Tree FAQ
When should my trees be pruned?
This varies from tree to tree. The species to be most aware of are oak, elm, and fruit trees. Due to disease pressure, pruning for these tree species must happen between November and the beginning of April. Most other species can be pruned year around.
Why don't you just cut the entire branch off?
Large cuts on the trunk often are very slow to seal (heal). This delay in sealing tends to be a place where decay can enter the trunk and begin the hollowing process of the trunk, essentially shortening the life of the tree. We try to make pruning cuts out on branches to avoid the introduction of decay into the stem.
Should I have my small/young trees pruned as well?
YES! This is called train pruning or structural pruning. Having your trees pruned when young will ensure you have a structurally superior tree down the road. Pruning when the tree is young also means you save money down the road because you took care of all the problem branches when they were small.
Why is my tree sick?
Good question. Start out by reading our post on how to begin diagnosing tree sickness.
Does Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E) prune trees interfering with power lines?
Yes and no. MG&E prunes on a 4-5 year cycle, depending on the growth rate of your tree. They only prune or remove trees interfering with power lines running run from pole to pole, not from a pole to your home. Pole-to-home lines are called house service (line to your home) and it is your responsibility to keep these lines clear of branches. These lines are coated so contact with a properly coated line should not conduct electricity, but if you have branches close to your house service, please call us. Those branches will eventually need to be pruned, so the sooner the better. The house service lines are very strong, but branches can break them or worse break the tower (pole) that sticks out above your roof or where the line attaches to your house.
Service FAQ
What do you do with the chips you produce?
We can deliver half or full loads to customers in Madison for free. The only requirement is that you be flexible on the delivery time and day. Non-customers can have half or full loads delivered for 50-75$. A full load is around 9-10 cubic yards.
Can you leave some firewood?
Yes! Make sure to mention this when we are visiting your property. If you have specific sizes you want the wood cut into, just let us know ahead of time.
Can you prune my walnut so the nuts don't hit my roof?
Yes! We can this "walnut mitigation." Walnut trees tend to be an open-form tree with fewer branches. This structure allows us to successfully reduce and sometimes eliminate nuts hitting structures or roofs. Each tree is unique, but we have had lots of success preserving walnut trees through aggressive pruning over homes and garages.
Do you haul away the debris?
Yes, unless you want the wood. We don't like to leave a mess, so immaculate clean-up is part of the deal.
Heartwood FAQ
Do you plant trees?
Yes, its Brent's favorite activity. The best time to plant is in the spring and fall. Spring tree orders starts around Feb. 15 and fall tree orders start around Aug 15. Sign up for our mailing list (bottom of this page) to get an announcement via email.
Are you insured?
Absolutely. Heartwood Tree Company carries both liability insurance (to protect property owners and ourselves in case of damage to property or person) and worker's compensation insurance (to protect staff in the event of a work injury).
Do you offer discounts?
Yes, two types...
The "Keep Your Wood" discount: Often, if you keep all or most of the wood from large tree removals there would be a discount in the price. The discount depends on the size and location in the yard of the tree.
The Neighborhood Discount: This usually takes the form of neighbors (3 or more) on the same or adjacent blocks agreeing to contract with Heartwood Tree Company. The only condition is the clients need to agree to have the jobs completed the same or consecutive days, as the whole point is to save logistics and travel time. Please inquire if you have at least three neighbors who may be interested.
Do you guys know what you're doing?
Yes. We are trained professionals with a knack for tree aesthetics to boot. Both Mark and Brent are certified arborists, which means they have passed a certification exam and also participate in continuing education to maintain certification and ensure we are constantly utilizing the latest techniques and research in the field of tree care. We take great pride in passing this knowledge on to our staff and customers on a daily basis. Education is the only way to advance our industry, ultimately improving the service for customers.