Moorhead citizens who are in need of tree care at their homes are advised to use the services of a licensed tree contractor. The City of Moorhead issues a license to tree contractors who work within city limits. The license ensures the contractor has paid a fee, obtained a performance bond, and has liability and workers compensation insurance. The license needs to be updated by the contractor every year.

A tree contractor will specialize in tree and shrub removals, pruning and trimming, cabling and bracing, and mechanical stump removal. A licensed tree contractor is also used by the City of Moorhead Forestry Department to remove diseased or dead elm trees from private property. Businesses offering only tree planting services are not required to have a contractors' license unless they also perform the activities mentioned above.

The City of Moorhead Forestry Department does not recommend the services of any one licensed contractor over another. The homeowner is advised to ask for references and credentials and to perhaps inspect previous work sites when they are deciding which firm to hire.

Many tree contractors now have on staff one or more Certified Arborists. A Certified Arborist has gained certification through the International Society of Arboriculture. The certification means the arborist has an educational background in many aspects of proper tree care. There is a continuing education component to the Certified Arborist licensing to ensure the arborist stays well informed. Additionally, certificates are available in areas like Climber Specialist, an Aerial Lift Specialist, and a Utility Specialist. A Certified Arborist might also offer services like tree identification and planting suggestions, disease diagnosis and tree valuations.

There may be instances when a tree contractor works in Moorhead who has not obtained the necessary license from the City. These contractors are advised by the Forestry Department to halt their activities until they have obtained the necessary paperwork and produced the necessary bonding and insurance coverage to ensure they meet the licensing requirements. Simply because a tree contractor advertises in the Moorhead area does not mean they are properly licensed with the city. These contractor licensing requirements are a safety measure to protect the homeowner should there be an accident. Those tree contractors who opt not to obtain a license with the City of Moorhead are not allowed to work in the City limits. A tree contractor selling their services door to door should be asked to produce their current contractor's license to ensure they are a legitimate company.

The City of Moorhead Forestry Department maintains a list of licensed tree contractors. The list of contractors is updated throughout the year and is available on the City web site and through the Forestry office by calling 299-5430.