General Tree Care Questions

Once trees become established don’t they basically take care of themselves?

While trees growing in the forest and other natural areas can basically take care of themselves, those growing in cities and suburbs need help staying healthy and beautiful. They contend with air pollution, road salt, confined roots, trunk damage, compacted or poor quality soils, improper pruning and other stresses. Your trees and shrubs may benefit from pruning, mulching, irrigating, soil management or other TLC to thrive.

Your trees and shrubs are valuable, adding both to the value of your property and the quality of your life. To live long and healthy lives, they need proper care.

Our landscaper says they do tree care. Can’t we just have them do it?

When you work with The Care of Trees, you benefit from having trained, educated and certified professional caring for your trees. Our staff includes Registered Consulting Arborists, Certified Arborists and Certified Tree Workers, trained in the progressive technologies and techniques and ensuring safe work practices. We endeavor to follow the most progressive standards and guidelines for tree care work. We are also bonded and insured to protect you and our workers.

What is an arborist?

An arborist is a specialist in caring for trees, shrubs and other woody plants. Our Arborists understand the management of trees and are professionally trained to evaluate and care for them in the effective manner. Arborists certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), of which many of The Care of Trees arborists are, have passed a comprehensive exam, have at least
three years of experience, and participate
in continuing education in arboricultural techniques.

Do you have emergency service?

Yes, we have 24-hour emergency service and can respond to storm damage to your trees and property in a timely fashion.

Is your work guaranteed?

We guarantee to deliver what we promise. If you are not satisfied, we will work with you until you are, or you will not be charged.

I’m just about to buy my house. How do I find out how healthy the trees are?

The importance of having a professional home inspector evaluate the condition of your future house before you sign on the dotted line is well known. However, a comprehensive evaluation to establish the condition of your trees is also vital to your investment decisions.

Just as a home might have defects invisible to the untrained eye, trees often have hidden defects that can make them hazardous or costly to maintain. If a tree is structurally unsound, you may need to remove it, which can cost as much as several thousand dollars. Determining potential problems up front can help you negotiate the purchase price of your home and budget for future maintenance needs.

Tree evaluations aren’t only about risks, but also about enhancing your real estate investment. Thriving trees can add as much as 15 percent to the value of your home. When you know their condition, you can better plan for their care. In addition to your own enjoyment of the many benefits of your trees, should you ever plan to relocate, thriving trees will add to your property’s curb appeal.

Call us today for a personalized tree inspection. Click here for contact information.

I’m selling my house. How can I make my landscape appealing to the potential buyer?

Did you know that prospective home buyers decide if they are interested in a home within the first two minutes of seeing it? Trees and landscaping have everything to do with that first impression, adding immensely to a home’s curb appeal. They can add as much as 20 percent to a home’s value.

The Care of Trees can help you sell your home faster and obtain top dollar for it by ensuring that your home landscape is as attractive as possible. Even relatively minor expenditures on landscape improvements can pay off. Pruning, mulching, edging and replacing damaged shrubs can make a big difference in the length of time on the market and the selling price.

Call us today for a personalized tree inspection. Click here for contact information.

What’s so special about The Care of Trees?

Many of our clients have been with us for decades. They are testimony to the fact that in addition to providing the best tree care, we are committed to providing the best client care, too. From consulting on your trees’ needs, to scheduling the work, to arriving on time and cleaning up when the job is complete, The Care of Trees is serious about ensuring your complete satisfaction.

The Care of Trees offers a variety of plant health care services to maximize the vitality and beauty of your trees and shrubs.

How do I find out if my town has tree ordinances for what trees can be pruned and when?

Many towns have instituted tree ordinances in an effort to protect trees by requiring progressive arboricultural practices and guidelines before allowing a tree to be removed. As a professional tree care company, we are well versed in industry standards and guidelines, and support these regulatory efforts. Please consult your local Arborist at The Care of Trees or local city hall for more information on the tree protection ordinances in your area.

I’m very concerned about the use of chemicals. Do you have chemical free applications?

Click here for our new organic solution to keeping your trees healthy!

Why choose an accredited tree care company?

Accredited tree care companies take expert care of your property, by caring for your trees and shrubs. This adds value and beauty to your home. They also help protect you and your family from bodily injury or property damage from trees that have defects such as cracked limbs and trunks, decayed limbs and trunks, and decayed or damaged root systems.

Accredited tree care companies employ staff trained in tree biology and the proper methods used to keep trees and shrubs healthy. They can identify diseases and pests that threaten the well being of trees and shrubs as well as the defects that could cause harm. Sometimes these defects are hidden inside the trunk, root system, or high in the crown. It takes a trained expert to recognize all the possible hazards.

What is TCIA accreditation?

TCIA Accreditation is a consumer confidence program administered by the Tree Care Industry Association – America’s oldest and most respected tree care trade association. The TCIA Accreditation program is built on the threefold foundation of ethics, quality, and consumer confidence.

Since 1938, the Tree Care Industry Association has been conducting educational programs and creating standards and best business practices to help tree care companies provide the highest levels of service to homeowners. The TCIA Accreditation program is a voluntary program that credentials companies which meet stringent criteria for professionalism, employee training, state and federal safety regulations, business ethics and customer satisfaction. Under the process, businesses undergo an extensive review and a comprehensive audit of professional and business practices aimed at safeguarding consumers.

TCIA Accreditation is the only business practices and compliance audit program for tree companies in America.

Pruning

Why is pruning important?

Long-term management of pruning can ensure your trees continue to provide the aesthetic value and function they were intended to. Proper, conscientious pruning can enhance the beauty and function of your trees, while reducing the potential for loss of limbs or other failures during winter storms.

After pruning, will the cuts be treated with anything?

Current research shows that it is not beneficial to treat pruning wounds with any materials. Proper pruning cuts made by our arborists will seal naturally and treatments on the wounds may actually slow this process. If certain species of oaks or elms are being pruned during the growing season, it may be necessary to treat the larger wounds to help minimize the risk of disease infection.

Tree Removal

I still have large logs and stumps to be removed. When will this be completed?

The logs and stumps are often removed by a separate crew. Logs are removed as soon as possible, either later in the same day or during the next few days. Both the log and stump removals are weather dependent as soft, wet ground may prohibit our access.

Stumps are removed usually within a week of the tree removal unless otherwise arranged. They are ground out with a cutting machine that mulches the stump into small chips. Stump chips are left on site, unless other arrangements are made, and serve as excellent mulch around other plants. Large stumps will yield a large amount of stump chips for mulch.

Can I plant a tree where the other tree was removed?

It may not be possible to plant another tree in the same location because total stump removal to great depths is often not possible. Ask your arborist to assess your specific situation.

Fertilization

How will you fertilize my trees and shrubs and what should I expect afterwards?

We use several methods to fertilize trees and shrubs:

• Injection of a liquid fertilizer solution into the

soil and root zone of the trees.
• Spreading of a granular fertilizer over

the top of the root systems.
• Drilling of holes into the soil that are then

filled with fertilizer.
• Injecting fertilizers into the trunk of the tree.

  
  Your arborist has prescribed the best means of fertilizing your trees and shrubs. If your trees are in a turf area, you may see dark green tufts of fast growing grass in the areas under and around the trees. This is caused when grass roots take in a bit of the fertilizer.
  The green “dots” usually disappear after a
  good rain and as the grass continues to grow.

Plant Health Care

I’m concerned about chemicals. How do I know how the chemicals you use will affect my property?

Many of the chemicals we use at The Care of Trees to care for your trees are safer than some of the household cleaning products you use everyday! At The Care of Trees, we practice low-impact Plant Health Care, employing biological as well as non-toxic and low-toxicity materials to assist in managing the health of your trees. Talk with your The Care of Trees Arborist about the materials they recommend, and any concerns you might have with their use.

What if it rains after an application to my trees?

Our materials need about 20-30 minutes to dry.
Rain will not affect our sprays as a special material is
included that “glues” the spray to the leaf surface
once it dries. If it rains immediately after an application,
please give our office a call to make arrangements
for another application at no charge.

Can we go out right away after you spray?

Once the materials have dried, you may allow your pets and children to enter
the area.

How safe are your materials?

Our materials are legally registered by the EPA for application to trees and shrubs in urban areas. The active ingredients in most of our materials are available to consumers at retail outlets. They are applied by highly trained technicians who are licensed by the state. Our technicians receive continuous training on safety and plant health care issues to provide you with professionally qualified arborists caring for your trees.

Billing

What is the average cost for pruning a tree, fertilizing, lightning protection, etc?

This is very difficult to estimate because tree and shrub care depends on so many factors such as:

• Size of trees and area of coverage
• Accessibility to area
• Extent of work needed
• Urgency of work
  
  Because all trees and clients are different, it is very important that we meet face to face with you to
  discuss your trees and landscape.

  How will I be billed and what are my options for payment?
  

  You may receive the invoice for your tree care after the work is completed that day or it will be mailed to you shortly thereafter. Our invoices are due upon receipt.

  Paying your bill has never been easier!

  Mail your payment to:
  The Care of Trees
  PO BOX 5193
  Kent, OH 44240

  Pay online: You may pay by check, or by debit or credit card.

  Pay by phone: You may pay by check, debit or credit card by calling toll free at (888) 661-8268 today.

  Is my financial information safe through your website?
  

  The Care of Trees Pay-Online is a secure page (secured by Thawte or Network Solutions) and has a signed 128-bit encryption certificate. Data you enter into your browser when paying online is encrypted and secure. To make sure you are accessing our secure server before you submit personal financial information, look at the bottom corner of your browser. If you see an unbroken key or a closed lock (depending upon your browser), then you are accessing our secure server. In Internet Explorer 7.0, the closed lock is located at the right of the URL field. To double-check for security, look at the URL in your browser. If you have accessed a secure server, the first characters of the address in that line should change from “http” to “https”.

  

Terms and Conditions

What are your terms and conditions?

Client Care Guarantee – We guarantee to deliver what we have promised. If we do not, we will work with you until you are satisfied, or you will not be charged. Our Client Care Guarantee demonstrates our commitment to creating lifelong client relationships with our progressive tree care programs. As our work involves living things, no guarantee on the lives of any trees or plants is expressed or implied in this contract.

Insurance – Our workers are covered by Worker’s Compensation. The company is insured for personal injury and property damage liability. Proof of insurance can be verified by requesting a copy of our Certificate of Insurance.

Working With Living Things – As trees and other plant life are living, changing organisms affected by several factors beyond our control, no guarantee on tree, plant or general landscape safety, health or condition is expressed or implied in this contract unless specifically stated in writing.

Tree Care Standards – All work is to be performed in accordance with current American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard Practices for Tree Care Operations.

Ownership of Trees – Signature/acceptance constitutes a representation and warranty that the trees referenced in this quote are either owned by the signee or that written permission has been received to work on trees which are not on the signee’s property. Signee will indemnify and hold us harmless for any breach of this representation and warranty.

Underground Fixtures – We are not responsible for any underground property unless we have been informed of its exact location by the owner or the appropriate local utility location agency.

Cancellation – Cancellation of work must be received in writing or by fax 24 hours before crew arrival or will be subject to our current minimum charge.

Arborist Disclosure Statement – Arborists cannot detect or anticipate every condition or event that could possibly lead to the structural failure of a tree, or guarantee that a tree will be healthy or safe under all circumstances. Trees can be managed but not controlled.

Tree Risk – When elevated risk conditions in trees are observed and identified by our representatives and a contract has been signed to proceed with the remedial work we have recommended, we will make a reasonable effort to proceed with the job promptly. We will not assume liability for any accident, damage or injury that may occur on the ground or on any other object or structure. Site inspections do not include internal or structural considerations unless so noted. Unless otherwise specified, tree assessments will not include investigations to determine a tree’s structural integrity or stability. We may recommend a Risk Assessment be conducted for an additional charge.

Equipment Access – The prices quoted assume our truck-mounted equipment will have access to the property wherever possible with no damage. If this is unacceptable, we must know prior to acceptance of quote and scheduling. We will not be responsible for damage to substandard blacktop surfaces caused by our vehicles or subcontractors’ vehicles.

Scheduling – Job scheduling is dependent on weather conditions and work loads. Unless noted on the contract or previously arranged with our office, our crew will present itself unannounced to do the scheduled work.

Tree Removal – Complete removal of the tree within 6” of ground level and cleanup of all debris (unless otherwise stated). Additional charges may be levied for unseen concrete or metal in tree upon notification of owner. Some lawn damage may occur. We will regrade and seed if necessary.

Stump Removal – Mechanical grinding of the visible tree stump to below ground level. Stump hole will be backfilled with stump chips and a mound of remaining chips will be left on site (unless otherwise stated on proposal). Chip removal, grading and soil backfill are also available for an additional charge.

Clean-Up – Logs, brush, leaves, twigs, normally removed. Some excess sawdust not raked up will not be removed.

Cabling/Bracing – Cabling and bracing of trees is intended to reduce hazard potential only. It does not permanently remedy structural weaknesses, is not a guarantee against failure and requires periodic inspection.

Pest Management & SoilCare – Where specified, slow release fertilizers will be used and applied at a rate of 0.5 to 1.5 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Higher rates of nitrogen may be applied if specified by the arborist. For sub-surface, liquid applications, injection sites will be spaced 12 to 36 inches apart and 4 to 8 inches deep. For sub-surface, dry methods, holes will be spaced 12 to 36 inches apart, will be 2-4 inches in diameter and will be 4 to 8 inches deep. Unless limited by property boundaries, SoilCare applications will be applied to the area near the trunk to near or just beyond the dripline. EPA approved materials will be applied by licensed and insured operators and notices provided in accordance with State and Federal regulations. Unless specifically noted, insect and disease outbreaks including gypsy moth, Dutch elm disease and other exotic invasives are excluded from our integrated pest management programs.

Time and Materials (T&M) – Jobs performed on a T&M basis will be billed for the time on the job (not including lunch break), travel to and from the job, and materials used.

Billing & Sales Tax – A deposit is required prior to work being completed. All amounts deposited with us will either be credited to your account or applied against any amounts currently due and owing to the fullest extent of the law. In the event of a cancellation of work, we reserve the right to apply amounts deposited against any amounts currently due and owing to the fullest extent of the law. If an invoice is left at your property, please pay from it. Otherwise an invoice will be mailed. Our invoices are due upon receipt. Sales tax will be added as per local jurisdiction. Clients claiming tax exempt status must submit a copy of their official tax exempt status form including their tax exempt number in order to waive the sales tax.

Payment – We accept checks and credit cards. Credit card payments may be made online at https://www.thecareoftrees.com/index.php/pay_online/transition/. Paying by check authorizes The Care of Trees to send the information from your check electronically to your bank for payment. This is a one time charge in which funds may be withdrawn from your account as soon as the same day as payment is received. Your account will be debited in the amount of your check and the transaction will appear on your bank statement. You will not receive your cancelled check back, because the original check will be destroyed and an image maintained in our records. If we cannot post the transaction electronically, you authorize us to present a copy of your check for payment.

revised 1/5/10