How to Choose a Tree Trimming Company With Good Reviews
Choosing the right tree trimming company is about more than just reviews and price. Often in business, many companies adopt the retail attitude of “the customer is always right,” but applying this mindset to tree care, much like applying it to healthcare, can be disastrous.
Would you go to a doctor who simply does whatever you say? A Board Certified Master Arborist, like myself, is essentially a doctor of trees. I would like to think people hire my company because we understand trees and how to properly care for them.
That said, reviews can still be useful. They can give you an idea of whether a company at least ensures the customer is satisfied at the end of the job. I wouldn’t put all of my faith in reviews, though, as they are only one aspect of determining whether you’re dealing with a good tree trimming company.
A company with proper credentials, an educated staff, proven experience, and strong reviews can protect your property, improve tree health, and save you money in the long run. Here’s how to make the right choice when using reviews as one tool to determine whether a company consistently leaves its clients satisfied.
Why Reviews Matter When Choosing a Tree
Trimming Company
Online reviews can offer insight into a tree service’s:
- Reliability and professionalism
- Cleanup practices
- Communication and punctuality
If reviews are the most important factor for you, which they really shouldn’t be, then you may not need to look much further. However, when using reviews for the factors above, look for consistent positive feedback, not just a high star rating.
I wouldn’t put much faith in reviews claiming the quality of workmanship was high. How does someone with very little knowledge of tree biology or tree care accurately judge workmanship? This is similar to someone rating a doctor on quality of care—especially when it might take ten or more years for the consequences of a poor procedure to become evident.
Trees often take years to decline and eventually die. Damage done today is rarely associated with the decline that occurs five or more years later.
Pro tip: When reading reviews for a company you’re considering, focus on recent reviews and how the company responds to negative ones. Do they take responsibility for mistakes, or do they blame the client?
Example of a bad review:
(2 stars) – “I hired Acme Tree Company to trim a large tree in my front yard. They did a decent job trimming; however, they showed up two days later than scheduled and left a mess in the yard. The estimator told me they would make it look like they were never there and even said they would clean up a small pile of leaves I already had. When I pointed this out, the crew said it wasn’t included in the price.”
Example of a poor response to a bad review:
“Dear customer Joe Blow, we called you to tell you we wouldn’t be there. You never called us back. Our estimator says he told you the leaf cleanup wasn’t included. You should have paid more if you wanted that done. Tree work isn’t free.”
Example of a good response to a bad review:
“Dear customer Joe Blow, we’re sorry we weren’t able to reach you to inform you of the delay. We should have left a message or attempted additional methods of contact. We had an emergency come up that required immediate attention, but we should have handled communication better.
Regarding the cleanup and the pile of leaves, we’ve reviewed this with our crew and reinforced how important it is. We’ve also implemented a new procedure requiring the crew to check in with the estimator when questions arise about what was discussed. We appreciate your feedback and will do better.”
Of course, anyone can write a response like this. What matters is whether similar issues continue to show up afterward. If they don’t, that’s a good sign. If they do, that’s a problem. Also remember that things change over time. A company may correct an issue, improve for years, and then have a similar problem reappear later. You don’t need perfection, you want to see consistent effort to improve and evidence that changes are actually working.
What to Look for in Tree Service Reviews
Not all reviews are equal. The most useful ones usually mention:
- Good communication
- Work done as promised
- On-time arrival
- Safe work practices
- Knowledgeable arborists and crew
- Fair pricing
- Thorough cleanup
If multiple reviews mention the same issue, especially several recent ones, consider it a red flag. Keep in mind that companies can go through difficult periods and may need time to work through internal problems. Look at the good, the bad, and everything in between, paying attention to the timeframe in which the reviews were written.
Verify Licensing, Insurance, and Experience
- Proper licensing (in most Florida municipalities, this is limited to a business tax receipt)
- General liability insurance — ask for proof and call to verify it’s active
- Workers’ compensation coverage — ask for proof, call to verify it’s active, and ask how many employees are listed on the policy
- Call the city or county arborist and ask about the company
- Look them up at www.treesaregood.org to verify ISA certification or membership
- Ask the company to send copies of certifications and verify they are legitimate. You can also ask how contracts and responsibilities are documented, especially during emergency or storm-related work. Example of a documented emergency tree service contract
- Call the Florida Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture or your nearest ISA Chapter for references
- Contact educational institutions that provide tree care training, such as university extension offices, and ask if they’re familiar with the company
Ask the Right Questions Before Hiring
Before hiring a tree service, ask:
- Are you licensed (if required) and insured?
- Do you have ISA Certified Arborists on staff?
- What does your quality control process look like? Is an ISA Certified Arborist involved?
- Do you train your employees? How is that training conducted? Can you provide examples?
- Will you provide a detailed written estimate?
- How do you protect my property during work? What measures can you take, and what costs extra?
- Is debris hauling and cleanup included?
- Have you ever damaged property during operations? (If they say no, move on.)
- How was the situation handled with the client?
- Can I talk to some of your clients and see how you did?
- Can I talk to one where you made a mistake and see how you handled it and if they are happy?
- Can I drive by one of your active job sites? (If you see people with out hardhats and safety glasses etc. this is a bad indicator)
- Do your guys wear uniforms, hard hats and eye protection?
- How long the company has been in business and whether they regularly handle jobs similar to yours. Ask for references to similar jobs.
Professional companies welcome these types of questions.
Pro tip: Estimates should include the tree species, diameter at breast height (DBH), and location on the property. Conditions of concern, objectives, and prescriptive pruning instructions should be clearly listed for each tree. Any special notes, such as protecting grass or landscaping, should be documented on the estimate itself.
Beware of These Common Red Flags
Avoid companies that:
- Demand full payment upfront or before work is completed
- Lack an online presence or customer reviews
- Use unmarked trucks
- Refuse to show proof of insurance or employee IDs
- Offer prices far below competitors
- Claim they have never damaged property
- Don’t provide ongoing arboricultural or safety training
- Use employee leasing firms in ways that obscure actual coverage
- Use subcontractors for labor or climbing
Cheap tree trimming often leads to unsafe work or property damage.
Choose a Local Tree Trimming Company You Can Trust
Local companies rely on reputation and repeat customers. They understand:
- Local tree species and growth habits
- Regional weather risks
- Municipal regulations
- Community relationships
Hiring local also means faster response times and greater accountability.
Final Tips for Choosing the Best Tree Trimming Company
- Compare at least 2–3 estimates and look for industry-standard detail
- Read reviews across multiple platforms such as Google, Yelp, and Facebook
- Prioritize safety and experience over price
- Choose companies that communicate clearly and follow up
- Ask ethical questions you already know the answer to
For example, if you ask whether they can remove a large, structurally important branch and they agree without asking why, they are not acting in your or your tree’s best interest. This type of pruning reduces tree lifespan, increases decay, and raises the risk of failure that could damage property or injure someone.
As discussed earlier, ask whether they’ve ever damaged property. If the answer is no, move on.
A little research goes a long way toward protecting your trees and your home.
Get Professional Tree Trimming You Can Trust
If you’re looking for a trustworthy, reliable, educated, and highly reviewed tree trimming company, O’Neil’s Tree Service is here to help. Our credentialed, trained, and experienced team provides safe, professional tree care with honest pricing and excellent customer service.
Ask for proof of licensing (many municipalities in Florida don’t require licensing to do tree work) and verify it with your local or state authority. Reputable tree trimming companies will gladly provide documentation and explain their qualifications.
Extremely low prices can be a red flag. Cheap tree trimming often means lack of insurance, outdated equipment, or unsafe practices that can lead to property damage or injury.
This is mostly species dependent but in central Florida most trees can benefit from trimming every 3+ years. Of course, when you’re over-pruning it will stimulate sprouts which grow quickly and need trimming soon. if you’re doing it correctly, the pruning will last longer. A professional arborist should be able to recommend the best schedule and timing for trimming your trees.
Yes. Tree trimming companies legally must carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation (if they have employees) to protect homeowners from liability in case of accidents or damage.