Potential Risks of Cheap Tree Services

Potential Risks of Cheap Tree Services

Inadequate Insurance Coverage and Liability Risks

One of the hidden dangers of hiring the cheapest tree service comes down to a simple question: are they adequately insured? Skimping on insurance is a common tactic for businesses trying to undercut the competition. While a low price might be tempting, it could end up costing you dearly if something goes wrong. Imagine a scenario where a poorly trained worker drops a branch onto your car, or worse, your house. If the company only carries minimal insurance, or none at all, you could be stuck footing the bill for the damages. Suddenly, that cheap tree service becomes incredibly expensive.


Beyond property damage, there's the issue of liability for injuries. Tree work is inherently risky. Workers are dealing with chainsaws, heavy branches, and often working at significant heights. If a worker is injured on your property and the company isn't properly insured for worker's compensation, you could find yourself facing a lawsuit. Even if you aren't legally responsible, defending yourself can be a time-consuming and costly process.


Before hiring any tree service, it's crucial to ask about their insurance coverage. Request proof of both liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance. Don't just take their word for it; verify the policy is current and provides adequate coverage. A reputable company will be happy to provide this information. Remember, choosing the cheapest option isn't always the smartest. Protecting yourself and your property by ensuring proper insurance coverage is worth the peace of mind, even if it means spending a little more upfront. In the long run, it could save you a significant amount of money and hassle.

One of the biggest risks when opting for a bargain basement tree service is the potential for unqualified or untrained workers. It's easy to be swayed by a low price, but that low price often reflects a lack of investment in proper training and safety equipment. Think about it: tree work is inherently dangerous. It involves heavy machinery like chainsaws and chippers, working at heights, and dealing with unpredictable forces like gravity and wind. A worker without proper training is a danger to themselves, your property, and anyone nearby.


An unqualified worker might not know how to properly assess a tree's stability, leading to incorrect felling techniques and potential damage to your house, car, or power lines. They might not understand the safe operation of a chainsaw, increasing the risk of serious injury. They might not even know how to secure a work area to prevent debris from hitting bystanders. And if something does go wrong, an uninsured and unlicensed company might leave you holding the bag for medical bills or property repairs.


Choosing a cheap tree service based solely on price can ultimately cost you far more in the long run. The peace of mind that comes with knowing a skilled, insured, and properly trained crew is handling your trees is worth the investment. Don't let a tempting lowball offer blind you to the very real risks of unqualified tree workers.

Citations and other links

Substandard Equipment and Improper Techniques: Long-Term Tree Health Problems

Bargain-hunting is a tempting habit, and we all love a good deal. But when it comes to tree care, that seemingly irresistible low quote can end up costing you far more in the long run. One of the biggest risks of hiring a cheap tree service is the potential use of substandard equipment and improper techniques, which can lead to a cascade of long-term health problems for your trees.


Think of it this way: would you trust a surgeon using rusty tools? Probably not. Similarly, a tree service relying on worn-out chainsaws, dull pruning shears, or outdated climbing gear is setting the stage for disaster. Dull blades can tear bark, creating wounds that invite disease and pests. Frayed ropes and poorly maintained equipment can lead to accidents, damaging your property or even causing injury.


Beyond the equipment itself, improper techniques are equally detrimental. A poorly executed pruning cut can leave a tree vulnerable to decay. Topping, a drastic and harmful practice often employed by less reputable services to reduce tree height quickly, weakens the structure and makes the tree susceptible to breakage and disease. Incorrect cabling or bracing can restrict growth and even girdle the tree, slowly strangling it over time.


These mistakes might not be immediately obvious. A topped tree might look smaller, and a poorly pruned branch might seem harmless. But over time, the damage accumulates. The tree's natural defenses are compromised, making it more susceptible to insects, fungi, and environmental stress. This can lead to slow decline, premature aging, and ultimately, a shorter lifespan for your trees.


Choosing a certified arborist or a reputable tree service with a proven track record is an investment in the long-term health and beauty of your trees. While the upfront cost might be higher, you'll avoid the hidden costs associated with substandard work, ensuring your trees thrive for years to come. Don't let the allure of a cheap deal jeopardize the well-being of your valuable trees.

Substandard Equipment and Improper Techniques: Long-Term Tree Health Problems

Hidden Costs and Bait-and-Switch Tactics

When that tempting flyer for a ridiculously cheap tree service lands in your mailbox, it's easy to get starry-eyed imagining all the money you'll save. But hold on a minute. That unbelievably low price often comes with hidden costs and, sometimes, even outright bait-and-switch tactics. Before you sign on the dotted line, be prepared to dig a little deeper, because that initial bargain could quickly turn into a financial nightmare.


One common hidden cost is the "surprise" extra fees. That initial quote might cover only the basic felling of the tree. Suddenly, you find yourself facing additional charges for hauling away the debris, stump grinding, or even just moving the chipped wood from your driveway to your garden. These seemingly small add-ons can quickly inflate the final bill, leaving you wondering how that "amazing deal" became so expensive.


Bait-and-switch tactics are even more insidious. A company might lure you in with a low price, only to claim upon arrival that your tree is "more complicated" than they initially thought. Suddenly, they need specialized equipment, extra manpower, or they discover a "previously unseen" issue that requires a significant price hike. You're stuck between a rock and a hard place, with a half-cut tree in your yard and a significantly higher bill than you anticipated.


Another sneaky trick is the "lowball" estimate. A disreputable company might intentionally underestimate the work involved, knowing they can later jack up the price once they've started. They might claim unforeseen difficulties or conveniently "discover" necessary additional services. By then, you're invested in the process and feel pressured to agree to the higher price to get the job finished.


Protecting yourself from these shady practices requires vigilance. Get multiple estimates from reputable companies, ensuring each quote clearly outlines all services and potential additional costs. Ask about their insurance coverage and licensing, and don't hesitate to check online reviews. Remember, a reputable tree service will be transparent about their pricing and procedures. Don't let the allure of a cheap deal blind you to the potential hidden costs and deceptive practices that could ultimately cost you much more in the long run. A little bit of research upfront can save you a lot of headaches and money down the line.

An arborist practicing tree care: using a chainsaw to fell a eucalyptus tree in a park at Kallista, Victoria.

Arboriculture (/ˈɑːrbərɪˌkʌltʃər, ɑːrˈbɔːr-/)[1] is the cultivation, management, and study of individual trees, shrubs, vines, and other perennial woody plants. The science of arboriculture studies how these plants grow and respond to cultural practices and to their environment. The practice of arboriculture includes cultural techniques such as selection, planting, training, fertilization, pest and pathogen control, pruning, shaping, and removal.

Overview

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A person who practices or studies arboriculture can be termed an arborist or an arboriculturist. A tree surgeon is more typically someone who is trained in the physical maintenance and manipulation of trees and therefore more a part of the arboriculture process rather than an arborist. Risk management, legal issues, and aesthetic considerations have come to play prominent roles in the practice of arboriculture. Businesses often need to hire arboriculturists to complete "tree hazard surveys" and generally manage the trees on-site to fulfill occupational safety and health obligations.[citation needed]

Arboriculture is primarily focused on individual woody plants and trees maintained for permanent landscape and amenity purposes, usually in gardens, parks or other populated settings, by arborists, for the enjoyment, protection, and benefit of people.[citation needed]

Arboricultural matters are also considered to be within the practice of urban forestry yet the clear and separate divisions are not distinct or discreet.[citation needed]

Tree Benefits

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Tree benefits are the economic, ecological, social and aesthetic use, function purpose, or services of a tree (or group of trees), in its situational context in the landscape.

Environmental Benefits

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  • Erosion control and soil retention
  • Improved water infiltration and percolation
  • Protection from exposure: windbreak, shade, impact from hail/rainfall
  • Air humidification
  • Modulates environmental conditions in a given microclimate: shields wind, humidifies, provides shade
  • Carbon sequestration and oxygen production

Ecological Benefits

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  • Attracting pollinators
  • Increased biodiversity
  • Food for decomposers, consumers, and pollinators
  • Soil health: organic matter accumulation from leaf litter and root exudates (symbiotic microbes)
  • Ecological habitat

Socioeconomic Benefits

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  • Increases employment: forestry, education, tourism
  • Run-off and flood control (e.g. bioswales, plantings on slopes)
  • Aesthetic beauty: parks, gatherings, social events, tourism, senses (fragrance, visual), focal point
  • Adds character and prestige to the landscape, creating a "natural" feel
  • Climate control (e.g shade): can reduce energy consumption of buildings
  • Privacy and protection: from noise, wind
  • Cultural benefits: eg. memorials for a loved one
  • Medical benefits: eg. Taxus chemotherapy
  • Materials: wood for building, paper pulp
  • Fodder for livestock
  • Property value: trees can increase by 10–20%[citation needed]
  • Increases the amount of time customers will spend in a mall, strip mall, shopping district[citation needed]

Tree Defects

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A tree defect is any feature, condition, or deformity of a tree that indicates weak structure or instability that could contribute to tree failure.

Common types of tree defects:

Codominant stems: two or more stems that grow upward from a single point of origin and compete with one another.

  • common with decurrent growth habits
  • occurs in excurrent trees only after the leader is killed and multiple leaders compete for dominance

Included bark: bark is incorporated in the joint between two limbs, creating a weak attachment

  • occurs in branch unions with a high attachment angle (i.e. v-shaped unions)
  • common in many columnar/fastigiate growing deciduous trees

Dead, diseased, or broken branches:

  • woundwood cannot grow over stubs or dead branches to seal off decay
  • symptoms/signs of disease: e.g. oozing through the bark, sunken areas in the bark, and bark with abnormal patterns or colours, stunted new growth, discolouration of the foliage

Cracks

  • longitudinal cracks result from interior decay, bark rips/tears, or torsion from wind load
  • transverse cracks result from buckled wood, often caused by unnatural loading on branches, such as lion's tailing.
  • Seams: bark edges meet at a crack or wound
  • Ribs: bulges, indicating interior cracks

Cavity and hollows: sunken or open areas wherein a tree has suffered injury followed by decay. Further indications include: fungal fruiting structures, insect or animal nests.

Lean: a lean of more than 40% from vertical presents a risk of tree failure

Taper: change in diameter over the length of trunks branches and roots

Epicormic branches (water sprouts in canopy or suckers from root system): often grow in response to major damage or excessive pruning

Roots:

  • girdling roots compress the trunk, leading to poor trunk taper, and restrict vascular flow
  • kinked roots provide poor structural support; the kink is a site of potential root failure
  • circling roots occurs when roots encounter obstructions/limitations such as a small tree well or being grown too long in a nursery pot; these cannot provide adequate structural support and are limited in accessing nutrients and water
  • healthy soil texture and depth, drainage, water availability, makes for healthy roots

Tree Installation

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Proper tree installation ensures the long-term viability of the tree and reduces the risk of tree failure.

Quality nursery stock must be used. There must be no visible damage or sign of disease. Ideally the tree should have good crown structure. A healthy root ball should not have circling roots and new fibrous roots should be present at the soil perimeter. Girdling or circling roots should be pruned out. Excess soil above the root flare should be removed immediately, since it presents a risk of disease ingress into the trunk.

Appropriate time of year to plant: generally fall or early spring in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere.

Planting hole: the planting hole should be 3 times the width of the root ball. The hole should be dug deep enough that when the root ball is placed on the substrate, the root flare is 3–5cm above the surrounding soil grade. If soil is left against the trunk, it may lead to bark, cambium and wood decay. Angular sides to the planting hole will encourage roots to grow radially from the trunk, rather than circling the planting hole. In urban settings, soil preparation may include the use of:

  • Silva cells: suspended pavement over modular cells containing soil for root development
  • Structural soils: growing medium composed of 80% crushed rock and 20% loam, which supports surface load without it leading to soil compaction

Tree wells: a zone of mulch can be installed around the tree trunk to: limit root zone competition (from turf or weeds), reduce soil compaction, improve soil structure, conserve moisture, and keep lawn equipment at a distance. No more than 5–10cm of mulch should be used to avoid suffocating the roots. Mulch must be kept approximately 20cm from the trunk to avoid burying the root flare. With city trees additional tree well preparation includes:

Tree grates/grill and frames: limit compaction on root zone and mechanical damage to roots and trunk

Root barriers: forces roots to grow down under surface asphalt/concrete/pavers to limit infrastructure damage from roots

Staking: newly planted, immature trees should be staked for one growing season to allow for the root system to establish. Staking for longer than one season should only be considered in situations where the root system has failed to establish sufficient structural support. Guy wires can be used for larger, newly planted trees. Care must be used to avoid stem girdling from the support system ties.

Irrigation: irrigation infrastructure may be installed to ensure a regular water supply throughout the lifetime of the tree. Wicking beds are an underground reservoir from which water is wicked into soil. Watering bags may be temporarily installed around tree stakes to provide water until the root system becomes established. Permeable paving allows for water infiltration in paved urban settings, such as parks and walkways.

UK

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Within the United Kingdom trees are considered as a material consideration within the town planning system and may be conserved as amenity landscape[2] features.

The role of the Arborist or Local Government Arboricultural Officer is likely to have a great effect on such matters. Identification of trees of high quality which may have extensive longevity is a key element in the preservation of trees.

Urban and rural trees may benefit from statutory protection under the Town and Country Planning[3] system. Such protection can result in the conservation and improvement of the urban forest as well as rural settlements.

Historically the profession divides into the operational and professional areas. These might be further subdivided into the private and public sectors. The profession is broadly considered as having one trade body known as the Arboricultural Association, although the Institute of Chartered Foresters offers a route for professional recognition and chartered arboriculturist status.

The qualifications associated with the industry range from vocational to Doctorate. Arboriculture is a comparatively young industry.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "arboriculture". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d.
  2. ^ "Amenity landscapes • Environment Guide". www.environmentguide.org.nz. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  3. ^ "Town and Country Planning Association". Town and Country Planning Association. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  • Harris, Richard W. (1983). Arboriculture: Care of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines in the Landscape. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc. pp. 2–3. ISBN 0-13-043935-5.
  • "arboriculture". Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition. Merriam-Webster.
  • "arboriculture". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 2007.
  • "arboriculture". The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Online. Houghton Mifflin Company. 2000.
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Tree trimmer on tracked treads
(Click for video)

Tree care is the application of arboricultural methods like pruning, trimming, and felling/thinning[1] in built environments. Road verge, greenways, backyard and park woody vegetation are at the center of attention for the tree care industry. Landscape architecture and urban forestry[2][3] also set high demands on professional tree care. High safety standards against the dangers of tree care have helped the industry evolve. Especially felling in space-limited environments poses significant risks: the vicinity of power or telephone lines, insufficient protective gear (against falling dead wood, chainsaw wounds, etc.) and narrow felling zones with endangered nearby buildings, parking cars, etc.. The required equipment and experience usually transcends private means and is often considered too costly as a permanent part of the public infrastructure. In singular cases, traditional tools like handsaws may suffice, but large-scale tree care usually calls for heavy machinery like cranes, bucket trucks, harvesters, and woodchippers.

Road side trees are especially prone to abiotic stress by exhaust fumes, toxic road debris, soil compaction, and drought which makes them susceptible to fungal infections and various plant pests[4] like the spotted lantern fly.[5] When tree removal is not an option, because of road ecology considerations, the main challenge is to achieve road safety (visibility of road signs, blockage-free lanes, etc.) while maintaining tree health.

Tree removal

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While the perceived risk of death by falling trees (a part of the "tree risk" complex) is influenced by media and often hyped (the objective risk has been reported to be close to 1 : 10.000.000, almost as low as death by lightning),[6] singular events have encouraged a "proactive" stance so that even lightly damaged trees are likely to be removed in urban and public traffic surroundings.[3] As a tree ages and nears the end of its safe useful life expectancy (SULE),[7] its perceived amenity value is decreased greatly. A risk assessment normally carried out by local council's arborist to determine the best course of action.[8][9] As with all public green spaces, trees in green urban spaces and their careful conservation is sometimes in conflict with aggressive urban development even though it is often understood how urban trees contribute to liveability of suburbs and cities both objectively (reduction of urban heat island effect, etc.) and subjectively.[10][11][12][13] Tree planting programs implemented by a growing number of cities, local councils and organizations is mitigating the losses and in most cases increasing the number of trees in suburbia.[14] Programs include the planting of 2 trees for every 1 tree removed, while some councils are paying land owners to keep trees instead of removing them for farming or construction.[15]

Standards

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United States

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The voluntary industry consensus standards developed by TCIA, resulted in the ANSI A300 standard, the generally accepted industry standard for tree care practices including trees, shrubs, and other woody plants.[16] It includes the following parts:

  1. Pruning
  2. Soil management
  3. Supplemental support systems
  4. Lightning protection systems
  5. Management
  6. Planting and transplanting
  7. Integrated vegetation management
  8. Root management standard
  9. Tree risk assessment
  10. Integrated pest management

Professional associations

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Council, Cornwall. "Practical Guidelines for Young Tree Care - Cornwall Council". www.cornwall.gov.uk. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  2. ^ "Urban Forestry Management in Denver Colorado - Denver Tree Service - Tree Removal - Snow Removal". environmentaltreecarellc.com. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
  3. ^ a b "Urban Forestry Operations". City of Toronto. Urban Forestry maintains 4.1 million trees on public property, which includes an estimated 3.5 million trees within Toronto's parks and ravines, and approximately 600,000 trees on City streets. ... The focus of our maintenance service is shifting progressively from reactive maintenance to proactive maintenance.
  4. ^ Frankfurt, Umweltamt. "Tree protection in Frankfurt : Stadt Frankfurt am Main | Dezernat Umwelt und Gesundheit | Umweltamt". frankfurt-greencity.de (in German). Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  5. ^ "spotted lantern fly".
  6. ^ "EPA – Home" (PDF).
  7. ^ "NOTES ON SAFE USEFUL LIFE EXPECTANCY (SULE RATING) AS USED IN TREE DESCRIPTION" (PDF). strathfield.nsw.gov.au.
  8. ^ Northrop, Andrew K. Koeser, Gitta Hasing, Drew McLean, and Rob (2016-12-20). "Tree Risk Assessment Methods: A Comparison of Three Common Evaluation Forms". edis.ifas.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2018-04-06.cite web: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ "Tree Removal Australia – Stay Smart, Save Money". GoTreeQuotes. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  10. ^ "Greening Our Streets Street Tree Management Plan" (PDF). City of Whittlesea, Australia. 2016.
  11. ^ Peter Mitham (2015). "Redevelopment, urban tree removal raise city residents' concerns". Business Vancouver.
  12. ^ eugenie stockmann (2016). "Are developers to blame for loss of tree cover in urban areas?". The Green Swing.
  13. ^ Dinh Muoi, Thanh Nien News (2016). "Ho Chi Minh City announces massive tree removal plan for metro station". Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Ho Chi Minh City has announced a plan to move and cut down 300 trees on Ton Duc Thang Street in District 1 to make space for a bridge connecting to District 2 and a metro station.
  14. ^ "Buy Trees and Learn About Trees - Visit our Online Nursery". www.arborday.org. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  15. ^ "NVIM Quick Reference Guide. Obligations under the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy" (PDF). environment.vic.gov.au.
  16. ^ Advanced Solutions International Inc. "TCIA | A300 Standards". www.tcia.org. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Unlicensed and uninsured companies pose a significant financial risk to you if someone is injured or property is damaged during the job. You could be held liable.
Cheap services often cut corners on safety, leading to potential accidents involving falling branches, damaged property, or injuries to workers. Ask about their training and equipment.
A lack of positive reviews or verifiable references can indicate poor workmanship, unprofessional conduct, or even scams.
Extremely low quotes might hide extra charges or indicate the use of inferior equipment, improper disposal methods (which can lead to fines), or incomplete cleanup. Get a detailed written estimate.