Always make sure to check that all of the work your tree service in the contract was completed as agreed upon and completed to your satisfaction. If they agreed to do all clean up work after providing tree services, make sure your yard was left clean.

A standard invoice should include the following:

• It should include the Marin tree trimming company's name, address and telephone number, and their license number at minimum.
• An itemized list of all work performed, and will ideally include specific descriptions of the work done.
• An itemized cost with a break-down of both labor and materials cost.
• The invoice should also include the start date, projected completion date or possibly a guaranteed end date. There may be a clause for some delays that are excusable such as inclement weather.
• If they offer a satisfaction guarantee, has the tree service been completed to your 100% satisfaction?

Some tree services may provide you with a warranty on their tree work.

If you were promised a warranty from the tree services in San Rafael, Novato, or another area of Marin County that you hired, they should be willing to provide you with a written warranty.

What should this written warranty guarantee?

That depends on the tree services you requested and the promises made up front.

If the Marin County tree service planted trees or performed tree pruning and maintenance, they may make guarantees regarding the health of your trees or the longevity of those trees. While no one can guarantee the lifespan of a new tree, most tree services will promise that new trees will live at least a certain length of time or that their services will not cause damage or harm that will shorten the tree's life.

Other guarantees may include tree pest control service guarantees or tree disease treatment warranties.

Regardless of the service, always make sure you understand the terms of any tree service warranty if one is provided.

Chances are you know what you need for tree care in Marin County. But if you are new to home ownership, you may be uncertain of what tree services are most common.

Do you know what are the most prevalent tree diseases? Here are some common tree care services and common problems where ISA Certified Arborists can assist:

Bracing and Cabling
 Helps to provide strength to a weak tree with limbs that could break. Without correcting a specific tree weakness, you may risk injury or property damage. This is especially problematic when there are storms.

Dead Branches in Trees
A common tree issue which should be removed to increase tree health. This will also avoid property damage and injury, as dead tree branches are more susceptible to storm damage. You don't want a dead tree limb or branch to fall on a car or break a house window.

Diseases in Trees / Tree Disease Treatment
Often times tree disease is the result of a deficiency of nutrition in trees. Tree disease can range from leaf discoloration, to excess bark peeling, to insect infestations.

Leaning Tree Repair
Your tall tree leans at a noticeable angle. This could be a hazard if there are strong winds during storms. Leaning trees should be corrected by a professional tree service to avoid property damage or personal injuries.

Mushroom Or Fungus Growth
This can happen around the base of the tree, which is a sign of tree decay. There is rotting wood in roots of trees, which means your tree is dying. A well trained arborist can assess your tree and recommend a solution.

Preventative Tree Care
Trees need adequate light, pruning, and food to help it achieve a pleasing tree shape and to live longer. This includes tree fertilizers, which will increase the health and nutrition of your trees. There are both organic and conventional fertilizers that your Marin County Tree Service can provide.

Raised Earth Around Base Of Tree
This can mean your tree is beginning to uproot from the ground. This could be dangerous if a strong storm came through and uprooted your tree. Many of us have seen photos of a tree that crashed on a vehicle or a tree that fell on a house. It is not something you want to see happen.

Solar Enhancement
Solar Enhancement completed by professional arborists in Marin County will ensure there is sufficient light for solar panels to function adequately. If your home has solar panels in San Rafael, you will see improved solar functionality by reducing the amount of shade from trees.

Tree Planting
Perhaps you wish to plant apple trees, or maybe you wish to plant citrus trees. Either way, consulting a professional tree service will assist you with tree planting in San Rafael or Novato.

View Restoration
This can include tree thinning, which creates beautiful filtered views by removing dead wood on trees. They may also perform “windowing” which creates an open space similar to a window's function in your home.

Top Products Used By Good Tree Care Services in Marin County?
Your Marin County Tree Care Professional may use a number of products and tools to care for your trees. Here are a few items to expect when receiving tree care services.

Climbing Line or Climbing Rope
These should meet all ANSI safety standards, and will assist a professional arborist with safely climbing trees.

Miracle-Gro
Fertilizer and other products may be used in caring for your trees.

STIHL Professional Chainsaws and Other Professional Tree Trimming Equipment
STIHL professional chainsaws are useful for Marin County Tree Services. They are used to trim trees, clear utility line areas, or for tree shaping and tree pruning.

Electric Pole Chainsaw
These are used as an alternate way for trimming trees. Instead of climbing a ladder to the top of your tree, chainsaw in hand

Rigging Line
Not to be confused with a climbing rope, this assists tree stability by connecting them to stationary objects.

Tree Cabling Tools
Tree cabling is a very specialized tree service, which requires the use of eye lags, extra strength cable, and bracing equipment such as a course threaded rod.

Tree Saver Straps
These should be used when a tree rigging line is put into place. They will help avoid damage to tree bark.

Following are some common terms used in the tree service industry. This will help you when talking to a local arborist or tree service who is using industry terms you may not know.

ANSI 3000
American National Standards Institute, the national organization that sets standards for tree trimmers, tree services and arborists.

ANSI Z133.1
American National Standards Institute safety standard for tree care.

Following are some common terms used in the tree service industry. This will help you when talking to a local arborist or tree service who is using industry terms you may not know.

ANSI 3000
American National Standards Institute, the national organization that sets standards for tree trimmers, tree services and arborists.

ANSI Z133.1
American National Standards Institute safety standard for tree care.

antitranspirant
A chemical that is applied to cut back water loss through stems and leaves on trees.

Also known as antidesiccants

arborist
The cultivation and management of trees which focuses on the health and safety of trees.

Also known as: Arboriculture

backfill
Refilling a hole around the roots with dirt, often happens during transplanting.

bark
The protective outer layer on trunks, branches and twigs.

bracing
Creating extra support for a tree with structural defects by limiting movement of tree branches using steel cables, wire rods, and clamps.

branch
The division of a stem, or a secondary stem, attached to a primary part of the tree.

bolting
The use of a ¼ inc threaded steel, used to support cracked, splitting, or debilitated joints of a tree.

buttress root
A large root that forms at ground level of a tree.

cabling
A method of structural support for weak tree joints. An extra strength cable is used to support the tree. There is a hole drilled into each main branch, into which a two eye-bolts are used to help keep a tree from splitting apart. Often preferable to bracing or used in conjunction with tree bracing.

canopy
The top or crown of a tree, which is formed by all the branches and leaves together.

canopy raising
Used to assist in creating a symmetrical tree by taking away lower lateral limbs.

crown
All branches and foliage of a tree above the ground

crown thinning
Removing selected tree branches in order to facilitate sunlight penetration and reducing weight of strained branches.

crown restoration
Used to renew health and structure to a damaged tree

deadwood
Removal of dying, diseased, or already dead branches.

deciduous
Trees or shrubs that shed their leaves seasonally.

drop cut
A second cut in a three-cut procedure of take away a branch.

eye lags
Screws thread eye bolts used in cabling and bracing.

Also known as: eye bolts

hardiness
A tree or other plant’s ability to tolerate cold or warm temperatures.

lateral root
A root that extends off of the main root.

liability
Having the legal responsibility for financial costs related with cost to repair casualty.

mature tree
A tree that has reached about 3/4 of its full growth.

pesticide (conventional)
Created for destroying or repelling a pest. Synthetic or man-made chemicals. Can be damaging to the soil.

pesticide (organic)
Less refined, naturally occurring products that often contain natural resistance to insects and other pests. Generally less harmful to people and the environment.

plant health care
A tree maintenance system that aims to be preventative or proactive in tree care. Includes fertilization, protection from tree diseases or tree infestation troubles, and ensuring satisfactory water and soil conditions.

Also known as: tree maintenance

stump grinding
A power tool with high-speed disk that rotates in order to chip a stump into smaller pieces for removal.

Also known as: stump cutter

tree pruning
Removing certain branches, roots, or buds of a tree. Used to maintain or improve health of trees, improving flower or fruit output, and helping them become more aesthetically pleasing.

Also known as: tree trimming

Q: Why Choose a Diamond Certified tree service?…

Q: Why Choose a Diamond Certified tree service?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a tree service with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only local tree services rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified tree contractor

Q: Why should I commit extra effort into tree care?
A: Trees have long been valued for their aesthetically pleasing qualities, which in turn can increase the value of your home. Trees can increase your home’s worth by up to 25%, depending on placement, health, size of trees, and variety. You should protect your trees with proper tree care services.

Q: Do I really need to water trees?
A: For the most part, trees need to be watered more often when they are young and growing. However, this changes if you are having drought conditions in your area. With normal rainfall levels, the main exception to this would be trees that were not suitable for your local environment.

Q: What does pruning do for trees?
A: It helps your trees stay healthier, especially as young trees grow and mature. It promotes good branch structure, that could otherwise lead to an early death of your tree.

Q: Do arborists prune trees to specific standards?
A: All arborists should follow the “ANSI A300 – part 1 pruning” standard. Ask your tree service if they always use this standard for tree pruning.

Q: What is pruning paint for trees, and is it still needed?
A: This is an out-dated procedure that used to be suggested for sealing cuts on a freshly pruned tree. Research by the US Forest Service has debunked the need for this “wound dressing”, and showed it actually was contrary to the best interests of the trees. You can even harm your trees with too much moisture.

Q: What is the best time of year to prune trees?
A: Most arborists would agree that you can prune most trees at any time it is needed. Although some trees are more likely to need pruning at the turn of different seasons such as summer of fall.

Q: Do I really need to fertilize my trees?
A: Most trees need fertilization at some point in their lives. In the forest, there are natural circumstances such as animal waste, leaves and other plant material falling to the forest floor, and other decomposition that recycles itself. Mulching is one way to help fertilize a tree, but a plant health care program from a certified arborist is best. A certified arborist can make the best determinations based on your local environment and the ground where your trees grow. This will help your trees have the best health.