How to Hire a Tree Service in Memphis, TN
Hiring a tree service means choosing a crew to cut, trim or remove trees on your property. Pick a company that shows proof of insurance, gives you a written estimate, and has people you can check on. This page is a plain checklist you can use with any company.
- Free on-site estimates
- Phone answered 7 days a week
- Climbers on every job
- Full cleanup
Tree work is risky for the crew and for your house. A bad hire can mean a damaged roof, a hurt worker, or a tree cut in a way that kills it.
It is general information, not legal advice.
What should you check before you hire?
Check six things: insurance, licence, credentials, a written estimate, cleanup terms, and references. Ask each tree service in Memphis you call the same questions and compare.
- Insurance
- Licence
- Credentials
- Written estimate
- Cleanup terms
- References
1. Insurance
Ask for proof of insurance, and ask for two types: liability for damage to your property and workers comp for the crew. Ask for the certificate itself, not a promise. UT Extension says reputable companies have certificates ready to show you.
You can call the insurance company to confirm the policy is current. Arizona Extension says that check is free, and that if an uninsured worker gets hurt on your property, you could be held financially responsible. The Tennessee Attorney General adds that you should confirm the policy covers tree services.
Sources: UT Extension, Selecting a Tree-Care Company (SP684), University of Arizona Extension, How to Hire a Tree Expert, Tennessee Attorney General, tree trimming and removal scam alert (Feb 2026).
2. Licence
Ask what licences the company holds, then check with the city or state. In February 2026 the Tennessee Attorney General said tree trimmers are typically required to hold a contractor’s license and pointed to verify.tn.gov for looking one up. Rules can change, so confirm it yourself before you sign.
Sources: Tennessee Attorney General, tree trimming and removal scam alert (Feb 2026).
3. Certified arborist and other credentials
Ask who on the crew holds a certificate, and ask for the name. An ISA Certified Arborist is a person, not a company. ISA says certification is voluntary, that the person passes an exam, and that they must keep up their education. ISA is clear that a certificate is not proof of good work, so use it along with the other checks.
Some arborists also hold the ISA tree risk assessment qualification, called TRAQ. It is an optional program that tests how a person looks at a tree and judges its risk. It matters most when you are asking whether a tree is dangerous, not for a routine trim.
Sources: ISA, Why Hire an Arborist, UT Extension, Selecting a Tree-Care Company (SP684), ISA, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ).
4. Written estimate
A good estimate is in writing and spells out the work. UT Extension warns that a line like “Pruning $400” tells you almost nothing about what will be cut, when, or why. It should name each tree, say what will be done to it, and give one clear price.
Sources: UT Extension, Selecting a Tree-Care Company (SP684), ISA, Why Hire an Arborist.
5. Cleanup terms
Arizona Extension says to put the cleanup scope and timing in the contract, and to say who keeps the firewood. For removals, ask whether stump grinding is included or priced apart.
Sources: University of Arizona Extension, How to Hire a Tree Expert.
6. References
Ask for names of customers with jobs like yours. A company with a good track record will gladly give them, according to UT Extension.
Sources: UT Extension, Selecting a Tree-Care Company (SP684).
What are the red flags?
The biggest red flags are door knockers, pressure to decide now, cash or big payments up front, no proof of insurance, and offers to top your tree. Any one of these is a reason to pause and call someone else.
- Door-to-door sales. UT Extension, the ISA and the Tennessee Attorney General all warn about it. ISA says reputable companies are too busy to chase work this way.
- Cash or full payment before work. The Tennessee Attorney General says never pay cash and be wary of anyone asking for all or most of the money first.
- No written estimate or contract. If they will not put the price and work on paper, move on.
- No proof of insurance. If they cannot show it, they cannot do the job on your property.
- Topping. Topping means chopping off the top of a tree. Arizona Extension says it is not acceptable, and UT Extension tells you to be careful of companies that do it. A good crew reduces height with proper cuts instead.
- Climbing spikes on a tree you are keeping. ISA and Arizona Extension say spikes should not be used on trees that are staying, except in an emergency.
- A very low bid. ISA says a very low price may mean the company is not following accepted practices.
- Pressure and big promises. The Tennessee Attorney General lists rush tactics and promises that insurance will pay everything.
Sources: UT Extension, Selecting a Tree-Care Company (SP684), ISA, Why Hire an Arborist, University of Arizona Extension, How to Hire a Tree Expert, Tennessee Attorney General, tree trimming and removal scam alert (Feb 2026).
How many estimates should you get?
Get at least two, and three for a large or risky job. ISA says to get more than one estimate unless you already know and trust the company. The Tennessee Attorney General also says not to go with the first company you find.
Make sure every estimate covers the same work. UT Extension says that if the numbers are far apart, check whether the services are really the same.
Do not just pick the cheapest. ISA says to compare credentials, written details and professionalism along with the price.
Sources: ISA, Why Hire an Arborist, UT Extension, Selecting a Tree-Care Company (SP684), Tennessee Attorney General, tree trimming and removal scam alert (Feb 2026).
What should the contract say?
The contract should say what work will be done, for how much, by when, and who cleans up. Arizona Extension and the ISA both say to get it in writing and read it before you sign.
- The work
- Which trees, and what will be done to each one. Clear enough that you can check it afterward.
- The price
- One firm total, plus whether stump grinding is included. For hourly work, ask for a “not to exceed” amount.
- Dates
- When the work starts and when it should be finished.
- Cleanup
- What is hauled away, what stays, and who gets the wood.
- Payment terms
- When money is due. Be wary of big payments before work starts.
How do you check references?
Ask for a few customers with jobs like yours, then call them or go look at the work. Arizona Extension says to talk to past clients and inspect completed jobs. UT Extension adds neighbors, friends and business contacts. The Tennessee Attorney General also points to reviews and complaints on sites like the Better Business Bureau.
Ask a past customer: Did the crew show up when they said? Was the price the one quoted? Was the yard clean at the end? Was anything damaged, and how was it handled?
Sources: University of Arizona Extension, How to Hire a Tree Expert, UT Extension, Selecting a Tree-Care Company (SP684), Tennessee Attorney General, tree trimming and removal scam alert (Feb 2026).
Which groups list tree care professionals?
Three groups are worth knowing: ISA, TCIA and ASCA. None of them replaces your own checks.
- ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) certifies individual arborists through a voluntary exam.
- TCIA (Tree Care Industry Association) accredits tree care companies. Its site has an accredited company search for consumers, and accredited companies use a TCIA logo.
- ASCA (American Society of Consulting Arborists) is a professional group for consulting arborists, who give objective advice about trees. Think second opinions, not the crew that cuts.
Sources: ISA, Why Hire an Arborist, ISA, Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), TCIA, Accreditation FAQ, American Society of Consulting Arborists, About ASCA, UT Extension, Selecting a Tree-Care Company (SP684).
Should you do it yourself?
For anything large, near a house, or near wires, no. UT Extension calls tree pruning, climbing and removal “very hazardous activities,” especially with big trees near electric lines.
A pro also has the gear for lowering heavy pieces in a controlled way, which is where most of the danger and damage comes from.
Sources: UT Extension, Selecting a Tree-Care Company (SP684).
Can you ask 18 Primos the same questions?
Yes, and you should ask every company the same ones. We do tree removal, trimming and pruning, stump grinding, storm and emergency work, crane-assisted removal, land clearing and cabling. Our estimates are free. Ask us anything on this page before you decide, and compare us with whoever else you call.
Hiring a tree service: common questions
What should I ask a tree service before I hire them?
Ask for proof of insurance, including workers comp and liability. Ask what licence and credentials they hold. Get a written estimate and references from similar jobs.
Do tree services in Tennessee need a licence?
The Tennessee Attorney General said in February 2026 that tree trimmers are typically required to hold a contractor’s license, and pointed people to verify.tn.gov to check one. Rules can change, so ask the company what licences it holds and check with the city or state.
How many estimates should I get for tree work?
Get at least two. For a big or risky job, three gives you a better picture. Make sure each one covers the same work, then compare the details and not only the price.
Should I pay a tree service cash up front?
No. The Tennessee Attorney General warns against paying in cash and against paying all or most of the price before work starts. Use a traceable method, ideally a credit card.
Is a knock on my door after a storm a good way to find a tree service?
Usually not. UT Extension lists door-to-door solicitation as a red flag, and the Arizona and ISA guides say the same. Find a company yourself and get a written estimate.
Want to ask us your questions?
Free estimates. Phone answered 7 days a week by the team at (901) 389-2360.