Hiring a Tree Service: What to Check Before Anyone Climbs Your Trees
Published August 04, 2026 · ZipServ
Tree work is dangerous. It's one of the top causes of serious workplace injuries and property damage in home services. A crew that drops a branch the wrong way can take out your roof, your fence, or a power line. The cheapest quote is almost never the right choice here.
Why insurance is the first question, not the last
Before you talk about price or timing, confirm any tree service has adequate insurance — specifically:
- General liability insurance (minimum $1 million per occurrence for tree work)
- Workers' compensation for every crew member
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance naming you as the certificate holder, and call the insurance company to verify it's current. If a crew member is injured on your property without workers' comp, you may be liable. Don't skip this step.
Look for ISA Certified Arborist credentials
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist credential is the industry standard for tree care expertise. The company should have at least one on staff — especially for tree health assessments, hazard evaluations, or significant pruning. Certified Arborists are trained to make cuts that protect tree health, not just remove branches quickly. Verify credentials at treesaregood.org.
1. How will you protect my property during the work?
Ask specifically: How do you drop large limbs? Do you use ropes and rigging equipment? Will you protect my lawn and landscaping from equipment? A professional crew uses rigging and rope systems to control exactly where branches fall. A crew that just "lets them drop" is taking shortcuts that can damage your property.
2. Does removal include the stump?
Tree removal quotes often don't include stump grinding. Clarify whether stump removal is included and at what depth (typical standard is 6–12 inches below grade). Leaving a stump can attract termites and continue sprouting.
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3. Who handles debris?
Full cleanup and haul-off should be standard, but confirm it's included in the quote. Some companies chip debris on-site and leave the mulch (useful for garden beds); others haul everything. Know which you're getting.
4. Are you familiar with utility line protocols?
Work near power lines must follow specific protocols in Texas. If your tree is within falling distance of a power line, ask specifically about this and what certifications their crew holds.
Red flags
- Refuses to provide insurance documentation
- Quotes on the phone without inspecting the tree
- Door-to-door crews offering dramatically low prices (common after storms)
- No written contract
- Proposes "topping" a tree — this damages tree health and is a sign of poor arboriculture
- Wants full payment before the job starts
After a major storm: be especially careful
Storm chasers — unlicensed crews who appear in neighborhoods after severe weather — are extremely common in North Texas after ice storms or hail events. The pressure is high because your tree is on your roof. Slow down. Verify insurance. Get multiple quotes. The urgency they create is often manufactured.
The safest hire is someone your neighbor has used for similar work — not a crew that showed up at your door after the last storm. Search your ZIP code to find tree services that neighbors have already trusted with their trees.
Find a trusted Tree Services near you
Search by ZIP code to find businesses your neighbors have already vouched for.