Frequently Asked Questions

Tree MDs is led by an ISA Certified Arborist and built around long-term tree health rather than hack-and-go cutting. Every estimate includes a credentialed arborist evaluation, not a salesperson, and the recommendations come from reading tree structure, decay indicators, and species response. We also run a Plant Health Care program for recurring tree care, which most local competitors don't offer at all.

An ISA Certified Arborist is a tree-care professional credentialed by the International Society of Arboriculture, the leading global authority on tree care. The certification requires documented field experience, a comprehensive exam, and ongoing continuing education. For property owners, it matters because pruning cuts, removal decisions, and disease diagnoses made by a certified arborist are based on tree biology and structural science, not whatever the crew happens to know. Tree MDs founder John Gandy holds this credential.

Yes. Tree MDs was founded in 2015 by John Gandy and remains family-owned and operated. John leads field operations as the company's ISA Certified Arborist, and Kaytlynn Gandy runs operations. Family ownership means the same people who set the standards on day one are still on the jobs today, and clients deal with decision-makers rather than a corporate call center.

Yes. Tree MDs carries full general liability and workers' compensation insurance, with COI (Certificate of Insurance) available on request for HOA, commercial, and municipal clients. We also hold the appropriate state and local licenses, including a Texas-licensed pesticide applicator credential for our Plant Health Care work.

Our primary service area is Collin County, Texas, including McKinney, Allen, Frisco, Prosper, Melissa, Princeton, Farmersville, and surrounding communities. We also serve commercial and HOA clients on a project basis throughout the broader DFW metro area. If you're not sure whether your property is in our service area, call (972) 346-0355 and we'll confirm.

Call (972) 346-0355 or fill out the form at /contact/ with your property address and a brief description of the work. We'll schedule an on-site walkthrough, typically within the same week, where an ISA Certified Arborist evaluates the tree, the site, and the realistic options. You receive a written estimate with line-item scope. Estimates are free with no obligation.

Yes, full cleanup is included on every job. That means debris haul-off (chips, logs, branches), blower cleanup of the lawn and hardscape, and a walkthrough with the property owner before the crew leaves to confirm scope is complete. If you want to keep some wood (for firewood, projects, or landscape use), tell us before the job and we'll cut to the size you need.

Chipped wood goes to mulch facilities, larger logs go to firewood processors, and yard waste is disposed of through licensed channels. We don't dump debris on the property, in vacant lots, or in unauthorized locations. For clients who want chips left on site for use as mulch elsewhere, that's free, just tell us before we start.

Walk through the job with the crew lead before they leave the property, while the equipment is still on site. If something is wrong or incomplete, we fix it before we go. For issues identified after the crew has left, call us and we'll come back. Most issues are easy to address, a missed bit of cleanup, a cut that didn't meet expectations, and we handle them as part of standing behind the work.

Active life-safety risks: a tree across a home, garage, vehicle, or active power line; a split trunk or major union failure with limbs still in the canopy; a cracked limb hanging over a walkway, driveway, or sleeping area; a storm-uprooted tree leaning toward a structure; trees blocking driveways or fire lanes. Storm cleanup of fallen limbs already on the ground is urgent but not emergency, we schedule those fast but not same-day.

For active life-safety emergencies, same-day response during business hours, with after-hours response for active threats. For storm cleanup and other priority work, we typically schedule within 24 to 72 hours. Response time on any given day depends on weather conditions and crew availability, major North Texas storm events can stretch response times across the area.

Yes for active life-safety emergencies, tree on a house, tree on a power line, split trunk threatening a structure. After-hours work has additional cost reflecting the off-hours response. For non-life-safety storm cleanup, we schedule into normal business hours, usually within 24 to 72 hours.

Stay out of the canopy zone, including under any limbs that look like they 'might' hold. Call your utility company first if a tree is touching or has fallen on a line, we won't approach an energized line until the utility has cleared it. Take photos from a safe distance for insurance and to help our crew plan on the way. Don't try to cut anything yourself, compromised trees release stored tension in unpredictable ways and DIY chainsaw injuries during storm response are common.

Same-day emergency work during business hours is priced similarly to scheduled work for the same scope. After-hours emergency response (nights and weekends) carries an additional fee reflecting the off-hours mobilization. The bigger cost difference is usually scope, emergency removals often involve trees that are partially failed or in difficult positions, requiring more rigging and time than a planned removal of the same tree before failure.

A hazardous tree assessment is an ISA Certified Arborist evaluation of a specific tree (or set of trees) to identify structural defects, decay, root issues, and other indicators that predict failure. The assessment uses the ISA Tree Risk Assessment framework and produces a written hazard rating per tree, low, moderate, high, or extreme, along with a specific recommendation: remove, mitigate via pruning, retain with monitoring, or no action needed.

Visible warning signs include: significant lean changes (especially a recent or progressive lean), dead leaders in the upper canopy, mushrooms or fungal conks at the base, large cavities or trunk decay, cracks at major branch unions, recent limb drops without warning, and bark sloughing at the soil line. But many serious hazards are not visible from the ground, internal trunk decay, root system failure, and structural defects in the upper canopy all require professional assessment. If you suspect a tree is dangerous, get a written hazard evaluation before deciding.

Not necessarily. A hazard rating reflects the probability and severity of failure, but the decision depends on the target, what the tree could hit and how often that target is occupied. A high-hazard tree in a remote acreage corner is different from a moderate-hazard tree over a children's play area. The written assessment includes recommended action: remove, mitigate via pruning, retain with monitoring, or no action. For high and extreme ratings near occupied targets, removal is usually the right call.

Sometimes. Trees with structural defects in the upper canopy can often be made safe through targeted pruning, removing a compromised leader, reducing crown weight on a leaning trunk, or eliminating crossing limbs that are creating included bark unions. Trees with trunk decay, root system failure, or advanced disease usually cannot be saved by pruning alone. The hazard assessment will tell you which category the tree falls into.

Yes. Tree MDs works directly with HOA boards, property managers, and management companies across Collin County. We coordinate scheduling with the manager, provide written hazard assessments for board meetings, and deliver post-job photo summaries. We also handle multi-property portfolios under recurring contracts, single point of contact, consolidated billing, and Plant Health Care across the entire community tree inventory.

Yes, on request. We provide a current COI listing your HOA, management company, or commercial entity as additional insured for general liability and workers' compensation. COI documentation is included at no charge with HOA, commercial, and municipal contracts. For one-off jobs, we provide COI documentation in advance of scheduling.

Yes. Multi-property contracts are a regular part of our work, single point of contact across sites, consolidated billing, recurring inspections under a Plant Health Care plan, and standardized reporting per property. For property management companies overseeing multiple HOAs or commercial portfolios, this dramatically reduces the coordination overhead and gives you predictable annual costs.

Yes. After-hours and weekend work is common on commercial sites and active HOA communities, coordinated to avoid tenant operations, resident traffic, or event days. After-hours scheduling is built into the estimate when needed. For ongoing relationships, we can establish a standing communication and scheduling protocol with the property manager.

Yes. Written hazard assessments are a standard deliverable on HOA work, board-ready, formatted for inclusion in board minutes, with photo documentation and ISA Tree Risk Assessment ratings per tree. The report identifies recommended actions (remove, prune to mitigate, retain with monitoring) and the time horizon for each. This is what an HOA board needs to make defensible decisions on tree-related liability.

Generally yes, when a storm-damaged tree has fallen on a covered structure (house, garage, fence). Homeowner policies typically cover removal of fallen trees that damage covered structures, debris cleanup, and some replacement planting cost. Removal of a storm-damaged tree that did not hit anything is usually not covered. Coverage limits and specifics vary by carrier, talk to your agent for the specifics on your policy.

Yes. We provide written hazard reports, photo documentation of pre- and post-work conditions, and ISA Certified Arborist sign-off on storm-damage claims. Most insurance adjusters expect arborist documentation for tree-related claims, and we provide it under our credential. The documentation is included at no charge with the work.

If your tree damaged your own property, your homeowner's insurance handles it (subject to your deductible and coverage limits). If a neighbor's tree damaged your property, it depends on whether the tree was a known hazard, see our FAQ on neighbor tree responsibility. In either case, document the damage with photos, contact your insurance company, and call us for emergency removal and a written hazard report for the claim.

Tree MDs carries full general liability insurance and workers' compensation, with current COI available on request. Bonding is less common in tree care than in trades like roofing or plumbing, but we can provide a performance bond on commercial or municipal contracts when required by the contract. Workers' comp coverage means that if a crew member is injured on your property, your homeowner's policy is not on the hook.

For trees on private residential property in McKinney, removal generally does not require a permit, but there are exceptions for protected species (some heritage live oaks, post oaks, and pecans), trees in tree preservation areas, and trees subject to a tree mitigation requirement from previous construction. For commercial properties, HOA common areas, and new-construction sites, permitting often does apply. We confirm your specific situation when we walk the estimate.

Yes. McKinney's Tree Preservation Ordinance (UDC Article 4, Section 4.7) protects certain heritage species and requires mitigation for certain removals, particularly on commercial and new-development sites. The ordinance defines protected tree species (oaks, pecans, magnolias, and others), mitigation requirements (replacement plantings or fees in lieu), and exceptions. Residential property owners doing routine tree work generally have less restriction. The City of McKinney's Planning Department is the authoritative source for current ordinance details.

Tree mitigation is a requirement (typically on commercial or development properties) to replace removed protected trees with new plantings or pay an equivalent fee into a city tree fund. Mitigation requirements vary by jurisdiction. McKinney, Frisco, Allen, and Plano all have somewhat different rules. For commercial and development clients, we can coordinate with the city, document the existing tree inventory, and advise on the most cost-effective path to compliance.

In Texas, this is generally an act of God if the tree was healthy at the time of failure, your insurance covers the damage. If the tree was visibly hazardous and the neighbor was on notice (a written warning, an HOA complaint, or documented prior issues), the neighbor may bear responsibility for not addressing the known hazard. We document hazardous-tree assessments in writing partly because that documentation is what shifts the legal calculus when a known-hazardous tree later fails. Talk to your insurance agent for specifics.

Texas law generally allows you to prune branches that cross your property line, up to the property line, at your own expense, without the neighbor's permission. But the cuts have to be reasonable and shouldn't kill the tree. We recommend documenting the situation in writing, talking to the neighbor first, and getting an ISA Certified Arborist evaluation if there's any question about whether pruning will damage the tree. We do this work regularly and provide written documentation in case the situation escalates.

It depends on your HOA's specific rules. Most HOAs require approval (or at least notification) for tree removal and significant pruning on visible front-yard or street-facing trees. Many do not require approval for backyard work, dead-tree removal, or routine maintenance pruning. Check your HOA's architectural review requirements before scheduling. We can provide written specifications and photos that simplify the HOA submission process.

Plant Health Care is a recurring, prevention-first program for tree health. Instead of waiting for disease, decline, or pest pressure to become an emergency, PHC puts an ISA Certified Arborist on a scheduled rotation across your property's tree inventory. Each visit assesses pest pressure, disease indicators, soil and root conditions, and structural defects, and applies targeted, licensed treatments before problems escalate. It's the difference between treating a tree problem this year and removing the tree in three.

Regular tree service is reactive: pruning, removal, or emergency response when something needs to be cut. Plant Health Care is proactive: scheduled inspections and treatments designed to keep trees healthy enough that they need less reactive work over time. PHC clients still call for pruning and emergency work when needed, but the goal is to catch problems early, so a small treatment now replaces a major removal later.

Most Plant Health Care plans include 4 to 6 scheduled visits per year, timed to species- and season-specific needs (early spring soil and root work, late spring pest pressure assessment, summer drought-stress monitoring, fall preparation, and winter dormant-season inspection). Visit frequency can be adjusted based on the tree inventory, age and species mix, and any active treatment programs.

PHC programs are quoted annually based on the tree inventory and the complexity of the program. Smaller residential plans (3 to 5 mature trees, basic monitoring) typically run $500 to $1,500 per year. Larger residential or estate plans with active treatments for pest pressure, disease, or soil issues run higher. Commercial and HOA contracts are quoted based on tree count, site access, and reporting requirements. Every PHC quote starts with a free on-site walkthrough.

PHC significantly reduces the risk of most common tree diseases by catching them early and treating proactively. Oak wilt specifically, which is a major issue in North Texas, is best managed through a combination of pruning timing (avoiding the February–July window), wound-paint protocol, soil and root health maintenance, and early detection of fungal pressure. Hypoxylon canker, ambrosia beetle pressure, and various fungal diseases are similarly best prevented through a recurring care program rather than treated after the tree is symptomatic.

Yes, where soil testing shows deficiencies. PHC starts with soil and root analysis to identify what each tree actually needs, not a one-size-fits-all fertilizer schedule. Treatments may include deep-root fertilization, mycorrhizal inoculation for compacted soils, and targeted nutrient correction. Treatments are applied by a Texas-licensed pesticide applicator and selected for the specific tree, season, and pressure.

Most issues that PHC catches don't become acute problems within one year, but the cost of ignoring them goes up. A pest population that could be managed with one treatment becomes a multi-year problem. A soil deficiency that could be corrected with deep-root fertilization shows up as canopy decline. The cumulative impact is what makes PHC valuable: small consistent investments that prevent expensive surprises. If you've skipped a year, restart with a thorough inspection, most decline can still be reversed.

Mature trees are exactly where PHC delivers the most value. A 40-year-old shade tree is irreplaceable on a 5- or 10-year time horizon, replanting starts the canopy clock back at zero. Mature trees are also more vulnerable to cumulative stress from drought, soil compaction, and pest pressure, and they often show decline only after the damage is significant. PHC catches that decline while it's still reversible. For property owners with mature shade trees, PHC is the most cost-effective way to preserve the tree canopy that makes the property what it is.

Pricing depends on the service. Routine tree pruning typically runs $250 to $1,500 per tree. Tree removals run $500 to $3,000 for residential work, with crane-supported removals running higher. Stump grinding is $150 to $500 per stump. Plant Health Care programs are quoted annually based on the tree inventory. Every estimate is free, on-site, and written so the scope and price match the actual condition of the property.

Tree pruning typically runs $250 to $1,500 per tree, depending on tree size, canopy condition, access, and the level of pruning. Clearance pruning (canopy elevation, deadwood removal, structure clearance) sits at the lower end. Premium structural pruning, which corrects long-term tree structure, removes crossing limbs, and balances the canopy, runs higher because more of the tree is being worked. Multi-tree jobs usually qualify for a discount.

Most residential tree removals fall between $500 and $3,000. The price depends on tree size, lean direction, drop-zone clearance, access for chippers and trucks, proximity to roofs and fences, and whether crane support is needed. Larger trees and tight-access removals run higher. Stump grinding is priced separately at $150 to $500 per stump. We provide written line-item estimates so you can see exactly what's included.

Stump grinding typically runs $150 to $500 per stump, depending on diameter, root flare, and access. Larger stumps over 24 inches in diameter or stumps with significant lateral root systems run higher. Multi-stump jobs and same-day add-ons after a tree removal usually qualify for a discount. Pricing includes below-grade grinding, surface root chasing, and full debris haul-off.

We work with clients on installment arrangements for larger projects, and we accept all major credit cards along with checks and ACH transfers. For commercial and HOA clients, we provide standard net-30 invoicing with COI documentation included. Talk to us when we walk the estimate, we'll find a payment structure that works.

Most residential jobs require no deposit, we quote, schedule, complete the work, and invoice on completion. Larger projects (multi-day removals, acreage clearing, HOA contracts) may require a deposit to schedule. Plant Health Care programs are typically billed on an annual or quarterly cycle. We confirm payment terms in the written estimate before any work begins.

Most mature trees benefit from professional pruning every 3 to 5 years for structural and health reasons. Young trees should be pruned every 1 to 2 years during their first 10 years to establish good structure. Trees near homes, walkways, or power lines may need more frequent clearance pruning. An ISA Certified Arborist can walk your property and recommend a pruning cycle based on the species, ages, and conditions of your trees.

For most species, late winter through early spring (January through early March) is ideal, the tree is dormant, structural defects are visible without leaves, and pruning wounds heal cleanly before pest pressure ramps up. Oak species in particular should not be pruned during oak wilt season (February 1 through July 1 in Texas) except for emergencies. Light corrective pruning can happen year-round. We schedule structural work around species-specific timing windows.

Clearance pruning is focused, budget-conscious work to bring trees into compliance and protect surrounding structures, raising the canopy over sidewalks and streets, trimming back from rooflines and fences, and removing select obstructive limbs. Structural pruning is more comprehensive: it corrects long-term tree structure, removes crossing and competing branches, balances the canopy, and addresses underlying defects to reduce future failure risk. Clearance pruning solves immediate problems; structural pruning prevents them.

For small ornamental shrubs and very small trees, basic homeowner pruning can be safe and effective. For anything beyond hand-shears reach, anything you'd need a ladder, chainsaw, or pole saw to reach, professional pruning is strongly recommended. Falls from ladders, kickback from chainsaws, and stored tension in compromised limbs cause the majority of DIY tree-care injuries. Improper cuts also cause permanent damage to tree structure. The cost of professional pruning is almost always lower than the cost of medical care or correcting a bad cut.

The terms are often used interchangeably, but in arboriculture practice trimming usually refers to lighter aesthetic work (shaping, cleanup, light deadwood removal) while pruning refers to more deliberate cuts intended to improve tree structure, health, or safety. Both are professional services. The distinction matters most when comparing quotes, make sure you understand what's included in 'trimming' versus 'pruning' before signing.

No. Topping, cutting the main trunk or large branches back to stubs, is universally rejected by ISA Certified Arborists and most professional tree-care organizations. Topping causes long-term decay, weak regrowth, and structural defects that often lead to failure within 5 to 10 years. If a tree is too large for its location, the right answers are crown reduction (a specific pruning technique that reduces height while maintaining structure) or removal and replanting with a more appropriate species. Tree MDs does not perform topping cuts under any circumstances.

For trees touching or in immediate contact with energized power lines, we coordinate with the utility company first, they have line-clearance crews for that specific work. For trees near but not contacting power lines, we can prune for clearance using ISA-recommended techniques and proper PPE. We will not approach or cut into an energized line. Call your utility (Oncor in most of Collin County) for trees actively touching lines.

Most residential tree removals are completed in a half-day to a full day, depending on tree size, access, and whether crane support is needed. Smaller removals (trees under 30 feet) often take 2 to 4 hours including cleanup. Larger removals (over 60 feet, near structures, or requiring crane work) can run a full day or longer. Stump grinding adds 1 to 3 hours depending on stump size. Multi-tree jobs are scheduled across multiple days when needed.

Professional removal protocols are designed to minimize property damage. We use plywood lawn protection in equipment paths, place chippers and trucks to avoid soft turf where possible, and use crane support on tight lots specifically to avoid drop-zone damage to lawns and hardscape. Some minor turf wear in equipment paths is normal and recovers within a season. Significant lawn or hardscape damage is unusual and we'll flag access risks in the estimate before work begins.

By default, all wood and debris is hauled off the property and disposed of properly, chipped wood goes to mulch facilities and larger logs to firewood processors. If you want to keep some or all of the wood (for firewood, projects, or landscape use), tell us before the job and we'll cut to the size you need and leave it on the property. There's no extra charge to leave wood on site.

Tree removal and stump grinding are usually quoted as separate line items so you can choose what works for your property. Most clients add stump grinding as a same-day service after the removal, it's faster, cheaper, and finishes the job. Stump grinding runs $150 to $500 depending on stump diameter. If you want to keep the stump (for a planter, sentimental reasons, or a future planting), we can leave it as-is.

Yes. Multi-tree removals are common, especially after storm damage or as part of property cleanup, acreage clearing, or pre-construction work. Multi-tree jobs usually qualify for a discount because we save on mobilization and equipment setup. We schedule the work as a single phase or across multiple days depending on access and complexity.

For trees on private residential property in McKinney, removal generally does not require a permit, but there are exceptions for protected species, tree preservation areas, and certain new-construction situations. For commercial properties, HOA common areas, and any work involving a tree mitigation plan from a previous build, permitting may apply. We can confirm your specific situation when we walk the estimate, and we handle permit coordination for commercial and development projects.

No. Some trees are past saving, significant trunk decay, root system failure, advanced disease, or major structural failure beyond what pruning can correct. But many trees that look hopeless can be saved with the right intervention: structural pruning to redistribute load, hazardous limb removal, or a Plant Health Care program to address pest or soil issues. An ISA Certified Arborist evaluates the actual condition before recommending removal, which means you sometimes get a 'we can save this' answer when you expected a removal quote.

Best preparation is structural pruning during the dormant season (late winter/early spring), removing deadwood, correcting weak unions, and reducing wind load on overweighted limbs before storm season. A pre-season hazard assessment catches any trees with serious defects before storms find them. Plant Health Care between storms keeps trees healthy enough to withstand wind events. Storm season in North Texas runs roughly April through October, with peak severe-weather risk in May, June, and September.

First: ensure everyone is safe and out of the affected room. If the branch is touching a power line, call your utility company before doing anything else. Oncor at 888-313-4747 in most of Collin County. Once the area is safe, take photos for your insurance claim, contact your insurance company to start the claim, and call us for emergency removal and a written hazard report. The hazard report is what your insurance adjuster will want for the claim.

Severe-weather season runs roughly April through October, with peak risk for hail, high straight-line winds, and tornadoes in May and June, and a secondary peak in September. Tropical-system remnants occasionally bring sustained heavy rain in August and September. Winter storms (ice, freeze damage) are less common but can be severe when they hit, tree damage from the February 2021 freeze affected canopies across DFW for years afterward.

Trees that lost less than about 30% of their canopy and have no major structural damage (no split trunks, no major union failures, no root system uplift) can usually recover with selective pruning and follow-up care. Trees with major structural damage, significant root uplift, or canopy loss above 50% are usually past saving. The middle range , 30% to 50% canopy loss, minor structural damage, depends on species, age, and recovery support. An ISA Certified Arborist evaluation distinguishes between the categories.

PHC reduces storm damage in two ways. First, healthy trees with strong root systems and proper structure are simply more wind-resistant, drought-stressed trees and trees with included bark or crossing limbs fail at much lower wind speeds. Second, PHC includes structural-pruning recommendations and pre-season hazard inspections, which is when we catch problems that would otherwise only show up during the storm. Trees on a PHC program lose less canopy in major storm events than untreated trees, on average.

Standard stump grinding goes 6 to 8 inches below grade, deep enough that grass, sod, and shallow planting bed work cleanly above the cut. For locations where deeper preparation is needed (a future tree planting, a hardscape installation, or a deck footing), we can grind deeper for an additional fee. Most stumps don't need deeper grinding because root systems decay naturally below the ground line.

By default we haul off the wood chips so the spot is clean and ready for sod, seed, or new planting. Some clients ask us to leave the chips on site for use as mulch elsewhere on the property, that's free, just tell us before we start. Topsoil backfill is available as an add-on if you want the spot ready for replanting that day.

Yes. Larger stumps just take longer and cost more, typically running on the higher end of the $150 to $500 range, with some very large stumps (3+ feet diameter, complex root flare) running higher. Multi-trunk stumps and stumps with significant lateral root systems are also straightforward but priced individually. We use commercial-grade stump grinders sized for the job.

Not always. The stump can be left in place if you don't mind the visual (some clients use stumps as planters or for sentimental reasons), or if the spot won't be used for lawn, landscaping, or future planting. But most property owners grind because the stump becomes a mowing obstacle, a tripping hazard, and a place pests colonize. For front-yard removals and HOA common areas where curb appeal matters, grinding is usually part of finishing the job.