The Hidden Cost of Hiring Untrained Tree Workers

Hiring untrained, unskilled, or unlicensed tree workers may seem like an easy way to save money upfront—but that short-term gain often results in irreversible damage, higher long-term costs, and serious safety risks.

Trees are living structures, not interchangeable parts. Improper pruning, topping, or removal can permanently compromise their health and structural integrity. Untrained workers commonly make flush cuts, remove excessive canopy, or ignore critical defects like weak unions and decay. These errors don’t simply grow back correctly. They create entry points for disease, accelerate decay, and destabilize the tree. In many cases, what was once a healthy, manageable tree becomes hazardous—or unsalvageable.

Attempting to repair poor tree work is often costly and sometimes impossible. Corrective pruning, cabling, or mitigation may reduce risk, but the original damage cannot be undone. Too often, a tree that could have thrived for decades is condemned to decline or removal because of one poorly executed job. What appeared to be a savings upfront ultimately leads to a far more expensive outcome.

There is also significant liability exposure. Unlicensed operators typically lack proper insurance. If a worker is injured or property is damaged, the homeowner may be financially responsible.

Another overlooked risk is job interruption. In Oregon, agencies such as the Construction Contractors Board (CCB) and the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) conduct random compliance checks. If a crew is found operating illegally, the job may be shut down mid-project, leaving hazardous, unfinished work behind.

Mature trees are long-term investments. Cutting corners in tree care often means paying twice—or losing the tree entirely.