Pruning

The arborist can determine what type of pruning is necessary to maintain or improve the health, appearance and safety of your trees. These techniques include:

• Eliminating branches that rub each other
• Removing limbs that interfere with wires, building facades, gutters, roofs, chimneys, windows or obstruct streets or sidewalks
• Removing dead or weak limbs that pose a hazard or may lead to decay
• Removing diseased or insect infected limbs
• Creating better structure to lessen wind resistance and reduce the potential for storm damage
• Training young trees
• Removing limbs damaged by adverse weather conditions
• Thinning or removal of unnecessary branches
• Improving the shape or silhouette of the tree

Removal

Although tree removal is a last resort, there are circumstances when it is necessary. An arborist can help decide whether or not a tree should be removed. Arborists have the skills and equipment to safely and efficiently remove trees. Removal is recommended when:

• The tree is dead or dying
• The tree is considered irreparably hazardous
• The tree is causing an obstruction that is impossible to correct through pruning
• The tree is crowding or causing harm to other trees
• The tree is to be replaced by a more suitable specimen
• The tree should be removed to allow for new construction

Emergency Tree Care

Storms may cause limbs or entire trees to fall, often landing on homes, cars, other structures or other trees. The weight of storm damaged trees is great and they can be very dangerous to remove or trim. An arborist can assist in performing the job in a safe manner, while reducing further risk of damage to your property.

Planting

Some arborists plant trees and most can recommend what types of trees are appropriate for a specific location. The wrong tree in the wrong location could lead to future problems due to limited growth space, insects, diseases, conflict with buildings or wires, or poor growth.

Other Services

Many arborists also provide a variety of other tree care services including:

• Practicing plant health care (a concept of preventative maintenance to keep trees in good health which will help the tree better defend itself against insects, disease and site problems
• Fertilization
• Cabling or bracing for added support to branches with weak attachment
• Aeration to improve root growth
• Installation of lighting protection systems
• Spraying or injecting to control certain insect and disease problems

• In Maine it is required by law that any individuals who advertise, solicit, contract, or in any any way engage for compensation in the business of an arborist, or make representation as being able to do so, must be licensed by the State of Maine.
• Membership in professional organizations such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the National Arborist Association (NAA), the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA), or the Maine Arborist Association (MAA) demonstrates a willingness on the part of the arborist to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques and information
• Check in the phone directory yellow pages for those arborists who advertise as ISA Certified Arborists or display the official logo of the ISA Certified Arborist. (Certified arborists are experienced professionals who have passed an extensive examination covering all aspects of tree care).
• Ask for proof of insurance and then phone the insurance company if you are not satisfied. A reputable arborist will have personal and property damage insurance, as well as workers compensation insurance. Just before work ensues, contact the insurance carrier to make sure the policy is still in effect. In Maine, arborists are required to have $150,000 in general liability insurance and $300,000 in general aggregate. Many homeowners have had to pay out large amounts of money for damages caused by uninsured individuals claiming to be tree experts. You could be held responsible for damages and injuries that occur as a result of the job.
• Ask the arborist what services they provide. They may not provide the service that you are interested in.
• Ask for references to find out where the company has done work similar to the work you are requesting. Don't hesitate to check references or visit other worksites where the company or individual has done tree work. Remember, tree care is a substantial, long-lasting investment; you would not buy a car without a test drive!
• Unless you know and are comfortable with the arborist, get more than one estimate in writing. Ask the arborist if they provide free estimates. You may have to pay for the estimates, and it will take more time, but it will be worth the investment.
• Be wary of individuals who go door-to-door and offer bargains for performing tree work. Reputable companies are too occupied to solicit work in this manner. Improper tree care can take many years to correct itself. Are you willing to take that risk with your valuable investment?
• Good arborists will only perform accepted practices. For example, practices such as topping a tree, removing an excessive amount of wood, using climbing spikes on trees which are not being removed, and removing or disfiguring living trees without just cause, are unnecessary.
• Don't always accept the low bid. You should examine the credentials and the written specification of the firms who submitted bids and determine the best combination of price, work to be done, skill and professionalism to protect your substantial investment.
• Get it in writing. Most reputable arborists will have their client sign a contract. Be sure to read the contract carefully. Be sure you understand what the arborist plans to do and why and be sure the arborist understands what you want done and why.
• Good companies submit proposals which include the following:
  
  • What date the work will begin
  • What will be done (exactly)
  • What you need to do
  • What cleanup will be done and to what degree
  • What date the work will be finished
  • The total dollar amount you will be charged
• Good tree service companies have clean, modern equipment that is in good repair.
• EHAP (Electrical Hazard Awareness Program) certification is a requirement if the tree company is working near energized wires. If so, ask to see the certification.
• Never pay in advance, good companies will bill you

• When will the work be started and completed?
• Who will be responsible for clean up?
• Is this the total price including sales tax?
• If I would like more work done, what is your hourly rate?