Yes, if you have identified what you’d like to have done on your property for tree removal or tree pruning, or are looking into Plant Health Care solutions, we are happy to provide a complimentary site visit and proposal.
If you are looking to have an Arborist provide a comprehensive consultation, tree risk assessment or insurance quote, we do charge a small fee. Upon this we will provide recommendations to you via written proposal. This nominal consultation fee will get credited to any work that gets completed as a result of the consultation.
Yes! Our owner and estimator, Ralph Alfieri, has been an ISA Certified Arborist (NE-7156A) since 2016. Ralph also holds his ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), among other certifications and credentials. We also have another staff ISA Certified Arborist, Arthur Pinckney (NE-6496A).
Depending on the time of year, we typically schedule 2-4 weeks out for most tree services. The treatment window for plant health care services is dictated by what type of treatment is being completed and will be performed at the appropriate time to ensure the best results possible.
Yes, this is an additional service that can be proposed and completed upon client request. It is typically completed in the week or so following the tree removal to allow our office adequate time to “DigSafe” the property and also allows for any clean-up or log-pickup to take place prior to the stumps being ground.
Please keep in mind, DigSafe is a notification center that dispatches participating area utility companies to mark-out the location of their underground facilities in the area where we plan to grind the stumps. If you are aware of any private utilities, irrigation lines, sprinkler systems, gas lines to service a pool, barbeque or fire pit, or electric lines to service a detached garage or outside lighting, please be sure to provide us with that information as they will not be marked by the member utility companies
It depends! Typically we have to pay to dispose of logs or wood chips at area green waste facilities, so there may be a minimal cost-savings associated with keeping the logs or chips on site.
Alfieri Tree Care is located in Mashpee, Massachusetts, a one of Cape Cod’s 15 towns, located in the Upper Cape area of our humble island. We primarily service homeowners, businesses, contractors, condo associations “on Cape” (aka South of the Cape Cod Canal and the Bourne and Sagamore bridges!) and our service area extends from Bourne to Eastham.
Upper Cape:
Bourne (Buzzards Bay, Monument Beach, Pocasset, Cataumet)
Falmouth (North Falmouth, West Falmouth, Sippewissett, Woods Hole, Teaticket, East Falmouth, Hatchville, Waquoit)
Sandwich (Sagamore Beach, East Sandwich, Forestdale)
Mashpee (New Seabury & Popponsset, Monomoscoy, Seabrook, Mashpee Neck & Willowbend)
Mid Cape:
Barnstable (Cotuit, Osterville, Oyster Harbors, Marstons Mills, Centerville, West Barnstable, Cummaquid, Hyannis Port, Hyannis)
Yarmouth (Great Island, South Yarmouth, West Yarmouth, Yarmouth Port)
Dennis (Dennis Port, West Dennis, East Dennis, South Dennis)
Lower Cape:
Harwich (Harwich Port, South Harwich, North Harwich, West Harwich, Pleasant Lake)
Brewster (East Brewster, West Brewster)
Chatham (South Chatham, North Chatham)
Orleans (East Orleans, South Orleans, Namskaket)
Outer Cape:
Eastham
Our approach to tree pruning and removal takes into account multiple factors, with the trees’ location being of primary importance. We meticulously consider the layout of your property, including buildings, driveways, septic system(s), and the features of the surrounding landscape. Given our extensive experience with intricately landscaped homes throughout Cape Cod, we are adept at operating within the confines of fully developed landscapes and adjacent to septic systems. Our equipment is chosen for its minimal impact, exerting ground pressure comparable to a large commercial-grade lawn mower. For tasks that require heavier machinery or cranes, we proactively obtain as-builts and septic plans from the local health departments to guide our operations.
When necessary, or at your request, we employ specialized ground protection mats that safeguard grass, patios, and stonework from damage due to heavy equipment or foot traffic. Our team is committed to maintaining the highest standards of care and caution on your property.
Our expertise in managing high-end properties and landscapes is unparalleled. Although we are always mindful of the job site’s various elements, it’s important to recognize the inherent risks tree work poses to nearby structures, both above and below ground. Our commitment to safety, combined with our sophisticated equipment and experienced crew, ensures that we conduct our operations with the utmost precision and respect for your property.
In general, whether you need a permit for tree work on Cape Cod can depend on your specific town’s regulations, the location of the tree(s), and the type of work being performed. Many areas have specific guidelines regarding tree removal, especially for trees of a certain size, historic trees, or trees located in Conservation jurisdiction, protected areas or near wetlands.
It’s common for towns to require permits for tree removal and/or pruning on public property or within certain protected or historic districts. On private property, requirements can vary; some towns may require a permit for removal of trees over a certain size, while others may have more lenient regulations.
Given the environmental sensitivity and historical significance of many areas on Cape Cod, it’s always best to check with your local town hall or municipal planning department for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding permits for tree work. Or give us a call! We’re well-versed with communicating with many of the Cape’s Conservation Departments and can help guide you and even facilitate the process and ensure compliance with local regulations.
Unfortunately unlike other states in New England, Massachusetts does not have any laws requiring a specific license to practice arboriculture. That said, Alfieri Tree care is a registered LLC and we are fully insured to perform all aspects of tree care, tree removal and pesticide application. Our employees are also just that, our employees (rather than subcontractors) and are covered by our worker’s compensation policy. We carry $1M General Liability, $1M Auto, $5M Excess Liability and $1M Workers Compensation limits and provide a copy of our existing Evidence of Insurance to our clients or request a Certificate of Insurance for clients from our insurance agent.
While licensure is not required by the state, Alfieri Tree Care has several team members with advanced relevant certifications. These are not mandatory, but they enhance our safety protocols and deepen our understanding of all facets of tree care.
Raphael (Ralph) Alfieri – ISA Certified Arborist (NE-7156A), ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ), MA Commercial Pesticide Applicator (Cat 36 CC-0037372), Massachusetts 2A + 1C Hoisting License (HE-167610), Electrical Hazards Awareness Program (EHAP) Certified, MA Commercial Drivers License
Arthur (Bernie) Pinckney – ISA Certified Arborist (NE-6496A), MA Pesticide Applicator Core (Cat 36 AL-0034349), Massachusetts 2A + 1C Hoisting License (HE-161337), Electrical Hazards Awareness Program (EHAP) Certified, MA Commercial Drivers License
Other team members also carry EHAP certification, OSHA 10 certification and other relevant credentials.
In addition, Alfieri Tree Care is a member of the Massachusetts Arborists Association, Tree Care Industry Association and International Society of Arborists.
When scheduling an in-person site visit for your Cape Cod property, we can typically schedule a site visit within 1-3 business days of your inquiry. We can also coordinate Saturday site visits when necessitated by your schedule or visits to the Cape.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, ACH payments, checks and cash. Invoices are provided to our clients 1-2 business post-service. We ask our clients to ensure they add office@alfieritreecare.com to your email contacts to ensure seamless receipt.
The cost of tree removal varies greatly depending on a few key factors. This includes the size of the tree, equipment and resources required, the tree’s condition or location and the general complexity of the removal. Additional costs may apply for additional services such as stump grinding.
The best time to prune your Cape Cod trees depends on the type and species of tree/plant and its growth habits. Typically, the optimal time to have your trees heavily pruned is the dormant season. Here on Cape Cod, the dormant season usually takes place from winter to early-Sprung (lately that means mid-late November to the end of March).
There are several benefits to pruning in the dormant season, including;
As with most things in nature, there are some exceptions to “the rule”
Regular, light pruning to eliminate dead or diseased branches can be completed throughout the year with minimal impact on the tree.
A great resource to view native plants and trees: https://capecodnativeplants.org/find-plants/
In short, yes. Massachusetts case law permits you to prune or reduce any branches on your property back to the property line. While permission from your neighbor is not legally required, it is of course, the neighborly approach and usually a good idea to bring up with neighbors prior to coordinating pruning.
Our PHC technicians utilize a variety of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, horticultural oils, and organic (OMRI) certified materials. The materials we use are all regulated and approved by the EPA. All plant health care applications are made by a Massachusetts Certified Pesticide Applicator. With pesticide use the “label is the law,” and our applicators adhere to each material’s label which dictates recommended application rates, method, frequency and protective measures. With all applications, we consider the potential impact on non-target organisms and the environment, such as avoiding any plant material in bloom to avoid causing undue harm to pollinators and other beneficial insects.
Depending on the type of application, please allow 30-45 minutes of dry time. Most treatments are “rain-safe” after this period of time.
