Live Oak, Pine, Pecan — East Texas species and seasonal rules matter. Our Tyler crew, free on-site quote, right timing for your tree.
Takes 20 seconds. We'll call back to schedule the on-site look.
Both are cuts. The difference is the purpose.
Trimming is about clearance and appearance — getting limbs off the roof, out of the power line easement, back from the driveway. Usually a bigger, faster job.
Pruning is structural — shaping young trees so they grow strong, removing crossing or weak branches on older trees, taking out dead wood before it falls. Slower, more skilled, better for the tree long-term.
We do both. Tell us what you want on the quote form.
Live Oak, Post Oak — never April through July. Texas oak wilt fungus is spread by beetles active in warm months. Open cuts during this window are invitation to a fatal infection that spreads through connected root systems. Winter (December-February) is safest. Emergency-only during summer — hazard limbs — with sealant on cuts. No scheduled work.
(This isn't superstition — Texas A&M Forest Service publishes the rule.)
Pine. Anytime except deep hot summer (avoid stress on the tree). Winter is best.
Pecan. Late winter or early spring, before bud break. Never during nut set (April-June) — you'll lose that year's crop.
Sweetgum, Sycamore, Elm. Winter dormancy.
Cypress. Late winter to early spring.
Fruit trees (peach, plum, fig — common in Tyler yards). Late winter, right before spring push. Fig can also be trimmed after summer harvest.
If you're not sure what season is right for your tree, put the job on the form and we'll schedule for the right window.
Removing dead wood stops decay from spreading down into the trunk. Thinning the interior canopy improves airflow, reducing fungal disease pressure (real problem in humid East Texas). Removing crossed or rubbing branches stops bark wounds that become entry points for insects.
Trees grow tall by adding weight to limbs. Weight accumulates until a windstorm finds the weakest joint. Pre-emptive structural pruning — removing narrow-angle unions before they split — is the reason old trees survive hurricanes and untrimmed ones don't.
A thinned canopy has less sail area. Same tree, same wind, less force. Reduces the odds of losing a big limb through the roof.
| Tree | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Small tree, cleanup trim (under 20 ft) | $150-350 |
| Medium tree, structural work (20-40 ft) | $350-800 |
| Large tree, canopy raise/reduction (40-70 ft) | $600-1500 |
| Very large / complex (70 ft+, power line proximity) | $1200-3000+ |
| Multiple trees, one visit | 20-30% off each after the first |
Full pricing detail on /tree-service-cost/.
December through February. Never April-July — that's oak wilt beetle season, and open cuts invite the disease.
Depends on species and situation. Most Tyler yard trees benefit from a light structural check every 3-5 years. Fast-growing trees near a house may need clearance work every 1-2 years. If you don't know — we'll tell you during the free quote.
No — but it will make it grow better. Trimming redirects energy from weak or crossing branches to strong ones. Long-term, a well-trimmed tree is healthier and lives longer.
Small ones — fruit trees, ornamentals under 15 feet — yes, with a good pruning saw and correct technique. Anything requiring a ladder or working over structures should not be DIY. Falls from trees are the #2 cause of arborist injuries; homeowners have worse odds.
Yes, included in standard quotes. If you want to keep large logs for firewood, mention it — we'll leave them stacked.
Same-day answer during business hours. Free on-site look within 24 hours.