Get matched with top tree service pros in Williamstown, PA

In general, trees should be planted no closer than 15 to 20 feet from your foundation. For larger trees with far-reaching roots like maples, oaks, or poplars, a good guide is to plant as many feet from your home as the tree’s height is expected to reach at maturity. Some trees, like elms and willows, should only be planted far from where their roots may encounter sewer or water lines.

Late winter is ideal, but if you’re pruning apple trees in the spring, prune them as early as possible in the season. You want to ensure your tree is just creeping out of dormancy and hasn’t started pushing out new growth. If you prune your tree too late into spring, you generally won’t see results until the following year.

That said, there’s no pruning season for unhealthy growth. Remove dead, dying, or diseased branches as soon as you notice them, regardless of the time of year.

There are many signs that a tree is diseased or dying, and if you suspect that’s the case, you should call an arborist immediately. You might notice rot or fungus on the trunk or that the tree is beginning to lean to one side. Brittle branches or signs of root damage are other indicators that a tree is in trouble. If the tree is dying, it might be time to cut the tree down so it doesn’t fall.

Tree removal can be quite expensive, especially for larger projects, but you can use the following tips to help keep costs down:

• Do the yard cleanup afterward yourself

• Choose to leave the logs on your property and split them yourself

• Opt to leave the stump in the ground and tackle stump grinding yourself

• Pull permits for tree removal, if necessary, to avoid fines

• Pay to have multiple trees removed at once

• Remove tree in the late winter or early spring during off-season