Trees are some of the most valuable and longest-lived features of a property. They’re also easy to damage, sometimes permanently, with the wrong cut. Yet in most places, anyone with a chainsaw and a truck can advertise tree services.

That’s why it pays to ask good questions before you hire. Here’s a practical guide.

Tree service vs. arborist

An arborist is a professional trained in the care of individual trees: how they grow, how they respond to pruning and injury, and how to keep them healthy and safe. Many tree services employ skilled arborists. Others focus mainly on cutting and removal.

Neither is automatically right or wrong for every job. But for pruning, health concerns, or decisions about whether a tree should stay, you want someone who understands trees, not just equipment.

1. Credentials you can verify

Professional credentials show that someone has met a standard of knowledge and keeps their training current. Some to know:

  • ISA Certified Arborist. The International Society of Arboriculture’s core credential. Holders pass an exam and must keep up with continuing education.
  • ISA Board Certified Master Arborist. ISA’s highest level of arborist certification, for experienced professionals.
  • ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). Training in a structured, standardized approach to evaluating tree risk. Look for it when you need a tree’s safety assessed.
  • TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP). A Tree Care Industry Association credential focused on safety leadership and training.

Don’t just take a credential on faith. ISA credentials can be verified online, and a professional should be glad to share their credential details. Also ask whether the credentialed person will actually be involved in your job, or whether they only work in the office.

2. Insurance, and proof of it

Tree work is risky. If a worker is injured or your property is damaged and the company isn’t properly insured, you could be left dealing with the cost.

  • Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.
  • Ask for certificates of insurance sent directly from the insurance provider, and check that the dates are current.

A reputable company won’t hesitate. If someone is vague about insurance, keep looking.

3. A written scope of work

A clear, written scope protects you and sets expectations. It should cover:

  • Which trees will be worked on (a map or tree numbers help on larger properties).
  • What work will be done, and why: “reduce limbs over the roof by shortening back to lateral branches,” not “trim the tree.”
  • The types of cuts, for pruning jobs.
  • Cleanup: what happens to branches, logs, and debris.
  • Stump work, if any. Don’t assume it’s included.
  • Price, payment terms, and timing.

If the scope is vague, ask questions until it isn’t. Many problems between tree owners and tree companies come down to different assumptions about what was included.

4. How they talk about your tree

The way someone describes the work tells you a lot. Good signs:

  • They ask what you want to achieve: more light, clearance, safety, or better health.
  • They explain their reasoning, and are honest when the best option is to do less, or nothing.
  • They mention industry standards, such as ANSI A300 for tree care and ANSI Z133 for safety.

Red flags:

  • Offering to top the tree. Topping is widely rejected by professional arborists.
  • Using climbing spikes to prune a tree that isn’t being removed. Spikes wound the trunk.
  • Pressure to decide immediately, especially door to door after a storm.
  • Asking for full payment upfront.
  • Recommending removal or treatments without explaining why.

5. Questions to ask before you hire

Keep this list handy:

  1. Who will evaluate my trees, and what are their credentials?
  2. Can you send proof of insurance directly from your insurer?
  3. Will you provide a written scope of work and price?
  4. How will you make the cuts, and do you follow ANSI A300?
  5. What happens to the debris and the stump?
  6. If you’re recommending removal or treatment, why? What are the alternatives?

When to get a second opinion

For routine pruning, one good arborist is usually enough. But when the stakes are high, such as a recommendation to remove a large, valuable tree, an expensive treatment program, or a disagreement with a neighbor or insurer about a tree’s condition, a second opinion can be worth it. An independent evaluation, especially from someone with tree risk assessment training, can confirm the recommendation or reveal options you hadn’t heard about. A confident professional won’t mind you asking.

It’s also fair to ask to see examples of a company’s pruning work. Well-pruned trees look natural. You often can’t tell they’ve been pruned at all.

The bottom line

The cheapest bid isn’t always the best value. The right arborist will leave your trees healthier, your property protected, and you with a clear understanding of what was done and why.

At Magnolia Tree Care, our co-founder Dillon Corson is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist, holds the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, and is a TCIA Certified Treecare Safety Professional. We put the scope and price in writing before any work begins.

General education only. Every tree, property, and situation is different.

Ready to talk about your trees? Explore our Tree Care services, or call or text us to get started.