Not All Tree Crews Are Created Equal — Here’s How to Tell the Difference
A certified arborist’s guide to spotting the pros, avoiding the hacks, and protecting your trees and your wallet
In the Dallas–Fort Worth area, it’s not hard to find someone who’ll cut a tree. What’s hard is knowing if they’ll do it right.
We’ve all seen the flyers, yard signs, and Facebook ads: “Cheap Tree Work!” “Storm Cleanup — Same Day!” “We Beat Any Price!” The problem isn’t that these folks don’t mean well — it’s that too many aren’t trained, insured, or thinking long-term.
And when they touch your trees, your roofline, or your property? That’s when the real damage starts.
This isn’t about scaring anyone. It’s about giving homeowners — whether you’re in Fort Worth, Keller, Grapevine, or Southlake — the tools to spot the difference between someone who works on trees, and someone who cares for them.
A Few Stories We’ll Never Forget
In Richland Hills, a homeowner was quoted several thousand dollars to prune a mature pecan tree and clean up a southern pine that was growing into the power lines. The crew showed up, worked for a day, took the check — and vanished. The pine? Still tangled in wires. The mess? Still in the yard.
In Euless, another customer wanted a few limbs removed from a tree near her home. While she was at work, her neighbor called her in a panic: the crew was removing the entire canopy, limb by limb. By the time she got home, over half the tree was gone. A simple pruning job turned into a trauma scene.
And in Bedford, a sharp-eyed homeowner noticed subtle yellowing in one of her trees. Instead of rushing into removals or guesses, we investigated, found signs of poor drainage, and helped her find an appropriate company to install a French drain. Today, the tree is stable, healthy, and recovering — because the right diagnosis saved it before the damage was permanent.
Tree Work Isn’t Just About Strength — It’s About Standards
A healthy tree can weigh several tons. Climbing one is dangerous. Cutting one is risky. Maintaining one properly requires skill, science, and training — not just muscle.
Certified professionals know:
How different species react to pruning
When to cut (and when not to)
How trees respond to stress, injury, and decay
How to balance structural safety with canopy health
Too many crews skip all of that. They mean well. They work hard. But without the training, they often leave a bigger problem behind than the one they were hired to fix.
What Professionals Look Like on the Job
Real tree care doesn’t start with a chainsaw — it starts with preparation and protection.
The crews we train and trust show up with:
Ropes and harnesses (not ladders against trunks)
Chainsaw protective pants and helmets
Rigging equipment to lower heavy limbs carefully
Spotters and safety leads managing the ground zone
If the crew that shows up is in sneakers and gym shorts, holding one saw and no safety gear, you have every right to stop the job and ask questions.
What You Should Ask Before Anyone Touches Your Trees
You don’t need to be a tree expert to protect yourself — you just need to ask a few good questions. Here’s what to say:
Are you ISA Certified?
Click here to learn what an ISA Certified Arborist is — and why it matters.
Do you follow ANSI A300 pruning standards?
Do you carry both general liability and workers' compensation insurance?
What’s your approach to preserving the tree, not just cutting it?
Will a certified arborist be on-site or reviewing the work?
If the crew can’t explain the work in plain terms, or dodges any of these questions, you’ve likely found someone who shouldn’t be doing the job.
The Risk of Going Cheap
We’ve seen it too many times: the lowest bid becomes the most expensive mistake.
Cutting corners leads to:
Improper pruning that kills the tree
Unsafe climbing that puts lives and property at risk
Damage to roofs, fences, or underground systems
Unfinished work that leaves stumps, debris, or hazards behind
And when the job goes wrong? Unlicensed crews don’t come back.
Final Thought: You Deserve More Than Guesswork
Your trees are living assets. They take decades to grow, and they can be lost in minutes if the wrong hands go to work on them.
Ask questions. Expect real answers.
And don’t settle for anyone who treats your tree like a throwaway weekend job.
When it comes to tree care, not all crews are created equal — but the right one will always make you feel informed, respected, and confident from start to finish.
