Tree-care requests
What to include in a tree-work request
Describe the tree, what you have noticed, your preferred outcome, and site access. Give a tree-care professional a clearer starting point.
“Please look at my tree” is a starting point. A few more details can make the next conversation much more useful. The aim is not to write a technical report. It is to explain the situation clearly enough that a professional knows what to ask next.
Identify the tree and its position
Describe the location in ordinary language: “the large tree beside the rear shed” or “the smaller tree nearest the front gate”. If there is more than one tree, number them and use the same labels for your photos.
Include the species only if you know it. An approximate size can help set the scene, but label it as an estimate. Do not climb or approach a hazard to measure it.
Say what you have actually noticed
Describe visible observations: a branch on the ground, a change in leaf coverage, a crack you have noticed, or a part of the tree obstructing an entrance. Include when you first saw it and whether it appears to have changed since then.
Avoid turning an observation into a diagnosis. “There is a dark patch on the trunk” is a fact you can report. The cause and its importance are questions for a qualified professional.
Explain the outcome you want
You may want advice before deciding on work. You may want routine maintenance, more clearance, or an assessment of a specific concern. Say that directly.
You can describe a preference without deciding the solution in advance. For example: “I would prefer to keep the tree if suitable options are available.” The professional can explain what needs assessing and which options may be appropriate.
Show the surroundings and access
Include photos of the whole tree and its setting as well as any detail that can be photographed safely. Buildings, boundaries, paths, and gates help explain the site.
Mention access restrictions, locked entrances, steps, or times when someone can meet the professional. Do not include gate codes or other sensitive access information in a public document. Share those privately when necessary.
Distinguish timing from an emergency
If there is a planned building project or another deadline, state the date and explain it. Do not assume a request has been accepted or an appointment booked until the professional confirms.
TreeCue is not an emergency service. If there is immediate danger, keep away from the area and contact the relevant local emergency service or utility rather than waiting for a response through the app.
Use this short request outline
Tree: Which tree and where it stands.
Observation: What I can see and when I first noticed it.
Outcome: What I would like help deciding or arranging.
Photos: Wider views and safely captured details.
Access: Known restrictions and appointment arrangements.
Timing: Any relevant deadline, without assuming availability.
A well-prepared request is the first step towards getting quotes, but it is not itself a diagnosis, quote, or work order. See how TreeCue matches your request with suitable providers nearby or prepare for an arborist visit.