Tree trimming in Huntsville
Limbs over the roof, branches scraping the car, a canopy so thick the grass won't grow. One call connects you with an insured local crew that trims as well as removes.
What trimming usually costs
Huntsville crews generally price trimming by the hour for a three-person crew. One local survey put that at about $164 to $219 an hour, with a typical three-to-four-hour job around $680 (roughly $490 to $870). Those figures date from 2021, so expect today's quotes to run somewhat higher. Big oaks over a house, or work near power lines, cost more.
What's worth trimming
- Limbs over the roof. They drop leaves into gutters, scrape shingles in wind, and come through the roof in storms.
- Dead wood. Dead branches fall without warning. Removing them is the most useful trim most trees ever get.
- Low limbs over driveways, sidewalks and streets. Raising the canopy keeps trucks and people clear.
- Crossing or rubbing branches, which wear wounds into each other.
When to trim
Late fall through winter is the usual time for most trees around Huntsville. The leaves are off, crews can see the structure, and the tree is dormant. Dead, broken or hanging limbs can come off any time of year.
The Alabama Forestry Commission's rule of thumb for flowering plants: if it blooms after May 1, prune it while it's dormant, before new growth in spring. Crape myrtles fall in that group. Avoid heavy pruning during drought or extreme summer heat.
Don't top trees, especially crape myrtles
Cutting a crape myrtle back to bare knobs every winter is so common in North Alabama it has a nickname: crape murder. Alabama Forestry Commission arborist Katie Wiswall explains why it backfires: topping delays flowering by four to eight weeks, and the sprouts that grow back are weakly attached, often too weak to hold the flowers. The open cuts invite insects, disease and powdery mildew. Good pruning thins whole branches back to where they start instead. If a crape myrtle has outgrown its spot next to the house, moving or removing it works better than topping it.
The same goes for big shade trees. A topped oak grows back a crown of crowded, weak sprouts that are more likely to break in storms.
Power lines
Never trim near overhead power lines yourself, and don't let a general crew do it. Only utility-qualified crews work close to energized lines. In Huntsville, the city and Huntsville Utilities sort out which trees fall under the utility's line-clearance work. If a limb is touching or close to a line, call your power provider first.
Common questions
How much does tree trimming cost in Huntsville?
Crews usually charge by the hour for a three-person crew. A 2021 local survey put that at about $164 to $219 an hour, with a typical job around $680; expect current quotes to run somewhat higher, and more for large trees or work near power lines.
When is the best time to trim trees in Huntsville?
Late fall through winter, while trees are dormant, for most trees. Dead or broken limbs can come off any time. Crape myrtles and other plants that bloom after May 1 should be pruned while dormant, before spring growth.
Should I top my crape myrtle?
No. Topping delays flowering by four to eight weeks and produces weak sprouts that often cannot hold the blooms. Thin whole branches back to where they start instead, or move a crape myrtle that has outgrown its spot.
Can I trim branches near power lines?
No. Only utility-qualified crews should work near energized lines. Call your power provider about any limb touching or close to a line.