UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. --Spring has come, and a homeowner's fancy can turn to thoughts of pruning trees. But don't even think about cutting a branch before hiring a qualified arborist, says a community forestry expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.

"When it comes to pruning trees, you often get what you pay for," warns Bill Elmendorf, instructor and community forest program coordinator in the School of Forest Resources. "An honest, fair and experienced arborist may charge a bit more, but in the long run your trees will look better and remain healthier. If you hire someone to trim a tree, and it seems like a great deal, it's probably not."

Elmendorf says homeowners should call an arborist if:

• The tree's leaves are discolored, chewed or curled, indicating insect or disease damage.
• The tree has dead wood in the structure.
• There is storm damage, cracks or broken limbs.
• They are planning construction projects and would like to save particular trees.
• Trees are interfering with homes, wires or windows.
• The tree or its roots need to be pruned.

"An arborist is a tree specialist trained to work on trees in a proper and safe manner," Elmendorf explains. "Most qualified arborists will take out ads in the Yellow Pages of local phone directories, or you can call a Penn State Cooperative Extension office and ask for a recommendation."

Elmendorf recommends hiring arborists who are members of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). "Many arborists are certified by the ISA," he adds. "This means the arborist has passed a professional skills test and has at least several years of experience."

When hiring an arborist, the process should be no different than finding contractors for other house-related projects. Elmendorf offers a checklist homeowners should go through before making a decision concerning tree removal or pruning.

--Beware of doorknockers. Elmendorf says unfamiliar work crews or people who approach a house looking for work should never be hired to work on trees. "An advertisement in the Yellow Pages tells you the person has some experience and has been a member of the community," he says. "Always get a written estimate for any work you want done."

--Ask for proof of insurance. At minimum, tree services should carry liability and workers' compensation insurance. "You can be held responsible if uninsured workers are injured on your property," Elmendorf says.

--Ask for local references. Once a tree professional provides local references, contact the former clients and go inspect the work. "Be sure to get bids from two or three arborists," Elmendorf says. "Tell each arborist you are contacting other services, so they know there is competition for the job."

--Have a written contract. Elmendorf says any contract should contain: a start and end date; a detailed description of work to be done; a description of cleanup, including ownership of firewood; whether stump grinding is included; and a total cost estimate, including tax.

--Make sure they use correct equipment. Elmendorf says certified arborists never wear climbing spikes to prune trees. They should use ropes, rope harnesses or a truck equipped with an extendable bucket.

--Don't be fooled by a good deal. Elmendorf says homeowners should never be rushed into making a decision. Most arborists prefer to schedule work well in advance, unless the tree is an immediate hazard. "Never pay in advance," he warns. "Also be wary of anyone who seems eager to remove a living tree, unless it poses a hazard."

Most experts say the best time to prune is when trees are dormant in late fall and through the winter. Deciduous trees can be pruned in mid- to late summer, after leaves have formed and hardened. "You may be able to get a better price if you schedule in advance," Elmendorf says. "You also can get together with neighbors to offer a larger job to bidding tree services."

If homeowners have any questions on tree pruning, Elmendorf suggests calling a certified arborist or a Penn State Cooperative Extension county office.

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EDITORS: To contact Bill Elmendorf, please call 814-863-7941.

Contacts: John Wall jtw3@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax