How to Choose a 24/7 Emergency Tree Service in Seattle

Need Mandated to Be Available 24/7 and Deploy Quickly

An emergency tree service has a basic necessity to function 24 hours a day, particularly during extreme weather events when there is the greatest demand. While many tree contractors advertise emergency services, they usually answer phone calls during business hours and therefore cannot assist a homeowner through a late-night or weekend emergency. A true 24/7 emergency tree service must maintain operational, dispatched crews available to deploy rapidly.

Documentation of After-Hour Call-Answering Procedure

During the hiring process, ask about the company’s after-hours call-answering procedure. A quality organization should utilize an exclusive emergency call line, not a voicemail. They should be able to demonstrate their ability to send out a crew to address an emergency promptly, and specifically in situations that include imminent hazards, such as a tree leaning against a roof.

Professional Standards: Accreditation and Insurance

There is great value in being called a professional in the emergency tree service industry due to the extreme hazards involved in emergency tree removal. While regular pruning is typically conducted in a predictable and relatively safe environment, emergency removal of a tree is completely unpredictable and contains extreme hazards. Therefore, having proper insurance and accreditation is mandatory. There is one issue that separates a reputable emergency provider from a hazardous contractor – insurance and accreditation.

Insurance Verification Is Not Negotiable

An emergency tree service that is reputable must have two types of insurance:

• Liability Insurance: Protects you, as a homeowner, and any nearby properties from damage resulting from equipment failure or falling debris during the removal of the tree.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Protects you from liability should an employee of the company be injured while working on your property. Without Workers’ Compensation insurance, you could be liable for the employee’s medical and legal expenses.

Verify the existence of up-to-date certificates of insurance prior to entering into any agreement, even if it is in the heat of the moment of an emergency.

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certification (Certified Arborist)

Look for ISA-certified arborists who are employed by the company that you are considering. In an emergency, the ISA-certified arborist evaluates the physics, stability, and safest possible removal plan for the tree, even if the tree is damaged or unstable. The ISA-certified arborist ensures that the removal of the tree is conducted safely and that the rest of the property and landscaping are protected from unnecessary damage.

Equipment and Technical Capability

Emergency tree removal often requires special equipment that exceeds the capabilities of a standard chainsaw and rope system. To remove large, unstable trees that are leaning against structures — which is common in the Seattle area — a company must have the technical capability of a well-equipped professional emergency tree service.

Specialized Emergency Equipment

In addition to having the personnel to handle the above-mentioned tasks, a high-quality emergency tree service should also have immediate access to the following specialized equipment:

• Aerial lifts or cranes: These are required to lift and remove large, heavy sections of a fallen tree over structures, without damaging the structure.
• Heavy-duty rigging: This includes advanced ropes, pulleys, and friction brakes to allow for controlled, piece-by-piece lowering of a fallen tree in tight urban environments.
• Grapple saws: When a crew cannot climb a tree because of safety concerns, grapple saws provide a safe and efficient method of removing a tree section by section.

Verify that the company has the ability to mobilize the heavy equipment immediately, regardless of the hour.

Operational Standards and Site Management

In addition to simply cutting down a tree, a professional organization manages the entire site to ensure the safety of bystanders, to quickly remove the hazard, and to completely clean up the site after the job is completed. An emergency tree service is much more than just cutting down a tree – it is a very detailed logistical effort.

Safety and Traffic Control

Depending upon the location of the emergency tree removal, a professional crew will conduct site safety, including necessary traffic control measures, and cordon off the area and secure utility lines. A quality organization will take the necessary steps to protect both the public and property from damage, which is a key characteristic of a quality emergency tree service.

Clean-up and Debris Removal

You must clarify what is included in the clean-up and debris removal prior to signing an agreement. A quality emergency tree service provides clean-up and debris removal services and removes all wood, branches, and other debris, leaving the area safe and free from obstacles.

Authority of Experience

Do not sacrifice quality for speed or a slightly lower cost when selecting a 24/7 emergency tree service. The potential long-term costs of property damage, personal injury liability, and poor workmanship far exceed the short-term cost savings. A quality emergency tree service will guarantee the safe, compliant, and professional mitigation of the hazard. At Seattle Tree Trim & Removal, we are prepared to protect your property 24 hours a day. We would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about proactively evaluating your trees and preparing for emergencies.