When it comes to tree trimming here in Kansas, Mother Nature stays pretty busy. The powerful Kansas wind works tirelessly to drop limbs and sometimes entire trees in inconvenient and damaging ways. Kansas residents are then left with the task of cleanup. 

Your Better Business Bureau reminds consumers that a good defense against unwanted tree damage is having your trees periodically trimmed by knowledgeable professionals. Removal of dead branches and preemptive trimming of potential problem areas, especially under the direction of a reputable arborist, can reduce the risk of damage the next time your area is hit by an unexpected gust of high wind. (Not to mention the weighty ice and snow that winter can bring.)

Guidelines for hiring an arborist or tree trimmer

Don’t settle for hiring the next tree worker who rings your doorbell or leaves a card at your door. Tree trimming and/or removal is dangerous work that should not be undertaken by novices with a ladder and a pickup truck. For safety’s sake, and the long-term health of your trees, BBB advises:

• Consider hiring a certified arborist. An International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist has completed training for reviving damaged trees, setting up newly planted trees for success, and advising on insect and disease control. Use the ISA website to verify credentials and find certified local arborists.

• Visit bbb.org to check the company’s BBB Business Profile.

• Membership in respected industry organizations is a good sign. Two to ask about are the American Society of Consulting Arborists and the Tree Care Industry Association. Membership means they are familiar with the latest practices and are up on current trends in pests and diseases.

• Watch out if they speak of using methods like “tree topping” and “lion’s-tailing.” Tree topping is the indiscriminate cutting of branches down to stubs to reduce the tree’s size. This harmful practice can increase tree stress, decay, and destroy the tree’s natural form. Lion-tailing is the excessive thinning out of interior branches so that most of the foliage is at the ends of branches, creating a lion’s tail effect. It sets up your trees for limbs to fall because all the weight is at their end. Climbing spikes can irreparably damage trees as well. These are among the tree-trimming methods that can mean death rather than rejuvenation for trees.

• Ask what’s left behind. Disposal of wood and stump removal can be difficult.

• Licensing and permits matter. Check your area’s requirements. Confirm that the company will pull all needed permits for you. Unpermitted work fines can be expensive.

• Insurance is vital. Your homeowner’s insurance isn’t adequate to protect you if someone doing tree work is injured on your property. Verify that they have personal and property damage liability insurance as well as workers’ comp. Tree workers climb up considerable heights making safety a paramount consideration.

• Get multiple estimates and references. Getting at least three quotes is considered standard. Don’t skip the references process as well.

• Allow no work to start before you have a written contract signed which includes start and completion dates, exact costs, specific work to be done, how they will protect your property, and what cleanup and debris removal will be done. Read the fine print.

• Do not make large upfront payments. Stagger payments over the length of the job, or if possible don’t pay until the job is finished and you are satisfied with the work. Credit card payments are best as they provide you some recourse if the deal goes wrong.

Our Kansas trees put up with a lot, just from the climate. Don’t add to their misery by hiring subpar tree workers to further damage them. If you have questions or concerns regarding tree companies, contact BBB at 800-856-2417 or visit our website at BBB.org.