FAQs

First, assess the situation from a safe distance. Trees or large branches, whether on the ground or on a building or vehicle, can shift or cause a damaged home, for example, to shift after the initial impact. This is even more important if power lines are down. If power lines are down due to the fallen tree, you should call 911 or a non-emergency number depending on whether there's likely a safety issue due to the downed power lines. Then, notify your utility company.

If there is damage to your property, take photos from a safe distance outlining the damage. More photos covering different angles of damage is better than fewer photos showing only a couple of angles. Call your home or auto insurance company if appropriate. Document everything.

If the tree is large or on a building or vehicle, contact a tree removal professional to get the tree removed safely. While some homeowners may be able to clear up a smaller tree that has fallen into their yard safely, any trees that have fallen onto a building or vehicle, or very large trees, should be cleaned up by insured professionals only for your safety.

Costs for tree removal can vary significantly. Factors include:

• Tree size (width) and height - larger trees can incur higher costs
• Tree health - damaged, dying or dead trees present additional challenges to remove them safely, especially if large
• Tree accessibility - trees that are intertwined with power lines, positioned over buildings or are difficult to access or remove due to location may incur higher costs
• Stump removal - if you want the stump removed along with the tree, that will incur higher costs than if the stump is left

Generally, if you're just trimming small, healthy trees, have the tools available and there is limited risk of minor injury and no property damage, you can likely take the DIY approach. That said, if you're concerned with tree health, it's best to speak with a certified arborist to ensure your trees are trimmed in a way that promotes better tree health.

In any situation where your tree trimming involves heights, branches over buildings or power lines, damaged trees or dead branches or just large branches that are out of reach, you should hire an insured tree-trimming professional to handle the tree trimming for you.

Though this can vary by the type of tree, generally it's best to trim your trees in late winter to early spring. Leaves aren't present which makes it easier to see what needs done, and it's healthier for the trees. For certain tree species, it may be better to trim them in late summer or early fall. For evergreen trees, it's generally recommended to trim them late spring to early summer. It is not recommended to trim trees during the spring, which is the growth season. If you're concerned with optimal tree health, you should speak with a certified arborist to discuss the best options for the trees you want trimmed.

There are several indicators that may indicated a health problem with your tree:

• Leaf growth - leaves that are unusually discolored for the season, fill out less or are more sparse seasonally than in the past, or fall too early in the season may indicate a tree health problem.
• Pest infestation - Webbing, leaves that have obvious insect activity, holes in the bark or sawdust at the trunk of the tree are indicators of a tree that needs a health assessment. 
• Rot or decay - brittle or dead branches, branches that no longer produce leaves or fungal growth around the trunk of the tree can indicate substantial tree health issues that need to be addressed. 
• Bark issues -  Sunken or unusual growth spots on a tree (cankers), bark that excessively sheds or falls off or cracks and splits showing up in a trees bark can indicate issues or disease.

Ultimately, it comes down to safety. A few dead branches on a tree, or uncontrolled overgrowth and some minor health issues can often be addressed by dealing with the problem areas, thus you can safely keep the tree with a little bit of TLC. However, if large portions of the tree are dying or dead, cracks or splits exist in major parts of the tree, roots are exposed, damaged or the tree is leaning, the tree has substantial disease or poses a safety issue due to its size and proximity to buildings or power lines along with other factors, it may need to be removed.  We can help you assess whether your tree can be simply trimmed or whether it needs to be removed. 

Yes, keeping your trees trimmed and healthy plays a substantial role in minimizing or preventing damage during storms. 

By removing dead or dying branches, you remove the risk of those branches causing damage or injury. Strategically trimming your trees can reduce wind resistance so that strong winds are better-able to blow through your trees rather blow into your trees like into a wall, decreasing the chances of taking it down. Further, by maintaining the health of your tree, such as dealing with potential disease or nutritional deficiencies, you make your tree stronger, thus it can better handle strong storms that may blow through.

If you have experience, equipment and there is a low risk of marginal injuries while working with a smaller tree, it can be safe to perform your own tree trimming or even tree removal if there's no risk of damage. For example, if you want to trim a tree that you can reach from the ground, safely, or even cut down a small tree in the middle of your otherwise-barren yard, this may be safe. If you want to cut off large branches on a tree, need to use a ladder to trim a tree, remove a tree that is taller than 15-20 feet, has a wide trunk, or has any obstacles in any direction that it could fall on - you should instead consult with an experienced professional. 

While this may vary somewhat based on the type of tree services you're looking for, the big three are: they should be insured, have experience and have the equipment for the job. Certifications can play a role if you're concerned about tree health and not just simple tree or stump removal. While newer, thus less experienced tree service providers may be able to do an adequate or fine job, many tree-related jobs have substantial safety ramifications. Your safety, the safety of your property and the safety of the tree company's workers while on your property. Probably the best indicator of a reputable tree service company is one that has been in business for years or decades and continues to provide services to the same customers, along with some new ones, over the course of years.