When You Should Definitely Call an Arborist
Hire a certified arborist if:
- The tree is large or overhanging a house, sidewalk, or road.
- Branches are near or over power lines.
- You see signs of disease, decay, or cracks in the trunk.
- The tree leans, has a split trunk, or major limbs seem unstable.
- You’d need to work high on a ladder or climb into the tree.
Good arborists bring:
- Training in tree biology and safety
- Climbing gear and rigging for controlled limb removal
- Insurance if something goes wrong
- Chippers and cleanup, so you’re not left with a huge pile of branches
How to Choose the Right Arborist
Before you hire:
- Ask if they are certified (for example, ISA Certified Arborist in many regions).
- Verify they’re licensed and insured in your area.
- Request and actually check a couple of references.
- Ask them:
- Which branches they plan to remove and why
- What pruning method they’ll use (no “topping”)
- Whether cleanup and haul-away are included
- If they can leave chipped mulch for your beds (if the tree is healthy)
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