Choosing a Tree Care Professional

How to Select a Tree Care Professional

Let’s go over the criteria that you should use when choosing a tree care professional.

At first glance, it can seem quite difficult to distinguish one tree care firm from another. To simplify the selection process, check four specific categories.

1. Credentials and certification are important in tree care, as they are in any other service. Just as you expect licenses and certifications from accountants, doctors, lawyers, automotive technicians, or plumbers, so should you expect proper credentials from tree care professionals. All certified arborists should belong to professional organizations, so ask to see their documents from the International Society of Arboriculture (or ISA) and the Tree Care Industry Association (or TCIA).
2. Insurance is essential in tree care. Accidents can happen, and you want to be completely certain that you are protected from personal liability for an accident on your property when tree work is being performed. You will need three types of coverage:
   • General Liability
   • Worker’s Compensation
   • Commercial Auto
3. The tools and equipment in tree work are very important as to how well the job will be done. A few questions about what tools and equipment will be used on your project can reveal a lot about the company doing the work. Insist on specifications regarding the equipment in your proposal from a tree care company.
4. The appearance of the crew is a good indicator of the professionalism of the tree care company that you may hire. Look for uniforms that distinguish the company’s workers. Read through the brochure while asking yourself: is this a crew that I feel comfortable to have on my property? A good tree care firm will wear it’s professionalism boldly for you to see.

So remember…check a tree care firm’s credentials, insurance, tools, and professionalism, and you will find choosing your tree care professionals to be a much easier task.