Tree Care and Arborist FAQ

How does I Need An Arborist work?

I Need An Arborist helps users narrow their tree-related concern by service type, urgency, work style, and location. The finder then shows listed professionals and companies that match the selected needs.

The site does not replace the judgment of a qualified professional. It helps users start with a better search.

Does every tree problem require a Certified Arborist?

Not always. Some routine work may be performed by a reputable tree care company, while tree risk, tree health, preservation, legal disputes, reports, or diagnosis may call for a credentialed consulting arborist or similarly qualified professional.

What should I ask before hiring someone?

Ask about qualifications, insurance, licenses where applicable, experience with the specific issue, written estimates, pruning standards, disposal, timing, and whether the work requires a permit.

Why are credentials self-reported?

Listings may display credentials, memberships, licenses, and qualifications entered by the member. Users should independently confirm current status before hiring.

How do Business-sponsored Professional seats work?

A Business plan includes a set number of Professionals (Business 1, 3, 6, or 12). A Business can use one of those included Professional seats to invite and sponsor a Professional member. Active seats and valid pending invitations count against the Business's available allowance. Each sponsored Professional keeps their own profile, and the sponsoring Business's affiliation appears publicly while the seat is active.

Can a Professional have more than one active Business seat at the same time?

No. A Professional can have only one active Business-sponsored seat at a time. Multiple Businesses may send invitations, but an invitation alone does not change the Professional’s current seat or affiliation. If an already-sponsored Professional accepts another Business’s invitation, the transfer must be explicitly confirmed before the existing seat ends.

What happens when a Professional accepts a seat from a different Business?

After the Professional confirms the transfer, the former Business seat ends and the destination Business seat becomes active. The former public affiliation is replaced by the destination Business’s affiliation. Any preserved Professional-membership time remains paused continuously during the transfer and may resume when Business sponsorship later ends.

Can a Business-sponsored affiliation be hidden from a profile?

No. While a Business-sponsored seat is active, the sponsoring Business’s affiliation is always shown publicly on the Professional’s profile. It is not an optional or configurable setting. A Professional who does not want a public Business affiliation should decline or leave the seat and use a Professional membership instead.

What happens to a Professional’s paid membership when they accept a Business seat?

If the Professional has remaining paid Professional-membership time, that time is preserved rather than lost while the Business seat is active. When Business sponsorship ends, the remaining preserved time may resume on the Professional’s account. A direct transfer between Businesses keeps the original pause continuous rather than restoring and pausing the membership again.

How does the member referral program work?

Members can share their referral link with another tree professional or Business. If that new member’s first paid membership qualifies after the program’s qualification period, the referring member may receive membership credit. The amount varies by the qualifying Professional membership or Business plan. Self-referrals are not allowed, and membership credit is not cash.