Tree & Shrub Services

It’s not just about cutting branches or taking down a tree when you hire a tree service. It’s about keeping your home safe, your safety, and the long-term health of your yard. Trees add beauty, value, and shade, but bad tree work can hurt people, damage property, and make trees sick. This in-depth guide explains how to choose a tree service company the right way. It is for homeowners who want clear answers, honest advice, and professional-level insight without any sales talk or confusing language. Why Hiring the Right Tree Service Company Matters Trees are one of your property’s biggest assets  and biggest liabilities if managed poorly. A large tree hanging over your home, a sick oak near a power line, or roots creeping toward your foundation are situations where the wrong call can turn into a disaster. Professional tree service isn’t just about looks. It’s about protecting your property, your neighbors, and your family. Beyond safety, the cost of hiring a bad tree company can spiral fast. An unqualified crew might leave a hazardous stump, cut a tree incorrectly, or injure a worker on your property  and leave you holding the bill because they had no insurance. Knowing how to hire a professional tree service the right way isn’t optional. It’s essential. Certified Arborist vs Tree Service Company  What’s the Difference? A tree service company is a business that offers tree-related work  pruning, removal, stump grinding, and more. A certified arborist is an individual who has passed a rigorous exam through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and holds active credentials in tree biology, pruning techniques, and risk assessment. Why the ISA Certification Matters In the tree care industry, the ISA certification is widely seen as the best. A certified arborist can not only use a chainsaw, but they also know a lot about trees. They know how to cut a tree without hurting it, how to spot disease, and how to keep trees healthy and safe while doing work that needs to be done. Always ask the tree care company, “Do you have ISA-certified arborists on staff?” It’s a simple question that shows the difference between serious professionals and cheap ones. Not every crew member needs to be certified, but the company should have at least one certified arborist in charge of the work. Essential Credentials Every Tree Service Company Must Have Before you agree to any work, verify that the company is properly licensed and insured. This is the single most important step in choosing the right tree service company. Licensing Requirements Licensing requirements vary by state. Some states require a specialty contractor license; others don’t regulate the industry heavily. Check with your state’s contractor licensing board to know what’s required in your area. If a company can’t provide a license number, that’s a major red flag. Insurance: Liability and Workers’ Compensation A company needs two types of insurance. General liability coverage protects your property if something goes wrong. Workers’ compensation insurance covers any worker injured on your property. Without workers’ comp, you could be sued if a tree worker falls off a ladder in your yard. Don’t just take their word for it. Ask the company to send you a certificate of insurance directly from their insurer. A legitimate tree service company will have no problem doing this. If they hesitate, walk away. How to Verify a Tree Service Company’s Experience and Reputation Credentials matter, but so does track record. Here’s how to research a company before you hand over your project. Check Online Reviews  But Read Smart Google, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau are good starting points. Look for companies with a consistent history of positive reviews over several years, not just a handful of recent five-star ratings. Pay attention to how the company responds to negative reviews. A professional, solution-focused response tells you a lot about how they handle problems. Ask for References From Past Clients A reputable tree removal company should be happy to connect you with two or three past clients. Call those references and ask: Was the crew professional? Did they clean up after the job? Were there any unexpected costs? Questions to Ask Before Hiring Are you licensed and insured? Can you provide proof? Do you have ISA-certified arborists on your crew? Can you provide a written, itemized estimate? Who will be doing the work, employees or subcontractors? How will you protect my lawn and property? Do you handle cleanup and debris removal, or is that extra? Do you offer emergency tree services for storm damage? Tree Service Pricing Explained  What Impacts the Cost? One of the most common questions is: how much does professional tree service cost? The honest answer is: it depends. Here’s a general breakdown: Service Type Estimated Cost Range Small tree removal (under 30 ft) $150 – $500 Medium tree removal (30–60 ft) $500 – $1,000 Large tree removal (60+ ft) $1,000 – $2,500+ Tree pruning and trimming $200 – $900 Stump grinding $75 – $400 per stump Emergency / storm damage cleanup $300 – $3,000+ Is It Cheaper to Remove a Tree Yourself? In theory, yes. In practice, it’s rarely worth it. DIY tree removal without proper equipment and training is genuinely dangerous. Falls, power line contact, and uncontrolled tree drops cause serious injuries every year. For any tree larger than a small ornamental, professional removal is worth every dollar. Beware of Unusually Low Estimates If one company quotes $300 and everyone else quotes $900 for the same job, that gap is a warning sign. Low-ball estimates often come from unlicensed, uninsured operators who cut corners on safety and cleanup. You could end up paying more to fix the problems they leave behind. Equipment, Safety Standards and Professional Practices to Look For When the crew arrives, look at their gear. Are they wearing helmets, eye protection, and “chaps” (chainsaw-resistant pants)? A professional tree service takes safety seriously. Modern Equipment A reputable company like Robert’s Complete Care uses well-maintained saws, chippers, and rigging gear.

You just had a tree taken down, and now you have to look at an ugly stump in the middle of your yard. Or you may have an old tree stump that has been there for years, is slowly rotting, taking up space, and making it hard for your kids to walk. No matter what, the question is the same:  how to get rid of tree trunks for good? You are not alone. A lot of people look for this yard care question online, and for good reason. A chopped tree trunk or stump isn’t merely ugly. It can draw in bugs, fungus, and termites. It takes up room that could be used for something else. And if you don’t do anything about it, the roots might keep coming up through your lawn for years. Tree Trunk vs. Tree Stump  What’s the Difference? Before we get into how to remove things, let’s get something straight. “Tree trunk” and “tree stump” are two words that people often use to mean the same thing; they are not the same thing. The trunk of a tree is the primary woody stem that is above the ground. The part of a tree that is left sticking out of the ground after it is cut down is called the stump. This part is usually a few inches to a foot or more long. Arborists normally take the trunk away or split it up for firewood. Most homeowners are really dealing with the stump, which is the flat, round part of the base that is left over, and the root system that is still underground. Most of the time, when people look up “how to get rid of tree trunks,” they are talking about this stump problem. DIY Methods to Remove an Old Tree Stump If you aren’t afraid of a little sweat equity, you can handle old tree stump removal yourself. Here are the three most common DIY paths: 1. The Digging Method (Best for Small Stumps) This is the “old school” way. You’ll need a shovel, a pickaxe, and a heavy-duty saw. Dig: Clear the dirt around the stump to reveal the main “taproot.” Cut: Use an axe or saw to cut the secondary roots. Lever: Use a long bar to wiggle the stump until it pops loose. 2. Using Chemical Treatment (The Patient Way) If you aren’t in a rush, chemical treatment is the cheapest way to get rid of a tree trunk. Drilling holes in stump: Use a large drill bit to make deep holes (about 12 inches) into the top. Fill: Pour in a nitrogen-rich fertilizer or a commercial stump remover. Wait: These chemicals speed up stump decay. It can take several months, but eventually, the wood becomes soft enough to break apart with a shovel. How Long Does It Take for a Tree Trunk to Decompose? This is one of the most popular inquiries we get. The answer depends on the type of tree, the size of the stump, the weather where you live, and whether you are actively assisting it grow. Here’s a general breakdown: Without any treatment: 3–7 years for most hardwoods, 2–5 years for softer species With chemical stump remover: 4–8 weeks to soften, then manual removal With nitrogen-rich fertilizer and moisture: 1–2 years With professional stump grinding: Same day removal So if you’re wondering how long does it take for a tree stump to rot naturally, the honest answer is: a long time. If speed matters, you’ll need to either use chemicals or call a professional. What Is the Fastest Way to Get Rid of a Tree Trunk? Without a doubt, stump grinding is the quickest way. A professional stump grinder utilises a cutting disk that spins to chip the wood down below the earth, usually 6 to 12 inches deep. The whole operation takes anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on how big the stump is. Manual digging (for small stumps) is the next fastest alternative, and chemical treatment is the last. The slowest way exists in natural decay. Is Stump Grinding Better Than Stump Removal? Great question  and the answer depends on your goals. Grinding down a stump is faster, cheaper, and less invasive. The machine turns the stump into mulch, which you may use in your garden. The roots are left in the earth to break down on their own over time. The bad news? If you’re planting a new tree in the same area, the roots are still there, which can be an issue. Removing the entire root ball, or stump, completely gets rid of the root system. If you want to replant in the same spot, build something like a deck or patio, or are worried about roots growing back or pests coming back, this is best. But it takes more work and is frequently more expensive. For most homeowners, stump grinding is the better option unless you have a specific reason to remove the roots entirely. Burning a Tree Stump: Is It Safe Or Legal? Many homeowners wonder if they can just “fire and forget.” While burning a tree stump is a common stump removal method, you must be careful. Check Local Laws: Many cities have strict “no-burn” ordinances. Safety First: Never use gasoline. It’s too volatile. Instead, use charcoal or wood scraps to build a fire on top of the stump. The Deep Burn: You often need to drill holes and fill them with kerosene (letting it soak for weeks) before lighting it to ensure the fire reaches the roots. Warning: Root fires can smolder underground for days and travel to other parts of your yard. Always monitor a burning stump. Learn How to Kill Stubborn Tree Stumps Naturally Natural approaches can work for homeowners who don’t want to use chemicals at all; they need to be patient and consistent. The most natural method involves three things: fertiliser with a lot of nitrogen, keeping the stump moist all the time, and covering it to