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.
Some tree companies in the Fairfax area stick to the basics. RTEC Treecare’s team of tree care experts takes a holistic approach, making sure your trees get the support they need from roots to trunk to twigs, staying safe, healthy, and beautiful for years to come.
Picking up 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 Fairfax, VA, that’s never been a concern. RTEC Treecare has been delivering award-winning tree care services in the Fairfax, VA 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.
Our yard is at 2828 Mary St in Falls Church, roughly 9 miles from the City of Fairfax by way of Route 50. It's about a 17 minute drive without traffic.
Short trips make the whole job easier to run. An arborist gets on site fast, storm crews aren't coming from a distance, and second visits happen when we say they will. In the city specifically, that closeness also means we can get documentation and paperwork sorted quickly, which matters here more than it does a mile down the road.
This is the part almost everybody gets wrong, including a lot of tree companies. The City of Fairfax is not part of Fairfax County. It's an independent city that was separated from the county in 1961 by court order, though it remains the county seat.
It's older than that arrangement suggests. The settlement was established as Providence in 1805 and took the Fairfax name in 1874. The first land battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Fairfax Court House, was fought here on June 1, 1861. The historic district downtown went on the National Register in 1987 with 28 contributing buildings across 24 acres.
Today about 24,000 people live in the city's six and a quarter square miles, and the city runs its own urban forestry program. It has been a Tree City USA every year since 1986. Its staff manages more than 11,000 public trees. Its canopy was measured at 40 percent in 2021, up from 35 percent in 2012, which puts it among the few places in the region that is gaining tree cover instead of losing it.
None of that is trivia. It's the reason a Fairfax City homeowner has obligations their neighbor across the line does not.
In Fairfax County, there's generally no permit required to remove a tree on your own residential property. In the City of Fairfax, there is. The city requires a tree removal permit for trees measuring five inches in diameter at four and a half feet above the ground, with the requirement scoped by zoning and lot size. Removals come with a replanting obligation on a defined deadline, and trees straddling a property line bring your neighbor into the process.
Practically, that means the sequence matters. On a city lot, an assessment and the permit paperwork come before anyone starts cutting, not after. It also means the tree between your sidewalk and the curb is likely the city's tree, handled by the city arborist, not something you or a contractor should be touching.
The upside of living somewhere that regulates this closely is that the canopy is actually being maintained. A city that went from 35 percent cover to 40 percent in under a decade is planting and replacing on purpose, and the replanting requirement attached to your permit is part of how that happened.
The trees themselves have the ordinary problems of an older inner suburb. Clay soils that compact and hold water, mature canopies grown up around houses and driveways, and root systems that ran out of room years ago. It's the paperwork layered on top that makes Fairfax City different.
Our crews work the city and the surrounding county constantly, and the difference between the two is exactly the sort of thing we'd rather get right the first time than explain afterward. Doing this properly here means knowing which side of a line your tree is on before the saw comes out.
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 easy to spot, and that’s one of the trickiest parts of tree care for homeowners and property managers. Keep a close eye on your trees and reach out to 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 come with real risks too. Choosing the right tree care partner matters. With RTEC Treecare, you get a team that has 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 certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).
Safety comes first, no exceptions. 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.
Careless tree care can damage homes, landscapes, and hardscapes. 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 our 30-year history, we’ve learned the trees common to Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC inside and out, along with the environmental challenges, pests, and diseases that frequently affect them.
From your first inquiry to the final cleanup, RTEC Treecare keeps communication clear and consistent. You can always reach us and you’ll never be left wondering what’s happening 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 plays a role in their health, from the soil beneath their roots to the insects visiting their fruit and flowers. That’s exactly why working with an environmentally responsible tree care team matters.
That same perspective guides everything we do. 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!
