We really want our clients to benefit from our services. Improper pruning can be devastating to trees, property value, and can also be hazardous to everything below.
When hiring a tree service here is a few guidelines to look for:
1. Hire an arborist who cares about preserving the health and integrity of trees (preferably a certified arborist).
2. Hire a company that specializes in tree care. For example, would you hire a plumber to
do electrical work? Hire an arborist to do your tree work and a landscaper to do you yard work. To quote my father: “Jack of all trades, master of none.”
3. Make sure the tree company you hire is fully insured, meaning that they have General Liability insurance for property damage, workers compensation, and commercial insurance on all work related vehicles. Keep in mind that tree care is the third most fatal occupation in the United States behind logging and commercial fishing. Many companies claimed to be fully insured, but the fact is most are not. Ask for a copy of all three insurances. If a tree company does not have insurance and if something catastrophic occurred you or your homeowner’s policy will probably have to foot the bill.
4. Make sure the company you hire uses all prescribed personal protective safety equipment. There is strict safety standards set up by OSHA and ANSI to protect against accidents that tree companies should follow. Unfortunately, most tree companies fail to follow these safety standards. The fact is that most tree companies are unaware that these safety standards even exist. A good rule of thumb is to check and see if the company you hire is wearing hard hats, safety glasses, earplugs (when using machinery), or cut resistant pants on the ground. Does the crew have traffic cones around the vehicles and equipment that are on the street and tire chalks? Also, how the employee(s) enter trees and are they secured from a fall at all times. Once in the tree: 1) are they open to a fall (must be secured in by a rope and saddle at all times while working aloft), 2) are they subjected to a dangerous swing, or 3) are they using ladders to enter trees? (Most tree climbers find ladders to be a tremendous safety risk).
Ask the following questions:
- How and why they prune trees?
- Why are they removing live tissue?
- Do they use climbing spikes on live trees they are pruning?
- Do they sterilize equipment between trees?
We understand everyone wants to save money, but please be cautious because your trees, your property, and/ or people’s lives could be at stake.