Since I was a child, I have always loved being secluded, especially outside among the trees. Growing up I lived on a six acre property nestled in an area that had a mix of homes and woods in Centerville Georgia. I spent a lot of time outside with only the trees and the animals to keep me company. I always felt like I belonged there. It's where I'd go to find peace.

As an adult, I still find comfort in the trees. The fact that I'm now in the business of removing them may seem odd considering my love for them, however I think the two go hand in hand. The more you love something, the more knowledgeable you are about it, and the more knowledge you have, the better equipped you are to serve your community.

In my years dealing with tree removal, I have found that people are genuinely afraid to have trees in their yard. In some cases those fears are justifiable, other times, not so much.

One scenario we see a lot is:

You recently purchased a home on a wooded lot and want to remove all but one or two trees to reduce the risk of a tree falling on your home.

I don't recommend this. Trees offer the best protection in groups. Just like humans, they catch each other when they fall. A tree is more likely to fall on your house if our house is the only thing there to catch it. The best thing to do is have a tree risk assessment done and remove only the trees that are a danger.

Another is:

You have a pecan tree in your yard that is constantly dropping limbs, so you're thinking topping it is the best thing to do.

Trees need leaves to survive. When you top a tree, it grows back rapidly in attempt to save itself from death. Trees ARE life. All you are doing by topping it is creating an unhealthy cycle of re-growth. Instead of topping, I recommend you accept the pecan tree for what it is and have it trimmed regularly by a professional OR remove it entirely. Pecan trees really aren't good trees to have close to your home, as they require regular maintenance to be safe.

Know your trees. Fear based tree removal may be good for business, but it's bad for life.

Susan Meissner wrote "Just because you hear a rustle in the trees, that doesn't mean that the boogeyman is preparing to pounce on you the minute you turn your back. Sometimes, the rustling is just God sending a breeze to cool your skin after a hard day in the blazing sun."

Remember that as you think about tree removal and if you are unsure if your fears are warranted, call a reliable professional for clarification. We're always here and happy to help.