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

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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?EUR??,,????'?????<
• Seek professional guidance, especially when planning to trim trees on one?EUR??,,????'?????<

ISA/Western Chapter maintains a toll-free number with experts on call who can advise on tree care: 1-866-785-8960. The International Society of Arboriculture also has a hotline for tree care, 1-888-ISA-TREE (472-8733).