How to Hire a Tree Service in Texas

Last reviewed October 22, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm anything important with the agency named.

There's no Texas tree-service license

Texas has no state license for tree trimming or tree removal, and no state arborist license, according to business-licensing research such as this 2026 Texas overview. That means a truck lettered "licensed tree service" doesn't tell you much. Confirm with the state if a company claims a specific license. In practice, protecting yourself comes down to insurance, paperwork and how the crew works.

The exception: pesticides

One part of tree care is licensed. The Texas Department of Agriculture says anyone who applies any pesticide to ornamental plants, trees, lawns or weeds for hire must be licensed by TDA. That includes general-use products and covers treatments like insecticide or fungicide applications, oak wilt treatments and herbicide on stumps or resprouts. Applying only fertilizer doesn't require a license. If a quote includes spraying, injecting or treating, ask for the applicator's TDA license number.

ISA certification is voluntary, but you can check it

"Certified Arborist" is a private credential from the International Society of Arboriculture, not a state license. It's worth asking for when you need a health or risk assessment on a valuable tree. Anyone can claim it, so verify the certification with ISA by name or certification number.

Ask for proof of insurance

Tree work is dangerous, and damage to a roof, fence or car can be expensive. Before anyone climbs:

Ask for a certificate of general liability insurance. Better yet, ask the insurer or agent to send it to you directly, and check that the dates are current and the business name matches the quote.
Ask about workers' compensation. Texas doesn't require most private employers to carry it, so ask how injuries on your property would be handled. Talk to your own homeowner's insurer if you're unsure what your policy covers.
Check that the coverage fits the job. A lawn-care policy may not cover climbing and removal work.

Get a written estimate

A good estimate removes most surprises. It should spell out:

Exactly which trees and limbs will be cut, and how. Watch for "topping." Our trimming page explains why to avoid it.
Cleanup: is all wood and brush hauled, chipped, left as firewood, or stacked for City pickup? See the brush pickup guide for the City's limits.
Stump grinding: included or not, how deep, and whether chips are removed.
Price, payment terms and when payment is due.
Who is responsible for damage to lawn, fences, sprinklers and driveways.

Get more than one estimate on a large job, and compare scopes, not just totals. Be cautious of door-to-door offers right after storms, cash-only deals, and requests for full payment before the work is done.

Power lines: know who does what

AEP Texas is the electric delivery utility in the Laredo area. Its tree problem page draws a clear line:

Pole-to-pole lines. AEP Texas trims or removes trees growing too close to the lines that run from pole to pole. Report a problem tree with the online form, and AEP's forestry team will inspect it. AEP's reliability and tree trimming page explains its line-clearing program.
Your service drop. AEP does not trim trees around the service drop, the line from its pole to your house. That's the property owner's responsibility. AEP asks you to call it at least two business days before scheduled work so a crew can temporarily disconnect the line. Use the number listed on AEP's page.
Emergencies. If a pole is down or branches have fallen on lines, AEP says to report it immediately and to never go near or touch a power line. AEP warns that trimming near power lines should be done only by trained professionals.

Any crew you hire should ask about overhead lines when quoting, and should never work a tree that's in contact with an energized line. See the power-line section of our tree trimming page.

Know the local rules

A good crew knows the local rules, but the responsibility is usually yours as the owner. Trees on public land in Laredo with an 8-inch caliper are protected under the City's code. HOAs may have their own rules. Before any stump grinding or digging, contact Texas811, which asks homeowners to call or submit a request at least two business days ahead. Details are in our Laredo permit guide.

A note about this site

Laredo Tree Removal is a referral site that connects Laredo homeowners with local tree crews. We don't do tree work ourselves. When you send a request, it goes to one independent local provider, who quotes and performs the work. Everything above applies to that provider too: ask for insurance, get the estimate in writing, and decide only when you're comfortable. Browse tree removal, trimming, stump grinding, storm work or lot clearing.

Common questions

Do tree services need a license in Texas?

Texas does not issue a state license for tree trimming or removal, and there is no state arborist license. The exception is pesticide work: the Texas Department of Agriculture requires a license to apply any pesticide to trees, ornamentals, lawns or weeds for hire.

What insurance should a tree service have?

Ask for a current certificate of general liability insurance, ideally sent directly from the insurer, and ask how worker injuries are covered, since Texas does not require most private employers to carry workers' compensation.

Who trims trees near power lines in Laredo?

AEP Texas handles trees near its pole-to-pole lines and takes reports online. Trees around the service drop to your house are the property owner's responsibility. AEP asks for at least two business days' notice so it can temporarily disconnect the line.

Is an ISA Certified Arborist the same as a license?

No. ISA certification is a voluntary private credential, not a state license. You can verify a certification on the ISA website.