🌳 Tree Trimming

Tree Trimming: The Core of My Work

Trimming is what I do most days, and I climb nearly every job myself. That matters because I won't let a crew in a hurry butcher a tree. I take out the deadwood first, clear the roof and the rear lane, and bring the crown back into balance without rounding it off into a ball. You see trees on heritage streets around Edmonton that are enormous old American elms, and on the post-war boulevards there's green ash everywhere. Both species respond well to thoughtful trimming, but only if the cuts are made where they belong.

Before I go up, I walk you through what I plan to cut and why. That way you know exactly what the tree will look like when I'm done, and there are no surprises. I remove branches that are dead or crossing, thin out the interior so light and air move through, and respect the tree's natural shape. Sometimes a tree has storm damage or a limb rubbing the house; sometimes it just needs clearance from the power lines around your private service entrance. When a tree is too far gone to save, I can move you toward tree removal instead, but most of the time trimming is the answer.

I serve the Edmonton area with free estimates. Call me at (587) 415-0008 to book a time, and I'll come out and show you what needs doing.

A question about tree trimming? Call me, the estimate is free. 📞 (587) 415-0008

🪓 Tree Removal

Tree Removal in Tight Spaces

I'm known for removals where there's nowhere to go. A tree against the house, a rear-lane lot with no gate, a backyard on the valley bank, these are the jobs I do best. When a machine won't fit or would tear up the property, I dismantle the tree by rope, section by section, and lower every piece under control. It's slower than felling, but it's the only way to work in Edmonton's older neighbourhoods where space is tight and every inch counts.

I always ask first: does the tree actually need to come down? Sometimes what looks like a problem is just a branch that needs pruning or cabling to stabilize it. If it does need to come out, disease, storm damage, roots heaving the foundation, I'll walk you through what I see and what the work involves. Private trees here don't usually need a permit, but elm is the exception. I check the rules for your address and I'll tell you straight if yours is one.

I bring my truck and my gear, and I do the climbing and cutting myself. When the pieces are down, I can chip the branches on site or haul everything away, your choice. If you want to know what it costs, call me. The estimate is free, and I'll give you a straight answer about whether this tree needs to go.

A question about tree removal? Call me, the estimate is free. 📞 (587) 415-0008

🌿 Hedge Trimming

Hedge Trimming Through the Season

I trim hedges right through the growing season here in Edmonton and the surrounding area. Caragana, cotoneaster, lilac, dwarf spruce, these are the species that survive our winters, whatever the garden centre promises you. Cedar hedges rarely make it past a few seasons in our climate, and I'll tell you that before you plant one. When I come out, I work the top and both faces where I can reach them safely. I often square things away with your neighbour so the whole hedge gets done in one visit and both properties look even.

The work depends on what you're starting with. A caragana hedge left five years without cutting will take a hard renewal cut and come back strong. A spruce hedge is different, once I cut into the brown wood, it won't regenerate, and I'll say so before I pick up my saw. That's the difference between a hedge you can rejuvenate and one that's done. I do the job right the first time so you know what to expect next season. If your hedge needs reshaping or you're looking at removing an overgrown one entirely, I can also help with tree removal work on the property.

Call me at (587) 415-0008 for a free estimate. I'll look at what you've got, tell you what's realistic, and explain how often you'll need trimming to keep it looking the way you want.

A question about hedge trimming? Call me, the estimate is free. 📞 (587) 415-0008

⛏️ Stump Grinding

Stump Grinding: Clear Ground After Removal

A stump left in your lawn becomes a problem fast. The mower catches it every time you cut, new shoots keep sprouting from the roots, and the wood rots away unevenly over years, leaving a soft spot and an eyesore. I grind stumps low enough that you can re-sod, plant new trees, or simply reclaim flat, usable ground. I use a dedicated grinder to cut the stump and roots well below grade, so nothing catches your equipment later. When the job is done, I can either backfill the hole with the wood chips (which break down and enrich the soil) or haul the whole lot away and leave you with clean earth.

Elm stumps need special handling because disposal rules in the Edmonton area require them to be ground lower and processed separately. I follow those requirements as part of the work. I also grind stumps that another contractor walked away from, or that have been sitting for years. Tell me where it is, and I'll come out to assess it and give you a free estimate with no obligation. I've ground stumps in rear lanes, along property lines, and in tight spaces where I need to work around fences or buildings, so access is rarely a deal-breaker. If you're planning a tree planting or transplanting project, grinding the old stump first gives you a clean slate.

Call me at (587) 415-0008 to describe the stump and arrange your free estimate.

A question about stump grinding? Call me, the estimate is free. 📞 (587) 415-0008

✂️ Tree Pruning

Tree Pruning: Structural Work That Matters

Pruning is structural work, and I approach it differently than simple trimming. When I prune a tree, I'm lightening the crown, opening the centre, and cutting down the sail, the overall wind resistance. That matters here in Edmonton because what breaks branches is wet spring snow landing on trees that have already leafed out. A heavy, dense crown catches snow like a sail and snaps under the weight. By opening the structure and reducing bulk, I'm building resilience into the tree for years to come.

I won't top a healthy tree, no matter who asks. Topping gives you weak regrowth and a much bigger problem in five years: multiple stems competing, poor branch angles, and a tree that's actually more dangerous than before. Instead, I thin selectively, remove crossing branches, and make cuts that heal properly. On a big boulevard elm, I'll often split the work across two seasons to avoid shocking the tree. Elm also has a legal dormant window, I only prune it between October and March, so timing is built into the plan.

The work takes skill and planning, but it costs you nothing to have me look. I'll climb it myself, assess the crown structure, show you what needs to happen and why, and give you a free estimate. If you're seeing dense canopy, storm damage, or branches rubbing together, or if you want to prepare a tree for winter snow load, call me at (587) 415-0008. I can also advise on cabling and bracing for trees under structural stress.

A question about tree pruning? Call me, the estimate is free. 📞 (587) 415-0008

🔗 Cabling & Bracing

Cabling and Bracing for Split Trees

When a tree develops a split union or a cracked scaffold limb, you don't always have to remove it. I can often save it with cabling and bracing. On the south side of Edmonton, that means keeping elms that went in when the street was first laid out, trees that are basically irreplaceable. I fit a flexible cable between the leaders to support the weak joint, and sometimes add a brace lower down where the limbs fork. Once the crown leafs out you barely see the hardware, so the tree keeps its shape and presence on your property.

The work starts with a close look at the damage. I climb up and assess whether the crack is fresh or whether the wood is already compromised. If the trunk is rotten at the base, I'll tell you straight: cabling won't help, and we'll talk about tree removal instead. But if the structure is sound and the split is recent, the cable does real work. I come back to inspect it after a season or two, checking for any movement or wear. The goal is to hold the limbs together long enough for the tree to compartmentalize the wound and grow stronger on its own. It's not a permanent fix, but it can buy a mature tree decades of life.

Storm damage, heavy snow loading, or just the weight of age can push a healthy tree past its balance point. If you've noticed a crack opening up or limbs sagging, call me for a free estimate. I'll tell you whether cabling makes sense for your tree, or whether tree pruning or another approach is the better path. Phone (587) 415-0008.

A question about cabling & bracing? Call me, the estimate is free. 📞 (587) 415-0008

🐛 Dutch Elm Disease

Dutch Elm Disease: Detection and Legal Pruning

Edmonton has one of the healthiest elm populations left anywhere, and that's not accident. It comes down to how people prune and how they handle the wood afterward. If you notice one branch on your elm turning yellow and wilting in July while the rest of the crown looks fine, don't reach for the saw. Call me instead. I'll come out at no charge, look at the overall shape of the tree, peel back some bark to check for the streaking that signals Dutch elm disease, and tell you exactly what you're dealing with. That early call can make the difference between saving an elm and losing it.

Dutch elm disease moves through the vascular system of the tree, and once it takes hold, pruning becomes a matter of timing and law. Alberta has a provincial elm pruning ban from April 1 to September 30, and I book all my elm work inside the legal window when the beetles that carry the disease are not active. If the tree is infected, I remove the affected limbs and dispose of the wood properly, following the rules that protect the wider elm community. If the disease has spread too far, we discuss whether tree removal is the only option. I also coordinate with your municipality, since some areas in and around Edmonton have their own requirements for elm work.

What you'll see is a methodical process, not a rushed one. I take time to read the tree, explain what I find, and plan the work so your elm has the best chance. If you spot anything unusual on your elms this season, call me for a free estimate and a proper diagnosis.

A question about dutch elm disease? Call me, the estimate is free. 📞 (587) 415-0008

🚛 Wood Chipping

Wood Chipping: Clearing Your Brush Pile

I chip everything I cut, right there on your property. That means no extra truck trips, no mess left behind, and no brush piling up in your lane for weeks. If you've done your own cutting and you're left with a heap of branches and twigs, I'll come out just for that, I don't need a full job to make it worthwhile. I bring my chipper to you, process the material on site, and you see the difference before I leave.

Most homeowners in the Edmonton area keep the chips for their garden beds and landscaping. Wood chips hold moisture through our dry summers, which counts for a lot when you're watering less often. Others prefer I haul the whole lot away, either way suits me. I'll sweep the lane before I go, so there's no debris scattered across your driveway. If you've got a pile of brush from tree trimming or hedge trimming work, or you're clearing land yourself, wood chipping saves you time and gives you a useful end product instead of a burn pile.

Tell me roughly how big the pile is, a rough description is all I need, and I'll give you a free estimate over the phone. Call me at (587) 415-0008 to get started.

A question about wood chipping? Call me, the estimate is free. 📞 (587) 415-0008

🌱 Tree Planting & Transplanting

Tree Planting and Transplanting

I plant species that actually survive in this zone, and I set them far enough from the foundation for their mature size. That spacing mistake is what I spend most of my time undoing on Edmonton-area properties, a tree planted three metres from the house looks fine at year five, then its crown starts rubbing the eaves and its roots start hunting for the water line. I also diversify rather than putting in yet another green ash, because a street planted all one species is a street with one problem waiting to happen.

If a young tree went in the wrong spot, I can move it, as long as the root system will take the transplant. I handle the pit, the staking, and I give real watering instructions for the first two summers, not just "water it" but how often, how deep, and what to watch for. When I'm done, the tree has the best chance to establish, and you know exactly what it needs from you. I can also assess whether an existing tree pruning job or cabling and bracing would help a young tree's structure before it gets large.

Call me at (587) 415-0008 for a free estimate. I'll look at your site, talk through what survives here, and show you where the tree needs to go.

A question about tree planting & transplanting? Call me, the estimate is free. 📞 (587) 415-0008

🔬 Tree Disease Detection

Tree Disease Detection and Diagnosis

A tree losing its crown, shedding bark, or growing fungus at the root collar needs a proper look before you decide anything. I come out to your property here in the Edmonton area, check the trunk, the collar, and whatever root plate is visible, and give you a straight answer: it recovers, or it doesn't. I don't sell a treatment for the sake of selling one. Half the ash I get called to are drought-stressed or have a frost crack down the south-west side, not diseased, and that changes everything about how to proceed.

My inspection starts with what I can see and feel. I look for cankers, splits in the bark, fungal fruiting bodies, and signs of pest activity. I examine the root collar where the trunk meets the soil, since that's where many problems hide. I check the branch structure to see if the crown is thinning or dying back unevenly. If there's a question about what I'm seeing, I take samples or photographs so you understand exactly what we're dealing with. Sometimes a tree that looks sick is just stressed by drought or compacted soil, and that's fixable. Sometimes it's genuinely declining, and tree removal is the safer choice. Either way, you know where you stand before spending money.

Costs nothing to have me over. Call me at (587) 415-0008 for a free estimate, and I'll tell you what the tree needs.

A question about tree disease detection? Call me, the estimate is free. 📞 (587) 415-0008

Tree Trimming, Tree Removal & Stump Grinding in Edmonton

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Everything I do for your trees, in Edmonton and the surrounding area