Expert Tree Trimming and Pruning Services
Tree trimming is the selective cutting of live branches to control a tree’s shape, keep limbs clear of your roof and walkways, and protect the tree’s long-term structure.
Pitts Lawn & Tree Service has trimmed and pruned trees, bushes, and shrubs across Central Iowa since 2006, a family-owned crew led by a licensed tree surgeon and backed by Tree Care Industry (TCI) membership. Whether you have one overgrown maple shading out the lawn or a full property that hasn’t been touched in years, every job starts the same way: a free on-site estimate and a clear plan for exactly which limbs come off, and why.
Trimming vs. Pruning: What’s the Difference?
The two words get used interchangeably, but they describe different work. Trimming manages appearance and clearance, cutting back overgrowth so branches stay off your roofline, out of walkways, and in proportion with the rest of your landscape. Pruning is about tree health: removing dead, diseased, crossing, or storm-weakened limbs so the tree puts its energy into strong wood instead of failing wood.
Most properties need both, so we handle both in a single visit. And because the crew is already on-site with equipment running, we trim your bushes and shrubs at the same time.
When Is the Best Time to Trim Trees in Central Iowa?
For most species, the dormant season, late fall through winter, is the ideal window. With the leaves down, our crew can read the branch structure clearly, and trees close their cuts faster heading into spring growth. Oaks follow the firmest rule of all: we trim them only in the winter months, when the sap beetles that spread oak wilt are inactive. Summer trimming still has its place for clearance problems and hazard limbs. If a branch is scraping your shingles in July, it shouldn’t wait until December.
How Our Tree Trimming Process Works
1. Free On-Site Estimate
We walk the property with you, look at every tree on your list, and put the quote in writing with no obligation, and we’ll match a competitor’s written estimate.
2. A Clear Trimming Plan
Before any saw starts, you know which limbs are coming off and the reason for each: clearance, deadwood, structure, or shape.
3. The Right Cuts With the Right Equipment
We cut back to the branch collar so wounds close properly, and we never top a tree. If limbs are tangled in utility lines, we’ll tell you up front which portion the power company has to handle first.
4. Complete Cleanup
Every branch is chipped and hauled, and we rake as we go. Our standard on every job: no evidence we were there except better-looking trees.
Why Property Owners Choose Pitts for Trimming
▸ A licensed tree surgeon leads the work, with a TCI-member crew carrying more than 30 years of combined experience.
▸ Family-owned and operated since 2006. The people who quote your job are the ones who show up to do it.
▸ Free estimates, a price matching guarantee with a written estimate, and a 10% discount for veterans.
▸ Trees, bushes, and shrubs handled in one visit, with full cleanup before we leave.
▸ If we spot signs of disease or infestation while trimming, we diagnose the problem and refer you to one of our treatment partners instead of guessing.
You can also see what our customers say on our Google profile.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tree Trimming
How Often Should Trees Be Trimmed?
Most mature trees do well on a three-to-five-year trimming cycle. Young trees benefit from lighter structural pruning every two to three years, which shapes strong branch architecture early and prevents expensive corrections later.
How Much Does Tree Trimming Cost?
Cost depends on the size and number of trees, how much material is coming off, and how easy each tree is to access. We provide free written estimates and match competitor quotes, so you know the exact price before work begins.
Can You Trim Bushes and Shrubs During the Same Visit?
Yes. Bush and shrub trimming is included when we work on your trees, so the whole landscape gets finished in one appointment instead of two.
Can Trimming Too Much Hurt a Tree?
Yes. Removing more than about a quarter of a tree’s live canopy in one season stresses it, and topping, cutting main limbs back to stubs, permanently weakens the tree. We make targeted cuts that get the result you want without putting the tree at risk.
Schedule Your Free Tree Trimming Estimate
Call (515) 661-0753 Monday–Friday 7am–5pm or Saturday 9am–3pm, or request a quote online — we respond fast, usually the same day.
