Hiring the wrong tree service can cost you a tree (lost forever) or your house (damaged by an uninsured crew). DFW has hundreds of "tree services" ranging from credentialed ISA Certified Arborists with full insurance to literal guys with a chainsaw in a pickup. Telling them apart is straightforward if you know the questions to ask.

1. "Are you ISA Certified?"

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification is the gold-standard credential. It requires a 200-question exam, continuing education, and adherence to a code of ethics. An ISA Certified Arborist on the diagnosis side of your job is the single biggest indicator of quality.

Verify at treesaregood.org/findanarborist. Don't accept "we have certified guys" verbally — get the name and certification number.

2. "Show me your general liability insurance certificate."

Tree work involves chainsaws, ropes, climbing, and heavy machinery near your house. If something goes wrong, you don't want to learn that the company isn't covered. Ask for a current Certificate of Insurance (COI). A reputable company will email one within an hour.

Minimum acceptable: $1M general liability. $2M is better for residential. Commercial work should be higher.

3. "And workers compensation?"

This is the one homeowners forget. If a worker is injured on YOUR property and the company doesn't carry workers comp, YOUR homeowners insurance is the next stop — and lawsuits follow. Workers comp is the BIGGER deal than general liability.

Verify a current workers comp certificate. Sole proprietors who claim "I'm the only worker so I don't need it" — fine, but get it in writing.

4. "Can you provide local references?"

A real local company can give you 3–5 references from jobs within the last 6 months in your area. Storm chasers and fly-by-night operators cannot. Call one or two of the references.

5. "How long have you been in business locally?"

Look for at least 5 years. Storm chasers come in waves after big storms; the legitimate companies are still here next year. Tree Care Pros has been in DFW since 1999.

6. "Do you follow ANSI A300 pruning standards?"

This is the trick question. Real arborists answer "yes" and can briefly describe what ANSI A300 means (proper cut placement, no topping, no flush cuts, branch collar preservation). Bad operators have no idea what you're asking.

7. "Will you top my tree if I ask?"

Topping (cutting major branches back to stubs to reduce height) is destructive and unprofessional. A legitimate arborist will refuse and explain why. A bad operator will agree to whatever you want. Their willingness to top is a red flag.

8. "What's your written scope and price?"

Verbal quotes are a recipe for disputes. A proper estimate includes:

  • Specific trees and work to be done
  • Cleanup expectations (chip-and-haul vs. leave wood)
  • Stump grinding (separate line item or included)
  • Total price, not "starting at"
  • Estimated date of service
  • Insurance certificate attached

9. "What's the schedule and crew?"

"We'll get to it next week sometime" is suspicious. Real schedules have specific dates. Ask how many crew members will be on-site, who supervises, and how long the job takes.

10. "What happens if there's damage?"

A legitimate company has a clear process — document, claim through their insurance, repair. Their COI covers it. Sketchy operators get vague or promise things they can't deliver.

Red flags

  • Door-to-door solicitation after a storm
  • Quote substantially lower than 2 other reputable quotes (usually means uninsured)
  • Demand for cash payment up front
  • No website, no truck with logo, no business cards with a local address
  • "We can start today" — legitimate crews are scheduled out
  • Refusal to provide insurance certificates
  • Recommending topping
  • Recommending removal of a tree you think is healthy without explaining why
  • Pressuring for an immediate decision

Green flags

  • ISA Certified Arborist on staff
  • TCIA member company
  • BBB accredited
  • Insurance certificates provided proactively
  • Written estimates with detailed scope
  • Local references easy to provide
  • "We don't think you need that — here's why" willingness
  • Free, no-pressure first visit

The bottom line

A good tree service costs more than a bad one on the day of the job, and far less than a bad one over the life of your trees and property. Spend the 10 minutes vetting before you sign anything. Your trees (and your homeowners insurance) will thank you.

Tree Care Pros is happy to answer any of the above on a free property visit. If we're not the right fit, we'll tell you that too.