Services

Trees are investment, an investment that can pay big dividends in curb appeal and property value—if you’re willing to properly maintain them. PInnacle offers a full spectrum of both commercial and residential tree care services in the Atlanta Metropolitan area, helping your trees stay healthy and vibrant. Learn how you can protect your investment by visiting our comprehensive tree service FAQs below:

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Tree Trimming

Need tree trimming in the greater Atlanta metropolitan area? Tree trimming is about more than just hacking off a few branches—it’s vital to the health and look of your tree. Learn why, when, and how to have your trees trimmed with these frequently asked questions about our tree trimming services.

Trimming your trees is just as important as maintaining a car. Without frequent upkeep, a tree, like a car, can slowly decline. While the most apparent reason for pruning is to enhance the visual appeal of a tree, it also dramatically improves health. Removing dead and diseased branches can save an ailing tree before issues spread. Dead or damaged branches also pose a severe threat of breaking, causing injuries and property damage for which you, the property owner, are liable. Other reasons include:

  • Encouraging growth
  • Increasing fruit yields
  • Altering the shape
  • Improving structural integrity
  • Removing branches too close to power lines, street lights, traffic signals, and signs

Tree trimming also winterizes trees, helping them to survive harsher conditions. Proper techniques can even promote root growth, allowing the tree to withstand severe weather better.

We recommend deep pruning on mature trees every three to five years. Fruit trees need yearly pruning. It would be best to trim newly planted trees only when removing dead or damaged branches. Don’t wait too long to prune your younger trees. Suppose you postpone it until their limbs are too large. In that case, you risk making more significant wounds, making them more susceptible to insects, disease, and rot.

The best time to prune your trees is winter, when most tree species are dormant. However, you can usually remove a few dead or damaged branches any time of the year with minimal effect on the tree’s health. Early spring is an excellent time to prune spring-blooming trees like dogwoods and cherry trees once the flowers have dropped.

Don’t prune trees in the summer during the peak growing season, as it can stunt growth and shock the tree. Removing too many branches during this time reduces the leaf surface, which doesn’t allow proper nutrient absorption. 

The cost of tree trimming will depend on the number of trees, their location, and their condition, as well as the estimated number of crew needed to handle the job and the required equipment. Because so many factors go into determining the cost of the job, one of our team members will need to visit onsite to give you an accurate estimate. Whatever your needs, we have some of the most competitive tree-trimming rates around. Each quote is entirely free and comes with no obligation.

Arborist climbing up the tree and cutting branches off with small petrol chainsaw

Tree Removal

Trees can either be an asset or a detriment to your property. When a tree is diseased or damaged, or simply at the end of its life, it’s time to let it go. Whether you’re looking to remove a hazardous tree or simply want to boost the aesthetic appeal of your property, Pinnacle has you covered. Learn about the tree removal process with these frequently asked questions about our tree removal services in North Georgia.

There are many reasons why a tree may need to be removed. Some of the more common reasons include:

  • Storm damage
  • A decaying interior
  • Root systems which threaten foundations or underground utilities
  • Branches blocking a view
  • Proximity to power lines
  • Too much upkeep
  • Aesthetic appeal
  • Invasive or undesirable tree species

Determining if a diseased or damaged tree can be salvaged can be more difficult. Typically if more than half of the tree is damaged, it should be removed unless it has sentimental value. This is especially true of trees with damage located all on one side as lopsided branches can make the tree more likely to fall. Similarly, if a tree has more than fifty percent of its roots damaged—which often occurs after nearby digging or construction work—it’s time to let it go.

Not sure if your tree needs to be removed? Our tree experts are ready and waiting to assess your tree. Call or request a free quote today.

Though it might be tempting to try and remove a tree yourself, the risks to both your property and your personal safety are high. Over 80 tree care workers die each year on the job. Not only do you risk falling should you attempt to climb the tree yourself, you also risk the tree falling on top of your house, your other belongings, or even you. Decaying trees are even more dangerous to remove as they can have weakened root systems and reduced trunk integrity, making them unpredictable and prone to falls.

Even working with common equipment can result in injury. Chainsaw accidents account for over 23,000 emergency visits each year. And don’t forget the threat of electrocution that power lines pose.  Electricity can arc several feet through the air near live lines.

Should the unthinkable happen, the damages and healthcare expenses can easily end up being more than the cost of hiring a tree removal company in the first place. So buy yourself some peace of mind and let the professionals handle it.

There are two main methods we use to remove trees. If space allows, we’ll cut the tree down in one piece, then cut it into smaller pieces for disposal. If, however, the tree happens to be near buildings or power lines, the tree must be scaled and cut in sections, with each section lowered by ropes. Unless stump removal is requested, we’ll cut the tree down to the stump. The branches and wood can either be kept by you for firewood, or we’ll dispose of it in a wood chipper.

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Stump Grinding

Debating on what to do with that unsightly stump in your yard? Leaving it could have surprising consequences. Learn why we highly recommend stump grinding with this helpful FAQ on our stump grinding services.

Stump grinding involves using a grinding machine to shred the stump and surrounding roots into chips. Our stump cutter penetrates deep into the soil four to six inches to reach the root system at its source, cutting through even hardwood varieties with ease. Once finished, we pack the hole with the wood chips. The area around the tree can be used to make a new flower bed, or later, when the wood chips have fully settled, the ground can be prepped for sod.

We don’t recommend it. Though leaving a stump might seem harmless, it can cause  problems down the line. Even mowing around a stump can be hazardous. Not only do you run the risk of tripping on the roots, but they can also cause damage to your mower if you accidentally get too close. Those pesky roots can also prevent you from planing a new tree near the previous location, or can even create soft spots in your lawn as they rot, messing up your landscaping plans. Worse, over time rotting stumps can attract damaging insects like termites, carpenter ants, and fungal disease which can then spread to other trees or structures. Some tree species like Crape myrtles and Bradford Pears are notoriously persistent and will continue to sprout, targeting your sidewalks and driveway even after being cut down. To prevent any issues, we recommend stump grinding which destroys the root system as well as the stump.

While there are cases when stump removal is warranted, like in the case of uprooted trees damaged in storms, we prefer grinding to full removal. In fact, it’s the industry standard. Stump removal requires excavating deep below ground into the root system which is far more intrusive and destructive to your lawn. Not only is the required equipment larger, making it more difficult to access your stump, excavating also takes much longer and costs more.

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Emergency Tree Services

When high winds and overly saturated soil combine, tree failure is inevitable, even in healthy trees. Pinnacle knows emergencies can happen at any time. That’s why it’s important for you to find a Tree Service Company that is dedicated to being on-call with our emergency tree service hotline, ready to mobilize anywhere in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. Don’t be caught unprepared. Learn what to do in an emergency and how to prevent tree storm damage with our frequently asked questions about our emergency tree service providers.

 

We handle all kinds of tree storm damage including tornados, hurricanes, wind damage, ice storms, lightning strikes, and more. For emergency tree removal status, the situation usually meets at least one of the following criteria:

  • the tree has fallen on a house or car
  • the tree is blocking access to someone trapped inside
  • the tree has fallen on or near a powerline
  • you smell gas anywhere near the tree
  • the tree is blocking access to the house or street

If you’re not sure if your situation constitutes and emergency call our hotline and we’ll determine whether or not we need to come right away or if it’s possible to wait until morning to send our crew out. Sometimes it’s not safe for us to deploy right away, but we will get there as soon as we are able.

When a tree falls on your home, the most important thing to do is get to safety. Trees often bring down powerlines with them which can result in electric shock or fire. Get yourself and your family out of the house, and watch for powerlines. Sometimes a downed wire can still function, but it still poses a serious danger. Shut off the power to your house at the breaker box if you can. If you smell smoke or natural gas, skip this step and get off the property immediately. While gas lines are usually protected underground, uprooted trees can sever the lines occasionally, causing gas leaks. Call 911 and let the fire department know if you have downed powerlines,  smell smoke or see a fire, or suspect a gas leak. Once it’s safe for you to do so, call Pinnacle emergency hotline at 4704188281. And be sure to follow our emergency checklist!

If a tree falls on your property because of a storm or accident homeowners’ insurance will usually cover it, but not always. As long as the tree was in good health before it fell, your insurance should cover the claim. However, if they determine that the incident was preventable due to neglect on your part, they won’t. Be sure to regularly prune your trees and remove dead or diseased trees to avoid any issues down the road.

If a neighbors tree falls on your property, your neighbor’s insurance will be liable. If for any reason they are not covered, your insurance should handle the claim on your behalf.

Simply having “tree removal” coverage does not mean you can have any tree removed. If the tree does NOT fall on your house or car and does not cause any damage, you’ll need to pay for the removal out of pocket. Similarly, if the tree is healthy and has not been uprooted, they won’t cover removal either.