Questions to ask before any tree work starts

A tree specialist who answers your questions clearly and without defensiveness is already showing you something. Good answers reveal expertise, transparency and an understanding of what could go wrong. Poor ones—vagueness, irritation, promises that sound too easy—should raise flags. Before anyone touches your trees, you need to know what they're actually going to do, how they'll manage the risks, and what happens when the work is done.

"Can you walk me through exactly what you'll do and why?"

A competent feller should describe the sequence: which limbs come down first, how they'll control the fall, where debris will land, what equipment they're bringing. They should explain *why* they're taking that approach—for instance, "We'll remove the lower limbs first to reduce the weight at the top, then work our way up so we can control each section." A vague answer like "Don't worry, I've done thousands" or "I'll just take it down" signals they're not thinking through the specifics of *your* tree and *your* property. Good practitioners tailor their method to the tree's size, shape, lean, nearby structures and soil conditions. They won't sound generic.

"What insurance do you have, and can you show me proof?"

This isn't a soft question—it's essential. Ask directly: do they have public liability cover, and what amount? Can they email you a copy of the certificate, not just a verbal yes? Legitimate operators carry this as routine. Evasiveness, a claim that their "mate" is insured, or a promise to get it later are warnings. If something goes wrong—a branch through your neighbour's roof, an injury on site, damage to a power line—you and your property are exposed if they're uninsured. A straight answer takes seconds. No answer should end the conversation immediately.

"How will you manage power lines and what's your process if there's risk?"

Power lines are dangerous. A good feller either confirms the work is far enough away that lines aren't a factor, or explains how they'll work around them—notching, directional felling, or bringing in a qualified line clearance specialist. If they're dismissive ("Lines are fine, not a problem") without assessing the actual distance and tree geometry, that's a red flag. Ask what they'll do if they hit a line during work. The answer should involve stopping immediately, keeping clear, and reporting it. If they laugh or shrug, walk away. This isn't negotiable.

"What happens to the tree after it comes down?"

Clarify whether they're removing the stump, chipping branches, or just leaving everything on your property. A vague answer suggests they haven't thought it through or they're hoping you won't notice what's left behind. Specificity matters: "We'll chip the branches into a pile for removal, cut the trunk into logs, and either remove the stump or leave it at ground level." Ask who's responsible for cleanup and whether that's included in their quote or a separate cost. A contractor who mumbles about "sorting it later" is telling you the job won't feel finished when they leave.

• Good questions also include: Do you have references from similar jobs? What's your timeline? How much notice do you need? Will you need access to other parts of my property?

A reluctance to answer any of these questions isn't mysterious—it usually means either they haven't done the work before, they're cutting corners to save time, or they're not confident about safety. None of those are acceptable.

Take notes as they speak. Honest practitioners appreciate the scrutiny; they expect questions. If someone gets defensive or rushes you, that's information too. Your trees are part of your home, and the work is inherently risky. You deserve clear, specific answers from someone who's thought through what could go wrong and how they'll prevent it. When you're ready to start conversations, Strove lets you vet local tree specialists and see their qualifications and customer feedback before you ring them—saving you time filtering out the unclear answers.