Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. Diagnosing tree health issues is one of our specialties. We’ll assess your tree, explain what’s happening, and recommend the right solution.

Yes. We provide free, itemized estimates for most services. If you’re looking for a more in-depth consultation or detailed plant health evaluation, we also offer paid consultation services with one of our ISA Certified Arborists.

Protecting your property is a top priority. We use specialized equipment, expert climbing techniques, and protective measures to minimize any impact on your lawn, landscaping, and structures.

Yes. We want you to be able to have access to safe, quality tree care. We offer financing through Wisetack, so you don’t have to wait to address your concerns.

While some minor tree care can be done safely by homeowners, larger jobs – especially removals, pruning at height, or tree health treatments – should always be handled by trained professionals. Attempting DIY tree work can lead to injury, property damage, or damaged trees.

Nope. As long as we’ve reviewed the plan ahead of time and have access to the work area, you don’t need to be home.

ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Certification means we’ve met industry standards for knowledge, safety, and professional conduct. Our arborists stay up to date on the latest research and best practices in tree care.

In many cases, yes. We can inspect the tree and, if appropriate, provide an arborist letter that may assist with insurance or legal discussions. Every situation is unique, so we’ll walk you through your options.

No. Topping is harmful to trees and often leads to long-term problems. We follow industry best practices to preserve tree health and structural integrity.

Only for removals. Using spikes on trees that are staying can create wounds that invite pests and disease, so we use other climbing methods for pruning or maintenance.

We are located in Chapel Hill, NC, and provide services to Chapel Hill and the surrounding areas.

Unless otherwise specified, our quotes always include removal of all wood and debris and a full clean up. We do offer alternative options (leaving firewood sized rounds, leaving brush on site if in a wooded area, etc.) to reduce cost to you, if this is your preference.

Both options include a formal written quote, emailed to you after our visit to the property.

We offer free estimates to anyone who is flexible about scheduling. This means typically that we will come by when we are in your area, texting or calling ahead to give a heads up (we do our best to catch you in person if possible). But if either we or you are busy, we can get enough information to look at your trees on our own and follow up with your quote.

A paid consultation ($125) simply guarantees you an hour of our time, scheduled in advance, walking the property with you and answering any questions. This is also a great option for realtors looking to get a general assessment of the trees and tree risk before purchase/sale, or anyone in the planning process for building a home who wants to ensure protection for their key trees during construction.

No. We only use climbing spurs for full removals, never when we are pruning a tree. Pruning with spurs is an outdated practice, leaving wounds in your tree which can increase the likelihood of pests and disease. Always ask your arborist if they follow current ANSI pruning standards, and if they will be pruning without the use of climbing spurs.

No. You do not necessarily need to be home while we are working on your trees, although we understand if you’d like to be.

Yes. We are fully insured and can provide proof of insurance upon request.

We are based out of Chapel Hill, NC and we typically serve areas within 30 minutes. This includes Carrboro, Durham, Pittsboro, Hillsborough, Apex, Graham, Saxapahaw, and parts of other nearby towns. You can always contact us directly to check about your address!

Absolutely! If you are concerned that you may have a tree health problem of any kind, we’d be happy to help diagnose the issue and guide you towards options for next steps.

Trimming is just another word people use for pruning, but sometimes with an idea about how they’d like the tree to look that is not necessarily in the best interest of the health of their tree. Certified arborists always prune with the goal of improving or maintaining the tree’s health while achieving the client’s aesthetic goals or spatial goals (more house clearance, etc). We most often recommend pruning to remove dead, diseased, or crossing and conflicting branches. We can help you make a plan that balances your goals and long term tree health!

Signs of an unhealthy tree include sparse canopy, discolored leaves, dead branches, fungal growth, late leaf-out or early leaf drop, and slow growth. Learn more about how to notice signs of tree stress on our blog.

Proper pruning can improve a tree’s overall health, but it doesn’t necessarily make it grow faster. Pruning can sometimes stimulate faster re-growth, but it depends on the species and circumstances.

A tree health care plan may include soil improvements (decompaction, nutrients, etc.), pest & disease diagnosis and control, and pruning to promote good form and health.

Consider the tree’s mature size, the space available, soil conditions, sunlight access, and climate conditions before selecting a tree species and planting. An arborist can help you to properly plan your planting project for successful saplings.