Tree service in Germantown, TN
Careful tree removal, structural pruning, and arborist advice for Germantown’s big shade trees. About 25 minutes from our Raleigh shop.
- Free on-site estimates
- Answered 7 days a week
- Debris hauled away
- 25 minutes away
Tree work in Germantown
Few cities in Tennessee care about their trees like Germantown. It has been a Tree City USA for more than 30 years, has been named a Tree City of the World, and the city says its tree canopy covers over 40 percent of the city. It even has a city arborist on staff.
Germantown sits on a ridge between the Wolf River and Nonconnah Creek, and its 41,000 residents live among big oaks, magnolias, and pines on large, landscaped lots. Neighborhoods like Dogwood Grove, Oakleigh, and Kimbrough Woods have trees that are decades old and worth doing right.
That makes careful pruning and honest advice just as important here as removals. Our ISA Certified Arborist can tell you if a big tree near the house really needs to come down, or if good pruning will keep it safe.
Sources: City of Germantown tree news, Tennessee Division of Forestry, Tree City USA list.
Germantown tree rules
Germantown’s tree rules are in Chapter 22 of the city code, which covers vegetation. The best-known part is tree mitigation for development: when trees are removed for a project, they have to be replaced or paid for. As an example, removing one 24-inch tree means planting eight 3-inch trees, or paying a fee in lieu. Since February 2022, the city arborist decides where replacement trees go.
The city can also order a dead tree removed, with 30 days to comply, and Germantown recognizes heritage trees that get special protection.
For a single tree on a home lot, we have not found a published permit requirement. Because Germantown watches its canopy closely, we suggest a quick call to the city before removing a large tree, especially a big oak or one near the street. We are happy to help with that call.
Sources: Germantown tree mitigation policy, City of Germantown tree news, Tennessee Division of Forestry, Tree City USA list.
Limb and debris pickup in Germantown
Germantown picks up yard waste on your regular garbage day. The limit is 10 cubic yards or 50 bags a week. Limbs go behind the curb, cut no longer than 6 feet and no thicker than 12 inches. Construction and demolition debris is not accepted. The city’s hauler is Waste Pro, and a brown yard cart costs $75.
A tree removal makes far more than 10 cubic yards and pieces much bigger than 12 inches, so the wood has to be hauled. Our price includes hauling unless you want to keep some firewood.
Sources: Germantown sanitation FAQ.
Power lines and digging in Germantown
Germantown is on MLGW. MLGW trims around its main lines every three years. It does not remove trees because they touch the service line from the pole to your house, which is where a tree service comes in. In the February 2022 ice storm, about 39 percent of Germantown customers lost power. Tennessee 811 needs at least three working days notice before digging, and that includes stump grinding. Call 811 or (800) 351-1111.
Sources: MLGW tree trimming, MLGW downed power lines, Tennessee 811.
Storms and trees in Germantown
Germantown has a long storm history. On February 11, 1994, an ice storm knocked out power to 370,000 people across Shelby County, and crews pulled 10,000 cubic yards of debris out of Kimbrough Woods alone in four days. On November 27, 1994, a tornado killed three people and damaged 300 homes, with the worst damage in Dogwood Grove.
More recently, on July 2, 2023, a 90-foot ash tree fell on a home in Woods Chapel Cove during a violent thunderstorm. With so many tall trees close to houses, a check-up on the big ones over your roof is time well spent.
Sources: Germantown history, 1994 ice storm, Germantown history, 1994 tornado, FOX13, Germantown tree on home 2023.
Tree services in Germantown
Arborist visits in Germantown
Not sure a big oak should come down? Our certified arborist will look and give you a straight answer.
Tree trimming in Germantown
Structural pruning and crown thinning to A300 standards. Never topped, and oaks pruned in winter.
Tree removal in Germantown
Careful removals on landscaped lots, with crane help so nothing lands on the house or the beds.
Stump grinding in Germantown
Stumps ground below grade so you can replant or lay sod, with chips hauled if you want.
Where we work in Germantown
We cover all of Germantown in Shelby County, including ZIP codes 38138 and 38139. Germantown is about 25 minutes from our Raleigh shop.
- Dogwood Grove
- Oakleigh
- Kimbrough Woods
- Old Germantown
- Cameron Brown Park
- Johnson Road Park
- Municipal Park
- Wolf River Nature Area
- Germantown Greenway
- Poplar Avenue
- Farmington
Sources: Germantown Greenway.
Germantown tree service questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Germantown?
Germantown’s tree rules in Chapter 22 mainly cover development, where removed trees must be replaced or paid for. We have not found a published permit for a single tree on a home lot, but because the city watches its canopy closely, a quick call to the city before removing a large tree is a good idea.
What is Germantown’s tree mitigation rule?
When trees are removed for development, they must be replaced or a fee paid. For example, removing a 24-inch tree means planting eight 3-inch trees. The city arborist decides where replacement trees go.
Will Germantown pick up my tree limbs?
Yes, on garbage day, up to 10 cubic yards or 50 bags a week. Limbs must be under 6 feet long and 12 inches thick. A full tree removal goes well past that, so we haul it.
Can you trim my oaks without hurting them?
Yes. We prune to the ANSI A300 standard, cut at the branch collar, never top, and prune oaks in the dormant season to avoid spreading oak wilt.
Can your arborist tell me if a tree can be saved?
Yes. Our ISA Certified Arborist can check sick, damaged, or leaning trees and tell you whether pruning and care can save them.
How much does tree service cost in Germantown?
It depends on the size of the tree, access, and what is under it. We look in person and give you one written price, free.
Need tree work in Germantown?
Free estimates. Answered 7 days a week.