This is your first and most important question. You want to ensure the tree care company is properly insured and that you will not be liable for damage, accidents or injuries.

• It is strongly recommended a resident or property owner hire a company with International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborists on staff, a Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA)Business Accreditation or Certified Tree Care Safety Professional (CTSP) personnel on staff.
• If the tree care work is in proximity to electrical conductors, overhead power lines, etc., a company with Approved Line-Clearance Arborists should be hired or the tree care company should coordinate tree work with the local utility service provider.
• If trees are to be preventively injected with a pesticide (EAB, Oak Wilt, DED and other insect and disease preventive treatments), company personnel should have the appropriate Minnesota pesticide applicators licenses available upon request.

Request referrals from recent customers. Quality tree care companies will be happy to share a list of satisfied customers.

Request written estimates from three qualified tree care companies to compare prices and understand the scope of the job. Don't be rushed by a bargain. Don't pay in advance.

• Before equipment traverses the property contact Gopher State One Call to identify utilities, and ensure irrigation systems, sprinkler heads, and other objects are clearly identified. Minimize the use of power equipment driving over your lawn. Avoid collateral damage to flowerbeds, etc. What is their policy if they damage something and is the policy acceptable to you? It may be a good idea to photograph the area before work begins so you have a record in case there is damage. Make sure you understand how they will clean up during and after the job.
• Tip: Hire a tree care company in the off-season (November - March.)
• Reputable tree care companies are more responsive and may offer modest price discounts for work done in the winter.
• Winter is a good time to look at and work on most trees. The tree architecture is highly visible, and there are no leaves to add to the cleanup time.
• Damage to lawns and landscaping is minimized due to frozen, snow covered ground.

One company might say three days while another company says three hours. This is why it is important to obtain an estimate.

What do company trucks and other equipment look like? Are the trucks and equipment properly maintained, well taken care of, clean and in good shape? If they don't take care of their equipment, do you think they will take care of your tree and property?

Do they have an up-to-date website? Is the company web site easy to find in an internet search and easy to navigate? Are the services offered, contact information, professional credentials and affiliations prominently featured on the web site? Do they have a good rating with the Better Business Bureau? A well designed web site and content can give you a sense of the company’s professionalism and how well they run their business.

Unless the tree care company is removing trees, demand that no spikes be used on living healthy trees. Spikes and climbing spurs damage trees with unhealthy wounds. Use of spikes or climbing spurs to climb trees while pruning trees is a poor management practice.

Topping of trees is the process of removing live sections from the top of the tree. Topping is another poor management practice. Avoid a company that offers "tree topping" as a service and continue your search.

Stumps can be left to rot over time. Stumps can be removed by grinding them with a specific piece of equipment called a “stump grinder.” The debris created by “stump grinding” can be left to the homeowner for disposal. The debris can be removed by the tree care company. The company can replace the soil, re-grade the area and re-seed or replace with sod. All costs associated with stump grinding should be clearly spelled out in the bid or contract. Finally, make sure they contact Gopher State One-Call to identify all utilities prior to grinding the stump. Homeowner must clearly identify and mark all irrigation systems, etc.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that personal protective equipment (PPE) be used for any tree care operation. A reputable tree care service will require their workers to be protected.

[i][1] Adapted from StihlUSA.com and TCIA.org