Safe tree trimming in Davenport, Celebration and nearby
Galapagos Lawncare & Services provides tree trimming in Celebration, Davenport, Four Corners, ChampionsGate and Clermont, Florida. Clearance pruning over roofs, drives and walks, dead-wood removal and crown cleanup. Call (407) 577-6400 or request a free quote online; our crew serves you in English or Spanish.
Overview
The problem
Limbs over the roof scrape shingles, drop debris into gutters and become projectiles in a storm.
What you get
Healthy trees with safe clearance from the house and walkways.
By the Galapagos Lawncare Team · Last updated
What you get
Everything in one visit
What’s included
- Clearance from roof, walls and driveway
- Dead and broken limb removal
- Cuts made at the branch collar, no topping
- Debris hauled away
How often
- One-time
- Seasonal
We confirm the price after seeing the property, before any work starts.
What affects the price
- Height and sizeTaller trees need more rigging and time.
- Access and what’s underneathRoofs, pool cages, fences and tight side yards.
- Haul-away and stumpDebris removal and stump grinding are quoted separately.
What does tree trimming include?
Our tree trimming service is about safety, clearance and a tree that holds up in wind. On a typical job we remove dead and broken limbs, cut back branches over the roof, driveway, walks and pool cage, thin the outer canopy, and clean up every branch and leaf before we leave. Cuts are made at the branch collar so the tree can seal the wound, never as stubs.
How does pruning help a tree survive a hurricane?
UF/IFAS puts it plainly: correct pruning is the most important part of helping trees survive hurricanes. The work it describes is:
- removing dead branches,
- shortening branches that are too long,
- thinning the outer edges of the canopy (not the interior) to reduce wind resistance,
- and, on young trees, removing stems that compete with the main leader so the tree grows one strong trunk.
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, so spring is the time to get trees looked at.
Why we never top trees
"Topping" means cutting big limbs back to stubs to make a tree shorter. UF/IFAS tells homeowners to avoid arborists who advertise it, and its storm-prep guidance calls for removing dead wood, shortening long branches and thinning the outer canopy instead. If a tree is too big for its spot, the honest answer is reduction pruning over time or removal, not topping.
When do you need an ISA-certified arborist?
UF/IFAS recommends hiring an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist to prune trees taller than about 15 feet. Tell us about your tree, its height, what it’s near and what worries you, and we’ll tell you how we would handle the job.
Clearance around the house
Branches resting on a roof wear shingles and give pests a bridge into the attic; limbs over a pool cage drop debris and can tear the screen in a storm; low limbs over the driveway scrape cars and trucks. We cut for clearance around the house and the service drop to it. Lines on the street belong to the utility.
Trees, palms and the rest of the yard
Most properties need palm trimming at the same visit, and a yard cleanup after storms. We trim trees in Clermont, Celebration, Davenport, Four Corners and ChampionsGate.
Sources
Simple process
How it works
Look at the tree
Height, condition, what it hangs over and what you want fixed.
Quote the work
What will be cut and why, and a written price before we start.
Prune correctly
Dead wood out, long limbs shortened, outer canopy thinned; cuts at the branch collar, no topping.
Clean up
Branches and leaves removed from the lawn, beds, roof edge and drive.
Florida seasons
Through the Florida year
Hurricane season
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Late spring is the time to clear limbs over the roof.
Common questions
Questions about tree trimming
How should I prepare my yard for hurricane season?
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Before it starts, remove dead palm fronds and seed stalks, thin and shorten weak tree limbs, and pick up loose debris. UF/IFAS says correct pruning is the most important step. Book it before the season starts, not when a storm is already on the map.
When does a tree need an arborist and not just a trim?
UF/IFAS recommends an ISA-certified arborist for trees over about 15 feet, and for any tree that leans, cracks, has dead limbs over the house or shows decay. A quick look from the ground can tell if it needs a trim or removal.
Can you top my tree to make it shorter?
No. UF/IFAS advises against topping and recommends thinning and shortening branches instead. We can reduce the crown correctly over time, or talk about removal if the tree is wrong for the spot.
How far should branches be from my roof?
Far enough that they don’t touch or rub the roof in wind, and don’t drop leaves straight into the gutters. We cut back to a healthy branch or the trunk rather than leaving stubs.
When is the best time to trim trees in Florida?
Dead or dangerous limbs should come off whenever you see them. For storm preparation, UF/IFAS recommends pruning larger trees before hurricane season starts on June 1.
How much does tree trimming cost?
It depends on the size of the tree, how much work it needs, what it hangs over (roof, pool cage, lines) and access for equipment. We look and give you a written price.
When should I trim trees before hurricane season?
In spring, before June 1. UF/IFAS recommends getting large trees checked before the season. Once a storm has a watch, it is too late for most tree work.
Can I fertilize my lawn before a hurricane?
No. Osceola prohibits fertilizer during tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings, and Polk and Lake restrict it before heavy rain. It would wash into drains and lakes.
Should I top my trees to make them safer?
No. UF/IFAS advises thinning the outer canopy, removing dead branches and shortening long limbs. Topping leaves weak regrowth that breaks more easily in wind.
What if a tree falls on my house after a storm?
Keep everyone out of that part of the house, and if it touches a power line call the utility first. Take photos, then call (407) 577-6400 for removal.
Should I turn off my sprinklers during a storm?
Yes, if it will rain for days. Florida law requires a working rain shutoff on automatic systems; turn the system back on once the ground dries and check for broken heads.
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