Who Do I Hire to Spray My Trees? A Complete Guide

Hire the right type of pro to spray your trees

Young farmer protecting his plants with chemicals
Photo: Emilija Manevska / Moment / Getty Images
Young farmer protecting his plants with chemicals
Photo: Emilija Manevska / Moment / Getty Images
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If you’re wondering who to hire to spray your trees, the top choice is a professional tree maintenance service. These professionals can help control the pests that move into your tree’s bark during the cool-weather months before they become active in warm seasons. 

In all states, a tree maintenance service must have a contractor’s license to practice legally, which may need to be specific to tree maintenance based on local laws. Depending on your situation, you may want to look for additional licenses, such as those specific to ornamental pest control. Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of hiring a tree spraying service.

Benefits of Hiring Professional Tree Maintenance Service for Tree Spraying

Working on a landscape in our backyard
Photo: AleksandarNakic / E+ / Getty Images

A local tree maintenance service specializes in tree care, with in-depth knowledge and experience regarding many tree species, their specific needs, and the appropriate spraying techniques to maintain their health. Likewise, these pros are well-versed in nearly every ailment that could plague a tree, whether it’s pests, fungi, or fire blight disease

Safety is another crucial aspect these pros bring to the table: They come equipped with the right tools and safety gear to ensure the job is done efficiently without compromising anyone’s safety or the tree’s health. Tree maintenance pros can suggest additional preventative maintenance tasks to keep your trees healthy and avoid premature deaths, such as sudden oak death.

Can I DIY Tree Spraying?

While DIY-savvy homeowners might consider DIY tree spraying to save costs, it’s important to note the potential risks. Tree spraying requires specialized equipment and chemicals that, when mishandled, can pose risks to the trees and surrounding landscape, as well as the person applying them. Incorrect application can also lead to potentially devastating consequences to the tree’s health, including accidentally killing the tree. For these reasons, it’s always best to stick with tree service professionals to ensure your safety and the vitality of your tree and landscape.

If you want to contribute to ongoing tree maintenance, talk with your tree service professional about tasks you can tackle in between spray sessions. For example, you can learn how to prune and care for your trees to keep them in tip-top condition. 

Can I Hire a Certified Arborist for Tree Spraying?

3 tree professional types, including arborist and tree removal professional

A certified arborist has expertise focused on the overall health and longevity of trees. While they possess a wealth of knowledge on tree health and disease, their primary focus typically isn’t on the specific application of pesticides or treatments. On the other hand, a professional tree maintenance service is specially trained for tree spraying, ensuring the most precise, effective, and safe treatment.

Instead, consider hiring an arborist for help with tasks like diagnosing your tree with a specific pest control or tree fungus. These pros can help you identify the cause of your tree’s poor health and develop a plan to resolve the issue.

How Do Tree Maintenance Services Spray Trees?

A tree maintenance service will start by assessing your tree’s symptoms and selecting the safest and most effective treatment. In some cases, the issue may be manageable using alternative methods, such as injections or fertilization.

If tree spraying is the best course of action, they will protect the surrounding landscape and spray either the trunk or the whole canopy of the tree depending on the issue. Treatments may include follow-up appointments to check on the tree’s healing progress.

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