Called United Voice for Healthier Communities, the group includes the California Urban Forests Council and the Western Chapter of the International Society of Aboriculture.

"(Property owners and others) who don’t understand the dangers involved in tree care are hiring unskilled workers who are dying to trim their trees,” said Andy Trotter, Chairman of UVHC. "Property owners need to exercise extreme caution when arranging for tree care, especially care of palm trees."

This autumn, two men died trimming palm tress in Southern California. A resident in Fallbrook died after being trapped by palm fronds in a tree on his property and a worker in Cerritos died after he sustained fatal injuries working on a palm tree some 40 feet above ground. A third worker, part of a tree trimming crew, died working with a wood chipper.

UVHC, a coalition of arborists, urban foresters and tree care professionals, is urging everyone to take essential steps before hiring anyone to trim a tree or attempting to do that job themselves.

These steps are:

• Check credentials and references

• Check for a contractors license

• Confirm that workers are covered by workers' compensation and liability insurance

• Seek professional guidance, especially when planning to trim trees on one's own

ISA/Western Chapter maintains a toll-free number with experts on call who can advise on tree care: 1-866-785-TREE (8733). The International Society of Arboriculture also has a hotline for tree care, 1-888-ISA-TREE (472-8733).

Source: United Voice for Healthier Communities
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