Hiring a Certified Arborist or a company with Certified Arborists on Staff is one step towards selecting a company that will perform the required services properly.  These professional arborists have a minimum of three years experience in some aspect of tree care and have passed an exam developed by an international panel of experts. The exam is administered by the ISA and extensively covers every aspect of tree care.  Individuals must have an acceptable level of knowledge in all areas of arboriculture.  It is important to note however, that this is simply a credential and the ISA is not a regulatory body.  It is still possible that some unscrupulous practitioners perform services that they should not perform as an ISA Certified Arborist.

It is also vitally important that the company you choose is properly insured with both Worker's Compensation and General Liability.  You should always talk with a contractor's insurance company before contracting services or have a certificate of insurance for both General Liability AND Worker's Compensation faxed and mailed directly from the insurance provider.  Do not accept a certificate of insurance handed to you at the site as proof of insurance.  You have no way of knowing is the coverage is effective.  The proper insurance coverage indemnifies you as a client against legal action in the event of an injury or accident on the job site. 

Geer Tree Specialists, Inc. is fully insured and has mulitple Certified Arborists on staff.    We can put you in direct contact with our insurance companies to request a certificate of insurance or make the request for you. The Tree Care Industry Association in cooperation with the Better Business Bureau has put together a guide on the things you should look for when hiring a Tree Care Company:  http://www.tcia.org/PDFs/BBBtipsBrochure8_05.pdf