FAQ

First, fill out our online form for a free estimate. Once that’s received, we’ll contact you in a few days to schedule a time for an arborist to come out and give you a quote.

Once the estimate has been made, we can discuss it, make changes or adjustments, and then you can approve it all online.

Once a quote has been approved, we’ll contact you to schedule the work!

It can be challenging to see what's happening with a tree or in a landscape using just photos, so whenever possible we prefer to come take a look on site. This helps us develop an accurate plan for how to accomplish work and an accurate cost for you.

There are many factors that can affect the cost, but the best way to know is for us to take a look at your specific trees—start by filling out our free estimate request to get your quote!

Tree maintenance needs can be hard to communicate over email or with a photo! Whenever possible, we prefer to have you on site during the estimate and while the work is happening. We like to walk with you when the work is done to make sure you're satisfied, and to answer any questions you might have.

Yes! All of our team leads are certified arborists, and we encourage everyone on our team to get certified as soon as they qualify. We pay for testing and certification for all of our employees, and we pay for continuing education regularly so that we can ensure you're getting the most up to date recommendations for best practices in tree care.

We have a Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license: #229585. The CCB documents license and insurance history on their website. You can check on any contractor’s license and insurance by typing in the company name (such as "Foster Trees LLC") at https://www.ccb.state.or.us/search/. Then, be sure to click on “Learn more about this business” and you’ll be able to access more details about us, including our entire history of insurance.

That depends on the work to be done. Pruning is usually quicker than tree removals, but that depends on the size of the trees. Most jobs are done in a day, some take half a day and some take 2 or 3 days.

Most jobs start around 8 AM, possibly later if you are located further out from our Portland home base. Some days we work on multiple jobs in a day, timing can vary depending on the scope of work and conditions, but most jobs usually start by 1pm. We’ll give you an estimate of our arrival time, but please be flexible with us!

We know we're often not going to be the lowest-cost bidder available. We strive to pay each of our employees a living wage, to offer benefits and paid training. When you use us, more than 85% of the costs that you pay go directly back to employees (via wages and benefits). The rest of the cost pays for supplies and keeps the lights on. Choosing a small business like ours ensures that money stays directly in your community and benefits the people who do the work. For this reason, we don't match prices, but we can often come up with options to help reduce cost.

We're more than happy to help with permits! We're familiar with the permitting requirements in all of the municipalities surrounding Portland, and can help you navigate filing for a permit.

We know tree care is expensive. If you need more time to pay for your service, we can coordinate a no-interest and no-fee payment plan with you. We're happy to help come up with ways to make proper tree care accessible.

If we're working on your property, you're welcome to request that we leave any wood chips with you!

Otherwise, ChipDrop (getchipdrop.com) is a free service you can sign up for that connects landscapers and arborists with folks who are looking for mulch. Once you sign up and enter your request, anyone who might be working in your neighborhood and who might have mulch can connect with you and deliver the chips to you directly. Be sure to check out the details on their website. ChipDrop is the quickest way to get mulch, as we usually dump wood chips in the neighborhoods we are working in, and that’s not always near you!

When you agree to an estimate, you're also agreeing to our terms and conditions! You should read these to make sure you understand everything about our work contract.