We answer all your questions!
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to working with a tree service company, you probably have questions about what to expect, how much it will cost, how long it will take to complete the work, and more. We’d love to talk with you about trees and tree care, and we’re happy to answer all of your questions – call us at 215-542-8291!
We invite you to scroll through the questions below – you may find the answer you need in our FAQs.
About Us
Do you have full liability and workers compensation insurance?
Yes, Clauser Tree Cares is fully insured with liability and workers compensation insurance that is specific to tree care work. Please call the office at 215-542-8291 for proof of insurance.
Tree work is inherently dangerous, both for the workers and the property on which the work is done. Without the proper insurance (this is very different from insurance for “landscaping”) and workers comp, you are on the hook in the unfortunate event that something goes wrong.
Please, always check the insurance credentials of someone you’re considering hiring to do tree work on your property.
Do you have a Certified Arborist on staff? Why is that important?
A Certified Arborist is a tree care expert who has a minimum of three years of experience in the tree care profession and has passed an in-depth exam developed by an international panel of arboriculture experts. The exam extensively covers every aspect of tree care and requires that the tree care professional has an acceptable level of knowledge in all areas of arboriculture.
This means you receive the best possible tree care from a Certified Arborist. We have the knowledge, training, and experience to recognize and treat any tree health issues, we practice arboriculture according to best practices and safety standards, and we love working with trees.
What areas do you provide tree care services in?
We cover the Montgomery & Bucks counties area in eastern Pennsylvania. You can see more details on our Service Area page. If you’re not sure whether or not we provide tree service in your area, please give us a call at 215-542-8291.
Do you work through the winter?
Yes, we work all winter long, weather and ground conditions permitting. We work when it’s safe enough for our crews, generally when the trees and surfaces are free of snow and ice.
About Tree Work
You can find more details about our tree care services on the relevant pages on this website. Below are the questions we're most often asked about tree work in general.
Will there be any (lawn) damage to my property from tree pruning or removal?
We do our best to protect your lawn and plantings when doing tree work. And of course, we're always careful to avoid damage to your house, yard structures, and fences.
We use ropes and pulleys to lower branches and wood safely; however, minor lawn damage is sometimes inevitable. And there are some situations where damage is beyond our control, such as ruts in the lawn due to wet conditions, or cracks in paved surfaces due to unforeseen issues with the underlying surface.
Some of the equipment required to complete your work efficiently and economically is quite heavy. We use special ground protection mats that are specifically designed for heavy trucks and equipment and will minimize the possibility of any ruts in your lawn. We will rake these areas after finishing the work but there may still be some depressions and temporary lawn damage.
Often, we are required to only remove debris through a specific area on the property (such as through a gate from the backyard, around a septic field, etc.) Even when done manually, this can cause evidence of a ‘trodden path’ including flattened and/or browned grass and muddied patches if the lawn is sparse in that area. The lawn typically will recover.
Will my property be cleaned up when you're done?
We clean up all debris from your tree services before we leave your property (unless you’ve made other arrangements with us and it says so on the proposal).
That means we rake to remove all tree work debris from lawn areas, streets, and sidewalks in the areas we performed work and remove all brush, branches, and logs from your property.
What if I have pets on my property?
If there are any animals on the property, please let us know before we come out to provide an estimate. All animals must be brought indoors or contained before staff arrive.
Some animals find the noise and activity associated with tree work to be distressing. Please ensure that all animals are kept well away from the work zone while our crew is on site.
What about underground utility lines?
If you are aware that your underground utility lines are near the areas proposed for tree work, please make your arborist aware at the time of your estimate. They will also make note if they think this may be the case. We will call PA1 to request the property be marked to indicate the presence of underground lines.
If you have any underground sprinklers, drain lines, invisible fences, or septic fields, those should also be marked or mapped.
Unless the underground lines and structures are adequately and accurately marked or mapped and that information is presented to our arborist before work starts, we are not responsible for any damage caused during performance of the work.
Do you 'top' trees?
We do not top trees. Homeowners often believe that topping is an effective way to reduce the size of a tree, open up the view, and make it safer.
The reality is the exact opposite. After topping, a tree will quickly grow back to the same size (or even larger) but will have lost its natural shape and the new growth will be weaker and poorly attached to the trunk (making the tree more dangerous). Add to that the fact that large, non-selective cuts made when topping the tree don’t heal well (leading to rot, disease, and insect infestations) and you have a recipe for disaster.
The professional standards that we follow as ISA Certified Arborists (the ANSI A300 Pruning Standards) clearly state that tree topping is an unacceptable practice that is harmful to trees.
What are the ANSI A300 standards and why are they important?
The ANSI A300 standards are voluntary tree care industry consensus standards developed by the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA).
The standards cover all aspects of tree care and are based on current research and sound practice for managing trees, shrubs, and other woody plants.
By following these standards, we ensure that your plants are being taken care of properly and in a way that keeps them healthy, safe and beautiful.
Will stump grinding be done at the same time as the tree work?
Stump services are followed up after the tree work is completed by a different crew. The scheduling is dependent on crew and equipment availability and weather and ground conditions permitting.
We typically do not schedule the service; the route is put together each day. Because the stump grinder is a heavy machine, we often must wait for optimum ground conditions, especially if the stumps are in the backyard and/or far from hard surfaces. We must also be sure that all underground utility lines, etc. are marked out before work starts.
Will the stump grindings be removed?
Stump grindings will be raked into a neat pile; they are not removed unless specified in the estimate. Stump grinding removal is an additional charge to the stump grinding.
Do you provide free wood chips?
If there is an easily accessible area on your property to shoot your chipped tree debris, we are happy to leave your wood chips on site. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
We do not offer free wood chips under any other conditions.
Estimates
Do I need permission or a permit for tree removal?
That depends on where you live and what work will be done.
We'll advise you if we’re aware of the need for permits or authorizations within your municipality. Ultimately, understanding the regulations for tree removal within your municipality and securing tree removal permits (if applicable) are your responsibility.
Do you provide an estimate and/or diagnosis (for tree problems) over the phone?
We have to see your property and the tree(s) we’ll be working on before we can give you an estimate. Every job is different; tree removal, pruning and other tree treatments can vary widely from property to property.
It takes a trained tree care professional to diagnose the problem, assess the situation and determine the best course of action. Without seeing the tree and what’s around it, we can’t possibly know what will be required to complete the work.
What areas do you provide tree care services in?
We cover the Montgomery & Bucks counties area. You can see more details on our Service Area page. If you’re not sure whether or not we provide tree service in your area, please give us a call at 215-542-8291.
Do you charge for an estimate?
In general, we do not charge for a tree care estimate.
There is a fee, however, if you are requesting an arborist to assess for potentially hazardous trees in active-use areas around buildings and yards. After providing you with a Tree Assessment Consultation Agreement, the arborist will evaluate your property to identify dead and/or declining trees that could be potential hazards to the property and pedestrians.
Do I need to be home for an estimate?
While it’s not always necessary to be present for your estimate, we encourage you to be there. We like to build a relationship with our clients as well as explain what we suggest and the reason why.
To do that, it’s best if we have a chance to meet to examine your property so you can help us understand your objectives for the work, as well as any limitations or other factors we need to be aware of.
If it is not possible for you to be there and the trees are not locked behind a fence, we could technically take a look, but we prefer to meet you in person. We would need you to provide the location of the trees and/or shrubs on your property by orienting yourself as facing the front of your house and providing a description of the location of each item, preferably marking them with string or some other identifier. If looking for pruning services, also describe what you are looking to have done.
I see your crew working across the street? Can they come over to do some quick work for me?
Even though you see a crew in your neighborhood, they cannot be called over to work on your property. Their day is fully scheduled; they will not have a window of time available to add more work.
If you like what you see, please call our office! We will schedule one of our arborists to visit your property to take a look at your wants and needs and write you an estimate for the work using industry standards. After you accept the proposed work, we will call you a few days before the work is scheduled to be completed.
How do I approve an estimate?
Once you receive your Proposal, please review it for accuracy. If you would like to approve all or some of the work or make any changes to the Proposal, please contact the office at 215-542-8291 or email us at in**@*************re.com.
Tree Work Scheduling
Do I need to be home when the work is being done?
You do not need to be home unless the arborist specifically noted otherwise OR if the work area is not accessible without you being present (for example, a locked gate).
The crew or treatment technicians will have a work order describing the work the consulting arborist wrote up for you; they will complete the work following these guidelines.
If you want to be home when the work is done, please plan to be home for most of the day.
Why can't I schedule a date for my work to be done right away? (at the time that I confirm it)
We cannot just pick a date to schedule your work to be done, as scheduling is dependent on a lot of factors. Timing is affected by weather, ground conditions, equipment, employees, etc. We also often have a backlog for work to be completed, so cannot schedule new work to be done immediately, unless it is an emergency situation.
After you accept the proposed work, it will be put in the queue for scheduling and we will call you a few days before the date we’re looking to schedule it on.
When we have to coordinate assistance from energy providers and utility contractors, the scheduled date is completely decided by them.
Do I need to do anything before the work is done?
Make sure all cars are moved from the intended work areas so that the crew has clear access to the job site.
Make sure the job site is clear of anything that could be damaged or hazardous (lawn furniture, etc.).
If tree stumps will be removed, make sure all underground lines are marked, including invisible dog fences, lighting, and utilities.
Payment Options
When will I be billed
Payment is due upon completion of the work. Your invoice will be mailed to your home and emailed if you have provided your email address. A $10 administration fee will be added monthly for all past-due invoices.
What are my payment options?
Invoices can be paid in any of the ways listed below:
- ELECTRONICALLY - You may pay online (using your banking info or credit card) by clicking on the link at the bottom of the email you receive with your invoice.
- MAIL A CHECK - You may mail a check to 324 Schoolhouse Road, Chalfont PA 18914 or give the check to the foreman the day the job is completed.
(A 3% convenience fee will be added for invoices paid with credit or debit cards).
NOT FINDING THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION?
Give us a call at 215-542-8291 or email in**@*************re.com and we'll be happy to help!
