Healthy trees can be a major contributor to the beauty of your residential property. In order to keep your trees healthy and growing to their full potential, they must be trimmed and cultured for continued growth. This service can be provided by a good arborist. Here are some things to consider when searching for a good arborist for your residential yard:
- Certification, License, and Insurance - Make sure that any potential arborist that you hire has been certified to trim trees and has been issued a tree trimming license by the city or state where you live. Also, ask to see a copy of their liability insurance to make sure that they are currently insured and covered if injured on the job.
- Evidence of Past Tree Trimming Jobs - Ask your potential arborist about other landscaping jobs that they have completed in your local area. Ask to see photographs of these jobs or addresses where you can drive by and see the trees. Check to see that the trees were trimmed to encourage new growth and enhance the beauty of a residential property. If possible, speak to the owners of the properties and ask them about their experience with the tree trimmer that you are considering.
- Specific Plan for Your Property - When interviewing a potential arborist for your trees, give them an idea of what you want your landscape to look like in the next ten to fifteen years. Indicate which tree limbs are growing in the direction that you wish your trees to grow so that those branches can be left and encouraged to continue to grow. Ask your potential arborist to evaluate the trees on your property and make suggestions for their care and recommendations as to pruning, as well as disease and insect control. Discuss their ideas and come to an agreement about what you specifically want them to do on your property.
- Tools and Tactics - Ask a potential arborist what tools he or she will use to trim and shape your trees. Electronic tools such as chainsaws and jaw saws can be used for large tree limbs, but most trimming should be done by hand with hand saws and pruning shears. Ask your arborist to take out thin growth and suckers that are growing from the tree trunk and to remove any dead growth or tree limbs that are growing together in the same direction.
- Disposal of Trimmed Tree Branches - Ask your potential arborist what they will do with the trimmed tree branches after they have completed trimming your trees. Many arborists take the trimmed tree branches with them and dispose of them in a local refuse yard. If you wish to retain the trimmed tree branches from your property to use in your indoor fireplace or outdoor fire pit, tell the arborist what size to cut the branches and where to stack them to properly dry.
When looking for a good arborist, ask your neighbors for recommendations and evidence of good tree trimming practices. Interview a few arborists and chose the technician that most closely complements your vision for your residential property. Look for an arborist who recognizes the value of your trees and can trim your trees to add beauty to your residential property. When you find an arborist who complements and reflects your own values and plans, you should hire them.
Share