Safe clearance consists of pruning trees so as to prevent damage to structures by contact with tree limbs. Where possible, live oak limbs are pruned to 3′ from any structure, and other species will be pruned as far back as 4′. This allows enough space between trees and structures that, with normal growth, the procedure should not need repeating for at least three years. We recommend removing dangerous limbs above your roof, and clearing your roof from limbs 2-6 feet back to remove the highway for rodents, to prevent damage of shingles & scratching in wind, & to increase the longevity of your roof.

We can clear your yard, sidewalk, and property so people don’t have to duck to come to your front door. Raise it up and give you a properly cared for full canopy.

In all cases, tree removal should be handled by reputable professionals only. We follow the standards set by the International Society of Arboriculture to ensure that each job runs safely and efficiently. AJ TreeServices has up-to-date equipment, experience, and the expertise to remove any tree in any situation. Tree removal is recommended only when the tree is dead or dying, hazardous, causing obstruction, when new construction is involved, or when a replacement of a more suitable specimen is needed. Certain areas of Austin require a Tree Permits to remove a tree over 17 inches (approx. 4 ft up from the ground is where to measure) in diameter (measure the circumference then divide by pi). Rollingwood also restricts the trimming of oak trees to certain times of the year unless a tree is damaged or has caused damage.

Dead, diseased, and broken wood can be removed at any time of year. However, for general pruning the best time is in late winter or early spring just before growth begins.

Ball moss grows well in areas with low light, little airflow, and high humidity, which is commonly provided by southern shade trees, such as Live Oaks. Ball mosses are circular photosynthesizers ranging in size from a golf ball to a soccer ball. It is not a parasite like mistletoe. Ball moss is typically removed by hand. Other ways of removing this is with a high-pressure water spray, or with a fungicide that contains copper, which we have not found to work, or by spraying a baking soda mixture to your tree to slow down the attaching process. The proliferation of ball moss has become a serious problem, killing native trees by the thousands of hectares. Ball moss is widely present around Central Texas, mostly in Live Oak trees. While all recognize that it is not a parasite like mistletoe (also widely prevalent in Central Texas), it can overload a tree’s under branches. It is often seen to be a precursor (but not causal) of a tree’s death as the ball moss will concentrate on the dead and dying branches. It is air born, so very difficult to completely remove from all your trees. If your neighbors still have it, then you will again.

We are locally owned and operated but can travel to where we are needed. We have helped out in many Texas weather disasters, including the most recent one in Houston. When a tornado came threw downtown Austin (and our own courtyard- see the gallery), we were the first out there helping families and the city put it back together. We have a 24 hour emergency line with plenty of information to get the help that you need, in a timely manner. We will always recommend fertilization after a big storm and if many limbs were ripped off of a tree, as this is very traumatizing to a tree and will give it that extra shot that it may need for the storm damage restoration.

The main nutrient used in the growth of trees is nitrogen, and with other macro-nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium not usually deficient in our soils, fertilization activities usually focus on the addition of nitrogen as a supplement, or to otherwise improve tree growth. However, some trees may be faced with deficiencies in micro-nutrients, such as iron or magnesium, which may be corrected either directly through adding the specific nutrient, or indirectly through modifying soil characteristics such as soil acidity. We do provide free estimates for our deep root fertilization. If you want your neighbors to be jealous of your big beautiful tree in early fall when it still has its leaves and theirs does not, we recommend this! If you want your tree to be the first in the spring to have its leaves, we recommend this! This of course is the best known treatments, and for any tree disease we can not guarantee the result. We do recommend watering your trees before and after any treatments.

If there is oak wilt in your area, we want you to know that you can take preventative measures! Let our Certified Arborist and Certified Texas Oak Wilt Specialist alleviate your concerns with a diagnostic checkup and treatment options for your trees. Please call us immediately to schedule an appointment. We use Alamo Fungicide in our treatment.

Webworm prevention & treatment done a safer way than spraying chemicals around. We use Mauget injections, like a shot for your tree- when the worms eat the tree, they will die off. This is not harmful to pets and children, like the sprays.