Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to be home while the crew is working?
A: No, there is no need to be home while we are working, as long as there are no cars blocking our access.
Q: What are some ways I can save money on my tree work?
A: We understand that tree work can be pricey-- and we always do our best to give fair prices for our work, often offering discounts. We can sometimes offer discounts on work that can wait to be scheduled until the late fall/winter (our slowest season), clients who are very flexible about scheduling, jobs where we are given permission to leave logs or wood chips in a natural area/out of the way, or larger jobs where we are able to combine a lot of work together to maximize efficiency for our crew.
Q: How does the winter discount work?*
A: In order to qualify for this discount, you must accept a quote during our busy season and defer scheduling the work until our slow season. We request that you are flexible with scheduling within the slow season, so that we can take advantage of lulls in business and unexpected openings in our schedule, in exchange for the discounted rate. This system helps us offer work security to all of our employees going into slower times of year, and takes some of the burden of scheduling off our office. Please do not wait until winter to accept a bid from many months earlier-- we will not be able to offer the winter discount in this case, and your quote will have expired (usually requiring a second visit to update the quote). *Please note that we will not be offering the winter discount again until summer 2023
Q: Will you grind the stumps after removing my tree(s)?
A: Unless specified otherwise, all stumps from trees that we remove are cut low but not removed. If stump grinding is desired, we can add this to your proposal. Stump grinding is often done on a separate day from the rest of the work, as it requires specialized equipment and does not require a full crew.
Q: Will there be spike wounds left in my trees?
A: No. We only use spikes for climbing trees that are being removed, not on trees that are being pruned, cabled, etc.
Q: Does the proposal price include removing the debris/felled trees or limbs?
A: Yes. Unless specified otherwise, we chip and/or haul away all debris created by our work on your property, raking and leaf-blowing to clean up after ourselves. Occasionally we will leave large logs temporarily to be picked up by a log truck. We can often offer discounts for leaving wood or chips on site.
Q: I’ve received my proposal from The Treeist, and the work requires a crane. Will the weight of the crane crack or otherwise damage my driveway?
A: While there is always some risk with heavy machinery and cracking driveways/pavement/etc, we try to use the smallest crane appropriate for the work to minimize this risk. We only recommend the use of a crane when it will drastically increase the safety of our climbers or it is truly necessary to complete the work properly. We consider the driveway/pavement and the best way to access the tree(s) to be worked on before writing the proposal. Additionally, the crane operator acts as a second opinion for our estimator and crew, and generally will not set up a crane somewhere that isn't optimal or poses significant risk to property. If, despite these precautions, your driveway is still cracked or otherwise damaged, The Treeist is not responsible for the repair or other compensation for these damages. We ask that our clients understand and assume these risks.
Q: I’ve heard about Emerald Ash Borer, and I’m concerned about my trees. When should I consider treatment? How do I identify ash trees or signs of this pest?
A: It is important to treat for EAB before the insect has been spotted on your trees. It’s a good idea to treat any ash trees you’d like to protect if EAB has been reported in your area, especially within 10-15 miles of your property. Smaller trees can often be treated with a soil drench, but larger trees require injections. This process involves drilling into the base of the tree around the trunk to deliver a pesticide into the vascular system of the tree.
Good General Questions for "Tree Experts"
Please take advantage of the free estimates offered by the many tree services in our area. Both prices and opinions vary widely, and we are happy when ours are considered in comparison to others. We do suggest preparing a few questions when considering any tree service:
1. Can you provide certificates of liability insurance and worker's compensation coverage specific to tree work?
2. Will your crew be leaving spike/gaff injuries on any of my trees?
3. Is your work compliant with the ANSI standards for tree care?
4. For trees deemed hazardous, will you provide non-removal options for mitigating the risks?
5. Can you help me identify the non-native invasive trees, shrubs, and vines on my property?
6. Can you leave the wood chips where they will benefit my remaining trees?