Leaf It to the Pros: Why Your Neighbor’s Cousin Isn’t an Arborist

Gentle Reader, I'm a person who spends a lot of time online.  And sometimes I like to sit and listen to Reddit stories on YouTube.  A lot of people do it. Anyway, my favorite stories are Tree Law stories, and it's probably for the same reasons anyone likes a story.  They usually have someone arrogant and incompetent who thinks they can cut down trees however they like, and then they are brought to justice by the swift limbs of TREE LAW.

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But, of course, I want to LISTEN to those stories. I don't want them to happen to ME. So let's sit and talk for a bit about Tree Scams. Because I don't want it to happen to you, either.

If a guy with a chainsaw shows up at your door and says your tree is doomed unless you pay him cash right now....take a breath and back away slowly. You probably know that, but think about it. Sure, they might have stopped because they can see your trees, and it might be someone you know,  but... you wouldn't trust if your dentist rocked up to your door and told you your molars are in danger. Same principle. The dentist knows you'll come to her when you need her, and so will a legit Tree Guy.

The MU Extension has seen a rise in reports of sketchy door-to-door tree “professionals” offering to prune, spray, or trim your trees with the urgency of a discount ambulance service. These folks often claim your tree will drop dead on the spot without their help. Spoiler: it won’t.

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Real tree care pros don’t go door-to-door like Girl Scouts with chainsaws.  Even when they're just starting out. In fact, reputable companies are usually too busy rescuing storm-tossed oaks to be roaming the streets diagnosing tree emergencies uninvited.

Here’s how to spot a legit tree expert:

• Get their info. Ask for their full name, company name, phone number, and references. If their “business card” is handwritten on a napkin, that’s a no.
• Check licenses. If they’re applying pesticides, they should have a commercial applicator or technician license. City business license too, if they’re working locally.
• Insurance matters. Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers comp. A shiny truck does not cover you if a branch lands on your neighbor’s Nissan Sentra.
• And please—get it in writing. An estimate should spell out the species, location, and exact work. “Do tree stuff” is not a plan.

Also, watch out for someone anything like this:

• Never let anyone top your trees. It’s the tree equivalent of giving a mullet with hedge clippers—bad for style and health.
• No climbing spikes on live trees. Those are for removing trees, not helping them thrive.
• Beware of bargain prices. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably ends with a chainsaw in your siding.

Need help finding a certified arborist who won’t scare you into a rash decision? Visit the International Society of Arboriculture’s website or contact your local extension office. They don’t do house calls.....but they do know their trees.

Treeingly Yours,
Behka