Choosing a Tree Trimming Service in Reston, VA

Reston is one of the most heavily wooded communities in Northern Virginia, which makes tree care less of an occasional chore and more of a standing responsibility. Choosing who does that work matters, because bad pruning cannot be undone.

Check insurance first

Tree work is the riskiest job in landscaping. Ask any company for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation before anyone climbs. A reputable company will hand it over without fuss.

Listen to how they talk about the tree

A good crew talks about what the tree needs: removing deadwood, clearing the roof, thinning for light, reducing weight on a long limb. Be wary of anyone who proposes topping a tree or stripping out the interior branches. Both are quick, both look dramatic, and both shorten the tree's life.

Ask what happens on the ground

Find out whether cleanup, chipping and haul-away are included, how the lawn and beds will be protected, and how limbs over a roof or fence will be lowered. Rigging and lowering takes longer than dropping, and it is the difference between a tidy job and a repair bill.

Know Reston's rules

Reston's design review process can apply to removing live trees and to other exterior changes. Check with your cluster or the association before work is scheduled. Routine pruning generally does not raise the same questions, but it is worth confirming.

Get it in writing

A written estimate that lists each tree and what will be done to it protects both sides. It is also the easiest way to compare companies fairly.