A tree trimming company will need to bring in heavy duty equipment for large trees, increasing costs. Pruning large trees also poses a greater safety risk than small trees, and the riskier the job, the more expensive it will be. Medium Trees are 20-30 feet tall, while Large Trees are 30-50 feet tall. When looking for a tree trimming company, you don't want to go with the first one that “sounds reasonable” since you don't know the market and chances are a better price is just around the corner.
The hourly price for pruning trees can vary greatly between companies, as one could charge 3 times more per hour than another but get the job done 3 times faster due to having a crew of 6 men instead of 2.The cost of pruning a tree depends on its type and purpose. A pine tree usually has small branches that are easily removed, while oaks have very large branches that cost more to remove. If you just need to cut dead branches or remove a branch that grows on the roof or on power lines, any time of the year will be fine. However, if you need to prune 20-30% of the foliage, then waiting until winter is key as trees are dormant and react better during a winter pruning than in the middle of summer when they are stressed.
It is recommended to prune trees annually for growing trees and every 3-5 years for mature trees. If you have several types of trees in your garden, the cost of pruning will vary from tree to tree. Most pruning work is done on fruit trees, which are stimulant types with small branches that bloom and bear fruit. Proper pruning helps produce more spurs and therefore more fruit.
Young trees may even need to be pruned annually to ensure they grow into large, healthy trees in the future. If you are looking to prune between 10-30% of the tree canopy, you should wait until winter next year as cutting large amounts of foliage can be a blow to the tree system and it is better to make this kind of cuttings when the tree is idle. An emergency situation (such as storm damage) will always result in the payment of a premium for tree trimming. Whether you live in the city, in the suburbs or in a rural area, there are trees that are going to need pruning and not just at Christmas.
If you prune too much without any prior knowledge, you could have a negative impact on your tree. Fruit trees can still be pruned in early spring, but as a rule, later winter is always better for tree health and fruit production. Trees that bloom in spring, such as magnolias and red buds, should not be pruned until after they have blossomed. The reason why professional companies can demand relatively high prices is because pruning a tree is not an easy task. For deciduous trees that lose their leaves, pruning before the tree starts to leave can help give a good idea of the shape of the tree.
Tree trimming companies own the type of heavy equipment needed to complete this type of task safely and successfully.