Deadwooding is the removal of dead, dying, or structurally compromised branches from a tree. It is a specific form of pruning, classified as crown cleaning under ANSI A300 standards, and one of the most important routine maintenance practices for tree health and property safety. For Austin homeowners with live oaks, deadwooding carries additional urgency because […]
Stump grinding is faster, less expensive, and less disruptive. It is the right choice for most Austin homeowners who simply want the stump gone and the yard restored. Stump removal extracts the entire root system and is the better option when you plan to replant a new tree in the exact same spot or need […]
Tree topping, the practice of cutting major branches back to stubs regardless of branch structure, is classified as an unacceptable pruning practice under ANSI A300 Part 1. The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and virtually every professional arboricultural organization condemns it. Crown reduction, which cuts branches back to appropriate lateral growth points following ISA Best […]
A storm-damaged tree leaning toward your home, resting on your roof, or trailing broken limbs is an active safety hazard. It needs professional response today, not next week. But not every storm-damaged tree needs immediate removal. Happy Tree Service of Austin prioritizes storm emergencies across the Austin metro and can typically respond the same day. […]
In Texas, you can remove an oak tree from your private property, but Austin’s tree ordinance applies. Oaks 19 inches or larger in diameter require a removal permit. Those 24 inches or larger are classified as Heritage Trees, and removal is prohibited except in narrowly defined circumstances. Timing matters, too. Removing an oak at the […]
A certified arborist is an ISA-credentialed professional trained in tree biology, disease diagnosis, and structural risk assessment. A tree trimmer is a hands-on technician who specializes in cutting, shaping, and maintaining trees. Both can work on the same crew, but the difference between an arborist and a tree trimmer comes down to training and authority. […]
A tree risk assessment is a systematic evaluation of whether your tree could fail, whether that failure could strike something or someone, and how serious the consequences would be. If you’re seeing cracks in a trunk, a sudden lean, fungal conks, dead limbs, root disturbance, or storm damage, you need a professional evaluation. An arborist-led […]
If you own trees in Austin or anywhere in Central Texas, the pests you need to worry about fall into three groups: boring insects, sap-sucking insects, and defoliating pests. Borers are the most dangerous. They can kill your trees within two to three years by destroying the vascular tissue beneath the bark. Sap-suckers and defoliators […]
If your tree has been topped, flush cut, or over-pruned, the damage goes deeper than you think. These mistakes create wounds that don’t heal properly, opening the door to decay, disease, structural failure, and a shortened lifespan. The visible signs include watersprouts, unhealed wounds, a flat-topped canopy, and bark splitting. If you see any of […]
If you have pecan trees on your property, the best time to prune them is during the dormant season, December, January, or February, just before spring bud break. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends this window for all pecan pruning. Young pecans need annual structural training, while mature trees do best with pruning every two to […]
