THE VILLAGE VOICE

The first thing many of us think about when we think of trees and summer is the cool shade they provide our homes, yards, and sidewalks. Healthy trees continue to provide a valuable resource to our community.

Summer is also the time when we notice trees that are stressed. In the heart of winter, it’s hard for most people to tell if a tree is dead or diseased. However, in the summer, the lack of leaves, abundance of suckers, and dieback can be signs that the tree needs some care.

Once you notice your tree may need care, how do you know who to call? Village codified ordinance 147.18 requires arborists to obtain a Village arborist license to work on public trees. While the license is not required for arborists to work on private property, the list of current arborist license holders is available to the public in the Village office.

Professional organizations such as the International Society of Arborists and The Arbor Day Foundation are resources available to homeowners for tips on hiring professional tree services.

A few tips to consider when hiring anyone to work on your tree:
- Check for memberships or certifications through professional organizations. These certifications often include classes and passage of exams to earn the certification.

- Ask for current proof of insurance and workers compensation coverage and check it. Homeowners may be held responsible for damages and injuries that may happen as a result of the job.

- Beware of traveling tree salespeople. Reputable tree services businesses often don’t have time to go door to door to solicit work.

- Be wary of paying any money to the individual prior to any work being completed. There is no guarantee the person will return to finish the work.

You can call the Village Office with questions, or speak with one of your Village Tree Commissioners.

The Village Voice
The Village of Ada publishes informational articles about Village policies and services currently offered. These articles are for informational purposes only. Further details and the complete Codified Ordinances may be found on the Village website, www.adaoh.org, or by calling the Village Offices at 419-634-4045.