Davey Tree Service may be worth considering for pruning, tree removal, or storm cleanup, but the company name alone cannot tell you whether a particular proposal is right for your property. Before accepting an estimate, make sure it explains what work is recommended and why, who will perform it, how people and nearby structures will be protected, and what the price includes. Compare those details with at least one other qualified tree care provider when practical. The best choice is the proposal that addresses the tree’s condition and site risks clearly—not necessarily the one with the most familiar name or the lowest total.
What to establish before hiring Davey Tree Service
Start by confirming exactly which business entity is making the offer and which local team will carry out the work. The company name on a conversation, estimate, and contract should be consistent, and you should know whom to contact if the scope changes or a concern arises. Ask whether the person assessing the tree will be involved in planning the job or available to explain the crew’s instructions.
Arrange an assessment at the property rather than relying only on a general phone description, particularly for removal, storm damage, or work near a building, driveway, fence, or overhead line. A site visit allows the estimator to consider tree condition, access for equipment, obstacles, and where branches or trunk sections can be lowered. If a proposal is made without an in-person assessment, ask what information it relies on and whether the price or scope could change after the crew arrives.
Tell the estimator what you have noticed—such as dead branches, recent limb failure, trunk cracks, leaning, root disturbance, or damage after a storm—and what outcome you want. Your observations are useful, but they do not establish a diagnosis. Ask the arborist to explain what is known, what is uncertain, and whether further inspection is needed before deciding on major work.
Read the proposal as a work plan, not just a price
A useful estimate should describe the tree or trees involved, the recommended work, and the intended result. “Trim trees” or “remove hazardous tree” may be too vague to compare. Ask for enough detail to understand which branches will be pruned, what part of the tree will be removed, or what condition makes removal advisable.
For pruning, clarify whether the crew will remove dead or broken limbs, reduce branches for clearance, or perform another defined task. Ask how the work will preserve the tree’s structure and avoid unnecessary cutting. If a proposal recommends substantial canopy reduction, request an explanation of the reason and how the cuts are expected to affect the tree.
For removal, ask why pruning or monitoring would not address the concern. A clear explanation might refer to the tree’s observed condition, its location, or the likelihood that it could fail; it should connect the recommendation to the specific tree rather than rely on a generic label such as “unsafe.” If the proposal includes stump grinding, confirm whether it is included, how much of the stump will be addressed, and whether the resulting chips or other debris will be left on site.
Storm cleanup needs its own defined scope. Ask whether the estimate covers only branches and sections already on the ground or also work on damaged limbs still attached to the tree. A storm-damaged tree can have suspended or stressed wood that is difficult to assess from below, so do not assume that a basic debris-removal price covers hazardous work aloft.
Compare common job types
| Work type | What the proposal should clarify | Useful question |
|---|---|---|
| Pruning | Which tree and limbs are included, the purpose of the cuts, and debris handling | What specific result should this pruning achieve? |
| Tree removal | Why removal is recommended, how the tree will be dismantled, and what happens to the wood | Would pruning or another option address the concern? |
| Storm cleanup | Whether work covers fallen debris, attached damaged limbs, or both | Are unstable or suspended sections included in this scope? |
| Stump work | Whether grinding is included, the planned depth or extent, and cleanup of chips | Is stump treatment a separate service or part of the estimate? |
The table is a starting point, not a substitute for a written, property-specific scope. If the work includes several trees, ask for them to be identified separately so you can see what each part of the estimate covers.
Check the safety plan and the people responsible
Tree work can involve chainsaws, elevated work, falling limbs, heavy equipment, and restricted access. Ask how the crew will control the work area and protect people, vehicles, buildings, landscaping, and nearby property. For a removal, discuss the intended direction and method of lowering or handling sections, especially where there is little open space. You do not need to design the operation, but you should be able to understand how the company plans to manage the obvious risks on your site.
Ask who will supervise the crew and who is responsible for answering questions about the job. If an arborist credential is presented as a qualification, confirm the individual’s name and current credential status through the credentialing organization. A credential can help demonstrate relevant training, but it does not by itself guarantee that a particular recommendation or work plan is appropriate.
For pruning, ask whether the work will follow applicable ANSI A300 pruning standards. Also ask what equipment and access arrangements are expected, and whether the crew will need to use your driveway or enter a neighbouring property. If the plan depends on access across a boundary, settle permission before work begins.
Confirm that the contractor has appropriate liability coverage and workers’ compensation coverage for the work, and ask for documentation rather than relying on a verbal assurance. Requirements vary by location, so check local rules where permits, protected trees, or contractor licensing may apply. Do not assume the contractor will obtain a required permit unless the written agreement says so.
Compare Davey Tree Service costs fairly
Tree care estimates can differ because contractors may be proposing different work, using different access methods, or including different cleanup and disposal tasks. A lower total is not a meaningful saving if it excludes stump work, hauling, or the difficult part of a storm-damage job. Before comparing prices, line up the scope, exclusions, and conditions attached to each estimate.
Ask whether the price is fixed for the described work or may change after inspection or if conditions differ from what the estimator saw. Find out how additional work will be approved and priced. A written change-order process helps prevent disagreements if the crew discovers a previously hidden issue or if you ask for extra work on the day.
- Confirm the number and identity of the trees included.
- Check whether debris will be chipped, hauled away, or left at a location you choose.
- Ask whether logs, firewood, or wood chips are included or excluded.
- Confirm whether stump grinding is part of the quote or priced separately.
- Ask whether lawn, garden, driveway, or fence protection is included and what restoration is excluded.
- Check the payment schedule, cancellation terms, and process for approving extra work.
Tree size and condition can affect the work, but so can access, nearby structures, equipment needs, and the amount of material to remove. These factors are reasons to request an explanation, not a basis for guessing what a job should cost. If two proposals differ sharply, ask each contractor to explain the difference in scope or method before deciding.
How to compare Davey with another tree care provider
When practical, get another written assessment for significant pruning, removal, or storm cleanup. Give both providers the same information about your concerns and the outcome you want. Then compare their diagnoses and work descriptions, not just the totals. If one recommends removal and another recommends pruning or monitoring, ask each to explain the evidence behind the recommendation and the risks of the alternatives.
Davey Tree Service may suit a homeowner whose proposal clearly addresses the tree, site conditions, safety arrangements, and cleanup needs. Consider another provider if the estimate remains vague after you ask questions, if the recommended work is not tied to an observed condition, or if the contractor will not provide relevant insurance documentation. A competing estimate is most useful when it comes from a qualified professional who has assessed the same tree and understands the same site constraints.
Be cautious of pressure to approve major work immediately when there is no immediate danger and the explanation is unclear. There are genuine situations in which damaged trees need prompt attention, but urgency should not prevent you from asking what is unsafe, what work is necessary now, and what can wait. If the condition is not an immediate threat, a second opinion can help you distinguish necessary work from an optional improvement.
Use this checklist before approving the work
- Identify the concern. Note the tree’s location, visible damage, and the result you want. Share observations without treating them as a diagnosis.
- Request a site-specific assessment. Ask the estimator to explain the tree’s condition and the basis for any recommendation to prune or remove it.
- Get the scope in writing. Confirm which trees, branches, or debris are included, as well as stump work and disposal.
- Review the work plan. Ask how access, falling material, nearby property, and the work area will be managed.
- Verify responsibility and coverage. Find out who supervises the crew and request relevant insurance documentation and credential details.
- Compare like with like. Review another estimate for the same work when appropriate, and ask about differences rather than choosing on price alone.
- Set expectations before the crew arrives. Confirm the schedule, access, cleanup, payment terms, and how changes to the scope will be approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Davey Tree Service provide free estimates?
Estimate terms can depend on the requested service and the local operation, so confirm any assessment fee or consultation charge when arranging the visit. Ask whether the written estimate covers the full proposed scope and whether an additional inspection could be required before work begins.
Should I choose Davey Tree Service for tree removal?
Consider the proposal if it explains why removal is recommended, describes the planned work and cleanup, and addresses risks on your property. If the reason is unclear or the decision is not urgent, seek another qualified assessment before authorizing removal.
What should I do if I need emergency storm cleanup?
Keep people away from damaged trees, hanging limbs, and unstable debris. Ask the contractor what urgent work can be handled safely, what the response includes, and whether non-emergency cleanup or additional pruning will be quoted separately. Stay well clear of any tree or branch touching a power line and contact the utility or emergency services.
Is stump grinding automatically included in tree removal?
Do not assume it is. Check the written estimate for stump work, the extent of grinding, and how chips or other material will be handled. If it is not listed, ask for a separate price before approving the job.
How many tree care estimates should I get?
For substantial work or a recommendation to remove a tree, a second assessment can help you compare the diagnosis and proposed approach. For an urgent hazard, prioritize keeping people away and arranging a safe evaluation; comparison should not require approaching or handling the damaged tree yourself.
Make the decision from the details
Before hiring Davey Tree Service, make sure you can explain what the crew will do, why that work is recommended, how the site will be protected, and what the price includes. Compare another qualified provider when the job is significant or the recommendation is uncertain. A clear written scope and credible safety plan are stronger reasons to proceed than name recognition or a low estimate alone.