You will find that at some point or another, every property owner in Tyler has to ask the same thing: is it time to remove a tree for good, or will a trim put it back in order? The distinction between removal and trimming is one Tyler homeowners have to make on a regular basis.
Make the wrong call and you could be out of pocket with repairs, have your property damaged, or be left with a hazard in your yard come storm season. Do it right and you may have a healthier landscape and a safer home.
It is not always easy to tell by looking at it.
From one vantage point a tree may appear dead, yet a pro can see there are only a few bad limbs to cut. Conversely, a tree can look perfectly fine on top while rot is working its way through the trunk where you can’t see it. So before you make that phone call, it pays to understand the lay of the land.
There is a reason both services are around. Trimming is about preservation and tree health; removal is about eliminating a threat.
Telling the difference between a tree worth keeping and one that has to go is how you protect your wallet and your family. Below are the details of each and the signs that should guide you for your Tyler property.
What tree trimming actually does
In short, tree trimming is done to put a tree’s health, shape and clearance in better order. A good tree care crew will zero in on the overgrown branches that are encroaching on your structures, as well as any crossing limbs or dead wood. By opening up the crown they let in more air and sunlight to the inner branches, which may curb moisture and fungal issues and make for a sturdier tree.
Then there is the safety angle. You don’t want to wait for a Tyler thunderstorm to test whether a heavy limb over your roof will hold or if it is going to put a hole in your shingles and take out a gutter. Dealing with it beforehand may cost less than the repair bill. And it keeps branches off your power lines and driveways. Many trees here may do well with an every-other-year schedule, though fast growers like water oaks and sweetgums may need it more often.
Professional tree removal available in Tyler, Bullard, Chandler, Flint, Hideaway, Lindale, New Chapel Hill, and Whitehouse.
What tree removal involves
Tree removal means taking the whole tree down to the stump. A professional crew may section off the tree and use rigging to lower the pieces so nothing around it gets hurt, then provide stump grinding so you can put in new landscaping.
You may need this when trimming is no longer an option. A tree with a split trunk or a root system that is gone isn’t going to be fixed by lopping off a branch or two; you could just be putting off the inevitable and leaving a danger in your yard. Or perhaps the tree was put in too close to your foundation and is starting to shift the retaining wall or work its way into your plumbing. No amount of pruning fixes a root proximity issue. In that instance, taking it out and putting in something smaller at a safe distance may make more sense.
Signs your tree needs trimming
There are some telltale signs that a tree may be due for a trim. If you have branches hanging over the garage or fence, or limbs rubbing in the wind, that is one sign. Another is a canopy so thick the grass below doesn’t see the sun, or low branches getting in the way on the driveway. These are outer canopy problems on a tree that is otherwise sound in the trunk and major limbs. A crew may be able to make the necessary cuts and leave you with a safer tree. With the humidity we have in Tyler, especially in the spring, trees can put on a lot of growth and deadwood in a hurry. An annual once-over may show you what needs to be done before a branch decides to fall on its own.
Signs your tree needs removal
The signs for removal are more fundamental. Trimming may not help if you see large splits in the main trunk, or mushrooms and conks at the base. If the tree has developed a lean, or the roots are heaving up the concrete, or you have cavities in the trunk where pests are making a home, you may have a problem. More than half the canopy dead and dying? Bark peeling in sheets to reveal soft wood? That could be a real danger and the tree may have to come out. You never know when a strong wind in East Texas could take out a tree that has been weakened, and a falling tree is not going to be selective about where it puts down. If you have a tree in advanced decline close to your house, the power lines or even your neighbor’s fence, it is time for a professional to have a look at it and determine whether it should come down.
Then again, the signs can be deceiving. You might see some deadwood and a bit of trunk damage and think the tree has to go, but an experienced tree care pro could tell you that with some cabling and the right kind of pruning you may be able to keep it safely for years to come. That is where a proper assessment comes in; it could be the difference between good preservation and taking a tree out for no reason.
How Tyler's weather affects the decision
Take Tyler for instance. The weather here dictates a lot of what we do. We have our ice storms in the winter, severe thunderstorms come in the spring and the summer brings its share of drought stress. Every one of those conditions puts a different kind of strain on your trees.
In the winter, an ice storm will put weight on branches they were never meant to hold. A tree with a full canopy will collect more ice than one that has been thinned out. Some trimming before the cold sets in may lessen the load and the odds of a limb giving way. But if there are structural cracks or a weak union in the trunk, trimming may not be enough to save it from an ice event. In that case you may be better off having it removed before December to protect your property.
Spring is another story with its high winds and heavy rain. A dense canopy makes a tree act like a sail, and when the soil is soft from the rain the roots don’t have as much purchase. A moderate wind can bring down a tree whose root system is failing, something that wouldn’t bother a healthy, well-anchored specimen. Trimming may help with the wind resistance, but removal is the only way to eliminate the risk from that particular tree altogether.
Summer drought is hard on trees without supplemental water. They may drop their leaves and the wood can become brittle, making them easier targets for insects and disease. After one bad season, the tree may be able to recover with some careful work once the rains come back. After several years of it, however, with significant dieback, trimming may not help.
Cost differences between trimming and removal
As for the cost, removal will generally cost more. It is a bigger job: cutting the whole thing down, rigging it to the ground, hauling the debris and grinding the stump. A small ornamental by the driveway may cost less to trim than a big oak with limbs over your roof. And if you have to do an emergency removal after a storm, the price could be higher due to the demand and conditions.
But don’t let the bottom line be the only factor. Putting off the removal of a compromised tree to save a few dollars now could be a false economy. If that tree comes down on your car or your roof, or your neighbor’s yard, the tab may be much larger. An honest professional should tell you what the situation calls for.
Making the right call for your Tyler property
The best way to handle your Tyler property is to get out and do a visual inspection. Walk around and view each tree from all sides. Are there any odd leans? Fungal growth at the base? Deadwood in the canopy or branches encroaching on power lines? If the trouble is just in the outer canopy, a trim may fix it. Structural damage to the trunk or roots means you should consider removal. If you are in doubt, leave it to the pros.
There is no point in guessing. A tree care expert can give you a straight answer on what each tree may need. Tree owners in Tyler who are proactive with their tree care may avoid some of the headaches and expense of reactive damage control.
Want a clear answer for every tree on your property? Give Tree Service Tyler TX a ring at (430) 218-4238. The site can put you in touch with a tree care professional who can assess the trees and explain the available options.
Common questions about tree removal and trimming in Tyler
Can a tree that has been topped be saved with proper trimming?
Topping causes severe stress and creates weak regrowth that breaks easily. A professional tree care crew can sometimes restore a topped tree through corrective pruning over several seasons. In many cases, though, the damage from topping shortens the tree's lifespan significantly and removal becomes the safer long-term option.
How soon after a storm should I have a damaged tree evaluated?
You should schedule a professional assessment as soon as possible after storm damage. A damaged tree can look stable while hiding cracks or root failure that could cause it to fall without warning. A tree care professional can determine whether the tree can recover with trimming or needs to come down entirely.
Does Tyler, TX require a permit to remove a tree from private property?
Tyler's permit requirements depend on the size and species of the tree and the zoning of your property. Some protected trees require city approval before removal. A professional tree removal crew familiar with Tyler's local regulations can help you determine what permits you need before any work starts.