Comparing DIY vs. Professional Tree Services To Find the Best Approach

When it comes to keeping your trees healthy and safe, understanding when to handle tasks yourself and when to call in professional tree service s is essential. This guide is here to help St. Louis area home and commercial property owners make informed decisions about which tree care tasks they can handle on their own and which projects should be left to certified arborists and experts. From trimming branches to removing entire trees, knowing when to call a professional can significantly affect safety and results.

Determining When Professional Tree Services Are and Aren’t Necessary

To help you decide when professional tree services are essential and when you might take a hands-on approach, let’s break down the benefits and limitations of several types of tree care.

Tree Trimming and Pruning

Tree trimming and pruning are vital for keeping trees healthy and attractive, but knowing when to handle it yourself or call in the experts can be challenging. Pruning involves selectively cutting away unattractive, problematic, or dead branches to improve a tree’s structure, encourage healthy growth, and remove dangerous limbs. Homeowners can often manage DIY tree trimming for smaller trees or those with low branches that don’t require climbing a ladder. If you notice light overgrowth or a few stray branches that disrupt the tree’s shape, using hand pruners or small saws can help. Just be sure to avoid cutting any large or essential branches, which could harm the tree’s growth and stability.

When You Should Hire a Professional: Larger trees or those with high branches, or when significant structural pruning is required, are best handled by professional tree service providers. Certified arborists understand how to trim various tree species without affecting their health and can protect against falling branches near homes, buildings, or power lines. Professional trimming is especially crucial when there’s a risk of property damage or personal injury, such as with limbs overhanging structures. In these cases, professionals bring the necessary tools and expertise to protect your property and ensure the tree remains healthy.

Tree Removal

Tree removal becomes necessary for various reasons, such as disease, structural instability, or overcrowding. Smaller trees with minimal root spread and those not close to buildings can often become DIY tree removal projects safely handled with basic tools like axes or hand saws. A small sapling not too close to sidewalks or structures can usually be removed by digging out the roots and chopping them down with minimal risk.

When You Should Hire a Professional: It’s essential to hire a professional for larger, mature trees, trees leaning dangerously, or those close to structures. Professional tree removal involves using specialized equipment and strategies to remove the tree safely and with minimal damage to the surroundings. St. Louis homeowners should also be aware that diseased trees can pose additional risks if removed improperly, as they can spread disease to other plants. Professionals ensure the tree is safely and efficiently removed, protecting your home, neighbors, and landscape.

Brush Removal

Brush can quickly accumulate, especially following seasonal yard work, storm cleanup, or routine tree maintenance. If the amount of brush on your property is manageable, you might tackle it yourself using tools like small saws, pruning shears, and a wheelbarrow for transport. For example, it’s often feasible to clear smaller branches and brush piles on your own after light trimming.

When You Should Hire a Professional: Hiring professionals is ideal for larger-scale brush removal or dealing with dense or invasive brush species. Extensive brush piles require efficient removal and disposal, particularly when invasive species are involved that need proper handling to prevent regrowth. Professionals offer a swift, thorough cleanup for large residential or commercial properties, ensuring your landscape stays clear, visually appealing, and free of potential hazards like overgrown or encroaching brush.

Stump Grinding

Once a tree is removed, stumps often remain, presenting both a tripping hazard and an eyesore. For smaller stumps, using a manual approach like digging out the roots can work, and for medium stumps, renting a small grinder can be manageable. Chemical stump removers are also available but typically take longer to show results.

When You Should Hire a Professional: Large tree stumps or clusters of stumps should be handled by professionals. Stump grinding requires powerful equipment to grind the stump deep enough to avoid regrowth. Professionals have the machinery and skills to remove stumps without harming the surrounding landscape, especially if the roots extend under driveways or patios. Additionally, professional stump grinding leaves the area smooth and ready for replanting or landscaping.

Tree Planting and Transplanting

Tree planting can be a satisfying DIY project if you’re working with young or small trees. Planting young saplings requires basic tools like shovels and soil preparation, and following proper spacing and soil requirements can ensure they thrive. For example, you might plant a young maple in a sunny spot with enough room to grow, making it a straightforward task.

When You Should Hire a Professional: Calling an arborist is advisable for larger or more mature trees or if transplanting is involved. Professionals assess soil compatibility, root health, and spacing requirements, especially for landscaping projects in HOAs or commercial areas requiring uniformity. Hiring a professional ensures the tree is planted or appropriately transplanted, optimizing its chances of survival and contributing to a cohesive landscape design.

Tree Support and Protection System Installs

Young or small trees often need support, such as stakes, to establish strong roots. For these cases, DIY kits with stakes and ties from garden centers can work well, especially if you monitor and adjust the supports as the tree grows.

When You Should Hire a Professional: Professional support system installation is crucial for mature or larger trees, especially those requiring cabling, bracing, or bolting. These support systems stabilize trees vulnerable to wind or structural issues, requiring specialized knowledge to apply safely and effectively. Arborists also periodically check these systems to ensure continued stability and growth, providing peace of mind for high-traffic or high-value areas.

Choosing the Right Tree Service Provider: Why Meyer Tree Service Stands Out

When it comes to tree care in St. Louis, choosing a provider who’s skilled, certified, and dedicated to quality makes all the difference. Here’s why Meyer Tree Service (MTS) is your top choice:

ISA-Certified Arborists: Our team of certified arborists brings expert knowledge and a commitment to tree health and safety, ensuring each service is handled with precision and care.
Comprehensive Services: From pruning a tree to ensuring the health and vibrancy of trees and shrubs, MTS offers a full suite of services tailored to your unique property needs.
Transparent Pricing: Following our in-person assessment of your project, we provide a free estimate with upfront pricing guaranteeing no hidden fees, so you always know what to expect.
Reputation and Reliability: Our decades of dedicated service in St. Louis have built a reputation for excellence and customer satisfaction.
Commitment to Safety: MTS’s rigorous safety protocols protect your property and our team, making each job worry-free.

Avoid the Risks of DIY Tree Removal With MTS’s Professional Services

While there are some tree care tasks St. Louis homeowners can tackle independently, others genuinely benefit from the expertise, equipment, and training that Meyer Tree Service provides. Partnering with MTS ensures your trees are expertly maintained and adds to the beauty and health of your property.

An expert consultation with one of our certified arborists can offer valuable insight for those unsure of the right approach. We assess each tree’s condition and recommend a customized care plan to keep your landscape thriving. From precise trimming to safe removal and successful transplanting, we help you make informed choices for a safe and stunning outdoor space. Contact MTS today to discuss how our professional tree service and plant health care solutions can elevate your landscape.

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Comparing DIY vs. Professional Tree Services To Find the Best Approach

Determining When Professional Tree Services Are and Aren’t Necessary

Tree Trimming and Pruning

Tree Removal

Brush Removal

Stump Grinding

Tree Planting and Transplanting

Tree Support and Protection System Installs

Choosing the Right Tree Service Provider: Why Meyer Tree Service Stands Out

Avoid the Risks of DIY Tree Removal With MTS’s Professional Services

Share This Post

More Like This

The Benefits of Tree Trimming: How Regular Pruning Keeps Yards Healthy and Beautiful

Understanding the Emerald Ash Borer and Its Growing Threat to St. Louis Trees

The Importance of Tree Removal: Breaking Down the Why, When, and How

The St. Louis Homeowner’s Guide To Pruning Trees in the Fall and Winter Seasons

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