Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often do my trees need to be trimmed?

A: Some species such as the bradford pear and willow tree are extremely fast growing, and will thus require more frequent trimmings. A great tree species that offer good shade and are relatively slow growing is the Live Oak. They grow well in the Dallas climate and soil. On average, trees that we trim won't require a repeat trim for 3 to 4 years. We prefer to do a thorough job for our customers.

Q: How close should I plant a tree to my house?

A: Its better to be safe than sorry when it comes to foundation repair, so plant medium sized trees 10-15 feet away from your house. Please read our tree installation section for more detailed information regarding space requirments for tree planting.

Q: I've seen trees in my neighborhood with black tar when a cut is made. Why is this used?

A: Actually the wound treatment is no longer recommended. Similiar to the human body, a tree's wound requires oxygen to properly heal, so the treatment simply impedes that process.

Q: I have decided to accept your estimate to get my trees serviced. What's next?

A: Thank you for choosing World Class Trees. Our crew will be out to your property at the time listed by our representative. It is not necessary for you to be home while the trees are serviced, however you are more than welcome to be there. Please leave a gate unlocked if work is to be done in a backyard. Our foreman will be on the property to answer any questions that may arise.

Q: I am considering doing the work myself. Why should I get professional tree service?

A: We have 7 years of experience with hundreds of satisfied customers. We understand the proper pruning techniques so that your trees will thrive. Plus we provide FREE haul-off of all cut branches. Note the city dumps in our area will normally charge up to $100 for this service. A chain saw can be dangerous in inexperienced hands. The risk of falling also exists for do-it-yourselfers.

Q: I want to plant a tree in my side yard. Do I have to ask permission from anyone?

A: We strongly request contacting your Home Owner's Association, for their approval. In addition, contact 1-800-DIG-TESS prior to beginning excavation (digging).

Q: Are you involved in any professional associations?

A: Yes, we are active members of the International Society of Arboculture


and the Society of Commercial Arboriculture.

Q: Do trimmings "hurt" the tree?

A: No, as a matter of fact, the tree will respond remarkably, because it no longer has to spend precious resources maintaining ineffective branches. Please see our tree trimming section for property techniques.

Q: Does World Class Trees also do landscaping?

A: No, we work with JUST trees and bushes, but can provide references of landscapers in the area. World Class Tree customers receive FREE trimming of their bushes with any tree trim/removal.

Q: Which areas does World Class Trees serve?

A: We serve the majority of the Northern Dallas suburbs of Frisco, Plano, Allen, McKinney, Carrollton, Far North Dallas, Richardson, Coppell, Southlake. Lewisville, Little Elm, The Colony, and Flower Mound. The boundaries to our general service are Highway 380 to the north, Lake Lavon to the east, Highway 114 to the west and Interstate 635 to the south.

Q: I have a large tree with a limb that goes over my house. I would like the limb to be removed, but am afraid of the potential damage during the removal.

A: Our trained supervisor reviews the work area for potential damage, then uses rope with the branches, so as the branch is cut, it may be swung away from the home below.

Q: I recently planted some new trees in my yard. How should I care for them?

A: We recommend using the water bags sold at Tree Gator. They do a great job in water the tree's deep roots, so that the new tree can overcome the transplant shock, and establish itself in its new location. Mulches are materials placed over the soil surface to maintain moisture. Mulching is extremely beneficial to trees. It can reduce water loss from soil, minimize weed competition, and improve soil structure. Properly applied, mulch gives landscapes a health dose of benefits for your trees. Mulch serves as nature’s insulating blanket. Mulch keeps soils warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. The generally recommended mulching depth is 2 to 4 inches. In addition, we recommend using fertilizer and root stimulator stakes that are placed in the dripzone of the new tree.

Q: I have windows on the west side of my house, and it gets very hot in the summer. What is the best fast-growing shade tree?

A: There is no good, fast-growing shade tree. Speedy growth is a very poor criteria for choosing a shade tree. Durability, attractiveness, pest-resistance and property value appreciation are all far more important. All racehorse trees have some type of fatal flaw, whether it's insects, diseases, weak wood or bad form. Trees such as willows, cottonwoods, catalpas, Siberian elms, Arizona ash, silver maples, Chinese tallows, boxelders, sycamores, fruitless mulberries, purple plums and mimosas all have very short life expectancies. You're far better off planting a moderate-growing tree and caring for it regularly. Best candidates for most of Texas include cedar elms, live oaks, Shumard red oaks, chinquapin oaks and bur oaks, also pecans and even Chinese pistachios.

Q: How much do you charge to come and give an estimate?

A: World Class Trees offers FREE Estimates.. All we need is your address and location of your trees, and our representative will leave a detailed estimate on your door. Please note that we trim the trees so that they will not require repeat service for another 3-4 years, so this thorough service is preventative maintenance.

Q: Are all trees trimmed the same way?

A: NO. Trees are trimmed differently, depending on their species. Please read our section on trimming crape murtles, which are oftentimes trimmed incorrectly.

Q: How much should I expect to spend for tree service?

A: World Class Trees guarantees fair and competitive rates and promises to listen to our client’s needs. You decide which trees are trimmed, and we go from there.

Q: How much will you trim/cut off my trees?

A: We provide some client's "before" and "after" pictures of some recent tree jobs to give you an idea of how much is trimmed. Look at sample "before" and "after" pictures. Generally we trim a mature tree to raise the canopy to 5-6 feet. This will allow someone of average height to pass under a tree without being impeded by branches. We have not had a customer who thought we have cut off "too much". We consider trees our canvas where our trained trimmers perform their art. Our trimmed trees resemble a larger version of a bonsai tree, immediately boosting the curb appeal of your home.

Q: I would like to speak to someone who has received tree service from World Class Trees.

A: Not a problem, please Email us or call 469-835-1655 and we will gladly provide a reference.

Q: Why does my tree have rows of holes in its trunk?

A: Those are caused by sapsuckers (woodpecker relatives). They are not generally harmful, nor do they suggest the presence of any harmful insects. The birds drill their holes, then return to feed on the sap days and weeks later. If they seem to be doing damage consider a sticky repellent. You may also want to hit the holes lightly with an aerosol pruning sealant to prevent pests from entering.

Q: When is the best time to get my trees trimmed?

A: Generally its recommended that trees are trimmed in late fall thru early spring, as the trees are in their "dormant" state. The trees are less likely to suffer from shock during this time.

Oak trees are suseptible to "oak wilt disease" when they are trimmed during the summer months. With that being said, we have trimmed all species of trees, including oaks, during all seasons, and have not seen oak wilt. Read the article recommending trimming schedules and techniques.

Q: Does mistletoe or ivy harm a shade tree? How can I get rid of it?

A: Mistletoe is a parasitic plant. As such, it can definitely hurt your trees as it develops its roots into the wood of the branches and sucks the very life from them. Unfortunately, there is no chemical spray that will safely control it without harming the host tree, so pruning is your only good solution. Birds carry its sticky seeds on their beaks, then wipe them off on small twigs. Use a pole pruner and its lopping shears to trim it out the first winter that you see it, while the tree's twigs are still very small. If you let it grow for several years the roots will be far deeper into the limbs and you will not be able to remove them. By then the branches will be several inches in diameter and you will probably not want to remove them entirely. If you have a tree that is totally infested you probably should just keep the mistletoe trimmed off each winter, even though it will come back the following spring.

Q: Will I need to haul off the branches that are cut?

A: No, World Class Trees hauls all branches to the Plano Pure Facility so that is may be recyled as mulch.

Q: My willow tree have huge surface roots running near my home in my front yard. How can I eliminate surface roots under this tree? Do I cut or cover them?

A: Most trees have the majority of their major roots in the top foot of soil, so this is a very common question. It's generally easiest to live with them. Consider a tall groundcover that could conceal them. However, if you do want to eliminate one or two of them, cut them in October or November, once the hottest weather has passed. You should probably not cut more than a couple of major roots in any given year. Covering is a very bad idea, as the roots will just grow larger and larger and crowd their way out of the soil. Before long you'll have a mound of soil around the trunk and the roots will still be showing. Read this article regarding tree roots for more details.

Q: Is it possible to cut off too much from a tree?

A: YES, just as sometimes the barber may take off too much hair, trees can also be trimming too much. Overtrimming can put the health of the tree in jeopardy. We've seen cases where a tree has been overtrimmed, or trimmed incorrectly, which later lead to the tree dying, and requiring removals. Generally, do not remove more than 1/4 of a tree's crown in a season.Where possible, try to encourage side branches that form angles that are 1/3 off vertical (10:00 or 2:00 positions). For most species, the tree should have a single trunk. Ideally, main side branches should be at least 1/3 smaller than the diameter of the trunk. If removal of a main branch is necessary, cut it back to where it is attached to another large branch or the trunk. Do not truncate or leave a stub. For most deciduous (broadleaf) trees, don't prune up from the bottom any more than ? of the tree's total height. Our trained staff strictly ahere to these tree trimming procedures.

Q: A tree in my front yard lost a large branch in a recent storm. Can the tree be saved?

A: We try to save the tree if at all possible, by removing the large branch and correcting the cut.
Please contact us so we may evaluate your particular situation.

Q: I live in a townhouse complex with a very small yard. What are the best small shade trees for my landscape?

A: Little Gem southern magnolia, redbuds (especially the variety 'Warren's Red'), golden raintree and Lacey oak. Still smaller: tree-form crape myrtles, yaupon and possumhaw hollies, Texas mountain laurel and smoke trees. Note that crape myrtles and yaupon can be planted close to houses without fear of foundation damage.

Q: I have a huge stump in my yard, can you guys remove it?

A: Yes, we will be happy to provide a FREE estimate to remove the stump. Stumps are converted to a mulch. Clients can opt to receive this mulch for flowerbeds at no additional charge. See how stumps are properly removed.

Q: Why should I choose World Class Trees, and not another company?

A: We specialize in just trees, so we can provide the best service available at competitive pricing. Of course you are welcome to compare our written estimate with estimates from other companies. We will beat any reasonable written estimate from a different tree company by 10%. We have been contacted to correct other tree service's work from a previous year. With proper pruning, trees will need to be trimmed every 3 - 4 years, so do it right the first time.

Q: When are you available to service my trees?

A: Generally crews are sent Saturday and Sundays, so the customer will be home, and can voice any concerns or opinions to the supervisor on duty. Week apointments are also available. We try to start no sooner than 8am as to not wake neighbors.

Q: You mention that you are insured. What does that cover?

A: We have a 2 million dollar insurance policy which covers accidents and protects your property. The insurance policy is provided by:
Brooke Agency Services Co, LLC
PO Box 906
Phillipsburg, KS 67661
agent number: 972-437-1000

We take pride in the fact of having 0 accidents and 0 damages to property, so we have NEVER had a claim, but the insurance policy is there for peace of mind.