What trimming actually does
A good trim is not a haircut — it’s maintenance. Here’s what we take care of:
- Deadwood. Dead limbs are the first thing to come down in a storm. Removing them is the cheapest insurance a tree gets.
- Roof clearance. Limbs resting on or scraping a roof wear through shingles and give squirrels a front door. We cut them back with clearance to spare.
- Crown cleaning. Crossing and rubbing branches, weak forks, and crowded growth — cleared out so the crown gets light and air.
- Shape and balance. A lopsided crown pulls a tree off balance. Selective cuts bring it back into balance without hacking it.
- Storm prep. Thinning a dense crown lets wind pass through instead of pushing the whole tree over.
What we never do
We never top a tree — cutting the top off a mature tree leaves stubs that rot, and the regrowth that follows is weakly attached and breaks off in the next storm. Proper pruning cuts to the branch collar, where the tree can heal. If someone offers to “top” your oak, that’s your sign to call someone else.
When to trim
Late winter and early spring are usually best for most trees — the structure is easy to see without leaves, and the tree recovers quickly as it leafs out. But dead or hazardous limbs should come off whenever they are found, in any season. If a limb is hanging over a bedroom or a driveway, don’t wait for spring.
Trimming vs. removal
Most trees that look rough can be saved with a good trim. If a tree is dead, hollow, or leaning hard toward the house, trimming won’t fix it — that’s a removal. Not sure which one you’re looking at? An arborist assessment will tell you straight.