What should I do before the tree crew arrives?

Clear the space around the tree

Crews need room to work and a path to carry or chip material. Move vehicles out of the driveway and off the street in front of the tree if you can. Take down hanging planters, move grills, children's toys and outdoor furniture, and lock up or move pets where they cannot wander into the work area.

Ask the office what else to move. Every site is different, and the arborist who wrote your estimate knows what the plan calls for.

Mark what is under the ground

If stump grinding is part of the job, call 811 first. The USA North 811 line gets public utility lines marked, and it is standard practice before any grinding below grade. Private lines are different: sprinkler lines, drip tubing, low-voltage lighting and a septic system are not marked by the utility, so show them at the estimate visit and flag the heads with something you can see.

Tell the office what you want

Settle the choices before the day. Do you want the wood left, hauled or chipped, and the stump ground or left? Is anyone home who will need to get in and out? Is there a gate code, a neighbor's fence or an HOA rule to know about? Those answers belong in the estimate, not in a conversation on the day.

Stay inside or well back once work starts. Falling limbs and machines move in ways that are hard to judge from the yard. If the crew has a question, they will come to you.

Our phones are answered seven days a week at 775.232.8243, and the office can tell you what to expect for your job.

One more habit helps: walk the route with the estimate in your hand the day before. Check that the gate opens, the driveway is clear and the area where wood or chips will go is free. If you are renting or managing the property for someone else, make sure the owner has approved the work and that neighbors know a truck and a chipper will be on the street. Small surprises on the day are the easiest ones to avoid, and a call to the office the day before costs nothing.