Trees are a blessing to have on your property. That's why it's important to make sure that your trees and shrubs are well cared for. They also add a lot of value to your property, so you don't want them to be diseased, dead, or cause a safety hazard. Regardless of how much you love nature, it's always best to hire a tree service professional. When you're looking for a local professional, here are some questions you should ask them before hiring them.

1. Can I See Your Certification?

Your local arborist should have the training to handle the trees on your property. Be sure they are certified through the International Society of Arboriculture. This will ensure those working on your property can be trusted to do the job correctly. Your trees are precious, so only hire well-trained professionals to do the job. Otherwise, you risk putting your trees and your property in danger.

2. Do You Have Insurance?

Insurance is important for any contractor working on your home. Why is that? That's because regardless of how skilled or experienced a contractor is, sometimes accidents happen. Remember, working with large trees can be dangerous work in which a branch could break off. Something may happen with sharp tools used to cut branches or trees down. If your arborist gets injured while working on the job, their insurance will cover their medical or hospital fees. As a result, you won't be liable for any accidents that may occur at your home.

3. What Services Do You Provide?

So you have a tree or several of them on your property, but you may not be sure what it takes to care for them. Ask your potential tree service contractor what specific services they specialize in. According to Zippia, there are currently over 8,250 arborists employed in the United States, and they don't do the same type of work. A local arborist may specialize in pruning and trimming trees. They may specialize in removing trees, especially when there are overgrown roots. Maybe you need some stumps removed from trees that were previously cut down. If you're starting from scratch with a completely clear landscape, they may also plant new trees for you.

4. May I Have Some References?

Always ask for references from a contractor. References can give you peace of mind that the tree service contractor did a good job with other clients. As long as they have a good reputation and provide the right services, they shouldn't hesitate to give you a few former clients to contact. If they're uncomfortable doing so, that may be a red flag that you should talk to someone else.

5. How Long Have You Been in Business?

It's always good to find a contractor that's been in the business for a while. While there's no problem giving a new contractor a chance, it may be better to find somebody who has some experience handling the type of tree work that you need. After all, your trees are precious, and you want to make sure that they're in the hands of a trained professional who knows how to do the job as quickly and efficiently as possible. So in addition to asking the tree service professional how long they've been in business, you can also double-check the Better Business Bureau for confirmation.

6. Do You Offer Emergency Care?

As fall arrives, that means more hurricanes and other potential storms. High winds can be a major detriment to trees, especially ones that are diseased, old, or already damaged. If you have such a tree on your property, you may need to quickly remove it before storm season. What if you're dealing with the after-effects of such a storm and the tree has already fallen or been damaged? You don't want a damaged tree too close to your home as it could easily fall over on your house and damage or destroy it and hurt someone inside. Plus, if a tree has fallen, it can block your landscape, maybe on the neighbor’s side of the fence, or even fall into the street. Either way, you don't want it lying around there for too long as it can also attract vermin.

7. Will You Remove Debris?

It's always good to double-check if the tree service contractor cleans up behind themselves. During work like trimming and pruning trees or removing them can leave a lot of branches, leaves, and other debris on your property. It can come as a major shock if they end up leaving that behind after they do the initial work. Knowing they remove everything and leave your landscape looking clean makes things easier for you.

8. Do You Specialize in Specific Trees or Shrubs?

All trees and shrubs aren't the same. Some bear fruit and nuts, such as apples, pears, oranges, and pecans. There are evergreen ones that keep their leaves all year long. Some can only grow in certain climates, such as palm trees that need hot weather. There are over 640 tree species in the United States, according to the US Forest Service report. So if you have your heart set on growing a particular type of tree or shrub on your landscape, get the right professional who can plant and maintain it.

9. What Goes Into Your Final Quote?

Never hire a contractor without being aware of everything they charge you for. An unscrupulous contractor may have a lot of hidden fees and can take advantage of your lack of knowledge about a particular industry. Always ask your tree service contractor what goes into the final quote so you don't risk getting overcharged. Ask them if they account for labor cost, equipment type, or mileage traveled. Do they charge more money to come at certain times of the week? Play it safe and request a written estimate you can review before agreeing to anything.

10. Do You Offer Stump Grinding?

The presence of stumps on your property can bring various risks to your property, including tripping and creating a termite paradise. These unsightly stumps bring down property value, so having a tree service company remove them can increase curb appeal and home value. Removal can also open up your yard to more fun activities like football with the family.

11. Do You Only Work Seasonally?

Consider the location and climate that you live in. Depending on the shrub or tree that you have, your tree service professionals may only work during certain times of the year. Knowing more about their schedule and time framework helps you know if they can meet your landscaping needs.

As a property owner, you want your trees to look the best. An unhealthy tree can be a health hazard that can uproot a foundation or attract vermin. When trees are at their best, they can produce fruit, provide clean oxygen, promote noise reduction, and add to curb appeal. That's why it's important to get the right professional for their job that can ensure the vegetation on your property is always healthy and cared for. If you want a team of professionals who've been in the business for years and know how to handle trees, call Eduardo's Tree Service today for more information. We're looking forward to working with you.