Six things worth knowing about your trees
Signs a tree is becoming a hazard
Mushrooms at the base, a hollow that sounds dull when you knock on it, a fresh lean with soil lifted on the opposite side, or a big dead limb hanging in the crown. Any one of those is worth a look before the next storm.
When to prune in North Carolina
Late winter, roughly January through early March, is the best window for most hardwoods here. The tree is dormant, the structure is visible, and it heals fast in spring. Storm damage and dead wood come out any time of year.
How much to take off a crown
No more than a quarter of the living crown in one season, and never a topping cut. Topping forces weak regrowth that fails in the next wind. If a company offers to top your tree, call someone else.
What to do about the stump
Grinding takes the stump six to ten inches below grade so you can seed or sod over it. Grinding deeper matters if you plan to plant another tree in the same spot, so tell us at the estimate.
Storms and your insurance
Most policies cover removal when a tree hits a structure, not when it simply falls in the yard. Photograph everything before anyone cuts, and get the debris pile documented. We can provide a written invoice for your claim.
Trees on a property line
If the trunk straddles the line it belongs to both neighbours, and both need to agree before it comes down. Talk to them first. We will happily quote it for each of you separately.
When in doubt, have someone look at it
A walkthrough costs nothing and takes about twenty minutes. If your tree is healthy we will tell you so and leave it standing. We would rather do that than take down something that had another thirty years in it.
Frequently asked questions
Still deciding? Book a free on-site tree estimate and we will give you a straight answer in person.
