After this year’s winter, there are many damaged trees that require an arborist’s care. Or, maybe you want to take care of trees that appear healthy. You may want to replace trees or add more to your property, but you don’t know with what or where to put them in your yard. This is why you hire an arborist.

Arborists are professionally trained and certified in the best current practices of planting, caring for and maintaining trees. They bring a comprehensive, objective viewpoint to the diagnosis, appraisal and evaluation of issues affecting your trees—whether the trees are young or old.

What they do for you can add great value to your property and enjoyment of it.
Selecting an Arborist

Many of your neighbors can recommend an arborist, or you can hire an ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) certified arborist, or a consulting arborist who is a member of the ASCA (American Society of Consulting Arborists). It’s best to use an arborist who is familiar with the trees and ordinances of San Mateo County.

• To locate a certified arborist in your area, or to verify a certification, search the ISA directory.
• To locate a consulting arborist in your area, or to verify membership, search the ASCA directory.
• To locate an arborist or tree care specialist in the Menlo Oaks area, see the Canopy Arborist List.

Verify Before Hiring

Contractor’s License
In California, a valid California contractor’s license is required if a project costs $500 or more. Verify the status of a contractor’s license and get information on complaints by contacting the Contractors State License Board at (800) 321-2752, or visit its website.

Insurance
Ask to see insurance certificates as proof of liability for personal and property damage and workmen’s compensation. Phone their agent to verify current status and amount of coverage ($300K to $1M recommended). Under some circumstances YOU can be held financially responsible if an uninsured worker is hurt on your property, or if your neighbor’s property is damaged.

Get a Written Bid From Several Arborists
Ask over the phone if you will be charged for an estimate before setting up an appointment. Remember that you will always be charged a separate consulting fee for advice outside of the work being bid on.

Ask two or more arborists to write a bid, including:

• Timeframe for work and project completion.
• Detailed description of work to be performed for each tree. Example: “Prune all dead, dying, diseased and weak branches 1-1/2 inches or greater in diameter.”
• Statement that work will be supervised by an ISA certified arborist to A.N.S.I. A300 standards and/or that Western Chapter ISA Certified Tree Workers will be performing the work.
• For insect or disease control, details of specific pests to be treated, what the manufacturer recommends for safe and effective use of a pesticide and their qualifications to make the recommendations and applications. If you have children or pets who play in your yard, make sure the application is safe for them.
• The name of the fertilizer recommended to be used, the grade, rate and method of application.
• Cleanup procedures should be described, including whether wood will be cut into fireplace lengths, hauled away, or mulched and left for your further use.
• The total dollar amount to be charged. Work is usually bid as a fixed price for the entire job, or billed on an hourly basis plus materials. If the bid uses an hourly rate, ask to have the phrase “…but not to exceed $___…” included in the written bid.
• Clarify if the tree removal bid includes obtaining a tree removal permit from San Mateo County, not the City of Menlo Park.
  Clarify the cost of grinding out the stump and surface roots (and to what depth), hauling the stump chips, filling with topsoil, and planting a new tree.
• Add a notation to avoid harming existing trees.