Hiring a Tree Service

Trees are indispensable assets that have the power to increase your property's value. Trees can improve air quality and lower energy costs by a significant percentage. When trees are planted in a suitable place and given the proper care they need, they will provide you with benefits you can only imagine.
However, without regular maintenance, your tree can quickly change from an asset to a costly liability, so make sure to shower your tree with proper treatment it requires.

What is an arborist?
It is crucial to choose the best tree company to perform tree service in your yard. Not all who own a chainsaw and a truck are qualified to tackle tree services. Make sure to choose a company with an in-house certified arborist.
A certified arborist is an expert in tree care, including tree management, diagnosis, trimming, and tree removal. An arborist can handle all the ins and outs of tree care and help improve the overall health of your tree.

Be wary of companies who claim to be certified arborists. Make sure that you are choosing only the best company that can prove its credentials, license, and insurance. Fly-by-night companies can damage your property and put you at risk and other liabilities.

How do I choose an arborist?
Look for a tree care company that is a member of the TCIA or ISA. This will give you the idea that they can perform the job using safe and updated practices.

It will also help if you ask for referrals from the company you are looking to hire. A reputable company will be ready to provide you with a list of their satisfied customers to prove the quality of their work.

You may want to hire a company that is accredited by TCIA. While this accreditation is voluntary, it gives you an idea that the company goes beyond what is needed to ensure the quality of their work.

What should I ask when I meet my arborist?
You should ask the following questions about the tree service you want to hire to ensure they are the best fit for the job.

• Ask for referrals
• Don't get too excited with bargains. Don't pay until the job is completed.
• Ask for an estimate and a written contract. Make sure that you agree on everything that's written on the contract before signing it.
• Make sure they don't use spikes if they will only trim or prune your tree.

What if I don't want to hire a professional?
Proper caring for trees is crucial for its welfare. As much as possible, it should be done only by professional and skilled arborists.

Do not perform tree work on your own. According to TCIA, several accidents involving homeowners happen when they complete their personal tree care. If you are not sure about the process of tree care, don't do it and leave it to the hands of the experts.

Protect yourself by hiring a licensed and insured tree company. According to some studies published in the Journal of Arboriculture, you will be able to save some cash if you care for your trees regularly rather than overlooking their health and taking care of the damage down the line.
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When to Hire an Arborist
While we usually take care of our trees in spring and summer, winter pruning offers a lot of advantages:

• Some tree companies offer discounts on their service to keep their workers employed even in the lean season.
• Since the company is not too busy during this time, you can get the service when you exactly need it, and you don't have to wait for days before they can complete the job. This is because they don't have that many backlogs in the offseason.
• It's easier to work on trees when their branches are bare, and they have no leaves. The cleanup effort is also a breeze during this season.

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