Seasonal Tree Care
The Homeowner’s Guide to Fall Tree Health Care in Northern Virginia
Fall has a way of making us notice our trees again. Maples flash red and orange, leaves scatter across the lawn, and that oak outside
Keeping your trees healthy, safe takes more than the occasional pruning. It requires a well-rounded approach that addresses every aspect of their biology, structure, and long-term health. That’s exactly what you get when you rely on the professionals at RTEC Treecare.
Unlike some other tree companies in the Chevy Chase area that provide only basic services, our team of tree-care experts is guided by a holistic philosophy, ensuring your trees — from roots to trunk to twigs — get the support they need to remain safe, healthy, and beautiful for years.
Buying a couple of chainsaws and calling yourself a tree care company isn’t exactly a high bar. But real, science-backed tree care? That takes education, hands-on experience, the right equipment, and a level of expertise most companies simply can’t offer.
For homeowners and property managers in Chevy Chase, that’s never been a concern. RTEC Treecare has been delivering award-winning tree care services in the Chevy Chase, MD area for more than 30 years. We know trees and we know the specific environmental conditions of the Mid-Atlantic region that directly affect tree health.
Reach out today and get the tree care service you actually deserve.
RTEC Treecare works from 2828 Mary St in Merrifield, and reaching Chevy Chase means the Beltway and the American Legion Bridge, roughly twelve to sixteen miles and about half an hour depending on the crossing. We have worked both sides of the Potomac for decades, so Chevy Chase is familiar ground rather than an outlier on the map.
For tree work that distance is manageable because the jobs here, large old trees on established lots, are planned work rather than quick stops, and a crew that knows the Maryland side comes prepared for it.
Chevy Chase is not a single place. In Montgomery County the name covers several distinct communities, from the incorporated Town of Chevy Chase to the Village and the surrounding CDPs, all sharing a common origin. In the 1890s the Chevy Chase Land Company assembled more than 1,700 acres, extended Connecticut Avenue north and ran an electric streetcar line out from the District to build one of the country's first planned streetcar suburbs, with the heaviest build-out through the 1920s.
That history is the single most important fact about the trees here, because it tells you how old they are.
A neighborhood built out between the 1890s and the 1920s, and planted as it was built, now carries trees that are often a hundred years old or more. Chevy Chase's mature oaks and large shade trees are magnificent, and they are also, on relatively compact affluent lots, very big trees standing directly over houses. That is the defining tree-care situation here: a century-old canopy with a great deal of weight suspended over rooflines, and the physical work is about managing that safely.
The risk is real and specific. A hundred-year-old oak carries long, heavy limbs and, often, decades of accumulated defects in old wounds and unions, and the region's summer thunderstorms, heavy wet snow and ice storms are what find them. The 2012 derecho that struck the DC area is the reminder of what a big unmanaged tree does in a serious wind. Proactive care is what keeps these legacy trees standing: structural pruning to reduce end weight, deadwood removal over the areas people use, and cabling or bracing to support a stem worth preserving rather than losing. On old trees like these the goal is usually to buy safe decades, not to remove.
When a removal is unavoidable, the compact lots and the mature homes beneath the canopy mean it is climb-and-rig or crane work, taking the tree down in controlled pieces over the house rather than dropping it. Proximity to Rock Creek and its stream valley adds mature riparian trees at the edges of some properties, which brings its own moisture and root considerations.
One practical note for Maryland owners: Montgomery County regulates tree work more than Virginia does, with a canopy conservation law that can attach fees and replacement requirements to larger projects, and separate permits for trees in the public right-of-way. On a significant job it is worth sorting out what applies before the work starts.
Chevy Chase's tree-lined streets are part of what the community is known for, and a careless removal or a butchered old oak stands out immediately. We treat these century-old trees as the irreplaceable assets they are, and we would rather be the company a neighbor points to than the one that got a legacy tree wrong.
Whether you have a brand-new sapling in need of support or a gnarled, 100-year-old oak that’s making you nervous, the RTEC Treecare team can provide the tree-care services you need. A few of the services our clients need most often are detailed below, but don’t hesitate to contact our customer service team if you need something you don’t see listed.
Dealing with a fallen tree or worried about potential storm damage? We’re here to help—offering 24/7 emergency tree services to keep your property safe!
Tree health and safety issues aren’t always obvious, and that’s one of the trickiest parts of tree care for homeowners and property managers. Keeping a close eye on your trees is important, so contact the ISA-certified arborists at RTEC Treecare if you notice any of the following signs.
Getting started is easy; you can set up a consultation via phone, email, or our online booking form linked below.
One of our ISA-certified arborists or environmental technicians will take the time to listen carefully to each question or concern.
Our crew will arrive at the scheduled time and carry out the work in a professional, safe, and respectful manner.
We’ll always share some recommendations for the ongoing support and care of your plants and trees.
Your trees add real value to your property, but they can also present real risks. Choosing the right tree care partner matters. With RTEC Treecare, you can rest easy knowing we have everything it takes to stand apart from the competition and give you the confidence you deserve.
RTEC Treecare was the first tree company in Virginia to earn Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) accreditation, and our team includes several arborists who’ve been certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
Safety comes first, always. We make sure everyone on the job site stays protected throughout the process, from our crew to our clients to anyone nearby. If a job can’t be done safely, we won’t take it on.
Tree care done carelessly can damage homes, landscapes, and hardscapes. That’s why our team uses high-strength ropes, piece-by-piece removal techniques, and cranes to make sure your property stays protected throughout the job.
From bucket trucks, skid steers, and aerial lifts to chainsaws, air spades, and chippers, our crews are equipped with professional-grade tools to handle any job that comes our way.
Over the course of our 30-year history, we’ve not only learned about the trees common to Virginia, Maryland, and Chevy Chase, MD, but also the environmental challenges, pests, and diseases that often affect them.
From your first inquiry to the final cleanup, the RTEC Treecare team keeps communication clear and consistent. You’ll always be able to reach us and you’ll never be left wondering what’s going on with your project.
Some tree service companies try to cut corners on local rules and regulations. RTEC Treecare isn’t one of them. We maintain all required licenses and comprehensive insurance coverage so you’re fully protected.
Trees don’t exist in a vacuum. Everything around them, from the soil beneath their roots to the insects visiting their fruit and flowers, plays a role in their health. That’s exactly why working with an environmentally responsible tree care team matters.
That same perspective guides our work. We provide eco-friendly solutions that support long-term tree health while protecting the surrounding landscape. From organic biostimulant applications and soil-nurturing mulch to health-focused pruning techniques, our work is designed to strengthen trees naturally and responsibly.
RTEC Treecare not only provides a comprehensive assortment of tree-care services, but we also serve a wide variety of clients. From residential homeowners to commercial property managers to government agencies, we can provide the kind of award-winning tree care services you need.
Our service area includes most of the DC Metropolitan area, including portions of Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC. You can see a list of some of the specific communities we serve below!
Still have questions about our tree-care services? We’ve rounded up a few of the most common questions our clients have and answered them below.
Fall has a way of making us notice our trees again. Maples flash red and orange, leaves scatter across the lawn, and that oak outside
Verticillium wilt can begin with a fungus that’s been waiting beneath your lawn for years — possibly since before you owned the property. It can
When a tree starts looking unhealthy, most people look up. They check the leaves for discoloration, scan the branches for dieback, or inspect the trunk
Feel free to leave your contact information on our online form. A consultation is always free, and it’s the first step towards finding a solution for your trees!
