- We trim to cut storm risk and protect your roof, not to make the tree look like a lollipop.
- We never top trees. Topping makes weak new growth that breaks in the next big wind.
- On palms, we leave the green fronds. Over-cut palms get weak and slow to recover.
- The best time to trim in Indian River County is before hurricane season starts on June 1.
What tree trimming covers
Most calls come down to one of these jobs:
- Roof and house clearance. We cut back limbs that rub the roof, fill the gutters or hang over the pool cage.
- Canopy thinning. We take out select inner limbs so wind passes through. A dense oak acts like a sail in a storm.
- Dead wood removal. Dead limbs fall. We take them out before they come down on a car or a person.
- Crown raising. We lift low limbs over driveways, sidewalks and lawns so you can walk, park and mow.
- Palm trimming. We remove dead fronds, seed pods and coconuts. We leave the healthy green fronds.
- View and light. We open up a view or let sun reach the grass without hurting the tree.
How we trim
We cut at the branch collar, the small swelling where a limb meets the trunk. A clean cut there lets the tree seal the wound. Flush cuts and stubs let rot in.
We don't take more than the tree can handle. As a rule, we remove no more than about 25 percent of the live canopy in one season. More than that stresses the tree and makes it push out weak sprouts.
We don't use climbing spikes on trees we're trimming. Spikes punch holes in live bark. We only use them on trees that are coming down.
Why we never top a tree
Topping means cutting big limbs back to stubs. It makes the tree look smaller for a year. Then a crowd of fast, thin shoots grows from each stub. Those shoots attach weakly and break in wind. Topped trees also rot at the cuts. If a tree is too big for its spot, we'll talk to you about reduction cuts or removal instead.
Palms: skip the hurricane cut
A lot of crews cut palms down to a few fronds at the top. People call it a hurricane cut. UF/IFAS research shows it weakens the palm and doesn't make it safer in a storm. Green fronds feed the palm. We trim dead and hanging fronds, flowers and fruit, and leave the green fronds that sit at or above horizontal.
When to trim in Indian River County
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. The best window is late winter and spring, before the first storm. You can trim any time of year for safety, dead wood or clearance. If a limb is over your roof right now, don't wait for spring.
Many HOAs in Vero Beach and Indian River Shores have rules about trimming schedules and debris at the curb. Check yours. We haul everything away, so you don't have a pile at the street.
What the job looks like
- You call or text 772-882-2583. Send photos if you can.
- We look at the trees and give you a price.
- We trim, rake and blow the yard, and haul off the debris.
- You walk the job with us before we leave.
Common questions
How often should I trim my trees?
Most shade trees in our area do well with a trim every 3 to 5 years. Fast growers near a roof may need it every 1 to 2 years. Palms usually need a cleanup once or twice a year.
Will trimming kill my tree?
Not when it's done right. Topping and over-thinning are what hurt trees. We follow standard pruning practice and don't remove more than the tree can handle.
Do you haul away the branches?
Yes. Cleanup and haul-off are part of the job.
Can you trim near power lines?
We can trim near service lines to your house. Limbs touching the main lines on the poles belong to the power company. Call FPL to have those cleared.