Everyone has a relative or a friend eager to take on a tree with a chainsaw.

Perhaps the question to ask is do they have the knowledge to do the job safely? Most property owners run through this dilemma all too often.

Hiring a tree service provider with a positive reputation, insurance, and permits beats price and concerns about liability any day.

Professional tree service providers possess enough insurance to take care of any of their employees on the job and anything else that may happen. Ask the company for their insurance company and then follow up with a phone call. Homeowners could be responsible for damages and injuries that occur.

The professionals can drop a tree on a dime because they've been trained and they do it every day. It takes more than a truck and a chainsaw to be considered a professional.

Permits and accreditations take the mystery out of hiring someone. Many local and state governments require contractors to apply for licenses to work.

Also, look for professional organizations like the International Society of Arboriculture. An Arborist is a specialist in the care of individual trees and more than a tree cutter.

Larger professional firms invest in the tools needed to do the job. Safety and customer satisfaction should go hand in hand when taking care of the trees on your property.

Besides tree removal, a good tree care company can:

• Prune to maintain or improve the health, appearance and safety of the trees;
• Perform emergency tree care after a storm by safely removing trees and limbs from homes, cars, others trees and structures; and,
• Plant trees that are appropriate for a specific location, taking into consideration factors such as limited growing space, insects, diseases or poor growth.

Ensure the heath of your trees and large shrubs with a comprehensive plant health care program and deep root fertilization.

The decision to hire a tree service is yours. At Embark, our job is to provide the best service at competitive rates.