Tree Trimming & Pruning in Hale, Lupton & the Tawases
Cut what should come off, leave what should stay, and know when not to touch an oak.
A good trim keeps a tree healthy and keeps its limbs off your roof, your gutters and the service line to the house. Deadwood comes out, crossing and rubbing branches are removed, low limbs come up over the drive and the lawn, and the crown gets thinned so wind moves through it instead of pushing on it. Done right, a trim buys a big maple or oak years. Done wrong, topped or hacked back hard, it starts the tree dying.
Reinhardt Tree Service trims yard trees, shade trees, cottage lots and the tree line along the road, from the bucket truck where it reaches and on a climb where it does not. Most of what we see around Hale and the lakes is maple, oak, ash, white pine and the odd big cottonwood, and each one wants a different cut. Brush goes through the chipper and the lawn is raked before we leave.
One rule we do not bend: no pruning oaks between April 15 and July 15. Oak wilt is confirmed in Iosco, Ogemaw and Arenac Counties, and a fresh cut on an oak in that window is how it spreads. Oak work gets scheduled for winter.
What is included
- Deadwood and hazard limb removal
- Clearance from roofs, gutters, chimneys, driveways and the service drop
- Crown thinning and shaping for maples, oaks and other shade trees
- Raising low limbs over lawns, drives, docks and walkways
- Storm-damaged limbs and hangers cut out cleanly
- Lower-limb removal on pines and spruce around cottages
- Brush chipped and hauled, lawn raked
Oak wilt window
We do not prune oaks between April 15 and July 15. Oak wilt is confirmed in Iosco, Ogemaw and Arenac Counties, the beetles that spread it are active in that window, and a fresh cut is an open door. Oak trimming gets scheduled for winter. If a storm wounds an oak in that window, seal the wound immediately with latex paint or pruning sealer, then call us.
How it goes
Call or send photos
Call (989) 305-9731 or send photos of the tree and the roof, line or drive it is crowding.
Walk the trees and price it in writing
Larry looks at each tree with you, agrees on what comes off and what stays, and puts one price in writing.
Trim day
Bucket truck where it reaches, climbing where it does not. Limbs come off at the right spot on the branch, and anything over the roof is roped down.
Cleanup and walk-through
Brush chipped, wood stacked or hauled, lawn raked, and a look at the tree together before we go.
Trimming and pruning
Priced per tree, by how big it is and how much comes off. Several trees in one visit cost less each than one at a time.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Small tree, under 25 feet | $250 to $450 |
| Medium tree, 25 to 50 feet | $350 to $900 |
| Large tree, over 50 feet | $600 to $1,500 |
| Deadwood or one hazard limbA single limb over a roof, drive or walkway. | $200 to $500 |
| Extra trees on the same visit | About $100 less each |
We do not prune oaks between April 15 and July 15 at any price. Oak work gets scheduled for the dormant season.
These are the ranges most jobs in our area land in, not a price list. Every job is priced on site or from your photos, in writing, before anything is cut.
All typical price ranges
Tree Trimming & Pruning questions
When is the best time to trim trees in northern Michigan?
Late fall through early spring, while the tree is dormant, is best for most hardwoods and the only time we prune oaks. Deadwood and hazard limbs can come off any month. Maples bleed sap if cut in late winter, which looks alarming but does not hurt them. Pines and spruce are fine in most seasons.
Why won't you prune my oak in May?
Oak wilt. Between April 15 and July 15 the beetles that carry the fungus are active and land on fresh cuts, and a red oak that gets infected can be dead in a few weeks. The Michigan DNR and MSU Extension both say leave oaks alone in that window, and so do we. If a storm tears an oak limb in those months, seal the wound right away with latex paint or pruning sealer and call us; that is the one time a sealer is the right move.
How much can you take off at once?
Less than most people expect. Taking more than about a quarter of the live crown in one season stresses the tree, and topping a tree outright is something we will not do. If a tree needs a lot of work we tell you it is a two-season job and price it that way.
What does trimming typically cost?
Most trimming jobs around Hale run between $250 and $1,500 depending on the size of the tree, how much comes off, and whether it is bucket truck work or a climb. A few trees at once cost less each than one at a time. Priced on site or from your photos, in writing.
Tree Trimming & Pruning in your town
Plus everywhere in between across Iosco, Ogemaw, Alcona and Arenac Counties. See the whole service area.
Ready to talk about tree trimming & pruning?
Call Larry or send a few photos. Estimates are free, and you hear back within 24 hours, same day for emergencies.