The Search Begins

So you’ve searched, called, solicited neighbor’s opinions, then searched even more. All to simply find a local, certified arborist or professional tree care company. As you’ve learned, there are many tree service pros in your area essentially providing the same services. So, how do you decide? How do you know you’ll be hiring a reputable tree care expert who has your best interests in mind?

Eventually, most property owners face the issue of tree health and maintenance. Oftentimes, the issue arises after a storm or accidental do-it-yourself damage. More often than not, however, the issues presents itself based on a property owner’s sincere desire and concern to ensure the health and longevity of their trees and landscaping that attracted them to the property in the first place.

A simple search on Google or Yahoo can be overwhelming by the vast numbers of tree service providers. You can’t tell any apart from the other and the ads and listing are carbon copies of the other. So what’s a home or business owner to do? As a certified arborist and tree care expert over the past two decades, I feel I’m qualified to help a little – so here goes…

Search, Call & Check References

As with any business, its up to the customer to do the initial research, solicit recommendations or reviews and check references. Impulsive hiring can often lead to compulsive regret down the road – so do your research! Often, a couple of reviews and reference calls can make the decision simple, or, at the very least, reduce your list dramatically.

Slick Ads Don’t Always Mean Quality Work

Tree service specialists and larger all-in-one lawn and landscaping companies spend large amounts of money on advertising (phone book, newspapers, radio, TV and online). Your home, property and trees are very personal, often the key to why you chose to purchase a particular home. These large companies, while certainly trained and professional, often have poor reviews and relationships with past customers due to the large demand to pay for the mass advertising used to get your business. While this certainly is not ALWAYS the case, the problem of heavy advertising costs versus customer service is often proven problematic.

Closing Thoughts Before Hiring

Once you finish the research and review and choose a company, be especially attentive how the arborist responds to your concerns and questions compared their own advice and assessment of the problem. Do they simply advise tree removal as the only option? Or, are they empathetic to your needs and suggest alternative, safe solutions to the problem, thereby creating a safe environment for both you and the tree?

A professional, certified tree care expert is one with your and your tree’s best interest in mind. And, when the job is complete, will be one you’ll be thrilled to review and recommend for the next confused customer in need of reputable, quality tree care.