Yes, Capitol Tree Care has 2 certified arborists on staff. The owner (James Burtchell) has a Forestry degree from A&M, is a certified arborist with the ISA and has a number of additional certifications, including an Oak Wilt and Wildfire Reduction Risk certifications.
Yes. The owner, James Burtchell, is a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). James’ ISA certified number is TX-3593A.
Yes. Capitol Tee Care holds a general liability insurance policy to cover property damage from an accident. We also have worker’s compensation insurance. Copies of our general liability insurance can be provided upon request.
Not only is the owner an ISA certified arborist, James holds a Bachelor’s degree in Forest Science from Texas A&M University, College Station. James is ISA Texas Oak Wilt Certified, TOWC-0269 and is a ISA Qualified Tree Risk Assessor. Alongside formal education, James also has been working in the tree care industry since 2007 and has obtained years of on-the-job experience. Proper knowledge is key in the industry since there a lot “tree trimmers” out there that provide unqualified service at a cheap price. We also pride ourselves on ethical behavior and our quality of work so we will always make sure you are happy with the work before we leave your property.
Oak Wilt is a highly destructive and often fatal vascular fungal disease of Live Oak and Red Oak trees, particularly prevalent in Central Texas (including Austin). It is caused by a fungus which invades the xylem (the water-conducting vessels of the trees) and the tree responds by plugging the tissues, which results in a lack of water to the leaves and slowly kills the infected tree. It spreads through interconnected root systems or above ground by Nitidulid beetles. We protect against Oak Wilt by sterilizing all blades before each job and seal cuts on oaks over 1/2″ in diameter. We also advise our customers to avoid pruning on Oak trees during the high-risk time of the year from February 1st to June 30th.
Central Texas has seen multiple years of intense drought condition resulting in the loss of 1 million trees in Texas alone. Proper watering of trees during the hot summer months will increase your tree’s ability to function, thrive and protect itself from harmful fungi and pests. To ensure proper watering, water your trees with a slow & deep application throughout the entire Critical Root Zone (CRZ) of the tree. The CRZ is the root zone located under the entire canopy of the tree. During the hottest months of the year, watering once a week is a safe practice, but also account for rainfall as to avoid keeping your soils saturated. Saturated soils can be just as detrimental to a tree as having a lack of water. Automated drip irrigation watering is the best way to ensure a slow and deep watering of your tree and make sure it has the moisture it needs to stay healthy.
Yes — over-pruning or making improper cuts can stress a tree or or cause poor compartmentalization of wound-sites, leading to increased risk of decay. That’s why it’s important to work with trained arborists like our team at Capitol Tree Care, who follow industry-best pruning practices.
For most species, late winter or early spring is ideal, but it can vary. We’ll help you choose the right time to minimize stress and promote healthy growth. With regards to pruning your Live Oaks and Red Oaks to reduce risk of Oak Wilt transmission, the best time to prune is between July 1-January 31.
Poor shoot elongation, branch tip die-back, stunted leaf size, significantly thinning canopies, “chlorotic” or yellowing leaves, etc. are some general symptoms or a stressed and/declining tree. If you are seeing symptoms which are concerning, call us and we can send a certified arborist out to assess the health of your tree and provide recommended health plans if needed.
Different cities have different requirements when it comes to tree regulations. In the City of Austin, on a one- and two-unit residential property, a tree with a diameter of 19 inches or greater requires a permit to remove. On commercial and multifamily properties, any tree that is 8 inches or greater in diameter is regulated and requires a permit to remove. Our arborists can measure your tree, help you determine if a permit is required for removal, and submit the permit on your behalf (including all necessary documentation) to the City of Austin so you do not need to worry about this process at all. We will also keep you informed once your permit has been approved and your tree is ready for removal.
Ball Moss and Mistletoe are plants that attach to tree branches. While Ball Moss isn’t always harmful, it can block light and weaken branches. Mistletoe, however, draws nutrients from your tree and can shorten its lifespan.
An Airspade uses compressed air to safely remove soil around a tree’s roots without damaging them. It’s an excellent tool to relieve compacted soils and safely remove soil from around root areas.
Cables are placed between leaders or branches in the canopy to reduce stress and increase structure to poor unions and/or over-extended branches. Threaded bolt rods are placed through or above unions to add structure to poor unions. These systems can be used in tandem to increase overall structure to a tree that may lack structure due to weak unions that have “included bark”. If you are unsure if your tree needs a cable or brace, consult with a certified arborist on the best course of action.
Yes, we stand behind our planting work. We’ll provide care instructions and guidance to ensure your new tree gets the best start possible and we warranty our plantings for 6 months so you can rest assured we take pride in the quality of our work.
Absolutely — we take care of all organic material generated from pruning or tree removal services so you don’t have to worry about it.
Absolutely! Construction can be extremely stressful to a tree and can cause decline or the death of a tree. Protecting trunks and root zones, as well as supplemental watering, can maintain health and vigor and protect from possible soil compaction or physical damage to the trunk of canopy. Refer to our Construction Mitigation service page for more information!
