For tree service owners
How do I answer customer questions about tree disease on the phone?
Short answer
Give general guidance only, ask for clear photos, and offer a site visit or point them to a certified arborist or their local extension office for a diagnosis. Do not promise a cure over the phone.
By Umair Nawaz. Published October 25, 2026. General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice.
The longer answer
Yellow leaves, spots and sudden dieback can come from many causes, including drought, root damage, pests and disease. Many look alike, so a phone call is rarely enough to tell.
Ask the caller to text close-up photos of the leaves, bark and base of the tree, plus one photo of the whole tree. Use them to decide whether a visit makes sense.
If the problem may be serious, suggest a certified arborist or the local university extension office. Do not promise a cure. Spraying or treating trees may require a pesticide license in your state, so check the rules before offering it. This is general information, not legal advice.
If the caller says the tree looks like it could fall or is near wires, tell them to keep people away from it and not to cut it themselves.
More answers for owners
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- How do I calculate my break-even point for a tree job?Read the answer
- How do I claim my Google Business Profile as a tree service?Read the answer
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