Frequently Asked Questions

Send us what your insurance company told you, along with any deadline they gave you. We’ll look at the tree and quote the clearance we recommend.

In many cases, we can get the clearance by selectively raising the canopy over the structure. Depending on the tree, that might mean about 12–15 feet of vertical clearance above the roof. Removing every overhanging limb can take off more live canopy than the tree can handle or leave large cuts that can lead to decay.

If the insurer’s instructions specifically call for all overhanging limbs to come off, ask whether they’ll accept the clearance in our quote before scheduling.

Smaller jobs usually take 1–3 hours on site. Mid-sized jobs typically take 4–6 hours, and larger or more complex jobs often take 8–10 hours. Some projects take longer. Once we’ve seen the property and know what’s involved, we can give you a better idea of how long to plan for.

A dead tree can still require a permit. Check with the city or county that handles tree removal for your address, and check HOA requirements separately if applicable. A dead tree may qualify under Florida’s residential exemption if the property and the documented risk meet the law’s requirements.

For a qualifying detached single-family property, Florida Statute § 163.045 requires the owner to have signed documentation from an ISA Certified Arborist or a Florida-licensed landscape architect after an on-site assessment.

The tree must pose an unacceptable risk to people or property. Under the statute, that means removal is the only practical way to bring the risk below moderate.

In Florida, you can generally trim branches that extend onto your property back to the property line. Before scheduling, we recommend talking with your neighbor and confirming where the line is. If cutting back to the line would seriously damage the tree or make it less stable, we’ll explain what we’re seeing and discuss a better pruning option.

If a storm brings down an apparently healthy tree and there was no reasonably foreseeable hazard, that’s generally considered an act of God. In this context, that means the damage was caused by a natural event that reasonable care couldn’t have prevented. The neighbor generally isn’t liable in that situation. Take photos of the damage and contact your own insurer to find out what your policy covers.

Negligence can come into play if the neighbor knew, or reasonably should have known, the tree posed a hazard and failed to take reasonable steps to address it. If that failure contributed to the damage, the neighbor may be responsible. A storm can still be part of what happened.

If the tree is still standing and you’re concerned, start by talking with your neighbor. An arborist’s findings and written notice can help document the condition and when you raised the concern. Liability depends on the facts.

If the line runs from pole to pole, call your power company and say, “Tree branches are interfering with the power line between two utility poles. Who do I talk to about getting the branches cut back from the wires?” If you were already told to call a tree company, call the utility back and make clear that you’re reporting the pole-to-pole line. That helps them route your request to the right department.

If the line runs from a pole to your home or business, that overhead line is called a service drop. The property owner generally arranges the tree trimming. Give us a call and we can talk through the work and whether a temporary disconnect needs to be coordinated with the utility before trimming. Keep clear of the line and any branches touching it.