How to Hire an Arborist

Tree pruning is dangerous and requires real skill to avoid harming not only yourself, but your tree. If it has pest or disease problems that may compromise its health or if it has suffered storm damage, hire an arborist. If your trees require annual pruning or pest control, you'll want to find someone on an ongoing basis.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Check with neighbors or local parks and nurseries for recommendations of reputable tree services. An arborist is trained to plant, maintain and prune trees.
2. Contact the International Society of Arboriculture (champaign. isaarbor.com) or the National Arborist Association (natlarb.com) for an arborist in your area.
3. Ask for proof of insurance. A reputable arborist will have personal and property damage insurance as well as workers' compensation insurance.
4. Check with your city to see if you need a permit for tree removal, or if the arborist needs to be licensed with the municipality.
5. Ask for references to find out where the tree service has done work similar to what you are requesting. Call or better yet drive by to see how it looks.
6. Get more than one estimate.

What to Look For:

• Recommendations and references
• Professional certification or license
• Insurance
• Permits
• Estimates

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure any pruning bid specifies which branches will be cut and removed.
• Tree topping--cutting off the top--may improve a view, but could damage the tree, ultimately turning it into a hazard, in danger of falling on houses, fences or cars in its path.

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