Trees add shade, privacy, and value to a home, until a limb hangs over the roof, roots lift the driveway, or a storm leaves a trunk leaning toward the house. Tree work is one of the riskiest jobs a homeowner can hire out. It involves heights, heavy equipment, and falling wood near people and property.
The right tree service protects your home and your trees. The wrong one can damage both. Here’s how to choose a tree service with confidence.
Know what kind of work you need
Tree care covers several different jobs, and not every company does all of them well:
- Pruning and trimming to remove dead wood, improve structure, or clear roofs and lines
- Tree removal for dead, dying, hazardous, or unwanted trees
- Stump grinding after a removal
- Tree health assessments for disease, pests, or storm damage
- Emergency work after storms or falling limbs
If you’re not sure whether a tree needs pruning, treatment, or removal, start with an assessment from a qualified arborist rather than a crew that only cuts.
Step 1: Ask people you know
Tree work is easy to see, which makes recommendations especially useful.
- Neighbors with large, healthy, well-kept trees
- Friends who’ve had a removal or major pruning done
- Your HOA, property manager, or landscaper
- Other trades you trust, like a roofer or fence contractor, who often see tree crews at work
Ask follow-up questions: Did the crew protect the lawn and driveway? Was cleanup included? Did the final price match the written estimate? Did the trees look healthy afterward? Would they hire the same company again?
Step 2: Understand arborist credentials
An arborist is a specialist in tree care. In the U.S., one widely recognized credential is the ISA Certified Arborist, issued by the International Society of Arboriculture. Certification is held by individuals, not companies, and the ISA offers a way to verify a credential.
Ask:
- Do you have an ISA Certified Arborist, and will that person be on site or directing my job?
- Can I verify the certification?
A credential isn’t a guarantee, but it signals training in tree biology and safe practices. For complex jobs, such as large removals near structures or trees with health problems, it matters more.
Step 3: Check insurance, licensing, and permits
- Insurance: Ask for proof of general liability insurance and workers’ compensation that covers tree work. Many experts suggest asking for the certificate to come directly from the insurer. If an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, you could face serious problems.
- Licensing: Requirements vary by state and city. Some areas require a contractor or business license for tree work. Ask what applies where you live.
- Permits: Many cities and HOAs regulate tree removal, especially for large or protected trees. Ask who will check and pull any required permits. Fines for unpermitted removal can be costly, so confirm before work starts.
Step 4: Get a detailed written estimate
Ask two or three companies to look at the job in person and give a written estimate that covers:
- Exactly which trees and which branches
- The type of pruning or removal, and how much of the canopy will come off
- Stump grinding, if included, and to what depth
- Hauling of wood, branches, and chips
- Cleanup and how your lawn, garden, and hardscape will be protected
- Who handles permits
- A start date and expected duration
Comparing scope, not just price, helps you spot gaps.
Step 5: Ask the right questions
- How will you protect my roof, fence, driveway, and plants?
- Will you use your own crew or subcontractors?
- How will you work near power lines? (Work near utility lines may require the utility’s involvement.)
- What happens if something is damaged?
- Do you follow recognized pruning standards?
- Do you ever top trees or use climbing spikes on trees you’re keeping?
Red flags
- Tree topping. Cutting the top off a tree, or “topping,” is widely discouraged by arborists because it can weaken and harm trees.
- Climbing spikes on trees that will stay. They wound the tree.
- Door-to-door crews after a storm pushing for immediate work
- No proof of insurance, or reluctance to provide it
- Cash-only deals without a written contract
- Large upfront payments before work begins
- Vague estimates that don’t define scope or cleanup
After the job
Walk the property with the crew lead before they leave. Check for damage, debris, and whether the agreed cuts were made. Keep your invoice. For ongoing care, ask about a pruning schedule that fits your trees.
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FAQ
How do I choose a good tree service?
Start with recommendations from neighbors and other trades you trust. Then confirm insurance, ask about arborist credentials, check permit requirements, and compare detailed written estimates.
What is an ISA Certified Arborist?
It is a credential from the International Society of Arboriculture for individuals who meet its requirements. Ask whether a certified arborist will be on your job, and verify the credential.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
It depends on your city, county, and HOA. Some trees are protected. Ask the tree service to confirm and handle any required permits.
Is tree topping bad?
Many arborists discourage topping because it can weaken trees and lead to decay. Ask how a company plans to reduce a tree’s size instead.
Should I get more than one estimate?
For anything beyond a small trim, two or three detailed written estimates help you compare scope, cleanup, and safety practices.
Is stump grinding included in tree removal?
Not always. Ask whether it’s included, how deep they’ll grind, and what happens to the chips.
Find a tree pro your network already trusts
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