A certified arborist can make a challenging task look like a walk in the park. When you watch your arborist perform tree maintenance, it is easy to think that he is doing a simple job, but what you don't know is that he is actually adhering to the strict standards set by the American National Standards Institute for tree pruning.

Following the standards set by ANSI distinguishes a certified arborist from an amateur. There are no shortcuts when it comes to correct tree pruning. You have to be keen on every detail, measurement, and technique to ensure you are doing the work right. If you fail to follow even a simple rule in pruning, you can cause grave damage to the tree if your arborist is unaware of what the standards by ANSI A300, think twice in hiring him.

The ANSI A300 ensures that arborists can treat and safeguard the overall welfare of the tree through pruning. Trees are living things that need proper care to thrive. An arborist should be able to help trees grow to their full potential and prevent them from causing trouble for the homeowners.

There are dos and don'ts when it comes to tree pruning, and it is essential that they are followed at all cost to keep the tree in a healthy condition. If you prune a tree that doesn't need pruning, you may be endangering its health, rather than helping it.

We have a summary of the standards for tree pruning set by the American National Standards Institute:

Pruning Dos
We have mentioned it before, and we will say it again for emphasis: Ask if your arborist knows and follows the standards set by ANSI. Be wary of companies that will answer yes, but don't know what you are talking about. It will help if you ask the name of the standard to check if they are telling the truth.

The standards set by ANSI are straightforward and clear. From the tools to be used down to the techniques to be performed, everything is discussed in ANSI A300. When giving an estimate, it is essential that the tree company follows the definitions indicated in ANSI A300. If they don't follow the outline, they may give you an inaccurate estimate.

When the process of pruning started, there is no way you can undo it. If you cause damage to it, no matter how simple or grave it is will impact the health of the tree. In most cases, if the damage is excellent, the lifespan of the tree can be affected. Cutting the tree too deeply can also attract multitudes of insects that can start the decline in the tree's health.

Further, pruning should be considered after a storm, especially if some loose limbs or branches can threaten your safety. Don't try to do it on your own because you might get yourself hurt in the process. Call a local tree service to do a full assessment of the tree. Even minor damage can cause significant troubles that is why it is better to leave the job to the experts.

Pruning Don'ts
Just because we said, your tree needs regular pruning doesn't mean your arborist has to do it every time he does his inspection. You shouldn't treat a wound that is not there, and the same applies to tree pruning. If the tree is healthy and there are no branches that need to be trimmed, leave the tree alone.

A tree on its first year of growth doesn't require pruning unless there are dead and broken branches to be removed. Also, if your tree is near a power line, it is highly recommended that you ask help from a tree expert to perform pruning safely. You shouldn't try to prune your trees just because you have a chainsaw and a ladder in the garage. Even the utilization of the equipment needs knowledge and experience, so if you don't have both, better let an arborist do it.

When pruning, it is crucial to remove branch stubs without causing damage to the core of the tree. Don't use climbing spikes because they can cause damage to the tree. Also, unlike what others think, wound paint sometimes do more harm than good. The tree has its natural way of healing, so let it take its course.

If you want to be confident that your trees are well taken care of, ask assistance from a reputable and trustworthy company in your local area. Schedule a consultation and get a free estimate for the job to be done.

​Finding a good tree service company in Asheville, North Carolina can be difficult.  You need to find a business that has the right qualifications, references, insurance and is still affordable.   As you search the area for a qualified provider, consider the following questions to pose to those businesses you are contemplating.

​Each good tree service company will have a backlog of work to complete before they can do your job.  This is a good sign that they are in demand.  However, you will want to balance this asset with your need to have the job done within a certain timeframe.  However, it would be best to not rush and go with a tree service company that can do the job within a week.  Most good tree service contractors are weeks or even a month or two out.   Additionally, always get the estimate in writing, which should detail the work to be performed, equipment used, and time it will take to complete the job once started.  There are unscrupulous companies that will fell a tree only to leave it on the ground for weeks and even months.  

​The tree service industry has a number of associations/societies that most professional tree companies will be a member of.  These include the International Arborist Societ (ISA) and the Tree Care Industry Association.  These organizations provide credentials to tree service companies as well as continuing education opportunities.  Always ask the tree service company you are considering about their credentials and memberships.  

​Every quality tree care company should be able to provide you with past customer references.  These references should be for work similar to what you are considering and timely, in that they should be no older than three months old.  Further, while not a question to ask, check tree service company's online reviews with organizations such as the BBB, Yelp, Facebook, and Google.  Each of these internet sources is good for getting an overall sense of their customer service and work quality.  

If you follow these suggestions, you should be able to weed out companies that are lacking with regard to these criteria as well as help you narrow down the better companies in the area.   Also, don't always go with the cheapest bid as it may be a sign that the business doesn't do quality work or is otherwise taking shortcuts on your job.   Regardless the size of your job, whether it be a large tree removal or just a small tree trimming project, don't take shortcuts in doing your homework in selecting a quality tree care business.  

Tree felling is a complex process that cannot be done by everyone. Cutting trees requires legal permission and cannot be done without assistance. Moreover, there are specific protocols to be followed to maximize quality work and maintain security

Only a professional tree removal service in Asheville, NC should fell a large tree.  If you have any questions, please contact us for more information.  

There are a number of factors you should consider the next time you hire a professional tree service in Asheville, NC.  Below are the top areas you should factor into your research and decision.

1. Is the tree service company licensed and insured?  They should be licensed to run a business in the state of North Caroline; and, they should be fully insured, which means both liability insurance that would cover damage to your property during the performance of their tree work and insurance to cover their employees if one or more of them should sustain an accident while on your property.  The latter insurance is called workers compensation and is critical to protect you, as the property owner, while they work on your property.  Otherwise, if someone has an accident on your property, your own homeowner's insurance policy will need to cover the expenses.
2. Does the tree service company hold the proper credentials and qualifications.  These credentials include membership (and even certificates) from industry recognized tree care associations, such as the Tree Care Industry Association and the International Arborist Society.  Further, an accreditation with the Asheville Better Business Bureau is also a good thing to check for each tree company you consider.  
3. Do they provide you with a written estimate and details all the work to be performed?  A written estimate is a must in any home-based services.   Some companies will inflate their price after the job is complete when no written estimate was provided beforehand.  Always get a written estimate prior to agreeing to the work.
4. Did you get at least 3 estimates and compare them carefully?   Always get at least three estimates so you can meet and evaluate each company.  Further, all the estimates may not be the same, offering the exact services.  Therefore, always compare and contrast the estimates to ensure you are looking at apples-to-apples.  
5. Did you check references?  Always ask for current references.  Current means within the last 1-3 months months - older references may not be relevant.  Further online sources, such as Facebook, Yelp, Google, etc. will help you further evaluate your options.

Regardless of what level of tree service work you need performed, from tree removal to tree trimming, always follow these guidelines when selecting a tree service company in Asheville NC.