How to Choose a Tree Service

Start with insurance

This is the most important question and the one people skip most often. Tree work is dangerous, and accidents happen even with good crews. If an uninsured crew drops a limb on your roof, or someone gets hurt on your property, you may be the one left dealing with it.

Ask for a certificate of insurance, and read it. Check that the business name matches the company you’re hiring and that the coverage is current. It’s reasonable to ask about both liability coverage and coverage for the workers themselves. A legitimate company won’t hesitate to send it. If a crew dodges the question, that’s your answer.

Look for real arborist knowledge

Anyone can buy a chainsaw. Knowing which branches to cut, how much a tree can handle, and when a tree should come down takes training. An ISA Certified Arborist has passed an exam on tree biology, pruning, safety and diagnosis, and keeps the credential current with continuing education. You can verify a certification through the International Society of Arboriculture.

For bigger questions, like whether a leaning or damaged tree is safe to keep, some arborists also hold the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, often called TRAQ. It’s training in how to evaluate a tree’s risk in a structured way, and it’s worth asking about when a tree is close to the house.

Credentials aren’t everything, but they tell you something. So does the conversation. A good arborist explains the why: why this limb, why this time of year, why removal or why not. If a crew can’t explain its plan in plain language, keep looking.

Get a written quote that says what you’re getting

A verbal price or a number scribbled on a business card leaves too much room for surprises. A good quote spells out the work.

• Which trees, and what’s being done to each one.
• Whether wood, branches and debris are hauled away.
• Whether the stump is included, and if so, whether it’s ground.
• How your lawn, beds, fence and roof will be protected.
• The total price, and when payment is due.

Also ask who will actually do the work. Some companies sell the job and hand it to another crew. That isn’t always a problem, but you should know who’s showing up, and that their insurance covers your job too.

Compare quotes on the same scope. A low bid that leaves the brush pile in your yard, or skips the stump, isn’t really cheaper.

Red flags worth noticing

Some warning signs show up again and again. None of them proves a crew is bad, but each one is a reason to slow down.

• They recommend topping a healthy tree to make it shorter.
• They plan to climb a tree they’re pruning, not removing, with climbing spikes, which wound the trunk.
• They want full payment in cash before any work is done.
• They can’t show insurance, or the paperwork has a different name on it.
• They pressure you to sign today, or tell you every tree in the yard is a hazard.
• They want to prune your oaks heavily in spring without mentioning oak wilt.

After a storm, slow down

North Texas spring storms bring out crews from everywhere, some of them knocking on doors the next morning. Some are legitimate. Some have no insurance and won’t be around when something goes wrong.

If a tree is on the house or blocking the driveway, it’s fair to want it handled quickly. Still take a few minutes. Ask for insurance, get the price in writing and check that the company has a local address and phone number. Take photos of the damage first for your insurance company. And stay well clear of any downed power lines. Call the utility for those.

Questions to ask before you hire

Keep it simple. These questions cover most of what matters, and a good company will be glad you asked.

• Can you send your certificate of insurance before the job?
• Will a certified arborist look at the tree?
• Can I get the full scope and price in writing?
• How will you protect my house, fence and lawn?
• What does cleanup include?
• Do I need to check with my city or HOA before this work?

Reviews tell you a lot, but read past the star rating. Look for comments about cleanup, communication, showing up when promised and how the crew handled problems. Neighbors are a great source too. If someone on your street had a big oak pruned and it still looks natural a year later, ask who did it.