Tree Contractors

Tree Contractor Services

Contractors perform many valuable and often dangerous services. They are often called upon after a storm or in an emergency situation. Tree contractors specialize in tree and shrub removals, pruning and trimming, cabling and bracing, and stump removal.

Many tree contractors have on staff one or more Certified Arborists. The certification means the Arborist has an educational background in many aspects of proper tree care. A Certified Arborist might also offer services like tree identification, planting suggestions, disease diagnosis, and tree valuations.

A person or business that is compensated for performing these services in city limits must be licensed.

License Requirements

Residents and business owners who are in need of tree care are advised to use the services of a licensed tree contractor. The City of Moorhead issues licenses to tree contractors. The license ensures the contractor has liability and workers compensation insurance, and has obtained a performance bond. The performance bond is issued by an insurance company or bank to guarantee satisfactory completion of a project by a contractor. The license must be renewed annually.

Simply because a tree contractor advertises in Moorhead does not mean they are properly licensed. These contractor licensing requirements are a safety measure to protect property owners. Property owners are encouraged to ask tree contractors to show their contractor’s license before they conduct any work on your property, or if they are selling their services door-to-door.

Businesses offering tree planting services are not required to have a license unless they also perform the additional tree contractor services mentioned above.

Forestry maintains a list of licensed tree contractors but does not recommend the services of any one licensed contractor over another. The property owner is advised to ask for references and credentials and to perhaps inspect previous work sites when they are deciding which firm to hire. This list is updated throughout the year.

Expectations of Contractors

Tree contractors cannot remove or trim trees growing on boulevards or in parks. Forestry is responsible for the maintenance and removal of the trees on public property. Residents can report concerns and request tree removal or tree trimming by contacting Forestry.

Tree contractors are required to haul away waste wood they have cut from a property owner’s lot. The Curbside Brush Pickup Service is not intended to be used as a cleanup service for tree contractors. This service is intended to assist property owners when they have removed small amounts of brush during routine maintenance tasks around their home.

Forestry contracts with licensed tree contractors to remove diseased or dead trees from private property as part of the Dutch Elm Disease Control Program. Moorhead Public Service also contracts with licensed tree contractors to perform power line clearance during the winter months.