DIY or Hire a Professional?

With home ownership comes the responsibility of caring for the home, both inside and out. Many small tasks can easily be accomplished by the home owner and don’t require the services of a professional. Tree care is similar to other home duties. General maintenance, such as changing the filters on your furnace are easily completed by the homeowner, while larger projects, such as installing a new furnace, will probably require the services of a professional. Every year there are numerous fatal accidents that occur when homeowners attempt tree-related work. Fatal scenarios include falling out of trees, chainsaw injuries from improper use, electrocution from overhead lines and limbs dropping on a victim.

Ask yourself these questions to determine if the needed tree care requires a professional:

• Will the tree work require a ladder? If so, the work is best to be left to a Certified Arborist. Climbing a tree requires proper training and equipment. There are a number of dangerous scenarios that can arise, including contact with electrical wires. Each year, amateur tree pruners are injured or killed when they unknowingly come in contact with a live wire.
• Is the tree or the limbs to be removed in a hazardous condition (i.e. overhanging your home, near overhead wires, etc.)? If so, the work is best to be left to a professional.  High risk of injury or damage is no job for an amateur, always utilize a Certified Arborist to best determine course of action and have them do the work safely.
• Are there other possible causes for the tree damage? For example, is the overall health of the tree compromised? A Certified Arborist will inspect and determine the damage causes. A Certified Arborist will recommend long term solutions, rather than putting a temporary “band aid” on the problem.

The benefits of using a professional tree care company are numerous. Certified Arborists and tree care companies work according to American National Standards for tree care. They will safely perform the tree work, using the proper equipment and the liability is placed on the company, rather than yourself.

For the safety of yourself and your family, make certain you’ve made an informed decision on doing it yourself or hiring a professional. Do this before beginning any tree and shrub work.