SuperTrees Blog

Everything Homeowners (and HOAs) Need to Know About Tree Services

Written by SuperTrees Team | May 29, 2025 6:15:00 PM
From planting the perfect sapling to preserving century-old oaks, hiring a team to assist with tree services ensures your trees thrive, year after year. Tree professionals can provide a deep-rooted knowledge to offer expert care tailored to every stage of a tree’s life. Whether you’re looking to beautify your yard, manage a neighborhood canopy, plant in designated city parks or line avenues, or even address trees in distress, the right tree services company can help.
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What are Tree Services?

While it’s true that once you plant your trees, a good part of what comes next happens naturally, tree services can help ensure the health, longevity, and safety of your trees. From proper placement and planting to pruning, trimming, and emergencies, tree services include the professional care, maintenance, and management of trees.

For homeowners, HOAs, municipalities, and commercial properties looking to maintain safe, attractive, and thriving landscapes, scheduling regular tree service from skilled crews, certified arborists, or tree care specialists can help protect your investment and keep outdoor spaces safe and beautiful.

Common Types of Tree Services

When most people think of tree services, they think of just one element: the service they get at the nursery, the team who comes to trim or remove dead trees, or the emergency response after a storm. Comprehensive tree services include those aspects and more. In fact, contracting with one tree services company for all these needs can be a seamless process, ensuring you and your trees get the best care from seed to sapling and beyond.

Tree Planting and Selection

Planting the right tree in the right place is the foundation of long-term tree health. Tree service providers help homeowners and HOAs choose tree species that are well-suited for local soil, climate, and space limitations. This service often includes proper site evaluation, planting techniques, and follow-up care to ensure strong, healthy growth.

Get Your Guide to Tree Selection Here

Pruning and Trimming

If you’ve ever seen healthy trees with a great shape, that’s due to regular trimming and pruning. Pruning removes dead, damaged, or diseased branches, and shapes trees to prevent overcrowding or interference with structures and walkways. Proper trimming can also help trees thrive and reduce potential damage and the risk of breakage during storms.

Disease and Pest Management

Trees are vulnerable to a range of pests and diseases that can quickly compromise their health. For example, in Utah and Colorado, Ash and Elm trees are popular but prone to bark beetles and the infamous Emerald Ash Borer. Certified arborists and tree service professionals can help identify early signs of pests and other potential issues. Fungal infections, invasive insects, and nutrient deficiencies can all compromise your trees, and regular tree services can help treat problems as well as provide preventative care plans.

Tree Removal and Stump Grinding

In an ideal situation, tree removal is avoidable. Unfortunately, disease, storm damage, or structural issues can all lead to the need for tree removal. Safe removal requires the help of an expert, especially when trees are near buildings or power lines. After removal, stump grinding services help restore the area and prevent future problems like sprouting or pest infestations.

Emergency Tree Services

Storms, ice, heavy snow, high winds, or other unexpected damage can turn an otherwise healthy tree into a danger to people and property. Emergency tree services provide a rapid response to remove fallen limbs, stabilize leaning trees, or clear debris.

Having a reliable tree service on call is essential for homeowners and HOAs who may need to deal with urgent tree-related issues.

Trees have a lifecycle and, ideally, finding tree services that can care for your trees through the entire process, from seed to survival (and thriving), can help you protect your home and your investment. 

Do You Need a Certified Arborist?

When it comes to caring for your trees, not all expertise is created equal. One doesn’t need to look far to find videos of tree mishaps, and unfortunately, many property owners can tell you stories of fallen trees or ones that needed removal due to incorrect pruning and trimming.

While many tree service providers offer general maintenance, a certified arborist brings specialized knowledge, training, and experience to the table. If you’re serious about protecting your trees as well as the value of your property, working with a certified arborist can make a noticeable difference in the health of your trees.

What is a Certified Arborist?

A certified arborist is both trained and tested before being awarded the title by organizations like the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). The certification requires both formal education and hands-on experience. Additionally, arborists must stay current with best practices and participate in ongoing education to maintain their credentials.

Certified arborists are, in short, tree experts; they’re best qualified to diagnose problems, prescribe treatments, and perform advanced tree care safely and effectively.

Benefits of Hiring an Arborist for Tree Services

You may still be asking whether you need a certified arborist or whether your local landscaping company can handle the job. Hiring a certified arborist comes with a number of important benefits:

  • Expert Diagnosis: Arborists can identify tree diseases, pest infestations, and structural problems early, before they become costly or dangerous.

  • Proper Techniques: They follow industry standards for pruning, planting, and removal, ensuring your trees are cared for without unnecessary damage.

  • Risk Mitigation: Tree work can be hazardous. Arborists are trained in safety protocols and insured, protecting you from liability.

  • Long-Term Tree Health: Arborists don’t just address immediate issues, they work with nurseries they trust (or own), and can advise through your entire project. From selecting the right trees to identifying the right places to plant, they’ll help you create a customized plan to help ensure healthy trees.

  • Knowledge of Local Regulations: HOAs and municipalities often have strict rules about tree selection, removal, and preservation. Certified arborists understand these policies and can help ensure compliance.

When to Call a Certified Arborist for Expert Tree Care

While not every tree-related issue requires an arborist, knowing when you need their expertise is important. Of course, having tree services regularly provided by a certified arborist is helpful, you’ll definitely want when if: 

  • A tree appears sick, dying, or has visible signs of decay or pest infestation

  • You need to remove a large or hazardous tree, especially near structures or power lines

  • Storm damage has caused limbs to fall or trees to lean dangerously

  • You’re planting new trees and want to ensure proper species selection and site placement

  • You’re maintaining trees in a shared or public space (e.g., HOA common areas or city streets)

  • You want a professional assessment before construction or landscaping changes near mature trees

Whether you're a homeowner planning your landscaping or an HOA managing a community's canopy, a certified arborist can provide the guidance and services needed to keep your trees healthy, safe, and thriving.

Choosing Healthy Trees

Trees are an investment. We select them with the hope of their rooting and growing to provide shade, beauty, fruit, flowers, or even homes for wildlife. For that reason, choosing healthy trees at the outset is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure long-term success in your landscape.

Whether you're a homeowner adding shade to your backyard or an HOA selecting trees for a community green space, starting with a healthy specimen reduces the risk of transplant shock, disease, and early decline. Here’s how to make the best choice.

How to Identify Healthy Trees for Planting

When selecting a tree—whether it's balled-and-burlapped, container-grown, or bare root—look for these key signs of health:

  • Vigorous foliage: Leaves should be vibrant in color, free of spots, holes, or curling. For deciduous trees, buds should be firm and evenly spaced.

  • Strong, well-structured branches: Look for a central leader (main trunk) and evenly spaced branches. Avoid trees with narrow, V-shaped branch angles that can split as the tree grows.

  • Good root-to-shoot ratio: The tree should appear balanced—not top-heavy or underdeveloped. A full canopy supported by a stable root system indicates proper growth.

  • Moist, fibrous, white-tipped roots (for bare root or exposed-root specimens): Healthy roots are pliable, not brittle or mushy.

Signs of Disease or Poor Root Structure to Avoid

It’s just as important to know what to avoid. Watch for these red flags:

  • Circling or girdling roots: In container-grown trees, roots that wrap around the root ball can eventually strangle the tree as it grows. Instead, consider using trees grown by SuperTrees using air-pruning technology which helps trees establish quickly and absorb nutrients.

  • Cracks or wounds on the trunk: These may be signs of mechanical damage or disease and can weaken a tree’s structure.

  • Sparse or yellowing foliage: A stressed tree may already be struggling with pests, disease, or poor nutrition.

  • Mold or fungal growth: Evidence of fungal infections—such as black spots, powdery mildew, or conks at the base—can signal internal decay.

  • Soggy or dry root balls: Over- or under-watering at the nursery can stress the tree before it ever gets planted. As a result, it may struggle to establish quickly.

Why Sourcing Trees from a Trusted Local Nursery Matters

Where you get your trees is just as important as the trees themselves. A reputable local nursery not only sells high-quality stock but their trees are grown under proper conditions and are pest and disease free. Starting with a healthy tree is essential and a local nursery can ensure:

  • Healthy growing practices: Trees from a trusted nursery are pruned, fertilized, and watered correctly from day one.

  • Expert guidance: Knowledgeable nursery staff, including certified arborists, can help you select trees appropriate for your soil, climate, and goals.

  • Better acclimatization: Locally grown trees are already adapted to your area’s conditions, making them more resilient once planted.

  • Fewer long-term problems: High-quality nursery trees have been monitored for pests and diseases, reducing future maintenance and replacement costs.

Investing time in choosing healthy trees now can save you years of headaches down the road. Partnering with a tree services provider who also operates a nursery ensures you get both expert advice and healthy, thriving trees from the start.

Choosing the Right Trees – What to Consider

It can be easy to get caught up in the aesthetics of a tree, or your memories of one, but that doesn’t mean they’re a great fit for your yard, community, or park. For example, it’s easy to fall in love with the beauty pf a Weeping Willow, but if you’re not planting it near water, it’s roots will seek it out, through pipes and more– a potential nightmare for homeowners.

Selecting the right tree for your yard, community park, or shared green space is an important first step. The wrong tree in the wrong place can lead to costly maintenance, safety hazards, and even conflicts with HOA rules or local regulations. The right choice, on the other hand, can help you meet your goals–shade, beauty, erosion reduction, etc.

Here’s what to keep in mind when choosing trees for your property.

For more detailed information, get a copy of our tree selection checklist!

Climate and Soil Conditions

Your local environment plays a huge role in whether a tree will thrive or not. Working with a local nursery can help your determine which trees are the best matches for your:

  • Hardiness zone: Trees suited to your USDA hardiness zone will be able to tolerate seasonal temperatures and weather patterns.

  • Soil type and drainage: A soil test can help determine what you’re working with as some trees prefer well-drained soil, while others can tolerate clay or wet conditions.

  • Sunlight exposure: While some trees need full sun, others do best in partial shade, so knowing where you plan to plant and the sun the spot receives is essential.

Planting native and non-invasive trees that are well-adapted to your local conditions means they’ll grow stronger, require less maintenance, and be more resistant to pests and disease.

Tree Size, Growth Rate, and Maintenance Needs

One of the biggest mistakes people make when purchasing trees is not thinking beyond the sapling. Sure it fits the space now, but what will that tree look like in 10, 20, or 50 years?

  • Mature size: When full-grown, will the tree interfere with power lines, buildings, walkways, or underground utilities?

  • Growth rate: Fast-growing trees are great if you need shade or privacy quickly, but many have weaker wood and shorter lifespans. Slower-growing trees tend to be stronger and more resilient.

  • Maintenance requirements: How much pruning, leaf drop, or debris will the tree produce? Some species are low-maintenance, while others will need frequent care.

Balancing size and maintenance needs is especially important where space may be a shared responsibility. For example,you’ll want to consider fence lines, property lines, as well as different zoning needs and development.

Purpose: Shade, Privacy, Aesthetics, or Environmental Benefits

Different trees serve different functions. Understanding your goals, whether primary or secondary, and your prioritizes can help narrow down tree selection.

  • Shade: Broad-canopied trees like oaks and maples are great for cooling outdoor spaces and reducing energy costs.

  • Privacy: Evergreens and other fast-growing trees can help create natural screens along property lines.

  • Aesthetics: Flowering trees like dogwoods or crape myrtles add both beauty and curb appeal.

  • Environmental benefits: Native trees support local wildlife, improve air quality, and help with stormwater management.

Choosing a tree that aligns with your overall goals can help add real value to your property.

Compliance with HOA Guidelines and Local Ordinances

Some HOAs and communities have ordinances that regulate species, size, and more. So, before you dig that hole, make sure the tree you choose meets:

  • HOA rules: Many HOAs have specific guidelines about tree species, placement, and size, especially in front yards or common areas.

  • Local ordinances: Some cities and counties have protected tree lists, planting requirements, or removal restrictions. For example, the city of Denver has a comprehensive list of trees that are allowed and those that are disallowed in designated areas.

  • Utility and setback rules: City codes will also need attention. Planting too close to power lines, sidewalks, or sewer lines may violate city ordinances or lead to future issues, especially as trees mature.

Working with a tree services provider who understands local regulations can help you avoid fines, replanting, or future conflicts. Whether you're planting for beauty, function, or long-term impact, a strategic approach pays off in healthier trees and happier property owners.

Tree Services: Monitoring Tree Health and Tree Maintenance

Trees have a reputation for set it and forget it. While they are low-maintenance compared to lawns or flower beds, that doesn’t mean they thrive without care. Trees need regular attention to stay healthy, safe, and beautiful.

Whether you're managing a your own yard, a neighborhood full of mature trees, or an urban forest, ongoing tree services are key to protecting your investment and ensuring your trees continues to flourish.

The Importance of Regular Tree Services for Long-Term Health

Routine maintenance helps trees grow strong, resist disease, and recover from stress caused by weather, pests, or environmental changes. Regular tree services can:

  • Extend a tree’s lifespan

  • Improve safety by reducing the risk of falling branches

  • Promote healthy structure and growth

  • Catch issues early, before they become expensive or irreversible

Just like routine checkups at the doctor, proactive tree care helps avoid bigger problems down the line.

Get Tree Services Before These Signs of Tree Stress, Disease, or Pest Infestations

One of the advantages of working with a certified arborist and contracting for regular tree services is the ability to catch issues before they become problematic. Trees often give subtle clues when something isn’t right. Knowing what to look for can help you act quickly:

  • Wilting, yellowing, or spotted leaves: May indicate root issues, nutrient deficiencies, or disease

  • Excessive leaf drop outside of fall: Can be a sign of drought stress or pests

  • Cracks or oozing sap on the trunk: Might suggest internal decay or boring insects

  • Dead or brittle branches: Could signal a lack of water or root damage

  • Visible pests: Look for webbing, chewed leaves, or insect activity near the bark or canopy

  • Fungus or mushrooms at the base: Often a sign of internal rot or compromised roots

Certified arborists can help diagnose these symptoms and provide targeted treatments to restore your tree’s health.

Tree Services Help Provide Seasonal Tree Maintenance 

Each season presents different needs for tree care, even when deciduous trees drop their leaves. A tree service provider can help you keep your trees healthy year-round.

  • Spring: Inspect for winter damage, prune broken branches, and fertilize if needed

  • Summer: Water deeply during dry periods, monitor for pests, and mulch to retain moisture

  • Fall: Rake fallen leaves, prune lightly if necessary, and check for signs of stress before winter

  • Winter: Plan structural pruning for dormant trees, and protect young or sensitive species from freezing temperatures

While native trees are well-adapted to seasonal fluctuations, regular seasonal maintenance can help trees transition smoothly from one season to the next while minimizing stress and boosting their long-term health.

Do I Need Professional Tree Services? 

We get it. Some folks really love yard work and want to, actively, participate in the maintenance of their yards. Similarly, groundskeeping crews provide essential support for some of the tasks required to maintain larger tree inventories.

The truth is some basic tasks like mulching or watering, light pruning, and monitoring can be done by homeowners or ground crews, many aspects of tree care are best left to professionals, especially when safety or long-term health is on the line.

When to Hire Professional Tree Services:

  • Large or high-branch pruning

  • Tree health diagnosis and treatment

  • Tree removal and stump grinding

  • Disease and pest control

  • Emergency storm damage response

Working with a professional tree services provider, especially one with certified arborists, ensures trees are cared for properly, safely, and in accordance with best practices. Whether you're maintaining a single shade tree or an entire HOA canopy, a proactive care plan makes all the difference.

Finding the Right Nursery and Tree Services for Your Needs

Whether you're selecting a new tree for your backyard or hiring a professional to manage a neighborhood’s mature canopy, working with the right provider can make all the difference. From the quality of plant stock to the safety of pruning and removal work, choosing wisely ensures healthier trees, fewer surprises, and better long-term value.

How to Choose a Reputable Nursery for Healthy Trees

A reputable nursery does more than sell saplings, it also sells trees meaning the a healthy mature tree in the future. When evaluating nurseries, look for:

  • Healthy, well-maintained tree inventory: Trees should be properly labeled, pruned, and watered. Avoid trees with clear signs of disease or root crowding.

  • Knowledgeable staff: A good nursery will have trained professionals on-site who can answer your questions and help you pick the right tree for your specific location.

  • Local experience: Nurseries that grow or source trees locally offer species that are better adapted to your climate and soil conditions.

  • Clear warranties and care instructions: Ask what happens if a newly planted tree fails, and whether the nursery offers guidance for transplanting and aftercare.

Working with a nursery that also provides professional tree services can streamline the entire process, which may be essential for HOAs and municipalities. Working with one service provider who can coordinate everything from selection to planting to maintenance keeps it simple. 

Questions to Ask Before Selecting a Tree Service Provider

For homeowners, who may not have experience hiring a tree service company, these key questions can help you make the right choice:

  • What specific tree services do you offer?

  • Are your team members certified arborists or trained professionals?

  • Can you provide references or examples of similar projects?

  • Do you offer written estimates and detailed service plans?

  • What is your emergency response process (if needed)?

A good provider should be transparent, knowledgeable, and responsive to your goals and concerns.

Certifications, Insurance, and Credentials to Look for in a Tree Services Company

Hiring a company with the right credentials protects your property and ensures professional-level care. Look for:

  • ISA Certified Arborists: Indicates formal education and ongoing training in arboriculture.

  • Licensed and insured: They should carry both liability insurance and worker’s compensation coverage. Ask for proof.

  • TCIA accreditation (Tree Care Industry Association): Demonstrates adherence to safety and ethical standards.

  • Experience with HOA and municipal projects: If you're managing a larger property or shared space, experience in these areas is a major plus. 

Hiring qualified professionals means you’re less likely to face damage, liability, or repeat work due to poor practices. Choosing the right tree nursery and tree services provider means fewer headaches, better results, and a landscape you can enjoy for years to come.

Whether you’re planting, pruning, or planning long-term care, working with a trusted partner makes every branch stronger. For over 20 years, SuperTrees has been delivering superior trees starting with the fundamental understanding that better roots grow better trees.

We’re still a family business with pride in what we do and  the goal of delivering the same quality trees, from seed to sale and beyond. If you’re ready to talk about your tree needs, homeowners, HOAs, or urban forests, we’re ready to help. Reach out today!