Corporate Office 6224 Stoddard Road Modesto, CA 95356 Telephone 209 545 - 4401 Fax 209 545 - 3315 Toll - Free 800 585 - 4401 Dear Homeowner, Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to partner with you on your tree needs. We understand that cost as well as quality and service are important to you especially when making important , long - lasting decisions on your valuable tree assets Because trees are so valuable to our homes and communities, we would ask that you consider t he following questions when evaluating tree estimates . If you do, we are confident you will find Grover Tree Service the perfect fit for your tree care needs. • Does the contractor understand and practice ANSI A300 and ISA tree pruning standards ... Grover Tree Service does! ASK US ABOUT PROPER TREE TRIMMING! • Does the contractor have a D49 Tree Service license by the California State Contractor’s Board ... Grover Tree Service has it ! (#33 3 345) • Is the contractor bonded and insured with General Liability and Worker’s Compensation Insurance (which protects you and your property during the course of tree work)... Grover Tree Service is! (See last page of this document) • Does the contractor use skilled, uniformed, highly trained workers and clearly labeled company vehicles (so you and your neighbors know who is working on your home) ... Grover Tree Service has trained men and high tech equipment ! • Has the contractor been in business since 1970 with an excellent reputa tion for service and quality work ... Grover Tree Service has been ! • Does the contractor have a full - time office staff and ISA certified arborists readily available to answer your phone calls and emails... Grover Tree Service does! • Did the contractor provide detailed documentation of the tree work that needs done to assure you receive the expected results ... Grover Tree Service insists on it! To see some of our completed projects please visit our website where you will also find additional information and resources. We are a family owned business of 50 years and would love to work with you on your project. Thank you, Grover Tree Service The following pages are additional information from the International Society of Arb ori cul ture and CSLB Why Hire an Arborist? Learn about services that arborists provide, criteria for selecting an arborist, and the benefits of hiring an ISA Certified Arborist. Arborists specialize in the care of individual trees. They are knowledgeable about the needs of trees and are trained and equipped to provide proper care. Hiring an arborist is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Proper tree care is an investment that can lead to substantial returns. Well cared-for trees are attractive and can add considerable value to your property. Poorly maintained trees can be a significant liability. Pruning or removing trees, especially large trees, can be dangerous work. Tree work should be done only by those trained and equipped to work safely in trees. Services That Arborists Can Provide Pruning An arborist can determine the type of pruning necessary to maintain or improve the health, appearance, and safety of trees. Pruning techniques include removing limbs that: • interfere with utilities or structures • obstruct streets or sidewalks • are dead, weak, or decayed and pose unacceptable risk • are diseased or insect-infested • have been damaged by storms • will increase light penetration and reduce wind resistance within the canopy upon removal (thinning) Other pruning techniques are used to maintain proper structure in young trees, improve tree shape or form, and reduce the likelihood of future damage during storm events. Tree Removal Although tree removal is a last resort, there are circumstances when it is necessary. An arborist can help decide whether a tree should be removed. Removal is recommended when the tree is: • dead or dying • considered an unacceptable risk • causing an obstruction that is impossible to correct through pruning • crowding and causing harm to other, more desirable trees • to be replaced by a more suitable specimen • located in an area where new construction requires removal Emergency Tree Care Storms may cause limbs or entire trees to fall, often landing on other trees, structures, or cars. The weight of storm-damaged trees is great, and they can be dangerous to remove or trim. An arborist can assist in performing the job in a safe manner, while reducing further risk of damage to property. Planting Some arborists plant trees, and most can recommend species that are appropriate for a particular location. The wrong tree in the wrong location will lead to future problems as a result of limited growing space, insects, diseases, or poor growth. Other Services Many arborists also provide a variety of other tree care services, including: • Plant Health Care or preventive maintenance to keep trees in good health while reducing any insect, disease, or site problems • fertilization and soil modification for improved tree health • cabling or bracing for added support to branches with weak attachments • soil aeration to improve root growth • installation of lightning protection systems • applications to manage certain insect and disease problems • consulting and legal expert services relating to trees Selecting the Right Arborist for the Job • Check for membership in professional organizations such as the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Indus- try Association (TCIA), or the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA). Such membership demonstrates a willingness on the part of the arborist to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques and information. www.isa-arbor.com • www.treesaregood.org • Check for ISA arborist certification. ISA Certified Arborists are experienced professionals who have passed an extensive examina- tion covering all aspects of tree care. • Ask for proof of insurance and then phone the insurance company if you are not satisfied. A reputable arborist carries personal and property damage insurance as well as workers’ compensation insurance. • Check for necessary permits and licenses. Some governmental agencies require contractors to apply for permits and/or to apply for a license before they are able to work. • Ask for references to find out where the company has done work similar to what you are requesting. Don’t hesitate to check refer- ences or visit other work sites where the company or individual has done tree work. • Get more than one estimate, unless you know and are comfortable with the arborist. You may have to pay for the estimates, and it will take more time, but it will be worth the investment. • Don’t always accept the low bid. You should examine the creden- tials and the written specifications of the firms that submitted bids and determine the best combination of price, work to be done, skill, and professionalism to protect your substantial investment. • Be wary of individuals who go door-to-door and offer bargains for performing tree work. Most reputable companies are too busy to solicit work in this manner. • Keep in mind that good arborists will perform only industry- accepted practices. For example, practices such as topping a tree, removing an excessive amount of live wood, using climbing spikes on trees that are not being removed, and removing or disfiguring living trees without just cause are improper practices and violate industry standards. • Get it in writing. Most reputable arborists have their clients sign a contract. Be sure to read the contract carefully. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, such as: What Is a Certified Arborist? An arborist by definition is an individual who is trained in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees. ISA arborist certification is a nongovernmental, voluntary process by which individuals can document their base of knowledge. It operates without mandate of law and is an internal, self-regulating device administered by the International Society of Arboriculture. Certification provides a measurable assessment of an individual’s knowledge and competence required to provide proper tree care. Certification is not a measure of standards of practice. Certification can attest to the tree knowledge of an individual but cannot guarantee or ensure quality performance. Certified Arborists are individuals who have achieved a level of knowledge in the art and science of tree care through experience and by passing a comprehensive examination developed by some of the nation’s leading experts on tree care. Certified Arborists must also continue their education to maintain their certification. Therefore, they are more likely to be up-to-date on the latest techniques in arboriculture. Be an Informed Consumer One of the best methods to use in choosing an arborist is to educate yourself about some of the basic principles of tree care. ISA offers several other brochures in this series, which discuss many of the basic principles of tree care. Your local garden center, extension agent, or city arborists are also excellent sources of information if you should have further questions. They may also be able to refer you to an ISA Certified Arborist in your area. This brochure is one in a series published by the International Society of Arboriculture as part of its Consumer Information Program. You may have additional interest in the following titles currently in the series: Avoiding Tree and Utility Conflicts Avoiding Tree Damage During Construction Benefits of Trees Buying High-Quality Trees Insect and Disease Problems Mature Tree Care New Tree Planting Plant Health Care Proper Mulching Techniques Palms Pruning Mature Trees Pruning Young Trees Recognizing Tree Risk Treatment of Trees Damaged by Construction Tree Selection and Placement Trees and Turf Tree Values Why Hire an Arborist Why Topping Hurts Trees E-mail inquiries: isa@isa-arbor.com ©2011 (1998, 2004) International Society of Arboriculture. Developed by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), a non-profit organization supporting tree care research around the world and dedicated to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees. For further information, contact: ISA, P.O. Box 3129, Champaign, IL 61826-3129, USA. E-mail inquiries: isa@isa-arbor.com — When will the work be started and completed? — Who will be responsible for clean-up? — Is this the total price? — What are the terms of payment? — If I would like more to be done, what is your hourly rate? Information About Commercial General Liability Insurance Did your contractor tell you whether he or she carries Commercial General Liability Insurance? Home improvement contractors are required by law to tell you whether or not they carry Commercial General Liability Insurance. This written statement must accompany the bid, if there is one, and the contract. What does this insurance cover? Commercial General Liability Insurance can protect against third-party bodily injury and accidental property damage. It is not intended to cover the work the contractor performs. Is this insurance required? No. But the Contractors State License Board strongly recommends that all contractors carry it. The Board cautions you to evaluate the risk to your family and property when you hire a contractor who is not insured. Ask yourself, if something went wrong, would this contractor be able to cover losses ordinarily covered by insurance? How can you make sure the contractor is insured? If he or she is insured, your contractor is required to provide you with the name and telephone number of the insurance company. Check with the insurance company to verify that the contractor’s insurance coverage will cover your project. What about a contractor who is self-insured? A self-insured contractor has made a business decision to be personally responsible for losses that would ordinarily be covered by insurance. Before contracting with a self-insured contractor, ask yourself, if something went wrong, would this contractor be able to cover losses ordinarily covered by insurance? Grover Landscape Services is fully licensed for tree work under CSLB #333345 Grover Landscape Services carries Commercial General Liability Insurance. The insurance company is Zurich American Ins. Company You may call the insurance company at 209-386-5072 to verify coverage. For more information about Commercial General Liability Insurance, contact the Contractors State License Board at www.cslb.ca.gov or call 800-321-CSLB (2752).