Should I Use a Tree Service?

Q: A friend told me she had a tree specialist come to her house. I'm planning to redo my landscape, would a tree specialist be a good idea?

A: There are a number of reasons you may want to call a tree specialist. In fact, many homeowners call a tree service when they are planning a new landscape and aren't sure which trees or shrubs to plant. A tree service can be helpful in determining which trees will thrive in your climate and soil conditions and what kind of maintenance they'll need.

Here are some other reasons you may need a tree service:

• If you need someone to analyze the condition of trees or shrubs, a tree specialist can recommend treatments to keep them healthy and thriving.
• If a tree is damaged in a storm, a tree specialist can give an estimated value of the tree so that you can claim a loss with the IRS.
• If you have damaged branches or just need trees or shrubs to be pruned, a specialist has all the equipment and can safely remove branches or simply prune an unruly shrub. Also, if you have a dead tree, they can remove it for you.