FAQ

Yes, for both tree care and landscaping work. However, I am not insured to cut down large trees, transport heavy equipment, or apply controlled chemicals.

No, but I have close relationships with people who are. This includes International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified professionals, Native Plant Specialists, Stormwater Management Specialists, Master Watershed Stewards, Forestry Stewards, and more. Meanwhile, I am cautious, curious, and dedicated to acting in the best interests of my human clients and their non-human environment. When you hire Natural Renderings, you gain access to a broad network–built over decades–of people I am happy to recommend if the situation warrants it.

Pennsylvania’s Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection has issued my homeowner’s contractor license (#PA190509). You can confirm this by calling 1-888-520-6680 or using the online search tool. In truth, I likely did not need to obtain this license, as I am not performing any hardscape improvements, but I elected to do so to ease any concerns you might have about the legitimacy of my services.

While I’d love to say that satisfaction is guaranteed, in nature, there are no guarantees. Instead, I can only promise to communicate clearly, operate ethically, and act according to the written proposal, which needs to be agreed upon and signed before work begins. Unless you request otherwise, I will keep you informed as work progresses and will involve you in any decisions related to challenges or other questions that might arise. Each day of each job shall end in a walkthrough of the job site, so any concerns can be addressed immediately. Once the job is approved and paid for, no refunds will be given.

As for cancellations, they can ruin a one-person business. I ask that customers communicate any scheduling concerns as soon as they arise, and I prefer 24-hour notice be given when possible. Customers who cancel without cause will risk the relationship; repeated cancellations will result in removal from my client list. All customers reserve the right to stop work at any time; the resulting bill will be adjusted accordingly.

A vegetated area of land that runs adjacent to water and serves numerous ecological services, the most notable of which is protecting water quality. While vegetation of any kind can help to stabilize streambanks, etc., mechanical weed control can improve the buffer’s ecological function, especially when establishing a new buffer zone. Click here for more information.

A legal, voluntary agreement that permanently restricts land use to protect its conservation value. There are many types of easements, each with its own benefits, drawbacks, restrictions, structures, and goals. Easements can provide tax relief to the property owner in exchange for the ecological services the land gives to the entire community. Terms of the agreement typically specify some stewardship requirements in order to ensure the conservation value of the land is retained.

By hiring me, you know exactly who will perform the work.

There are educated, dedicated, skilled, and passionate volunteers out there, and volunteer coordinators typically supervise and train them to achieve the task at hand. The volunteers typically sign a waiver of liability and come as a fleet, since a team with many hands makes the work easier and more efficient. But availability may be limited, depending on circumstances such as the number of easements the organization manages. Or, the skills of the volunteers may not match the task at hand. In short, you just don’t know.

If you have an enormous task at hand, volunteers are a fantastic resource. However, if you’re looking to build an ongoing relationship with a single individual who has a broad set of skills and experience, liability insurance, and a mission that focuses on you and your easement’s goals, we should definately talk. I can also be hired to address any gaps left after a volunteer workday.

If you give to the land, the land will give to you. Woodlands and naturalized areas can produce renewable resources such as mushrooms, nuts, berries, seeds, lumber, syrup, firewood, and other forest products.

First, I don’t have the means of transporting nor do I own a commercial mower. Second, there are many lower-cost options available to you for mowing. If mowing is part of the maintenance plan for pathways and recreation areas within a naturalized property, I can create a visible boundary for your mowing contractor follow with special attention paid to removal of any debris from inside that boundry. Also, I can  coordinate my work schedule with mowing contractors for efficiency and impact. Lastly, I am happy to share mowing strategies that can be useful when converting lawn to no-mow meadows and the like.

I can help if the beds are an extension of an overall naturalized design, but I do not tend formal flowerbeds or containers. However, I love to assistant vegetable and flower gardeners who need some company, because I want to make it possible for physically challenged or overwhelmed individuals to continue to enjoy their garden hobby.

Yes. Tell me what you need, and I’ll connect you with someone who knows how I can help.

I was the third person on a three- to four-person crew for about five years. Our employer, a certified arborist for 47 years, never wavered from his “what the tree needs” philosophy, sometimes to the frustration of members of his extensive client base. We never topped, lion’s tailed, or butchered trees in any way, with the only exception being removing healthy trees under necessary circumstances. My “groundie” role included site setup, climber assistance, shrub pruning, pole-saw pruning, chipper operation, and lots and lots and lots of dragging brush and raking up sticks. Our employer retired the crew in Sept. 2023.

I attended the Penn Del ISA Chapter’s Shade Tree Symposium and have pursued various in-person and online training courses on my own time. This includes Climbing 101 and Aerial Rescue 101 out of a desire to become a more efficient climber’s assistant and to be better prepared in the event of a climbing-related emergency.

No. One of the reasons why I decided to become a contractual worker after my previous employer retired is that I wanted flexibility in determining who I work with. Life is too short – and this job is too hazardous – to work with people who care more about proving something than they do teamwork. I have been witness to the authentic brotherhood (and sisterhood) that comes with being part of a great crew. I only want to continue that experience. Meanwhile, I won’t ignore the limits of my strength or stamina. I will, however, offset them with other important qualities such as patience, communication, a willingness to see others succeed, and sensitivity to the needs of the customer and the trees. Building relationships, working outside, having fun, fostering a culture of safe and ethical tree work: that’s what I care about, and I only want to work with others who do, too.

That is a question for your insurance advisor. I am not required to carry worker’s compensation, as I have no employees. However, we shall exchange proof of liability insurance documents during the time period we work together in order to satisfy the requirements of the standard liability policy’s audit.

Please see second question under Property Owners above.

Don’t hesitate to contact me.