Hiring guide
How to Choose a Tree Service in Ocala
A practical checklist before you sign anything.
Licensing
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) does not require a state construction contractor license for tree trimming or tree removal. In Ocala and Marion County, ask for the company's local business tax receipt, active general liability and Florida Chapter 440 workers' compensation insurance certificates, and — for pruning or statutory hazard assessments under Fla. Stat. § 163.045 — an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist credential verified at treesaregood.org. (source, checked 2026-10-23)
Insurance
Ask for proof of general liability and workers' compensation coverage, and check it's current.
Written estimate & contract
Scope, materials, timeline, cleanup, payment schedule and warranty terms, all in writing.
Storm-chaser red flags
Door-to-door pitches right after storms, pressure to sign today, or big upfront cash demands.
Insurance claims
You deal with your insurer directly. Read your policy for deadlines. This is general information, not legal or insurance advice.
Independent research
Look up reviews and complaints on independent sites such as the BBB before you hire.
Vetting a tree service in Ocala and Marion County
Because Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) does not issue a state contractor license for tree trimming or removal, any individual with a chainsaw and pickup truck can advertise tree work after a storm. Protect yourself by verifying the company's local business tax receipt, requesting a current certificate of commercial general liability insurance directly from their agent, and checking active workers' compensation coverage (or valid construction/non-construction status) through the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation Proof of Coverage portal.
When hiring for live-tree structural pruning or when relying on Florida Statute § 163.045 to remove a hazardous tree on a single-family residential lot without a local permit, verify that the assessing arborist holds an active International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist credential (and ideally the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, TRAQ) at treesaregood.org, or is a Florida-licensed landscape architect.
Sources: Florida DBPR — Construction License Assist Brochure (Tree Work Exemption) · International Society of Arboriculture — Verify a Credential · Florida Division of Workers' Compensation — Proof of Coverage Search · checked 2026-10-23
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