d1e30&WebsiteKey=b9a41e1f-978d-4585-9172-c411c78c5c14