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 Removal & Stump Grinding

Capitol Tree Care provides reliable and professional tree & stump removal services to residents and businesses throughout Austin, TX and the surrounding areas. Although removing a tree sometimes isn’t the first choice, it is sometimes necessary under certain circumstances. Removing a tree is required when trees become diseased, dead, hazardous, invasive or was simply the wrong tree chosen for its location. Following the tree removal process, we also provide stump grinding services to remove the now unsightly stump. Stumps can end up being a trip hazard and have the potential to rot away over time, attracting unwanted pests close to a structure or other desirable trees.

Tree Removal

Trees are subject to biotic and abiotic stressors that effect their health and vigor, pest and disease resistance, annual growth and overall condition. These stressors effect a trees ability to operate normally and defend itself, which can cause trees to decline and/or fail at the roots, stems and/or branches. Degradation of a tree can lead to a situation where the tree may be structurally unsound and dangerous or significantly poor in overall health which may warrant removal. When a trees condition warrants removal, removal and a new tree planting are recommended to mitigate the loss and create a safer space.

Whatever the case, you can rest easy knowing that Capitol Tree Care can safely remove your tree while protecting you, your family and your property.

Removing a tree involves extreme caution and planning to protect the crew, structures, and other individuals on the property. For your protection, Capitol Tree Care carries general liability, worker’s compensation and auto/equipment insurance, and utilizes the proper equipment and safe work practices to provide a safe and quality service.

WARNING: Removing a tree is a dangerous task and should only be performed by a professional and insured tree service!

Stump Grinding

Stump grinding removes stumps through the use of powerful grinding equipment and tools that rotate a cutting disc, chipping away at the wood and roots that remain after the stem is cut down to a stump. Capitol Tree Care utilizes a Bandit SG40 model stump grinder to complete grinding services for our customers.

Once your stump is ground to a depth of 10″-12″ below soil grade, the remaining generated wood chips are left on your property in the same location were the stump once stood. The wood chips can be used on your existing landscape as hardwood mulch or can be removed from your property for an additional fee.

In order to protect your property from any ejected rocks, roots or large chips during the grinding process, our tree care company utilizes a “tri-guard” folding shield that can be placed between the grinding equipment and the area or item being protected. Our goal is to provide a safe, reliable and quality service for our customers!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when a tree needs to be removed?

If a tree is dead, diseased, or hazardous to people or property, removal may be necessary. Our arborists will inspect it first to confirm if removal is the best option.

Is tree removal dangerous?

It can be — especially for large or storm-damaged trees. Our team uses professional equipment and follows strict safety standards to remove trees safely and efficiently.

What happens to the stump after removal?

We offer stump grinding to completely remove the stump below ground level. This prevents regrowth and leaves the area ready for replanting or landscaping.

Can you remove stumps close to homes or power lines.

It depends, consult with your arborist on if the location of your stump is suitable for a stump grinding service. We call Texas 811 which is a utility locator service to safely mark all utilities in the area prior to stump grinding.

How do I know if my tree needs a permit for removal?

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.

Contact Us

Contact Us

Tree Removal & Stump Grinding in Austin, TX

Services

Tree Removal

Stump Grinding

Frequently Asked Questions