Checklist for Hiring a Tree Care Company

ATTENTION CONSUMERS! Please review this important information before hiring a tree care company.

Essential Requirements (ask for proof)

• Has a local license to operate within your community.
  • Check with your city’s urban forestry department to determine if a license is needed.
• Provides a Sales Tax ID number.
  • All tree care and tree trimming companies should be able to provide a sales tax identification number. Tree care and tree trimming are taxable services in Minnesota.
• Provides proof of workers compensation (not required for sole proprietorship businesses).
  • Worker’s compensation is a form of insurance that provides compensation for workers who are injured at work and reduces homeowner liability.
  • Any company that prunes or trims trees 12 feet or more above the ground must have workers compensation insurance classification 0106.
• Has a pesticide license, if applicable.
  • Any company applying restricted-use pesticides for insects such as emerald ash borer must have a pesticide applicator license.
• Is listed on the Tree Care Registry.
  • All tree care and tree trimming companies doing business in Minnesota must register with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Ask to see their registration or check the MDA licensing webpage to ensure they have complied.
  • Please note that the Registry is only a communication tool to tree care providers. Listing on the Registry does not indicate that any other qualifying factor in this list has been met

Supplementary Information

• Provides copies of bonding insurance.
  • Bonding protects specific jobs, providing coverage is not completed to satisfaction. Bonds allow a client to make a claim to be reimbursed or compensated for any money lost if a contractor quits or abandons a project without completing the project.
  • Liability Insurance covers specific types of losses. This applies to the employee or contractor because of accidental damage to your property. If an accident occurs on your property and your contractor does not have liability insurance, you could be liable for damages incurred by the contractor.

Professional Certifications or Accreditations

None of these accreditations are legal or statutory requirements but are qualifications that demonstrate a high level of professional training. Consider asking your tree care company if they have:

• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborists on staff
• Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Accredited Company
• Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association / University of Minnesota Certified Nursery & Landscape Professionals on staff
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in urban forestry

Learn More

The Tree Owner’s Manual (PDF) published by the Forest Service has information about tree planting.