Look out for fake 'tree experts' at your door

In the wake of an apparent scam attempt, Mount Prospect officials are urging residents to hire qualified tree experts when cleaning up after the recent storm.

Village Forestry/Grounds Superintendent Sandy Clark said Thursday she's heard that some people are falsely representing themselves to homeowners as having been sent by the village.

This week, Clark said, the village got a complaint that an individual approached a property owner to solicit tree work, stating he was sent by the village.

The village is not sending contractors out to look for work. Clark said anyone making such a claim should be reported to the police.

"Unfortunately, severe storms can lead to unqualified contractors looking for work," Clark said. "The village wants to remind citizens that tree work is dangerous, especially on large trees, and should only be performed by qualified contractors."

The village Web site, www.mountprospect.org, has a link on how to hire a qualified arborist.

For residents who don't have computer access, they should know that all contractors should be properly licensed and properly insured.

Property owners may be held liable for injuries or damage that happen on their property by uninsured contractors. To work legally in Mount Prospect, all contractors need a license from the Village of Mount Prospect.

The village says residents should look for companies that employ ISA Certified Arborists. This certification shows a minimum level of knowledge in the industry and indicates the arborists are up to date with continuing education classes.

Finally, companies working within the current Illinois Department of Agriculture's Emerald Ash Borer quarantine area, which now includes Mount Prospect, should have a signed EAB compliance agreement with the IDA.

People having difficulty hiring a qualified tree care company can contact Mount Prospect Public Works, at (847) 870-5640, for a list of companies who have satisfactory held village tree care contracts.

During last week's storm, the village lost about 300 parkway trees and saw around 2,000 damaged. That's not counting private trees.