Do you have trees on your residential or commercial property? If so, it's essential to hire a professional to maintain them. Trees can get sick and die, and regular tree trimming is a must. Before you enlist the services of a tree maintenance company, it's important to do a bit of research online to ensure that it has good reviews and an overall positive reputation. After completing this research and narrowing down your list of prospective companies to hire, you'll need to conduct a brief interview with any service you're considering to ensure they can provide the level of service you need for your property. Here are seven important questions you should ask.

1. Do You Treat Certain Species?

While new types of trees are still being discovered, at the moment, there are more than 60,000 known tree species in the world, according to NPR. The amount of training an arborist has can determine how many species they know about and can treat. If you have a particular tree species on your property, check that the arborist you hire understands how to handle it.

2. Are You Insured?

Insurance matters for your local tree maintenance company just as much as it would for any other contractor. Dealing with trees can be dangerous work. Tree professionals may have to climb taller trees. They may have to cut a tree down and ensure it falls at the right angle. Sharp tools such as chainsaws, axes, and stump grinders may be involved. In other words, even for the most careful arborist, injuries or accidents may happen on rare occasions due to the nature of the job. As long as the company you hire has insurance, they'll have coverage, and you won't have to worry about any medical bills they may incur while working on your property.

3. Can You Do Tree Removal?

While trees bring joy, life, and fresh air to your property, you may need to have one or more removed at some point. Tree removal helps clear the land for other projects such as swimming pools, gazebos, or home additions. A tree may also become so sick that it dies. In these situations, you'll need a local tree maintenance company to safely cut the tree down and get it off your property.

4. Do You Handle Stump Removal?

There may come a time when you need stump removal services on your property. You may need a tree removed because it's sick, diseased, or blocking your view. After an arborist chops a tree down, the stump is still left behind. Ask if a company can handle stump grinding and removal or if they only remove the main tree itself.

5. Do You Need a Permit for This Work?

Depending on your location, tree maintenance workers may need a permit to do their job. If you're hiring professionals for a specific job, such as removing trees for land clearing, ask if you need to get a permit to ensure everything is in full compliance with local laws. This way, you can rest assured that no unpleasant surprises will occur.

6. What Experience Do You Have?

You want to hire a company that employs reliable contractors who understand different tree species, how to properly trim them, and can spot a tree's illness before it worsens. Ask about how much experience a potential contractor has so you can rest assured that your trees are in good hands.

7. Do You Provide Emergency Service?

In some situations, you may need to have a tree maintenance company come to your property right away. For example, a large tree may fall on your house and need immediate removal. Be sure to ask a company if they can respond to emergency calls like these in a timely manner.

There's nothing like looking out over your residential or commercial landscape and seeing beautiful, healthy trees around you. Of course, it takes proper care to maintain the trees on your property. To keep your trees healthy and looking good, you should utilize the services of a local tree maintenance company. If you need an experienced professional who understands the local vegetation, don't hesitate to call Cipully Tree Service LLC today for a consultation. We look forward to working with you!