Frequently Asked Questions

Utility Tree Trimmer (UTT) Certification is mandatory for any person who undertakes to prune or clear trees or vegetation in proximity to energized power lines or electrical equipment, structures, and conductors. UTT certification is mandatory for many commercial and public projects. Kildonan Tree Service is one of the only companies in Manitoba qualified to train UTT certified arborists.

The UTT Certification course was created and is maintained by the Professional Vegetation Managers Association or PVMA (formerly IVMAA) in association with the Electrical Safety Technical Service Division of Alberta Labour, Olds College and major utilities and their contractors in Alberta.

In order to qualify for UTT Certification, individuals are required to complete training in electrical awareness, theory, and outdoor experience and then complete 1,200 hours (approximately eight months) of tree cutting or trimming in proximity to energized power lines, of which 600 hours trimming trees are from an aerial device.

Proper tree care is an investment that can lead to substantial returns. Well-cared-for trees are attractive and can add considerable value to your property. Poorly maintained trees can be a significant liability. Pruning or removing trees, especially large trees, can be dangerous work. Tree work should be done only by those trained and equipped to work safely in trees.

By definition, an arborist is a trained specialist in the art and science of planting, caring for, and maintaining individual trees. Arborists are knowledgeable about the needs of trees and are trained and equipped to provide proper care.

1. Request a quote: Call a service representative or complete our online quote form. We will evaluate your site within two business days and provide a detailed written quote. We pride ourselves on efficient service and competitive pricing.
2. Confirm the work order: We will go through your quote with you line by line to confirm the scope of work and will provide you with an estimated timeline for work to be complete. If at any time you would like the scope to change, just give us a call — we are able to accommodate most requests.
3. Your tree service arrives: While your presence is not required on site, some customers choose to be there when we are. Upon request, we can provide a window of time in which you can expect us to be on-site. We provide a range of times to allow for variables that are beyond our control (weather, unexpected obstructions, and jobsite challenges). We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
4. Clean up: There are a number of variables that can affect a job’s complexity and how long it takes to complete. In most cases, clean-up is done the day after the cutting portion of your job is complete.

Our preferred payment method is e-transfer. Payments can be sent to [email protected] using the provided password. We also accept cash, cheque, Visa, and Mastercard.

There are a number of variables that can affect a job’s complexity and how long it takes to complete. In most cases, clean-up will be done the day after the cutting portion of your job is complete. When we provide your estimate, and as a job progresses, we will keep you informed of when you can expect clean-up to happen.

Tree care is a dangerous profession, both in terms of personal injury and property damage. If a tree care company cannot product a current, adequate insurance certificate for you, there is a chance you could be held liable for property damage or personal injury that occurs on your property. Kildonan Tree Service is fully insured by the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba and has full third-party liability coverage. We welcome you to ask any questions you may have about our insurance and are pleased to provide documentation upon request.

Each tree and situation is unique. The main factors we evaluate when determining cost are:

• Size of the tree
• Time spent completing work on the tree
• Location of the tree
• Obstacles around and/or below the tree

If a tree being removed or pruned has many obstacles below it, such as houses, garages, decks, fences, pools, sheds, or power lines, it will take more time to complete the job safely.

Kildonan Tree Service is fully qualified to prune city-owned boulevard trees near private property; however, there are some steps that property owners must follow in order to obtain permission for this work:

1. First, visit the City of Winnipeg Urban Forestry  page and fill out the Agreement for Contractors to Perform Arboricultural Services on Trees Under the Control of the Urban Forestry Branch.
2. This agreement must be signed both by you (the property owner) and us (the contractor).
3. We will then email the agreement to our contacts at the City of Winnipeg Urban Forestry Branch, who will visit or otherwise review the tree to evaluate whether or not the proposed work may be approved.
4. Within 10 working days, you will be notified of whether or not the work is approved.

We strongly encourage you to review the FAQ section on the City of Winnipeg Urban Forestry page prior to initiating this process to ensure you have a full understanding of the procedures and costs involved.

The emerald ash borer is a highly invasive and destructive insect that feeds on and kills ash trees. Emerald Ash Borers were first found in Manitoba in 2017.

Adult emerald ash borers feed on the foliage of ash trees while the larvae feed on the tissue beneath the bark, preventing water and nutrients from circulating throughout the tree and eventually killing it. Once emerald ash borers are detected in a tree, they cannot be eradicated. Because the presence of emerald ash borers is very hard to detect in the early stages, it often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. This means preventative measures are our best hope to preserve ash trees and prevent the devastating spread of this invasive insect.

Detecting emerald ash borers
Signs of emerald ash borer infestation include unusually high woodpecker activity and D-shaped exit holes in the bark of the ash tree from where the beetles emerge around May. Property owners can also examine their ash trees for split bark on the trunk or branches and serpentine tunnels under the bark where the larvae have travelled through.

Adult emerald ash borers average about half an inch in length, and are a shiny metallic green in colour, revealing a bright red abdomen when their wings are pulled back. Emerald ash borer larvae are creamy white in colour.

Additional means of emerald ash borer prevention
The province makes the following recommendations to prevent the spread of the beetle:

• Don’t move firewood.
• Burn firewood where you buy it
• Plant a variety of tree species to increase diversity
• Learn how to identify an ash tree
• Learn how to identify the signs and symptoms of emerald ash borers

Tree worms, including cankerworms and forest tent caterpillars, can wreak havoc on your landscaping. At Kildonan Tree Service, we treat worm-infested foliage with an environmentally friendly insecticide known as BTK (brand name Dipel), which is safe to humans, crops, bees, and beneficial insects. This safe, reliable, cost-effective spray contains naturally occurring ingredients and microorganisms rather than chemicals. It works by crystallizing on the surface of leaves. The worms then feed on the crystals, instead of the leaves, which causes their digestive systems to shut down. As a result, the worms stop feeding on the organic materials, and your foliage — as well as our environment — is protected.