As any homeowner knows, when you have trees on your property, it's in your best interest to care for them. They naturally improve your property value, air quality, and reduce noise while providing great shade. All trees need proper hydration, fertilization, pruning, and more. According to Zippia, there are currently over 8,250 arborists employed in the United States, so you won't be at a loss for choices. Here are some things to look for in a professional arborist.

1. Certification

Arborists are trained professionals who understand the ins and outs of dealing with trees. Like any trained contractor, they should be able to present a license that lets you know they have the legal means to handle trees on your property. All licensed arborists must pass a test administered by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and receive accreditation from the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). You don’t want your trees and shrubs to be in the hands of someone who doesn't know what they're doing.

For example, if they don't understand how to properly trim a tree, they could damage that tree. That tree could then become diseased from that grievous damage, or even die in your yard, and you'd have no idea of knowing what caused the sudden tree death. During their training, they learn all about safety practices, tree biology, sickness diagnosis, and anything related to arboriculture. If they hesitate to present certification, that’s a red flag the contractor doesn't have a legal license to work in the area.

2. Insurance

It should go unsaid but never hire a contractor that doesn't have insurance. Insurance protects both you and the contractor doing any work on your property. Regardless of how experienced and trained your arborist is, accidents can happen at any time. However, if they have insurance, their medical needs will be taken care of. As a result, you won't be held liable to pay for any injuries or hospital stays they may need.

3. Experience

It's always good to find a local arborist who has as much experience as possible. Ask them how long they’ve been in the business and check their website for additional information. The more experience your tree professional has, the more likely they are to spot tiny problems that a novice would miss. As they work on different landscapes, that means they also can become more familiar with different types of trees and shrubs. If you have a variety of vegetation on your property, your arborist may be able to handle all of them if they've been in the business long enough.

4. Good Reviews

Make sure you find out what others are saying about your potential tree specialist. There are several review sites to check from, such as Google Reviews, Reddit, and Trustpilot. Reviews are a great way to also see candid photos and videos that former customers may post of a contractor's work. Your first review of a contractor can start from your inner circle. If someone amongst your friends, family, or close neighbors has trees on their property, you could always ask about their local arborist. Even if you get a direct referral, you should still check what online reviews say about such referral so you can have confidence that most people are satisfied with their services.

5. Speed

The entire process of finding a contractor, receiving estimates, and narrowing down your options may take a bit! There are a number of steps to finding the perfect arborist to work on your property. However, if the company takes too long to get back to you, provide estimates, or find a time to get onto your site, it might not be worth it to wait too long. If there were an emergency, like a leaning tree, can you trust this arborist to be there to assist when you need it? Even the best arborist might not be an option if they're too booked. Keep this in mind while you're starting the dialogue with them.

6. Variety of Services

There are so many questions you can ask when inquiring about what specific services your arborist offers. Do they specialize in a particular type of tree or shrub? Can they plant new ones or remove ones with overgrown roots? After they removed each tree, were they able to remove the stump left behind? How about fertilization? Is that something they can help with so that your trees always have the right feeding? Some tree professionals may offer more than one service, so make sure the arborist you have in question offers the type of services you need for your property.

7. Customer Service

Customer service matters whenever you're dealing with any business, and that includes tree services. When you look at reviews, you'll get a sense of what type of customer service the contractor offers. When you contact the contractor for questions, make note of the tone they take with you, how quickly they respond, and how enthusiastic they are about handling your inquiries. The last thing you want is to deal with a contractor who isn't transparent and whom you feel like you can't communicate with. 

8. Local Knowledge

Just how much does your local arborist understand the local vegetation? According to the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, over 950 tree species are native to North America, and the Red Maple is the most common one. Changes in seasons and weather can affect the type of trees and shrubs that can grow on your property. A good local arborist will understand the best type of vegetation to use in your area. If you want to plant a new type of tree or shrub, your local arborist should be able to explain the pros and cons of having it on your property and plant it for you.

9. Valid References

If your tree professional has a good reputation, they shouldn't hesitate to give you professional references. By being able to talk to other customers who have used your arborist, you'll get a sense of the quality of work and level of professionalism. Ask references direct questions about how the arborist treated their property, if they showed up on time, if they were satisfied with the work, and if they seemed very knowledgeable about trees, amongst other service-related questions.

10. Fair Pricing

Do your research so you don't hire someone that might rip you off. Once you've narrowed down a few choices, it's best to receive at least three quotes from three different contractors. By comparing quotes, you can have a general sense of what the average pricing is for the type of tree work you're looking for. For example, tree removal most likely costs more than simple pruning. You should also keep in mind that if your potential arborist has been in the business for a long time, is in high demand, or offers more services than other competitors, their pricing may be slightly higher.

Trees are special, and they deserve all the care in the world. If you have trees and shrubs on your property, you want to enlist the best certified professional possible to manage them. As any expert can affirm, a well-manicured exterior increases your property value by a significant amount. That's why you should take the time to make sure you find the right arborist for the job, and what better way to do so than by starting with Eduardo's Tree Service? We've been in the business for years and our licensed professionals can provide the customer service you need. When you're ready to get your trees the care they deserve, don't hesitate to call us for an appointment.