Trees are a valuable asset and long-term investment that increases your property value. With the summer storms not far off, do you have concerns about your trees on your property? Do they need pruning, do they need to be removed or are they fine? If you decide to seek a professional in the area, here are some tips to help you find the best fit for you.
- Ask questions! Ask for certificates of insurance, proof of liability, and workers compensation. If an uninsured tree expert drops a tree on your house? Call the insurance company and check who will be responsible for repairs.
- Ask for local references. If possible, look at their work. Ask them what sort of experience, education, and qualifications they possess.
- To become a certified arborist, they need to take classes and pass a test. You can look it up on the International Society of Arboriculture’s website at isa-arbor.com.
- A good tree expert would NEVER recommend topping, de-mossing, or use tree spikes to climb trees. Avoid these harmful and unnecessary practices. Beware of the door-knockers. Reputable tree companies do not need to knock on doors for business.
- Have more than one company evaluate the situation. Ask an unbiased expert such as a professional forester to make an assessment. Removal should be a last resort.
Now that you found one you feel comfortable with, let’s discuss what to do now:
- NEVER pay upfront, NEVER! Too many homeowners pay first and never see the work completed. Have the work to be performed, written in an agreement before the work is to begin.
- Always get a starting date and finish date in the agreement. The work to be completed needs to be in the agreement. For example, the price of removing a tree may not contain the price to haul it off. Have everything written down before the work begins with the prices for each practice.
- If you are able take pictures do so before, during, and after in case of a dispute or damages occurring from the job. If you see something you do not approve of, TELL THEM. Do not wait until the damage is done.
- Pay the company with a check only after everything on the contact has been completed (including clean-up).
When shopping for a tree company, ask questions. A good tree company can prepare your trees for poor weather and improve their overall health. Some simple pruning can be done on your own. For more information, contact Chris Otremba, Lake County Forester at 352-638-3160 or Christopher.Otremba@freshfromflorida.com.
For a complete listing of County Foresters please visit the FloridaForestService.com.
The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests, provides management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests, while protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.
