Hiring a Tree Contractor

When hiring tree care professionals:

• Check for proof of insurance, including proof of liability for personal and property damage, and worker’s compensation.
• Look for certification from ISA or other professional organizations such as TCIA.
• Seek out more than one estimate and make sure you receive cost estimates in writing.
• Never feel pressured to rush into an agreement and never pay in advance.
• Beware of people who go door-to-door offering bargains for tree work.
• Ask for references from other jobs the company has done and talk to former clients.
• Before hiring a company, make sure they understand what is expected with the tree removal including timeline, wood removal or chipping, and stump de-barking.

A good arborist or tree care company will:

• Offer a range of services including pruning, removal, pest control, not just tree removals.
• Never recommend topping a tree, only corrective pruning after damage to the tree crown.
• Never use climbing spikes on a healthy tree unless it is being removed. 
• Never be eager to remove a healthy, living tree. Removals should be the last resort. 

Diseased or infested tree removals:

• Stump grinding is not necessary for diseased trees. Stumps do need to be cut flush with the ground. Stumps left above ground will need the bark removed. 
• For oak wilt, if you or your neighbors have healthy red oaks within 100 feet of the diseased oak(s), you should hire a company that can offer treatments to prevent the spread to nearby oaks first, before the diseased tree removal. 
• Oak Wilt and Dutch Elm Disease firewood can be left on-site if covered appropriately. 
• Emerald Ash Borer infested firewood needs to be removed and hauled appropriately to an acceptable waste disposal site.

The City of Apple Valley requires tree care companies to be licensed to work in Apple Valley. Review this list to select a licensed tree contractor for your work today.

The State of Minnesota requires all tree contractors to be on the Tree Registry List.