Healthy trees, safe clearances, and canopies built to survive Louisiana storms — pruned right, never topped.
A lot of folks think of tree trimming as a looks thing. In Shreveport, it's mostly a survival thing. Our spring storm season throws 60-mph straight-line winds at trees that are already stressed from summer heat and heavy Gulf humidity. A properly thinned crown lets wind pass through instead of pushing the whole tree over. Deadwood removal takes off the limbs most likely to break free and land on your roof, your car, or worse.
We prune to ANSI A300 standards — the arboriculture industry's rulebook. That means no "topping" (the hack practice of lopping the top off a tree, which creates weak regrowth and a slow death sentence). Topping is unfortunately common in northwest Louisiana, and we spend a fair amount of time rehabilitating topped crepe myrtles and oaks. If a previous company topped your trees, call us — we can often restore a safe, natural structure over a couple of seasons.
For most species, late winter (January–February) is ideal — trees are dormant, structure is visible, and cuts heal fast with spring growth. Oaks should only be pruned in cold months to minimize oak wilt transmission risk. Pines are flexible but respond best to late-winter work too. That said, dead, damaged, or hazardous limbs should come off whenever you notice them — waiting for the "right season" on a cracked limb over your driveway is how accidents happen.
Here's something most tree companies won't say plainly: trimming is a recurring service, and some companies oversell it to keep you on a schedule. Our rule is simple — if a tree is structurally sound and well-placed, trimming every 3–5 years keeps it healthy and safe. If a tree is declining, poorly placed, or a species that's wrong for the spot (like a water oak 10 feet from your slab), we'll tell you that trimming is throwing good money after bad, and a removal is the smarter call. We'd rather lose a trimming customer than sell you work your tree doesn't need.
Most residential trimming jobs run $250–$800 depending on tree size, number of trees, and how much deadwood we're clearing. A single crepe myrtle shaping might be under $200; a full crown restoration on a mature live oak can exceed $1,000. Every quote is free, on-site, and in writing.
Tell us about the job and we'll schedule a free on-site estimate — usually within 1–2 business days. Prefer to talk? Call (318) 555-0147.