Tool
Remove, Prune or Leave It?
Answer four quick questions about your tree and get a read on what it probably needs — before you share any contact details.
1Is the tree dead, or are more than half its branches bare?
2Are there cracks, a cavity, a new lean, or mushrooms at the base?
3Could it hit a house, garage, driveway or power line if it fell?
4Is it an ash tree?
Answer all four questions to see your result — no contact details needed.
Plain-Language Guide
How to tell if a tree needs removal, pruning, or nothing
Likely needs removal
A tree usually needs to come down when it is dead, when more than half its branches are bare, or when it shows signs of structural failure: cracks or deep splits in the trunk, hollow cavities, a new lean that was not there before, mushrooms or fungal growth at the base, or soil heaving around the roots. These are signs the tree is failing, and the risk goes up when it is close to a house, garage, driveway, or power line. Dead ash trees are a special case — emerald ash borer has been in Pennsylvania since 2007 and kills nearly every untreated ash, and the dead wood turns brittle fast, which makes these trees dangerous to climb and changes how they have to be taken down.
Likely needs pruning
A healthy tree can still need work. If branches are reaching for your roof, rubbing a fence, growing into a utility line, or crowding the canopy, pruning is usually the answer. Pruning to the ANSI A300 standard removes the problem branches while keeping the tree's structure sound. We never top trees, because topping starves the tree and sends up weak growth that fails in storms. If your tree is an oak, pruning should wait for late fall and winter — fresh cuts in spring and early summer attract the beetles that spread oak wilt.
Probably fine, keep an eye on it
If the tree has a full canopy, a solid trunk with no cracks or hollows, is not touching any structure or line, and has room to grow, it is probably fine for now. Trees change over time, so it is worth glancing at yours after storms and once a season for new deadwood, a new lean, or fungal growth at the base.
If a power line is involved
If a tree or limb is touching or could reach an overhead power line, call your electric utility first. OSHA keeps unqualified workers at least 10 feet from overhead lines, and a limb on a live line is a utility problem before it is a tree problem. We coordinate with the utility when work near lines is needed.
This is a quick guide, not an inspection. Every tree is different. Send us a few photos or call (570) 956-5113 and we will help you decide.
Ready to get your tree handled?
Call now or send us a few photos and we'll take a look.