Can my tree be saved, or does it have to come down?

Often it can be saved. Pruning out deadwood, reducing weight on a heavy limb or cabling a weak fork can give a tree many more years. If the trunk or main roots are badly decayed, removal is the safer choice, and we will show you why.

What time of year should I schedule pruning?

For most shade trees, the cooler and drier months after the holidays and into early spring are a good window, because the work is done well before summer storms arrive. Oaks do better when we avoid cutting during their heaviest push of new growth. Once hurricane season is underway, we keep heavy cuts to a minimum unless a limb is a real hazard.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree?

It depends on where your home sits and the size and type of tree. Some towns and the county protect larger trees. We check the rules for your property before removal and tell you what is needed.

Do you handle palm trees too?

Yes, through our palm tree pruning and removal service. Palms grow and fail differently from oaks and other shade trees, so we treat them as their own job.

Will your equipment damage my lawn?

We plan the route in and out before we start and lay down protection where heavy gear will roll. If any turf gets marked, we repair it before we leave.

ServicesTree Trimming and Removal

Tree Trimming and Removal in Windermere

A leaning oak or a tree dropping limbs is worrying. We look closely at the tree, the roots and the soil to find out what is really going on, then tell you plainly whether it needs a trim, a cabling fix or removal.

Get a free tree estimate at (407) 759-3842

Worker in a black shirt and cap uses a pole saw to trim an oak tree beside a stucco Florida home, with cut branches piled on the ground under an overcast sky

Trim, save or take down: the right call starts with the cause

Most tree problems show up as something simple: thin leaves, a dead branch, a crack near the trunk. The cause underneath can be very different. Root damage from a new driveway, fungus in a pruning wound, or a tree that was topped years ago can all look alike from the yard. If we only treat the symptom, you pay for the same problem again next year.

So we start by looking. We check the canopy, the trunk, the root flare and the ground around it before we recommend anything. Many trees that look bad can be kept with good pruning. Some cannot, and we will say so honestly instead of selling you work the tree does not need.

Live oaks and laurel oaks shade a lot of yards around Windermere, and laurel oaks in particular tend to rot from the inside as they age. Knowing which tree you have changes what we suggest and how much of your yard stays shaded and safe.

What our tree work includes

Structural pruning

We remove crossing, rubbing and weakly attached limbs so the tree carries its weight evenly. Cuts are made at the branch collar so the wound can close.

Deadwood and hazard limbs

Dead branches over your roof, driveway or play area come down first. We lower heavy limbs with ropes instead of dropping them onto the lawn.

Clearance trimming

We lift low canopies and pull branches back from the roofline, screens and pool cage, so you get light and airflow without a lopsided tree.

Full tree removal

When a tree is dead, badly decayed or too close to your home, we take it down in sections and haul away the wood and brush. Our stump grinding service can follow the same visit or later.

Storm-prep thinning

Before hurricane season we thin dense crowns so wind passes through rather than catching the tree like a sail. We never top trees, because topping causes weak regrowth.

Cleanup and haul-off

We rake, blow and remove the debris, and we leave your beds and turf the way we found them.

Landscaper in a cap holding a clipboard points toward an overgrown shrub bed along a black metal fence while a homeowner looks on in a grassy side yard

Signs your tree needs attention

Mushrooms at the base: Fungus growing on the trunk or roots usually means decay inside. It is worth a close look before the next big storm.
A new or growing lean: A tree that has always leaned is often fine. A lean that appeared recently, or soil heaving on one side, points to root trouble.
Cracks and split trunks: Vertical cracks or a V-shaped fork with bark pinched between the stems can fail under load. Cabling or removal may be needed.
Dead branches in the crown: Bare limbs during the growing season fall without warning. They are also a sign the tree may be stressed further down.
Branches touching your roof: Limbs rubbing shingles or screens cause damage and give pests an easy path. Regular trimming keeps a safe gap.

How a tree job goes with us

1
Walkthrough and diagnosis
We come out, look at the tree from every side and check the roots and soil. You get a straight explanation of what we see and what we would do.
2
Written estimate and permits
You receive a clear estimate listing the trees and the work on each. If your town or county requires a permit for the removal, we tell you and help handle it before work begins.
3
Work day
Our crew sets up, protects the lawn and beds where equipment will travel, and works from the top down. Limbs near your home are roped and lowered.
4
Cleanup and final look
We haul off the wood and brush and clean the work area. Then we walk the yard with you so you can see the result.

What affects the cost of tree work

Every tree is priced on its own, after we have seen it. The estimate is free, and we explain each line so there are no surprises later. If a bigger project is easier to pay for over time, we can set up financing of as much as $100,000, with terms anywhere from 2 to 12 years and no penalty if you pay it off early.

Size and species: A tall live oak with a wide spread takes more time and rigging than a young ornamental tree. Hardwood is also heavier to lower and haul.
Access and nearby structures: A tree in an open backyard is simpler than one leaning over the roof, the pool cage or a fence line. Tight spots mean more roping and more hand work.
Condition of the tree: Decayed wood can break unpredictably, so it has to be taken down in smaller, more careful pieces.
Extras like stump grinding: Grinding the stump, removing roots or regrading the spot are priced separately so you only pay for what you choose.

Tree trimming and removal questions

Can my tree be saved, or does it have to come down?: Often it can be saved. Pruning out deadwood, reducing weight on a heavy limb or cabling a weak fork can give a tree many more years. If the trunk or main roots are badly decayed, removal is the safer choice, and we will show you why.
What time of year should I schedule pruning?: For most shade trees, the cooler and drier months after the holidays and into early spring are a good window, because the work is done well before summer storms arrive. Oaks do better when we avoid cutting during their heaviest push of new growth. Once hurricane season is underway, we keep heavy cuts to a minimum unless a limb is a real hazard.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?: It depends on where your home sits and the size and type of tree. Some towns and the county protect larger trees. We check the rules for your property before removal and tell you what is needed.
Do you handle palm trees too?: Yes, through our palm tree pruning and removal service. Palms grow and fail differently from oaks and other shade trees, so we treat them as their own job.
Will your equipment damage my lawn?: We plan the route in and out before we start and lay down protection where heavy gear will roll. If any turf gets marked, we repair it before we leave.

Florida stucco home with a large oak in a stone-bordered bed, mowed lawn, and a flagstone path through mulched beds and grasses toward a shaded patio

Worried about a tree in your yard?

We will come look at it, explain what is causing the problem and give you options. The walkthrough and estimate cost you nothing.

Free on-site walkthrough by phone: (407) 759-3842