A few weeks ago my mother-in-law came for a quick visit down from Austin. She and my wife were enjoying a nice chat outside by the pool, when suddenly a dead limb from the nearby oak tree in our back yard came crashing down. Narrowly missing my wife and mother-in-law sitting at the patio table, it slammed into the hot tub and punctured the cover in multiple places. The limb, while not large, was quite rotten and shattered into pieces all over the patio.

After recovering from the shock, I got on the phone and invited a tree trimming expert to come out and give us a quote on cleaning up the trees on the property.  Calling in an arborist or tree care specialist means that you'll get someone who can properly prune trees, remove deadwood, and also fertilize the tree or make recommendations on how to improve the tree's health.

Thankfully, in my story, no one was injured.  However, tree limbs can fall very suddenly and unexpectedly, causing thousands in damage and endangering the home's residents.  Even in a storm that does not seem very severe, a light wind can cause a tree to drop branches or even fall down.  In many cases, the loss of a tree on the property causes a loss of home value, even if the tree doesn't damage the home or cause injury.  Mature trees add value and beauty to a home as well as provide shade that will increase energy efficiency in the hot summers.  Untended trees become an eye sore, cause foundation problems, and ultimately, can fall and cause property damage or injury to a person.

As a home owner, it is important to keep your trees well maintained.  In Texas trees can be pruned year round although January and February are best; before new growth begins in the Spring.  Seek the advice of a tree professional to see what your trees need to thrive in the Houston climate and have your trees serviced regularly.  A well cared for tree will add value, beauty, and enjoyment to your household for decades to come.