Every cut goes just outside the branch collar so the tree can seal the wound. We do not top trees and we do not leave stubs — topping forces weak regrowth that becomes the next hazard.
What's included
- Clearance pruning to pull limbs back off the roof, siding, gutters, and driveway.
- Deadwood removal through the canopy, which is most of what makes a tree drop branches.
- Crown thinning to move wind through the tree instead of against it.
- Canopy lifting over lawn, walkways, and parking areas.
- Cuts at the branch collar, no topping, no stubs, no climbing spikes on living trees.
- All brush chipped and hauled, beds and lawn raked clean.
What it costs
Trimming is priced per tree and by how much time it takes in the canopy, not by the number of cuts.
$250 – $1,200 per tree for typical residential pruning
What moves the number:
- Tree height and how much of the work is above the roofline.
- How long since the last prune — a tree pruned five years ago is far quicker than one never touched.
- Whether the work is over a roof or fence and needs limbs lowered on ropes.
- Species: pines are limbed fast, big spreading oaks take real time.
- How much brush comes out, since that drives chipping and haul-off.
When to prune in central North Carolina
Late winter, roughly December through early March, is the best window for most hardwoods here: the structure is visible, wounds seal fast in spring, and insects are dormant. Avoid pruning oaks in spring when oak wilt vectors are active. Dead, broken, or roof-contact limbs are fair game any month of the year.
Questions about tree trimming & pruning
How often should trees be trimmed?
Young shade trees benefit from structural pruning every three to five years. Mature trees usually need attention every five to seven, or sooner if limbs are touching the house. Pines mostly need dead lower limbs removed rather than regular canopy work.
Will trimming hurt my tree?
Correct pruning does not. Removing more than about a quarter of a live canopy at once stresses a tree, and topping causes real long-term damage. We take what needs to go and tell you when the rest should wait for another season.
Can you cut the limbs hanging over my neighbor's yard?
In North Carolina a neighbor may generally prune growth crossing the property line, but that gets easier when everyone knows about it. We are happy to talk to both households before we start so nobody is surprised by a crew in the backyard.
Do you trim crape myrtles?
Yes, and we prune them properly rather than cutting the tops off. Crape myrtles get thinned and cleaned so the trunks show and the blooms come back on strong wood, not on the weak shoots that follow a hard cut.