How to Find a Tree Service Professional Anyone working on trees must exercise caution to ensure personal safety and proper tree care. Homeowners or other individuals working on trees should be aware of the hazards of removing trees or tree limbs. Any work involving chain saws or tree climbing, as well as most work on large trees, should be done by professional arborists. Frank Dunston, director of the State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) division of lands and forests, offers the following advice to individuals concerned with tree care: Selecting an arborist or tree service: Much of the tree repair and removal work should be done by professional arborists. Hiring an arborist deserves careful consideration. A qualified arborist will do tree work properly and safely, but an unqualified person may cause additional damage, and may not be insured. Liability for improper tree work could run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Keep the following points in mind when hiring a tree service professional: • Check your telephone directory under "Tree Service" for businesses that do tree work in your area. Although anyone can list themselves in the phone book, a listing at least indicates some degree of permanence. Avoid arborists that advertises "topping" as a service. "Topping" is not an approved tree maintenance practice. • Ask to see certificates of insurance, including proof of liability for personal and property damage, as well as worker's compensation. Contact the insurance company to confirm that the policy is current. You may be held liable if an uninsured worker is hurt on your property or if the worker damages a neighbor's property. • Ask for local references. Inspect their work and talk with former clients. Experience, education and a good reputation are signs of a good arborist. • Don't rush into a decision because of discounts offered if you sign an agreement now. Be sure you understand what work will be done for what amount of money. It is not generally a good idea to pay in full until the work is completed. • Most reputable tree care companies don't need to solicit work door-to-door. People who aren't competent arborists may solicit tree work after storms, seeing an opportunity to earn quick money. Storm damage creates high risk situations for both workers and property. Legitimate arborists never ask for payment in advance. • It is generally wise to get more than one estimate and let each contractor know you are soliciting for other bids. • A conscientious arborist will never use climbing spikes except when removing a tree. Climbing spikes open unnecessary wounds in the tree that could lead to decay. • Good tree work is not inexpensive. A good arborist must carry several kinds of insurance and pay for expensive equipment. Beware of estimates that are well below the average. There may be hidden costs or the arborist may not be fully insured or trained.