Get matched with top tree service pros in Powhatan Point, OH

If an arborist is certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the highest level of certification available is ISA Board Certified Master Arborist. According to the ISA, this credential is reserved for arborists “who have reached the pinnacle of their profession.” Check your arborist’s credentials before hiring to confirm their level of training and expertise.

Aside from removing dead or diseased branches, you should prune your trees somewhere between every one and three years. Some people—particularly commercial farmers—prune their apple trees yearly to produce higher yields. This is the best way to promote tree health. That said, the average homeowner can get away with hard-pruning their mature apple tree every other year or every three years. 

Sometimes, knowing when you need tree-trimming services is straightforward, and other times, you have to do some investigating. Some tell-tale signs that you should have your tree trimmed include:

• A poorly-formed tree with unruly branches, which makes the tree appear odd-shaped. 

• A tree with tall or large branches that interfere with power lines or your home’s exterior.

• A tree that provides too much shade in the yard due to branch overgrowth.

We don’t recommend DIY tree trimming for a few different reasons. First, the tools required to trim a tree can be costly, up to $1,100 or more, for the ladders and specialized saws needed. 

Safety is another concern, especially when working with more mature trees. As a guideline, you should only DIY tree trimming when branches are less than two inches in diameter. Any more, and the safety risk becomes too high, which could lead to catastrophe. For this job, it’s safest to let a tree-trimming professional assess the work needed.