5 Questions to Ask an Arborist

It almost goes without saying that you want to make sure people doing work on your property are trustworthy. Sure, one arborist might be as friendly as the next, but the difference between amateurs and professionals is more than just how quickly they can provide tree service. Professional ISA Certified Arborists have the proper equipment, documentation, and training–and they’ll be able to answer the following questions without blinking an eye.

1. Are You Fully Insured and ISA Certified?

This question is great to start with when hiring an arborist. If the answer is no, the company is waving a huge red flag. If the company doesn’t have liability insurance, that means you, the property owner, could be liable for any injury or damage that happens on your property! Professionals simply don’t pass on liability to their customers. That’s why it’s critical to only consider certified arborist tree service.

Good companies also take care of their people, and it’s important when hiring an arborist to make sure they have workplace safety insurance as well as liability insurance. Everyone knows that accidents happen even to the best arborists. The best arborist tree services in the business prepare themselves for anything.

There are many different types of certification, but the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is perhaps the most renowned and respected certification authority in the country. In order to keep certification, ISA Certified Arborists must stay up-to-date with the latest safety training and tree care practices.

2. What Is Your Reputation Like in The Local Community?

This may not be a question you ask your arborist directly, but you can ask around on the internet, search for reviews, or look at their website. If the company shows pride in serving your local community, that’s also a good sign. When it comes to reviews, it’s good to look for consistency and also consider when the reviews were written. If you see people writing bad reviews about the same problem a year ago, but the most recent reviews are positive, the company might have adapted and overcome its problem. On the other hand, many recent negative reviews may indicate that a company is struggling, in which case you might want to consider hiring a company that can get the job done right and ensures you have a positive experience.

3. What Is Your Experience in the Field?

This is an especially important question if you feel you might have a complicated project. While tree removal is pretty straightforward, when it comes to trimming and pruning, mistakes can really damage your tree and throw off the aesthetic of your property. Ideally, the job they’re about to do for you feels routine for them, but experienced, well-trained ISA Certified Arborists will be prepared for anything.

When you ask this question, listen for how many years they have been in the industry, where they were trained, and when they got their certifications. It’s best to hire an ISA Certified Arborist who is up-to-date with the latest techniques and safety protocols.

4. What Kind of Equipment Do You Use?

The answer should be “the right tool for the job.” Two of the most common types of equipment arborists use are aerial lifts or safety harnesses to protect an arborist who climbs the tree. Ladders are usually not the right tool for any job.

Aerial Lifts are often used when there’s convenient access from a road or street. Aerial lifts are also best suited for trees with compromised structural integrity. This means it would be dangerous for someone to climb the tree. Some tree pruning methods are especially difficult to perform with aerial lifts, especially if the tree has a thick crown.

When it comes to backyards and tight spaces, arborists usually turn to the climbing method. This is the preferred method for most tree surgeons who specialize in proper tree pruning techniques. This method doesn’t require heavy machinery, so nearby lawns or gardens won’t get torn up by aerial lifts or other machinery. Be sure that workers will be properly insured and able to keep themselves safe when climbing your trees.

Unless they’re dealing with small trees, professionals generally don’t use ladders because of the danger they come with. If someone insists on using a ladder, make sure they have a spotter or other safety protocols to keep them safe.

5. What Clean-up Included in Your Pricing?

Believe it or not, not all companies include the clean-up in their pricing–and some charge extra for it! Make sure they are clear with you about what they will and won’t take care of and for what cost. For example, if a company comes by for tree removal, make sure you know whether or not they’re expecting to remove the stump. You could always see if cleaning up yourself would get you a discount, but it’s probably worth your while to have the professionals take care of everything. A complete project means leaving your property better than it was before any work was done on it.

Are You Ready to Work With ISA Certified Arborists?

Working with professionals makes a difference not just for your landscape but your experience. If the arborist can answer those five questions to your satisfaction, chances are they’ll do the job to your satisfaction too. We want you to know that when you work with ISA Certified Arborists, your projects are in good hands.

Homeowners and commercial property owners count on us for all their tree maintenance needs. From nourishing your trees with our own special blend of fertilizer to tree pruning every season, nothing makes us happier than seeing happy trees and happy customers.

Ask us anything! We won’t be surprised if you have more than just five questions for us. We’re more than happy to go over everything with you and help you get your trees going and growing!

Your neighbors at TreeNewal are here to help you. To reach our ISA-Certified Arborists for professional tree maintenance, tree services, or general questions, give us a call today at tel:(817) 592-6846.

To learn more about 5 Questions to Ask an Arborist, call our Argyle and Southlake based teams

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