How to save money on tree work and still get good results

If you treat them right, trees can shade your house, beautify your property and lower your home energy costs. But diseases, pests, aging and extreme weather (hello, winter 2026) can affect the sturdiest of oaks. And even healthy trees need a little branch management in the form of regular pruning or the occasional checkup.

To keep your trees in shape or to remove dying ones, you will probably need professional advice, skill and labor. You don’t have to be an expert, though, to spot many potential tree problems. Examine your trees several times a year for the following:

Other reasons for tree work include eliminating the risk to your house, or to electrical or other utility wires from rubbing limbs or precarious overhanging limbs; letting light and breezes more readily reach your house, garden or lawn; and protecting foundations and drainage systems from invading roots.

In many cases, the problem and the solution will be obvious — removing specific limbs, for example. But sometimes it’s difficult to diagnose and treat trees. At those times, you need expert advice.

Don’t assume that all estimators from tree care companies can determine what’s wrong and prescribe the correct treatment. Washington Consumers’ Checkbook’s evaluation found big company-to-company differences in the quality of advice and work performed. Several area companies rate quite high for the quality of their work, but the news is not all good. Companies that rate poorly drew complaints about lousy customer service, being overcharged, getting poor results and property being damaged by careless, untrained workers.

If you need tree work, the best strategy is to get more than one opinion. Get estimates from several companies, and ask the representatives to explain what they plan to do and why.

Along with several opinions, you’ll get comparative pricing. Checkbook’s undercover shoppers found striking differences in prices for tree care work. For example, to remove a 60-foot sycamore tree, including disposal of all wood and debris and grinding the stump, companies quoted Checkbook’s undercover shoppers prices ranging from $1,700 to $4,025. To remove a 75-foot Norway spruce, grind the stump and remove all debris, quotes ranged from $1,500 to $6,000.

Typically, you don’t have to be home when bidders are looking at the job — but do make sure they include a thorough description of the work in a written contract that specifies who cleans up, hauls away debris and wood, and removes the stump afterward. Anything that isn’t specified in writing is unlikely to get done. No-shows are common, so call more companies than you need bids from to make sure you get enough to make a smart decision.

If a job can wait, consider having the work done in winter, when companies are less busy, and there is less debris to haul away.

Check whether a company’s liability and workers’ compensation insurance are current. Ask to see certificates of insurance, and call the company’s insurance carrier to verify. This is a serious concern because high-powered equipment, heavy branches and trunks, lofty heights and proximity to power lines make tree work dangerous.

Illinois does not require tree care companies to be licensed, so be extra careful to check ratings and reviews and, ideally, choose a company that has done work for neighbors or friends.

Ask about the company’s payment policy to see how much of the total cost is payable upon completion of the job or later. Paying after the work is completed gives you leverage to ensure that work is carried out properly and on time. If possible, make all payments by credit card, which allows you to dispute the payment if things don’t go as planned.

Be sure to avoid companies that knock on doors or leave business cards at homes, especially after a storm, when the good companies don’t need to hunt for work but may be overscheduled, creating opportunities for bad actors. Take the time to find and hire a reputable company, even if you must wait for service.

If you need advice and help caring for healthy trees you plan to keep, look for certification by the American Society of Consulting Arborists or the International Society of Arboriculture. Certification by either organization indicates the arborist has a degree in arboriculture, several years of experience and has passed a difficult exam.