When choosing a tree service company to care for your trees, it’s understandable if you don’t know where to start. After all, there is a lot that goes into tree care! Below we address questions our team of Certified Arborists and tree service experts most commonly hear.
FAQ: Tree Services
What tree services do you provide?
Our Certified Arborist and tree service experts provide:
- Tree pest control
- Tree disease treatments
- Tree pruning/tree trimming
- Tree removal
- Tree stump removal
- Tree cabling
- Tree fertilization
- Tree root & soil management
- Deer deterrents
- Mosquito, tick, and nuisance pest control
- Construction damage prevention & preservation
- Emergency tree removal services
Looking for a different tree service? We provide a series of additional tree solutions and service packages – contact us today to find out more!
What sets you apart from other tree service companies?
Our Certified Arborists and tree service experts take a proactive, comprehensive, and holistic approach when it comes to tree service and tree care. We like to call ourselves, “tree doctors” and “tree geeks;” trees and shrubs are our patients! We were the first TCIA Accredited company in Virginia, and unlike many other companies, we prioritize tree preservation, environmental sustainability, and proper technical expertise, so we can achieve our goal of doing the right thing for people and nature.
How long have you been in the tree service business?
RTEC Treecare has been serving the Northern VA, MD, and Washington DC areas since 1996. In fact, our driving mission to do the right thing for people and nature had quickly led us to become the first TCIA accredited tree service company in Virginia!
FAQ: Tree Care
When is the best time to trim trees?
There are a few criteria that make for the “best time to trim trees;” but tree trimming and pruning can be done at any time of the year. Above all else, your, your family, and your property’s safety comes first. Whenever you think your property might become unsafe by a fallen tree or fallen tree branches, our tree service experts are here to provide you with the security and solutions you’re looking for.
How do I identify what problem my tree has?
We understand how identifying tree problems can get confusing. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of problems that trees often have to deal with. We especially highlight the most common tree diseases, tree fungus, tree bugs, and other problems common in the Northern VA, MD, and DC metro areas. But even if you can’t identify the problem, our Certified Arborists will be able to expertly assess your tree and provide the treatment and solutions your tree needs.
How can I protect my tree from the common tree diseases, fungus, bugs, and other problems in our area?
Our Certified Arborists and team of tree service experts like to say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Just like the best care for us humans is preventative care (flossing, healthy diet, exercise, etc.), trees need preventative care through proactive care and maintenance. The significance of proactive tree care is precisely the framework our Certified Arborists and tree service experts used to create our annual Canopy Protection Program.
Which tree care practices are most important this season?
We’ve got you covered! We have seasonal guides to tree care for each season: winter, spring, summer, and fall!
FAQ: Tree Work
How Does The Tree Care Process Work?
- Schedule a consultation with one of our certified Arborist via our online booking calendar or by calling our office at 703.573.3029.
- You will meet with an arborist during your consultation and will provide you with a verbal estimate. If you decide to proceed, the Arborist will provide you with a written proposal for your records.
- Approve the proposal. See “How Do I Contract RTEC For Services?” below.
- You will then be contacted by your Arborist to schedule your contracted work.
- Once the work is completed you will be sent an invoice.
- Review our work on Google, Yelp, or Angie’s List and get $15 off your invoice!
What happens at the consultation?
During the consultation, our Arborist will meet you on your property, discuss your concerns/goals for your trees & shrubs, evaluate the health of your trees and shrubs, and craft a proposal based on the needs of your property.
How do I contract RTEC for services?
We ask that client provides a written confirmation of service request (acceptance of proposed services) via e-mail, fax or mail. If approving only a portion of the proposal, please list the item numbers (ex: I approve Item #1A and 2C) on your e-mail. For fax or mail approvals, cross off the items you opt out on and initial next to the items that you would like to proceed with. Sign and date the bottom of the proposal before faxing or mailing.
Do I have to be home?
Your time is valuable and we understand that your schedule may conflict. The majority of clients are not home during the business hours. The client does not need to be present during the performance of the work. The crews are provided with a work order reflecting the services and job specifications contracted by the client along with a map of the property.
Scheduling?
We try to accommodate our client’s schedule. However, we are a weather dependent service company and this may affect our scheduled routes. Our scheduling department will efficiently schedule services in advance, you may receive confirmation via email or phone regarding the expected service date, unless confirmed or agreed upon in advance.
Do I need to leave a check?
Upon completion of the services, RTEC will mail/e-mail you the invoice(s) reflecting all the services completed. The invoices are due upon receipt. We accept Checks and all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and Amex)
Will all my services be done at the same time (i.e. stump grinding, plant health care, treatments, pruning)?
RTEC has different divisions within our organization, we may dispatch different crews depending on the services. For example, the general tree work crew will perform the tree removal and pruning services. If there is stump grinding, another crew will be dispatched to perform that work (after Miss Utility has cleared the property for grinding). The Plant Health Care services will be performed by the Plant Health Care technician separately based on the scope of the work. You may receive multiple invoices depending on the services performed. We will bill you only for services completed.
Clean-up?
Depending on the scope of work contracted, the practices of our general tree work crews are to chip up the resulting debris and remove from your property. If contracted, large wood will be hauled and disposed of (this may be performed by a different crew). The areas where work was performed will be blown off with the leaf blower and raked.
What is Environmental Green Waste Disposal Fee?
We are charged to deliver and dispose of resulting debris such as woodchips that are chipped from pruning, removal, hauling of large wood. The materials that are delivered to the center are recycled. Woodchips are recycled into double shredded mulch. Larger wood may be used for firewood or sent to a center to be turned into lumber or furniture.
Guarantee
We guarantee all work will be done in a professional and workmanlike manner to the specifications in the contract. Our work will meet or exceed standards set by the American National Institute (ANSI) and the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA).
