Tree Pruning: For Healthy Trees
Welcome to RTEC Tree Care, where precision meets passion in tree care services.
Our expert team specializes in tree pruning, meticulously crafting your green spaces to perfection. With years of experience and a deep understanding of arboriculture, we ensure that each cut is strategic, promoting tree health, aesthetics, and safety.
Trust RTEC Tree Care to transform your outdoor space into a flourishing masterpiece. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and let your trees thrive with RTEC Tree Care.
Call: 703-573-3029
for emergency service or to schedule your free consultation.
Charles TApril 2, 2024.I connected with RTEC through a neighbor who was interviewing RTEC for tree work on her yard. Ben was very thorough looking at the trees that I thought needed work. He understood my desire to keep the trees healthy and reduce falling limbs. The price my small job seemed reasonable. The crew came on Friday for the contract I signed on Monday. I was able to speak with the crew leader and give him my perspective on the work needed before I had to leave for another engagement. When I returned, the work was done just as Ben and I had discussed and I discussed with Pedro. The yard was cleared of debris. I was pleased with the result and there was honestly nothing to criticize.Mandy NeumanMarch 28, 2024.I have used RTEC Treecare both at my home and for a commercial job and I have been very happy with them. They are professional, knowledgable, and great to work with. Communication was a breeze! I highly recommend them!Nancy RodgersMarch 28, 2024.RTEC treated my crape myrtles and saved them from disease. My yard looks great since I started using RTEC last year! They are so knowledgeable and helpful!Todd FriedlanderMarch 25, 2024.We had a large (4’) diameter maple tree at the end of our driveway (and neighbor’s driveway) that needed to come down. We worked with RTEC on a removal strategy that wouldn’t impact our neighbors. When we came home that evening the tree and the cleanup was so thorough I joked with my wife that “someone had stolen our tree!” RTEC is masterful in their work, true skilled professionals!Janet FrankMarch 19, 2024.RTEC Tree has been taking care of our front Zelkova with biostimulant treatments for several years now. We had extensive front hard and landscape construction completed around the Zelkova, and the tree came through beautifully with no shock whatsoever. They recently pruned our Zelkova, and they preserved the shape of the tree. Upon pruning, they noticed a nest of 3 baby squirrels in the crook of two of the limbs. They respected that nest and notified me that they worked around the nest. Thank you, RTEC! They also removed 4 dead or suspect limbs from an oak tree adjoining our back yard. The limbs were hanging over our fence and house. They cleaned up all the debris after carefully lowering the limbs without damage to our patio furniture and grill. They respect the existing new landscaping. RTEC has also removed diseased trees from our property over the years, including an oak tree from the Resource Protection Area (which was not on our property). They worked with Fairfax County to file all paperwork to remove the tree which posed a hazard to the surrounding homes including ours. RTEC has all the equipment to deal with any tree problem and their crews are pleasant to interact with. Ben Gotch has been our consultant and he is tuned into the homeowner. Very detail oriented and thorough. He kept us apprised of our service especially if scheduling modifications needed to be made. RTEC arrived on time and finished the jobs in an efficient manner, cleaning up all the debris. I very highly recommend RTEC for all your tree needs.Tyler AnbinderMarch 6, 2024.I love RTEC. Ben is especially great. He's the only tree guy who has ever told me not to do tree work, which to me shows honesty compared to the other guys, whose only solution is always to cut the tree down.Jose SalazarFebruary 23, 2024.Excellent service!Udit MinochaFebruary 15, 2024.We've been using RTEC Treecare for about 5 years for pruning, tree removal, and the Bio-stimulant Program for our old maple tree that keeps the house cool in the summer. We really like that they have knowledgeable arborists on staff and know what they're doing.Linda D.February 9, 2024.Have been using for many years. professional and detailed in treatments and pruning.Carol AtenFebruary 6, 2024.We have used RTEC Treecare for over 10 years and have really appreciated their attention to keeping our trees and shrubs in good health. We have a number large trees that have needed various treatments and have been pleased to be able to maintain them in a healthy and attractive condition. I highly recommend them and their arborist Ben Gotch.
BENEFITS OF TREE TRIMMING SERVICES
 Safety Benefits: Proper pruning creates & maintains a strong tree structure. This helps prevent safety hazards such as low growing and dead limbs or branches. |  Aesthetic Benefits: Proper pruning will promote new growth, more vibrant colors, and keep your tree looking neat and tidy. |
 Health Benefits: Trimming your trees will eliminate dead, diseased, and broken branches. By removing these branches, you can stop the spread of disease and insects within your tree. Trimming will also reduce any unnecessary weight off your tree. |  Visual Access Benefits: Trimming your tree can open up your landscape, allowing more sunlight into your yard and improving your view. |
HOW DO YOU PROPERLY TRIM A TREE?
There are various methods of tree trimming. Certified Arborists will help you decide what is best for you and your tree. They’ll evaluate your landscape’s trees, address your concerns, and recommend the best type of pruning cuts for your landscape.
Maintenance Tree Trimming: Removal of dead, dying, diseased, crossing branches, depending on the species and health.
Hazard Reduction Tree Trimming: Removal of larger deadwood for safety.
Vista Tree Trimming: Selective removal of limbs without injuring the tree. Performed when there is a view that the tree branches are blocking.
Crown Raising: Removal of lower branches, most commonly in areas where there is a driveway, walkway, or parking area.
Crown Reduction: Pruning less than 1/3 of the tree’s crowns or for the purpose of shaping.
Cut Back: Cut back branches from structures such as sidewalks, lights, and buildings.
Fine Tree Trimming: Removal of smaller branches and deadwood commonly performed on smaller or immature trees.
Tree Topping: Removal of large branches or whole tops of trees. This is a harmful and incorrect trimming practice. Topping stresses the tree and can lead to health decline, structural defects, and infection.
WHAT IS THE AVERAGE COST TO TRIM TREES?
Tree trimming costs range from $750-$3,500 on average for a single tree. This is a pretty wide range.
The exact tree trimming cost depends on your tree. Various factors are taken into consideration, including:
- Crown spread
- Accessibility
- The tree’s diameter at breast height (dbh)
- History of maintenance
Looking for more clarification on this cost range? We’ve got you covered; check out the video below.
TREE TRIMMING AND POWER LINES
Trees and power lines don’t mix.
Prevent your trees from coming in contact with power lines by planting the right tree in the right place. A good thing to keep in mind is the eventual height the tree will grow to once matured.
| Small Trees | Less Than 25ft tall | Dogwood, Redbud, Flowering Cherry, etc. | Can be planted under power lines |
| Medium Trees | Between 25ft-40ft tall | Honey locust, flowering pear, quaking aspen, eastern red cedar | Plant 20 feet away from power lines |
| Large Trees | Over 40ft tall | Maple, Sycamore, Oak, Pine, Spruce, Birch | Plant 50 feet away from power lines. |
Once a tree is within 10 feet of a power line, tree service companies will complete a line drop. For safety purposes, this must be done before work can begin. Line drops are completed by the local power company, but are typically coordinated by your tree service company.
Depending on which line is near the tree, you or your neighbor may lose access to electricity. But rest assured; local power companies in Northern VA & DC guarantee that power will be turned back on the same day.
Tree Trimming Tip: Does your tree grow too fast? Does it continue to grow too close to power lines? If so, we recommend looking into our tree growth regulator.
SAFETY
Arboriculture is among the top five most dangerous occupations in the United States. Without the proper training, tools, and equipment, tree work can quickly become life-threatening.
In 2015, the media covered 58 stories of homeowners sustaining serious injury while performing their own tree work. 34 of these cases were fatal. In some cases, it wasn’t even the homeowner that sustained the fatality but bystanders.
The youngest victim recorded was a 3-year-old. The toddler had walked into the path of a tree his father was felling and was struck and killed.
For your safety, we strongly urge you to hire a licensed, accredited, and insured tree company for your tree service needs. Additionally, tree experts are equipped with the knowledge needed to execute the best tree trimming practices. (This includes safely handling the branch collar!).
Each day, RTEC Treecare’s number one priority is to keep their employees, clients, and local residents safe in the dangerous world of tree work. From the very beginning, we have been focused on this core priority. With our focus in expertise and safety, we had naturally become the first to be accredited in all of Virginia.
For the safety of all homeowners and their families, we strongly urge you to hire a licensed, accredited, and insured tree company.
I am in the Northern Virginia, DC Metro area and am looking for tree trimming services near me: Reserve an appointment with one of our Certified Arborists today!
I am outside of Northern Virginia, but am looking for tree trimming services in my area: Check out TCIA’s website to search for the accredited tree service company right for you.
We believe the best intervention is prevention.
About RTEC Tree Care
- Environmental Advocates
- Accredited by the Tree Care Industry Association
- Science based
- Certified Arborists
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