How I Size Up Tree Work After Years in the Trade
After more than a decade working hands-on in tree care across metro Atlanta, I’ve learned that quality shows itself early—often before a single branch is touched. The first time I evaluated a Dunwoody property connected to All In Tree Services, the discussion focused on the things that actually shape outcomes: compacted soil from past renovations, tight access between homes, and how recent storms had already loaded stress into certain trees. That’s the kind of groundwork that keeps problems from snowballing.
In my experience, one of the most common mistakes homeowners make is treating tree work as purely cosmetic. I once reviewed a yard where repeated “clean-ups” had quietly shifted canopy weight toward a fence line. From the street, the tree looked fine. Structurally, it wasn’t. When a routine storm passed through, a major limb failed and damaged the fence and a portion of the yard. The repairs ran into several thousand dollars—not because storms are unpredictable, but because earlier work ignored balance and structure.
Dunwoody properties present their own challenges. Mature trees often share space with older utilities, shallow root zones, and soils compacted by decades of foot and vehicle traffic. Last spring, I assessed a hardwood that showed thinning on one side of the canopy. At first glance it suggested disease. A closer look told a different story: root disturbance from an old trench that had been backfilled years earlier. We adjusted the plan from aggressive cutting to careful weight reduction, preserving the tree while reducing risk. That kind of call comes from seeing the same pattern repeat over time.
Credentials matter, but only if they guide restraint as much as action. I keep my certifications current because techniques and safety standards evolve, but experience is what tells you when removal isn’t the right answer. I’ve advised against taking trees down when they were healthy but inconvenient. In one case, selective pruning solved clearance issues while keeping shade that helped moderate indoor temperatures. Removing that tree would have created heat and drainage problems the homeowner hadn’t anticipated.
Another issue I see often is waiting until a tree becomes an emergency. Homeowners sometimes live with warning signs—cracks forming at branch unions, subtle soil lift near the base, sudden leaf drop—because nothing has gone wrong yet. I’ve been called after limbs landed on roofs or vehicles, and almost every time those indicators were present well in advance. Acting earlier usually means more options and far less disruption.
Good planning also accounts for what happens after the cut. I’ve followed behind jobs where the removal was technically successful, but the yard was left compacted and uneven. Proper tree work considers access routes, turf protection, and how equipment moves across the property. Those details don’t draw much attention during the job, but they determine whether a homeowner is left with a clean result or another problem to solve.
One job that sticks with me involved a tight backyard bordered by fencing and a neighboring garage. The initial plan looked straightforward. A closer assessment revealed hidden tension in the trunk from a previous storm. We switched to a sectional dismantling approach, lowering each piece carefully. It took longer, but it prevented damage that would have cost far more than the extra time on site.
After years in this field, I’ve learned that good tree service is deliberate and often quieter than people expect. It’s built on observation, local knowledge, and the willingness to rethink a plan when conditions demand it. When that mindset guides the work, the results hold up—and the problems that never happen become just as important as the ones that do.
