Yes! I have general liability insurance and health insurance. Tree services in NY are (shockingly) not required to have a state contractor license.

I am an ISA certified arborist, a certified tree climber, and an ISA qualified tree risk assessor. I’ve spent years studying trees, have earned a Master’s degree in Ecology, and consistantly spend time learning more about trees (honestly, building this website has helped me address areas where my knowledge was a bit thin). If you want to know more about me you can see more here.

I don’t currently charge for bids. I do charge a fee for arborist reports and formal tree risk assessments that include documentation.

I have witnessed some close calls and safety is extremely important to me. I follow the ANSI-Z133 tree industry safety standards. I have 8 years of experience big-wall rock climbing and 5 years of experience climbing trees; I’m very familiar with my limitations and what my equipment can handle. I always err on the side of safety vs productivity.

Trees are a lot like people: sometimes they may look unhealthy but the problem is temporary, other times they may appear fine but have serious underlying issues. If you have questions or concerns please get in touch and I can help you figure out what makes the most sense for you and your trees.

As a general rule I do not top trees. Topping trees is very unhealthy for them and almost always causes safety issues in the future. There are better options for reducing risk for tall trees.

Probably not.

The only time fertilizer is necessary is if there is a nutrient deficiency and our soils generally have plenty of nutrients (although they sometimes lack calcium). More often the root of the issue is too much or too little water, not enough sunlight, or pests - fertilizing your tree can actually make those problems worse!

Sometimes fertilization can help younger trees or trees in urban environments that have very poor soil or limited volume for roots to grow. If you still have questions feel free to ask me.

Mulch is one of the best things you can do for a tree. Make a 2-3 inch deep donut around the tree, not touching the trunk, as far out as you can.

Water your trees during dry periods out to and beyond the drip line - that’s where most of the absorbing roots usually are. A large tree can use 50+ gallons of water per day but anything you give it during a dry spell will help!