Tree service providers are incredibly important to homeowners. Responsible for the installation and removal of trees, these businesses take care of households and businesses alike. They additionally help property owners with weekly, monthly and annual maintenance, including trimming and pruning. In the event of an emergency, a tree service business will remove roots, remove stumps, move fallen tree branches and remove entire trees. They’re knowledgeable about local codes and regulations, helping property owners maintain operations legally.

Tree limbing is not a project to rush into. Even the most ardent do-it-yourselfer will probably want to defer to the expertise of tree services on this one. The problem is, how do you locate tree services? Also, once you have located them, how do you separate the wheat from the chaff for so risky a job as tree limbing (or tree removal)?

An all-purpose handyman driving around a neighborhood in a pickup truck with a chainsaw and hollering out sales pitches may not be suitable for work demanding such a high level of responsibility. For dangerous work such as this, tree services’ demonstrated possession of adequate insurance may well be the consumer’s primary consideration. Request to see certificates of liability and workman’s compensation insurance, and check that they are current. Phone the insurance company to verify current policy information.

Be wary of hiring tree services requesting payment in advance or who wish to begin work without having drawn up a free estimate of the cost. In fact, consumers should demand not only an estimate but also a written contract, laying out precisely what the tree limbing job entails and for how much. If limbing work needs to be performed on a tree whose preservation and appearance are important to you, always insist that tree services climb the tree using ropes or ascend with an aerial lift rather than using climbing spikes. Spikes cause damage to the cambium of a tree. Nor should you let anyone talk you into topping a tree that you care about.

Ascertain how prepared tree services are to take appropriate action in the event that a mishap occurs.

Word of Mouth and References

Finally, it never hurts to do some asking around on your own. Take advantage of word of mouth by striking up conversations on the subject with neighbors. If someone else in the neighborhood once had a tree limb arrive unexpectedly on the living room carpet, accompanied by a shower of glass, due to the incompetence of a tree service, chances are you will hear about it. Conversely, tree services worth hiring will benefit from word of mouth and will be glad to provide a list of phone numbers of local clients satisfied with a job well done. As when dealing with any professional who will be working around your home, do not be afraid to ask for references from tree services.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Getting Tree Service

Trees form the very basis of our ecosystem. Without trees, there wouldn’t have been life possible on our planet as it is these trees which take in the carbon dioxide and give out the oxygen we breathe in to stay alive. Trees provide habitat & food for birds & animals, stabilize the soil and cleanse our air for us. In fact, one large tree can provide all the oxygen that is needed by a person during an entire day. Not only are the trees a vital part of our lives, but they also provide us with another essential item i.e. the timber which is used sparingly for our daily shelter and other requirements. Why then, we are continuously failing our ecosystem and moving on with our lives in an unconcerned manner. Why do we never bat an eye before letting a tree go?

Speaking in purely financial terms also, a property which has trees placed around it generally experiences a good percentage of increase in its value. Plus the trees can really trim down one’s energy bills by providing shade to the property and are also known to lessen the noise pollution. There are many providers of tree service who would enlighten you as to how to go about caring for your trees and would help you in doing that also. The Tree Services comprise of a host of tree care services like tree monitoring, evaluation, assessment and maintenance, tree pruning, tree fertilization, tree disease treatment, tree removal, lightning protection, tree insect management, ticks treatment and many more other forms of tree care.

Pros of using Tree Services

The tree service providers or landscaping companies help you evaluate your outdoor spaces and suggest how you can go about enhancing the same, all the while taking in the trees around you as part of their mock-up plan. In fact, for most of them, the first meeting at your place involves analyzing your open spaces and suggesting you with a free mock-up about the way you can beautify the same. TruCo services offer a free consultation that will give you ideas on how to enhance your property and what trees and plans will work best for your space

Also, the tree services people would be able to suggest you with different treatments you can opt for your trees instead of deciding to get them removed for any small problem being faced. In fact, most of the people do not realize that tree care services like treating a tree, taking care of its fertilization requirements, pest management requirements are way cheaper than those of getting a tree removed. This would, in fact, give you double the benefits, as in one would have to spend less on such services and would also allow you an improved quality of life and what more, and you would be lending a hand in preserving our precious environment.

Cons of using Tree Services

It is important to hire an experienced team of tree service providers or arborists so as to be sure of the fact that only experts are working on one’s spaces as otherwise one may face issues resulting from an excess or wrong pruning of trees, or maybe at the wrong time, which in turn may lead to weakening of the very structure of the trees, or hampering of its growth or the like.

There is actually no reason why one shouldn’t go about using an experienced tree service provider and let them solve all our issues related to our precious trees.

Benefits of Tree Removal Services

Trees in the yard are good for the value of a property; they add a natural element that can significantly improve its aesthetic appeal. The shade provided by trees shields the home from the direct rays of the sun and reduces its energy bills.

Trees improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and dangerous gases from the atmosphere. Their root networks intercept water runoff, which helps to reduce the possibility of flash floods and soil erosion. But trees can also be a problem if they are not well looked-after. Uncontrolled tree growth will impair the value of a property, rather than improve it.

Tree roots also serve as a source of possible damage to underground sewer lines and water pipes. If left unmanaged in the way they grow, trees will become overcrowded and create conditions conducive to pest infestation.

Trees are an essential component of any home’s landscaping. But all the value they provide can be lost if property owners do not pay proper attention to the trees in their yard. And the best way for homeowners to get the most from their trees is through a tree removal service.

A tree removal service is a specialist who knows how to cut-down trees or tree branches and professionally remove tree stumps. They have the necessary know-how to remove trees in a way that does not harm the home where the tree is or adjoining properties.

The service of a tree removal service becomes necessary when:

· A dead and decrepit tree needs to be removed

· There is the possibility of tree damage in the event of storms or strong wind

· There is a danger of structural damage to the property from tree roots

· There are too many trees in the yard and it affects the curb appeal of the home

· When a home has solar panels and the tree’s shedding prevents their proper function

· When there is a possibility of pest infestation or a need to control ongoing infestation

· When the tree poses a lightning risk

· Or the tree has to make room for development.

If a tree has to be removed for any of these or other reasons, it is always best to get a tree removal service to undertake the task. Here is why.

It saves time and money

Removing even a mid-sized tree takes time. The tree has to be removed in a way that does not damage the home, neighboring homes or nearby trees. This often requires that it be cut-down one branch at a time. Additionally, the tree stump has to be dug out of the ground. Doing all these takes time and requires special equipment. By hiring a tree removal service, homeowners save themselves the unnecessary expense of buying tree-removing equipment. They also reserve their time for more profitable activities.

They protect the property

Tree roots can wind their way around a home’s foundation, driveways and plumbing. Leaning trees can also collapse and damage the house or even kill its occupants. When such threats are present in a property, removing the tree is the best way to solve the problem. And a tree removal service is best-equipped to undertake the task. Hiring a tree removal service to periodically inspect the trees around a property is the best way to protect the home from tree damage.

Helps prevent injuries

Injuries commonly occur when homeowners hire amateurs to remove a tree or attempt to do it themselves. There is always a chance of tree branches falling on someone and risk of injury from pointed parts of the tree. Injuries also happen from improper use of tree-cutting equipment. Tree removal services have professionals who are skilled and highly-experienced at removing trees. They know how to remove the plants without putting lives and property at risk. But even when injuries occur, these companies have the proper legal and insurance cover to avoid liability.

Complete tree removal

Property owners will often be able to remove parts of a tree, but there will be other parts that are beyond their reach. Moreover, they can risk causing damage to their property if they persist in removing tree roots that lie close to the home’s structures. Tree removal services, on the other hand, know how to safely extract parts of a tree from the around the home’s foundations. They know how to work around different types of obstacles to get at every part of a tree and remove it totally.

They are well-equipped for the job

Tree removal services have the right equipment and proper skills to remove trees safely and efficiently. They have the necessary training to deal with any problems that occur in the process of removing a tree. And they will put the full weight of their expertise at homeowner’s disposal to save their time and money, while also protecting their property.

What Kind of License Does a Tree Removal Service Need?

If you’re like most homeowners, the topic around tree service licensing, insurance, and certifications is one you know little about. But if you’re looking to hire a tree removal service, licensing is a vital factor to consider. All tree removal services require a business license from their state or city. They also require a contractor’s license, which is not necessarily specific to tree removal, but this depends on your state’s laws.

Licenses are only issued to those with Certification in Arboriculture and those who are bonded. A tree care license is probably the most important one to ask for, and if they do not have one, their insurance is most likely void and will not cover you in case of an accident.

Licensing Requirements for Tree Services

As mentioned, different states have different licensing requirements for tree removal service companies. The occupational license is the only requirement that’s common for most states. Other complimentary legal documents that might be required for a tree services company in operation include:

· Service contract

· Independent contractor agreement

· Privacy policy

· Invoice template

· Equipment lease

However, when choosing between tree removal service companies, the most important aspects of the licensing to consider include:

State Occupational License and Registration

In almost every state, any tree care and removal service company has to be registered with the relevant department within the city or state you operate in. To prove this, the companies are usually given license certificates. Obtaining this license shows that a company has met the state’s requirements to offer tree services. It’s also an indication that the contractors understand the laws of the area regarding trees that can be removed and which can’t.

Before choosing a tree removal service, you need to ask for a copy of this license to be sure that the company is allowed to operate in your area. You can also confirm and verify the status of a contractor by contacting the contractor’s state license board.

Pesticide Applicators License

If the company deals with more than just tree removal, the law, as recognized by the EPA, requires the company to have at least one certified pesticide applicator. This certificate is issued by the Department of Agriculture and consumer services (FDACS).

Professional Certifications and Accreditations

Most of the certifications mentioned here are voluntary and not compulsory for tree removal companies to have. However, they are vital as they show that the members of the tree removal services can handle the removal safely. The certifications are also an indication of knowledge and skill possessed by the tree removal company.

The most common certificates you’ll find among contractors include:

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)

ISA, an industry leader in arboriculture offers a host of voluntary certifications like the ISA certified arborist to individuals who pass their exam. This credential shows that the expert is trained in tree safety, aerial rescue, and electrical hazards, which is very important for tree removal.

Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)

Another voluntary yet still very important certification a tree removal service should have its arborists go through is the Tree care industry association (TCIA) training. The modules covered in the training for this certification cover everything from the basics of the arboricultural profession to worker safety, injury prevention, and even the use of equipment. Completion of this certificate is one of the best assurances you can have that the contractors involved in the tree removal service know what they’re doing.

Insurance

Besides the licensing and certifications, insurance is another key aspect every tree removal company needs to have. There are two main types of insurance you should look for when hiring a tree removal service i.e.

Personal and Property General Liability Cover

A general liability insurance cover is a must-have for any company offering tree services in the country. This insurance ensures that the contractor can cover any property damage or injuries that may happen during the tree removal process.

Workman’s Compensation Insurance

Another equally important insurance cover a tree removal company must have is the workman’s compensation cover. This insurance policy is designed to protect you from shouldering the responsibilities in case one of the contractors has an accident on your property.

Note that while the company is required to pay for the medical expenses of the injured crew members, without the right workman’s compensation cover, the burden might also fall on the property owner who hired them. Given how dangerous the tree work can be, you don’t want to be on the paying end of this situation. Therefore, ensure that the tree removal service has this cover specifically for tree work.

Professional Liability Insurance (Error & Omissions)

Besides the general liability and workman’s compensation covers, tree removal companies should also have an error and omissions insurance. While this cover isn’t as popular as the former two, this policy covers you in case the contractors make a massive blunder during the removal process. This could be as a result of negligence, mistakes and errors, or omissions where the contractor failed to deliver as promised.