At Holtslander & Sons Tree Service, we provide expert tree trimming and tree pruning across Fenton and throughout Southeast MI. We believe that regular maintenance is the single most important investment you can make if you want your trees and shrubs to live a long, healthy life.
Believe it or not, trees that are not properly cared for at the start of their life can start to develop bad habits that will be hard to correct once they get older. The greatest way to ensure that they will stay healthy and grow in a way that is aesthetically pleasing is to keep them pruned and trimmed from the get go. A well groomed and healthy tree will have a much greater chance of survival when faced with pests or diseases, be it bacterial or fungal in nature. Keeping trim can also help yield a larger crop of fruit in a lot of species.
National Pruning Standards
Holtslander Tree Service follows the strictest national standards recognized by ANSI- A-300. These standards recommend the certain cutting techniques, tools and methods and are generally recognized as the authority on the subject. Trees can sometimes have a hard time surviving if improper pruning and trimming has taken place. Further proving this point, statistics show that more trees die per year from inexperienced homeowners that attempt trimming their own trees than any other reason. It is more important than you would think.
Seeing the Future
We know how to see the future when it comes to some trees. Maybe that is a bit misleading but we do have ways of checking for internal decay which can eventually lead to a catastrophic failure from the inside out of the tree. So in that way, we can see the future of that tree. A tree that is rotting on the inside can much more easily fall victim to being taken down in a storm or during strong winds. We have all seen that your car or the roof of your home is no match for a mature oak tree. This makes it especially important to have any trees that are in close proximity to structures or driveways, inspected on a regular basis. When pruning there are four basic methods that consist of clean, thin, raise and reduce. We will go over this in more detail below.
Proper Tree and Shrub Trimming and Pruning Procedures for Southeast MI
- Clean: Dead, diseased and broken branching are removed. Left untouched, these branches have the potential of falling on your house, car or your person. Removing a bad limb can also stop a disease or infestation in its tracks if it is caught quick enough. This is the most preferable method with a fully grown tree because you not removing live branches unnecessarily.
- Thin: Live branches are selectively chosen to reduce the density of the tree. Normally this reduction in density is done near the crown of the tree and almost never in the interior.
- Raise: This step comes into play when there is a clearance issue, such as with power lines, a home, signage or any other item that your tree is encroaching on. To create vertical clearance we will sometimes remove some of the lower branches of your tree which raises the crown in the process.
- Reduce: Sometimes the height or the spread of the tree must be reduced to ensure that the tree will not fail under the weight of itself. There is a lot of things we consider when choosing how to proceed including the overall health of the tree and the species. No two species of trees are the same and some can not handle aggressive pruning.
Please stear clear of the following methods:
- Topping: Shortening the branches or limbs back to a predetermined crown limit by making cuts that leave large stubs, thereby reducing the tree’s size. These are similar to open wounds on a human body, increasing the chances of attracting disease.
- Lions-tailing: Removing an excessive number of branches from the inner tree.
This is just a small portion of the information that we as the professional have acquired and that is why we encourage you to use a true professional. Even if you don’t use us, make sure to use a reputable tree service.
Our Guarantee
Here at Holtslander Tree Service we guarantee to employ the highest standards and techniques for your trees to start and stay healthy, look great and grow strong. Most people don’t think about it but trees are part of your investment on your property and keeping them in shape will help keep your property and loved ones safe. Don’t risk it; contact the tree trimming experts. We provide affordability with quality every time.
Frequently Asked Questions: Tree Trimming & Pruning
When is the best time of year to trim trees in Southeast Michigan?
While trimming can be done year-round, late winter (January through March) is often the “gold standard” for our region. Since the ground is frozen, our equipment won’t damage your lawn, and because the trees are dormant, they are less stressed by the pruning. Additionally, trimming during the winter prevents the spread of diseases like Oak Wilt, which is a major concern in Fenton and surrounding Michigan communities during the warmer months.
How often should my mature trees be pruned?
For most mature hardwood trees like Oaks and Maples, a professional pruning every 3 to 5 years is recommended to maintain structural integrity. Younger trees may need “formative pruning” every 2 years to ensure they develop a strong central leader. If you notice deadwood, branches touching your roof, or thinning in the canopy, it’s time to call us for an inspection regardless of the last service date.
What is the difference between “Tree Topping” and “Crown Reduction”?
This is a critical distinction. Tree Topping is an outdated and harmful practice that involves hacking off the top of a tree, leaving “stubs” that invite rot and disease. At Holtslander & Sons, we strictly follow ANSI A300 standards and use Crown Reduction. This method shortens specific limbs back to a lateral branch, allowing the tree to heal naturally while reducing its height or spread safely.
Can professional trimming save a tree that looks like it’s dying?
Sometimes, yes! If a tree is struggling due to “deadweight” or a localized infestation, our Crown Cleaning and Thinning methods can remove the diseased sections and allow the tree to redirect its energy to healthy growth. During our assessment, we check for internal decay; if the structural core is still sound, a strategic pruning plan can often extend the life of your tree for decades.
Do you clean up the branches and debris after trimming?
Absolutely. We pride ourselves on leaving your property cleaner than we found it. Our crew chips the smaller branches and hauls away the larger wood, ensuring your lawn is free of debris. If you would like to keep the wood chips for mulch or the larger logs for firewood, just let us know ahead of time and we will be happy to stack them for you.
