Tree Health & Assessments
How do I know if a tree is hazardous?
Most failing trees give warning signs well before they come down. Look for:
- Deadwood in the canopy, especially large limbs over a roof, driveway, or play area.
- Cracks or seams in the trunk, particularly where two main stems meet in a tight “V.”
- Fungal growth at the base or on the trunk. Mushrooms or shelf fungi usually mean internal decay.
- A new or increasing lean, or soil that’s cracked or lifted on one side of the root zone.
- Root damage from construction. Trenching, grading, or a new driveway within the dripline can take years to show up in the canopy.
A tree can look healthy and still be structurally compromised. If a tree is close enough to hit something you care about, it’s worth having someone look at it in person.
What does a tree assessment involve?
We walk the site and evaluate the root flare, trunk, branch structure, and canopy. We also look at what the tree could reach if it failed. Assessments are performed by an ISA Certified Arborist. You’ll get a clear recommendation: leave it alone, prune it, monitor it, or remove it. Removal isn’t always the answer, and we’ll tell you when it isn’t.
Can a stressed or declining tree be saved?
Often, yes, if the problem is caught early. Drought stress, soil compaction, and poor past pruning can sometimes be corrected with proper pruning and better care of the root zone. Advanced decay, major root loss, or a structural defect can’t be reversed, though. At that point the honest conversation is about risk and timing.
Tree Removal & Pruning
What happens during a tree removal?
Every removal starts with a plan for where the wood is going to go. In open space, a tree can sometimes be felled in one piece. Near homes, pools, fences, or power lines, our climbers take it down in portions, lowering each piece by rope rigging so nothing free-falls onto your property. We protect lawns and hardscape throughout the job. Every removal includes stump grinding and a full cleanup, so you’re left with a finished site, not a stump.
Why do you include stump grinding with every removal?
A stump left behind isn’t a finished job. Stumps are trip hazards, mowing obstacles, and eyesores. Some sprout new growth, and decaying ones can attract insects. We’d rather leave every property looking like the tree was never there, so grinding is part of every removal we do.
Do you offer stump grinding on its own?
Yes. If a previous company left stumps behind, or you have old stumps you’d like gone, we offer standalone stump grinding. We grind below grade and follow the surface roots out from the stump as far as we can reach. The goal is a site that’s ready to be backfilled and seeded, sodded, or replanted, and that looks as though the tree was never there. If you’re planning a patio, pool, or foundation in that spot, let us know so we can talk through what that area will need.
When is the best time to prune trees?
For most species in Middle Tennessee, late fall through winter is ideal. The tree is dormant, its structure is easy to see, and the risk of disease and pest problems is lower. Dead, broken, or hazardous limbs should be removed whenever you spot them, regardless of season.
Is "topping" a tree a good idea?
No. Topping means cutting the main stems back to stubs, and it’s one of the most damaging things you can do to a tree. It triggers weak, fast-growing sprouts that break easily, and it invites decay into the cut ends. A tree that’s too large for its space should be reduced with proper pruning cuts, or removed and replaced with a better-suited species.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
On an established residential lot, a permit usually isn’t required in our area. There are exceptions, though:
- Development and construction sites: Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, and other cities have tree-protection rules that can apply.
- HOA communities: Many neighborhoods require architectural approval before any tree comes down.
- Trees in the public right-of-way: These may fall under city control.
When in doubt, check with your city’s planning department or your HOA. We’re glad to talk through what we know about your area during the bid visit.
Storm Damage
What should I do if a storm brings a tree down on my property?
- Stay away from any downed lines. Assume every wire is live, and call your electric utility first.
- Take photos before anything is moved, for your insurance claim.
- Don’t try to cut a tree that’s under tension or resting on a structure. Stored energy in bent wood is one of the most common causes of chainsaw injuries.
Then call us at 615-767-7128. We prioritize situations where a tree is on a home, blocking access, or hanging over an occupied space.
Does homeowner's insurance cover tree removal?
Coverage generally depends on whether the tree damaged a covered structure (house, garage, fence) and what caused it to fall. A healthy tree knocked over by a storm is treated differently from a dead tree that was neglected. Check your policy, and we can provide documentation and photos to support your claim.
Brush Hauling & Grapple Truck Service
What is a grapple truck?
A grapple truck is a truck with a hydraulic knuckle-boom claw and a high-sided dump bed. The claw picks brush, limbs, and logs straight off a pile and loads them without hand labor. Ours hauls up to 5 tons per load and always comes with one of our experienced operators. A curbside pile that would take a crew hours to hand-load is usually gone in minutes.
Why won't the city pick up my brush?
Most municipal brush programs are built for routine homeowner yard work, and they run on fixed schedules. In Nashville, pickup comes around only a few times a year, and a route can take weeks to finish. Some cities, including Brentwood, won’t collect brush left by a hired landscaper or tree service, and expect the contractor to haul it away. If your pile is large, contractor-generated, or simply needs to be gone before guests arrive, a private grapple pickup solves it on your schedule.
I cut and piled my own brush. Can you haul it away?
Yes, and it’s one of the most common calls we get. For the cleanest pickup:
- Keep the pile at the curb or roadside, within reach of the truck, and off the sidewalk.
- Keep it clear of mailboxes, water meters, sprinkler heads, and low overhead wires.
- Lay limbs in the same direction, cut ends toward the street, if you can.
What can't the grapple truck pick up?
We haul wood and organic landscaping material only: limbs, brush, logs, leaves, shrubs, and land-clearing debris. Anything else stays out of the pile, including construction debris, lumber, household trash, appliances, dirt, rock, and concrete. Keeping piles clean is what lets us load them quickly and dispose of them responsibly.
How is grapple truck service priced?
We price by the load, based on how much of the truck’s 5-ton capacity your pile fills. Disposal is included. Send us a photo of the pile and its location, and we can usually give you a firm quote the same day without a site visit.
For Tree Services, Landscapers & Contractors
Can I hire your grapple truck for my own jobs?
Yes. For more than 15 years we’ve supported tree companies, landscapers, land-clearing contractors, and property managers across Middle Tennessee. The truck always comes with our operator, so you never have to put your own people on unfamiliar equipment, and you don’t take on the liability. Your crew keeps cutting while we load and haul. That often means finishing a day sooner, or taking on a job you’d otherwise have to pass on.
Do you carry insurance and provide a COI?
Yes. We carry general liability, commercial auto, and inland marine coverage on all of our equipment. We can name your company or your client as additional insured on request. Certificates of insurance are issued within two business days.
Do you offer accounts for contractors and property managers?
Yes. Partners with regular hauling needs can set up an account with priority scheduling, consolidated invoicing, and preferred per-load rates. Many of our partners book standing weekly or seasonal pickups.
Do you serve contractors outside your standard service area?
Often, yes. Grapple truck service for contractors can extend beyond our core counties depending on the job. Call 615-767-7128 to check availability.
Working With Us
How much does tree work cost?
Price is driven by tree size, access, how much rigging the job needs, and what’s underneath the tree (open lawn versus a slate roof or pool). Two trees of the same height can differ in cost by several times. That’s why we bid every tree job in person. Every removal quote includes stump grinding and full cleanup, so the price you see is the price of a finished job.
How soon can you get to me?
We typically schedule bids within one to two business days, and once your job is on our calendar, we keep that commitment. Our crew sizes and equipment let us take on urgent situations without pushing back scheduled work, so if a storm or sudden hazard does come up, call us at 615-767-7128.
Are you insured?
Yes. We carry general liability, commercial auto, and inland marine coverage on all of our equipment. Any company working on your property should be able to provide a current certificate of insurance before work begins. We encourage you to ask for it, from us or anyone else.
Do you work with HOAs and commercial properties?
Yes, commercial work is the core of our business. Over 15 years we’ve built long-standing relationships with homeowners associations and property managers throughout Middle Tennessee. Our clients include HOAs, office properties, builders, developers, churches, schools, and municipalities, including roadway median work in Cool Springs. We provide clear written scopes, invoicing that suits your approval process, and scheduling that keeps disruption to residents, tenants, and traffic low.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
- For tree work: Make sure the crew can reach the work area. Move vehicles, unlock gates, and secure pets.
- Point out buried items: Tell us about irrigation lines, invisible fencing, or septic systems in the work zone.
- For brush pickup: Have the pile in place before the scheduled time.
We’ll confirm the details with you before we arrive.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Nolensville, Thompson’s Station, Spring Hill, Murfreesboro, Columbia, and Lewisburg, plus the surrounding areas of Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Maury, and Marshall Counties. Grapple truck service for contractors may extend beyond these areas.