Does Capitol Tree Care have a Certified Arborist on staff?

Yes. The owner, James Burtchell, is a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). James’ ISA certified number is TX-3593A.

Is Capitol Tree Care insured?

Yes. Capitol Tree Care holds a general liability policy in the amount of $1,000,000.00/ incident to protect each customer in the event of an accident. A certificate of insurance can be provided to each customer per request.

Why should we hire Capitol Tree Care over the competition?

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.

Does Capitol Tree Care provide free estimates?

Yes. We provide free estimates for services, however we do charge for an Arborist consultation or tree assessment. Customers often overlap free estimates vs. a consultation. A consultation consists of a customer requesting an Arborist to assess a tree for safety and health or to provide recommendations before purchasing a new property. Free estimates are in place for customers looking for the cost to provide a service such as tree pruning, tree removal or health care services.

What measures does Capitol Tree Care take to protect a customer’s tree(s) from Oak Wilt?

Oak Wilt is a devastating vascular fungus that affects Live Oaks and Red Oaks. To ensure we protect each of our customer’s assets. We sterilize all saw blades before each job and seal all cuts on Oaks over ½” in diameter. We also consult our customers to avoid pruning Live Oaks and Red Oaks between February 1 – June 30.

Do I need a permit to remove my tree?

The City of Austin, TX requires a removal permit if the trunk diameter of the tree is 19” DBH or larger. DBH stands for diameter at breast height which is measured at 4.5’ from the base of the trunk.

We are about to begin construction. Can anything be done to protect our trees throughout the process?

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!

What are some signs that my tree may not be healthy?

Poor shoot elongation and die-back at the tips of each shoot are indications that your tree may be in decline or stressed. Stunted leaf size, extremely thin canopies and chlorotic (yellowing) leaves are also indications of poor nutrition or stress.

Does Capitol Tree Care provide health maintenance?

Yes! We provide services such as soil aeration and organic health care to keep your trees healthy and promote strong tree vigor. Ask us about our ongoing maintenance plans and how they can help protect your trees!

Should I be watering my trees?

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.

Tree Protection Services

During construction projects there are many instances where contractors, builders and land developers overlook the health and safety of your trees. Most of the damage done to trees during construction occurs to their root systems. It is common for trees to survive during the project, but to then decline a few years following construction. To protect your trees throughout the duration of construction, our ISA certified arborists can consult with commercial developers or the property owner to create site-specific plans to protect your green assets!

Involving a certified arborist during the planning stages of any project is crucial for the health and vitality of your trees. Capitol Tree Care is ready to develop a plan to protect your trees and limit their exposure to adverse conditions.

If your project has already been completed but you did not have tree protection in place, one of our certified arborists can come out to review your trees and put together a mitigation plan to reverse damaged caused to unprotected trees, including the aeration of compacted soils and fertilization treatments.

Frequent Types of Damage Caused to Unprotected Trees:

Severed Roots
Soil compaction in the Critical Root Zone
Smothered roots due to soil grade changes
Physical damage to trunk or crown
New exposure to wind and sunlight
Buried root collars

Tree Protection Methods:

Wrapping trunks with 2×4’s
Mulching Critical Root Zones
Fencing the Critical Root Zone
Trenching with the Airspade tool instead of excavators, shovels or trenchers
Proper irrigation & drainage

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is tree protection important during construction?

Tree protection is essential because most damage occurs underground where roots are located. Heavy equipment, soil compaction, or changes in soil levels can severely harm a tree’s root system. While a tree may appear fine during the project, hidden damage can cause it to deteriorate months or even years later. Protecting trees early helps preserve their health, stability, and value long after construction is completed.

What are the most common types of construction damage to trees?

The most common types of damage include severed roots, compacted soil around the root zone, smothered roots caused by soil grade changes, and physical injury to the trunk or branches. Trees can also suffer from exposure to excessive wind and sunlight or from buried root collars due to improper grading. Each of these issues can weaken a tree’s structure and overall health if not properly managed.

How does Capitol Tree Care protect trees during construction?

Capitol Tree Care develops site-specific protection plans designed to keep your trees safe throughout the entire construction process. Our Certified Arborists may wrap trunks with 2×4’s to prevent impact damage, install fencing around the Critical Root Zone, and apply mulch to retain moisture and reduce soil compaction. We also use advanced tools like the AirSpade for trenching to avoid root injury and ensure proper irrigation and drainage are maintained during the project.

What is the Critical Root Zone (CRZ) and why is it important?

The Critical Root Zone is the area around the base of a tree that contains most of its vital roots responsible for water and nutrient absorption. Protecting this area is crucial because any damage or disturbance here can directly affect the tree’s stability and health. Preserving the CRZ during construction helps ensure the tree continues to thrive after the project is completed.

Can damaged trees recover after construction?

Some trees can recover from minor damage with proper care, such as pruning, soil aeration, and consistent watering. However, severe root or trunk injuries are often irreversible and may lead to gradual decline or failure. This is why prevention through early protection and planning is the best way to safeguard your trees during construction.

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Tree Protection Services in Austin, TX

Services

Frequent Types of Damage Caused to Unprotected Trees:

Tree Protection Methods:

Frequently Asked Questions