The question behind most trimming calls is whether it is worth it. Sometimes it is the cheapest thing you will do for the house; sometimes it is money spent on a tree that should come down.
Prices
| Tree | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Small ornamental (crape myrtle, redbud) | $250–$350 |
| Medium shade tree (30–50 ft) | $350–$600 |
| Large oak or pecan (50 ft and over) | $600–$900 |
| Anything over a roof or lines | add 30–50% |
When
Oaks in East Texas are trimmed in the dormant months, and never in spring, because of oak wilt; the cut is sealed. Pines are trimmed for clearance, not shape. Crape myrtles do not need the yearly topping people give them.
When not to
A pine with a growing lean, a hollow oak, beetle sign: trimming buys nothing. That is a removal quote, and we say so on the estimate.
Useful links
- ISA: find an arborist near you – the credential to ask any tree crew about
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Texas Forest Info – East Texas tree species, oak wilt and pest information
Questions on this
Is it safe to trim an oak in summer in Texas?
No. Oak wilt spreads through fresh cuts in the warm months; trim oaks in the dormant season and seal the cuts.
How much is tree trimming in Tyler?
About $250 to $900 per tree by size and access: a crape myrtle at the low end, a big pecan or oak at the top, and 30 to 50 percent more for anything over a roof or lines.
When is it safe to trim oaks in East Texas?
In the dormant months, never in spring, because oak wilt spreads through fresh cuts; the Texas A&M Forest Service page linked above covers it.
Is trimming a leaning pine worth it?
No. A pine with a growing lean, a hollow oak or beetle sign is a removal, $700 to $1,500 on an open lot, and we say so on the estimate.