Tree services: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What tree services is

Tree services cover the care of trees, including trimming, removal, treatment and maintenance, done by an arborist or a crew using ropes, lifts and chippers. People hire tree services when a tree is dead, damaged, too close to the house or power lines, or needs regular care to stay healthy.

Signs you need it

  • Branches are dead, cracked or hanging over the house, a driveway or a play area
  • The tree leans, has a split in the trunk or has large cavities that weaken its structure
  • Fungus, unusual bark damage or thinning leaves suggest the tree is declining
  • Roots are lifting the walk, the driveway or the foundation
  • Branches are growing into power lines or other utility lines

What the pro does

  • The arborist or crew inspects the tree for health, structure, defects and the targets it could hit if it fails
  • The site is checked for power lines, buildings, fences and buried utilities before any climbing or cutting starts
  • Work is planned around the tree's structure and the surroundings, and the crew sets up ropes, lifts or cranes as needed
  • Limbs and sections are cut with controlled lowering so nothing falls on structures or people
  • The debris is chipped or hauled away, and the site is cleaned up with stumps and roots addressed as agreed

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Tree size and height, and how much of the canopy is being worked on
  • Species and the condition of the wood, which change how the tree can be handled
  • Proximity to the house, fences, driveways and power lines
  • Access for the truck, chipper and crew, and any need for a crane or lift
  • Whether the job is trimming, removal, treatment or a combination
  • Amount of debris and whether it is chipped on site, hauled or left
  • Stump treatment or removal if it is part of the plan

What a written quote should spell out

  • The tree or trees covered, with the work planned for each one
  • Whether the work is trimming, removal, treatment or maintenance, and what is excluded
  • The equipment and crew used, including any crane or lift
  • How debris is removed, chipped or hauled, and where it goes
  • Whether stump grinding or removal is included, and whether roots are addressed
  • The insurance held by the company, and proof of coverage the customer can request

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Are you licensed where my area requires it, and can you show current proof of insurance?
  • Who is the certified arborist on this job, and will they inspect the tree before the quote?
  • How will you protect my house, fence, driveway and any power lines during the work?
  • Will you contact the utility company if lines are involved, and who pays for any line work?
  • Do you chip and haul all of the debris, or do I have to arrange any of it?
  • What is included in the stump treatment, and do you grind or remove the stump?
  • Will you give me a written report on the tree's health, and what do you recommend beyond this job?

Red flags

  • They start cutting without inspecting the tree or checking for power lines first
  • They will not show proof of insurance or cannot say who the certified arborist on the job is
  • They recommend removing a healthy tree without explaining what they saw
  • They offer to top a tree, which is a harmful practice, as a quick fix
  • They ask for full payment up front with no written quote or contract

What you can do yourself

A homeowner should not do tree removal or cutting above the ground, and should not climb a tree with a chainsaw. Small deadwood within reach from the ground can be pruned with hand tools, if no power lines or structures are near. Call a licensed tree service for any work near power lines, on a tall tree, on a damaged or leaning tree, or where the branch could fall on a house, car or person.

Licenses and permits

Tree work is commonly licensed in many areas, and the rules for who can do it and for insurance vary; some areas require a license or registration for tree removal or work near utilities. Check with your state or local licensing agency before you hire, and confirm the crew's coverage.

Tree services questions

How do I know if my tree needs to come down?

An arborist can inspect the tree for structural defects, decay, root damage and how close it is to targets such as the house. Ask for a written assessment that explains the reasons and the options, including ones that keep the tree.

Should I hire a certified arborist or a tree crew?

A certified arborist can assess the tree and recommend the work. A crew does the cutting. For a risky or large tree, have an arborist inspect it, and make sure the crew that does the work is insured and qualified.

What should I do if a tree falls on my property during a storm?

Keep people and pets away from the tree, and stay clear of any downed power lines. Contact your utility and your insurance company, and call a licensed tree service for the cleanup and removal.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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