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Top-Rated Arborists in Saint Francis - Updated Nov 2026

Arborists FAQs, answered by experts

It depends. Smaller, younger trees take longer to mature, but they're more resilient, their roots don't get as damaged during transplanting, and they recover faster. Plus, they're much more affordable to plant, and it's possible to DIY the planting. 

On the other hand, mature trees produce fruit faster and provide more shade and privacy immediately. Ideally, a small or medium tree is the better choice if you can wait a few years for it to mature. But if you need immediate maturity, a larger tree is the only option.

Yes, you should trim the lower branches of your maple tree for safety. Trimming maple trees as they grow helps lift the crown and canopy and trains it to grow straight up. A good rule of thumb is to prune enough branches to leave 6 feet of clearance under the tree.

If the roots are still alive, the dead tree will usually try to put out new shoots. That doesn’t mean the tree will survive or that the dead parts of a tree will come back to life. If parts of the tree have died and turned gray or rotten, nothing will bring them back to life and they need to be safely removed.

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

DIY pruning is possible for small trees and shrubs with basic tools. However, for larger trees, more hazardous removals, or to ensure proper pruning techniques are used, it is recommended to hire a professional for safety.

The Saint Francis, SD homeowners’ guide to arboricultural services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.