★★★★★
“I had to use Patrick Reed to do some work for me today. I must say what a wonderful talented man he was. He was so polite and helpful — I don't know how to thank him for his help.”
Tree Trimming and Tree Pruning in North Florida & South Georgia
Keep your trees healthy, safe, and looking their best with professional trimming from climbers.
Reed Tree Service does tree trimming in Tallahassee, FL, and the owner, Josh Reed, quotes each job himself: call Josh at (850) 888-5603. We trim and prune trees across Tallahassee and Leon County: dead and diseased wood comes out before problems spread, dense crowns get opened up so light and air get through, and branches come back off your roof and anything else they shouldn't be touching. A tree trimmed this way is safer and stands up to wind better than one left to grow unchecked. The estimate is free. Cleanup is quoted separately, and haul-off is available on larger jobs.
Types of Pruning We Do
Crown thinning removes select interior branches to reduce density and let wind pass through, that's what keeps trees from blowing over in a storm. Crown raising takes off the lower limbs so you can walk, drive, or see under the tree. Crown reduction brings the overall size down using proper ANSI A300 structural cuts that preserve tree health. Deadwooding is exactly what it sounds like: we take out every dead branch so it doesn't fall on someone's head. Each of these has a purpose, and we'll walk you through the options and recommend what your tree actually needs.
When to Prune in North Florida
In our climate, most trees can be pruned year-round. Dead and hazardous branches should come off whenever you notice them, so don't wait. For oaks, the dormant season from late fall through winter is a good time, and summer pruning is fine too. The spring pruning bans you may read about come from oak wilt states, and oak wilt has not been detected in Florida. Deciduous trees are easiest to shape in winter when you can see the full branch structure. Palms only need fronds removed when they're fully brown, and over-trimming palms actually hurts them. The right timing depends on the species, and Josh will tell you which applies.
A limb hanging after a storm is emergency tree service work, so call Josh at (850) 888-5603. If a tree has to come out, grinding the stump is a separate job, quoted per job.
Why Proper Technique Matters
Bad pruning does more harm than good. Flush cuts, lion-tailing, and topping all create wounds the tree can't heal properly. They invite disease and rot. Every cut we make is made right outside the branch collar, at the correct angle, to the right size. The result is a tree that compartmentalizes the wound quickly and keeps growing strong. You'll see the difference a few months later when the canopy fills back in evenly.
What Drives the Cost of Tree Trimming in Tallahassee
Size and access set most of the price. A small ornamental you can reach from the ground is a quick job. A mature live oak with a sprawling canopy takes climbers, rigging, and much longer. After that it comes down to how many trees you have, how much growth has to come off, and what kind of work it is: deadwooding is lighter than a structural reduction.
Hauling away the debris is an add-on, so ask any company you compare us with whether it is in their number. Call Josh at (850) 888-5603 for a free estimate.
Trimming Live Oaks: Canopy Roads and Permits
Many live oaks are protected inside Tallahassee city limits, and pruning can count as well as removal. Routine maintenance is fine, and removing dead branches generally does not need a permit. Taking off a large share of a protected tree's live canopy, or making major structural cuts, may. Separately, as a matter of tree health, a good rule on live oaks is to never take more than a quarter of the live crown at once.
Trees along designated canopy roads add another layer, since the corridor is protected and the city and county each cover some roads. Safety pruning there is generally supported. Tell us your address when you call and we will say which rules apply before any cut is made.
Pruning for Storm Season
Most storm damage starts with something predictable: dead wood that snaps first, two stems of equal size joined at a weak V, a dense crown that catches wind like a sail, or a lean toward the house. Thinning the crown lets wind pass through, and removing deadwood takes the first things that fail off the tree. Water oaks and laurel oaks are brittle and fail more than their size suggests, so a large one over a structure deserves a look every season. Live oaks are among the most wind-resistant trees here, but older ones with decay or disturbed roots are the exception.
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, so the practical deadline for pre-season trimming is late May to early June, before demand climbs. Pruning cannot make a tree storm-proof. It removes the weak points you can see.
Crown Reduction vs. Topping
Topping cuts the main branches or trunk back to stubs. The tree answers with a flush of weak shoots attached only to the outer wood, loses much of the leaf area it feeds itself with, and the big flat cuts become entry points for decay and insects. A crown reduction is a different cut. It shortens limbs back to a side branch large enough to take over, so the tree keeps its shape and the wounds can seal.
If you are thinking about topping for a view, for light, or because a tree worries you, tell us. We will explain the trade-offs and what we would recommend instead, then talk through what you want done.
Trimming Near Power Lines
Utility crews prune around the lines, and they usually cut one side of a tree back toward the wires. That leaves the tree lopsided, which can raise the risk of failure on the heavy side in a storm. Who controls what depends on your area and on whether the tree stands in the right-of-way. If branches are touching or near the lines at your house, call the utility first. For the rest of the tree, call us.
When to Call for Trimming
Call when limbs hang over the roof or touch the house, when dead branches show in the canopy, when a crown has grown so dense that light and air cannot get through, or when branches block a driveway, a sightline, or a view. Dead and hazardous limbs should not wait for a season. Otherwise the timing is flexible: most trees can be pruned year-round here, live oaks do best in late fall or winter, and deciduous trees are easiest to shape in winter when you can see the branch structure.
What Is Included and What Costs Extra
The quote covers the pruning. Chipping, hauling, and raking up are add-ons we price with you at the estimate. If you want to keep the wood or the chips, tell us at the estimate. Our climbers do not use spikes on trees we are pruning, because spikes wound the tree.
Where We Trim Trees
We prune and trim trees across Leon County and the Big Bend, including these Tallahassee neighborhoods and nearby towns.
Our Tree Pruning Process
We don't cut corners. Here's how every tree pruning job works.
1
Inspection
We look at the whole tree (structure, health, deadwood, clearance issues) and talk with you about what you want to achieve.
2
Plan
We identify which branches need to come off and what type of pruning will get the best result for your tree and your property.
3
Prune
Our climbers work through the canopy making clean, proper cuts. No spikes on living trees. Just good arboriculture.
4
Cleanup (optional add-on)
Debris handling is quoted when you call Josh at (850) 888-5603. Cleanup and haul-off are add-ons. If you'd rather keep the wood or handle some cleanup yourself, that's your call.
Why Choose Reed Tree Service for Tree Pruning?
You've got options for tree work in Tallahassee. Here's what you get with Reed.
- Climbers who use proper pruning cuts and protect tree health
- We never use climbing spikes on trees we're pruning, spikes wound the tree
- Timing and cuts chosen for the species of tree in front of us
- Clean, detailed work, we prune for the tree's health, not just to make it smaller
Tree Pruning FAQ
Common questions about tree pruning in Tallahassee and the surrounding area.
In the industry, pruning refers to selective removal of specific branches for the tree's health and structure. Trimming usually means shaping for appearance or clearance. In practice, most homeowners use the words interchangeably, and we know what you mean either way. When you call, we'll figure out exactly what your tree needs.
Most trees can be pruned any time of year in North Florida, oaks included. Late fall through winter is a good time for them and summer is fine too. The spring pruning bans you may read about come from oak wilt states, and oak wilt has not been detected in Florida. Dead or hazardous branches should be removed as soon as you spot them regardless of season. We'll advise you on the best timing for your specific trees.
Josh quotes every trimming job after he looks at the trees. The price depends on the size of the tree, how many trees you need done, how much growth comes off, and access. One small tree is a quick job. A row of large oaks over a house takes more time and skill. Cleanup is quoted extra. Call Josh at (850) 888-5603.
A good rule for live oaks is to take no more than about a quarter of the live crown at once. Cutting more strips the tree of the leaves it feeds itself with. Whether a permit applies is a separate question. The right amount for your tree depends on its species, health, and what you want done, and we will talk through it at the estimate.
Routine maintenance and removing dead branches generally do not. Many live oaks are protected inside city limits, and taking off a large share of the live canopy, or making major structural cuts, may need a permit. Properties in unincorporated Leon County follow county rules instead. Give us your address and we will tell you which applies.
It helps, but it is not a guarantee. Removing deadwood, thinning a dense crown so wind passes through, and correcting weak joins take out the weak points that fail first. Late May to early June is the practical deadline before hurricane season starts on June 1. A tree that is already leaning, decayed, or heaving at the roots may need an assessment or removal, not trimming.
Cleanup is an add-on. The quote covers the pruning, and chipping, hauling, and raking are priced separately so you only pay for what you want. If you would rather keep the wood or handle some of it yourself, say so. To get a quote, call (850) 888-5603.
Related Services
Other ways we can help with your trees and property.
Tree Removal
Safe removal of any size tree, from open-yard drops to sectional takedowns over roofs. Insured.
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Tree Care
Health checks and care to keep your trees thriving for years.
Learn MoreCabling & Bracing
Structural support systems that save valuable trees by preventing splitting and failure.
Learn MoreTree Pruning Across North Florida & South Georgia
We provide tree pruning throughout the Big Bend region and beyond.