Tree trimming and pruning in Memphis
Ask for pruning that solves a specific problem, not a smaller tree at any cost. Help My Tree offers Memphis tree trimming and pruning. We will not top your tree.
Updated 2026-10-25
We will not top your tree.
What should pruning accomplish?
Tell us which branch blocks access or what has changed over the roof. ISA says every cut should have a reason.[9] Removing dead branches, improving form and reducing risk are recognized objectives.[9] A tree does not need routine thinning simply because its crown looks dense. ISA notes that thinning does not necessarily improve health and heavy pruning can stress a tree.[9] Ask which branches are proposed for removal and why those cuts fit the objective.
When should Memphis oaks be pruned?
Tennessee Forestry advises avoiding oak pruning from March through July, when beetles that can carry oak wilt are active.[4] It also states that the pathogen is not considered established across Tennessee.[4] Do not mistake precautionary timing advice for a diagnosis in your yard. If a branch looks unsafe, describe the hazard rather than deciding to wait based only on a calendar. Keep people away from the area while seeking an assessment.
Is this work for MLGW?
MLGW says never attempt trimming near or touching power lines.[7] Its Line Clearance area determines whether utility facilities are threatened.[7] The utility says its contractors remove or chip debris during normal trimming, but it does not remove storm-caused tree debris.[7] That distinction matters when discussing who will handle the wood. Send the location of the tree and identify visible wires from a safe distance. Do not assume a private pruning request replaces utility coordination.
What is the alternative to topping?
ISA describes reduction as shortening a tree back to suitable secondary branches.[9] That is different from cutting the crown to an arbitrary height. Correct cuts sit outside the branch collar rather than flush against the trunk.[9] These details help you understand a proposal; they are not instructions to climb or use a saw. ISA recommends professional arborist work for pruning above ground or with power equipment.[9]
Should pruning be paired with fertilizer?
Not by default. Our rule is to test before adding anything. Many trees need no fertilizer.[8] Mulch does more for less is our starting position, not a promise for every site. A five-year soil study found woodchip mulch the most cost-effective individual treatment.[12] UT recommends keeping mulch away from the trunk and maintaining a 2 to 3 inch layer over tree roots.[2] Ask for a health assessment if the real concern is declining growth. Removing more branches and adding fertilizer should not substitute for understanding that decline.
Questions about this work
How much canopy should come off?
ISA says the amount depends on size, species, age and the pruning objective.[9] Its general ceiling is not a target, and mature trees should lose less foliage.[9]
What should my request include?
Describe the clearance you need, any broken limbs and the route into the yard. Include a photo of the whole tree if safe. Ask for an explanation of the proposed cuts.