Snyder Tree Service LLC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Snyder Tree Service insured? Snyder Tree Service is fully insured. Certificates of Insurance are provided upon request.

Are your estimates free? Yes! Please click on the link to request a free estimate online, or give us a call at 717-580-5474 to schedule an appointment.

Who will be doing my free estimate? Graham Snyder, the Business Owner and professional arborist, or Greg Lowe, West Shore Crew Leader completes estimates for Snyder Tree Service. Please click on either of their names to be directed to a more specific bio of each of our estimators or visit the Our Team page.

Does someone need to be at my property during the estimate or during the completion of my job? If a customer is able to adequately explain and/or mark trees, stumps, shrubs, etc. he or she does not need to be present for either the estimate or the job. We do; however, recommend customers be present for trimming estimates.

My estimate was completed, now what? If the customer is present and would like to proceed with the job, the estimator will provide the client with a proposal for signature approval. The job will be scheduled for the next available opening. If a client desires to take more time to consider the proposal, he or she may do so. Jobs will not be scheduled without a signed proposal.
If the customer is not present, the proposal will be either emailed or mailed to the client for consideration.

What does my estimate for tree removal include? Generally when a tree is removed, the trunk will be cut where the root flare begins and there is no dirt within 2” of the cut. Stump grinding is not included unless requested by the customer and will be itemized as a separate cost on a proposal. Estimates also include clean up – without stump grinding: area is raked free of debris; with stump grinding: chips are taken away and the area is raked and leveled.

What is included in stump removal? Typically stump removal includes clean up of all chips with the area left raked and level. Surface roots are an extra charge unless specifically included in the proposal.

What does no clean up mean? No clean up for dropping a tree means that all brush and wood are left behind for the property owner. No clean up for a stump removal means leaving the stump grindings where they are with no raking.

Will you leave marks in my yard? Because our trucks are very heavy, we do our best to assess ground conditions before accessing trees through yards. However, we cannot always guarantee that no damage will be done to the yard. While care will be taken to protect property, we cannot be held responsible for repairing damage to the lawn itself. For an extra charge, we do offer mats to help distribute the weight of the truck. This does not insure that no ruts will be made, but it often times helps to protect the yard.

Is topping trees a good idea? Generally, no. We agree with Tree Care Industry Association’s assessment in the article Topping is for Ice Cream not Trees

Can you trim trees at any time of year? Summer is the best time to assess tree health, but it is generally easier on the tree to trim in fall or winter. For some species of trees, pruning during the dormant season is more important. Hot, dry parts of the summer would typically not be the best time to trim when trees are under drought stress. The best time to remove deadwood when leaves are changing, but we still are able to remove 80-90% of deadwood if the tree has no leaves.

What are some ways I can reduce the price of my job? Do it yourself – just kidding! Most tree accidents that happen involve homeowners, ladders and chainsaws. Realistically, the list below outlines ways to reduce costs from greatest cost savings to least.

1. Drop tree only without doing any clean up
2. Drop tree, clean up brush, leave wood for property owner, no stump grinding
3. Drop tree, remove wood and brush and clean area, no stump grinding
4. Drop tree, remove wood and brush, stump grinding without clean up

I signed my proposal and either mailed, faxed, or emailed it to Snyder Tree Service. What is the next step? Once a signed proposal has been received by our office, the job will be scheduled for the next available opening. Once the job has been scheduled our secretary, Tameka, will call customers with a date.

Do I need to get a permit? Some townships and municipalities may require a permit for tree removal. Since each governing body is different, customers should contact their specific city, township, or borough. Harrisburg city requires residents to obtain a permit. You may click on the links below to get more information from individual Shade Tree Commissions. Please note that this list is not exhaustive.

• Harrisburg City
• Lower Paxton Township
• Susquehanna Township
• Mechanicsburg Borough

Do I need to call PA1Call or my utilities provider? If your job requires a PA1Call as a result of stump grinding that may be near buried utility lines (gas, electric, communications), Snyder Tree Service will make the call on your behalf.
If a customer requires a temporary disconnect of the electric service to their home, it is the responsibility of the client to contact their service provider(s) to request this service. It is suggested that utility provider(s) are contacted several weeks in advance of their scheduled job for notification. Follow up again a few days in advance just to confirm the disconnect of services.

What, if anything, do I need to do to prepare for the Crew to complete the job on my property? When our estimator is at your property, he will give specific directions to the property owner regarding movement of cars, requesting neighbor permissions, or requesting temporary electric service disconnects if they are needed. These requests will also be listed on the proposal. Otherwise, no work is needed from you for our crew to complete your job.

My job involves my neighbor’s property, what should I do?  Any involvement of a neighbor’s property requires written approval by your neighbor. The estimator will tell you if you need to request a neighbor’s permission.

Do you sell firewood? Yes! Snyder Tree Service offers delivery as well as Load Your Own firewood services. Please click on the link to find out more information.

What forms of payment do you accept? Snyder Tree Service accepts cash and checks. Checks are the preferred method of payment. Receipts will be distributed via mail or email to every client for whom we have this information on file.

I have more questions! For questions that are not addressed on this FAQ’s page, please call our secretary, Tameka. She will gladly answer any additional questions you may have. She may be reached by calling 717-580-5474.