Pruning is the horticultural side of tree care: deciding which branches serve the tree and removing the ones that do not, with cuts placed so the wound seals. On oaks in Central Texas the timing is governed by oak wilt rather than convenience. Free on site estimates.
For tree pruning in San Antonio, 3 Monkeys Tree Service does the assessment, the work and the cleanup rather than one slice of it. Locally owned, rated 4.9 across 544 Google reviews, reachable at any hour. Call (210) 253-7777 and we will price the job in person at no charge.
Every branch meets the stem at a slightly swollen collar, and that collar contains the tissue the tree uses to seal a wound. A cut just outside it closes over within a season or two. A flush cut that removes the collar leaves a wound the tree cannot close, which becomes an entry point for decay that works down into the trunk. Leaving a long stub is the opposite error and does the same thing more slowly. This is the difference between pruning and simply cutting branches off.
Oak wilt is the most serious tree disease in this part of Texas. It spreads two ways: sap beetles carry spores to fresh wounds, and it travels underground through the grafted roots that connect live oaks to one another. The regional guidance is to keep oak pruning out of the spring months when the beetles are most active, and to seal every oak wound immediately whatever the season, storm damage included. We follow that, and if the calendar says a job should wait we will tell you rather than take the booking.
A tree feeds itself with its leaves, so removing canopy is removing its food supply. Taking a quarter of the live crown in one visit is generally the outside limit for an established tree, and less for one already under stress from drought or root damage. A crew willing to take half the canopy because you asked is a crew that will leave you with a weakened tree and a flush of poorly attached regrowth. Where a lot needs to come off, the answer is to stage the work across two or three seasons.
We agree the scope with you at the estimate and work to it. If something on site turns out different from what was quoted, work stops and we talk to you before continuing. Nobody adds to a bill without a conversation first, which is the single most common complaint people have about tree companies.
Bring us the whole list at the estimate. Pricing several trees in one visit is meaningfully cheaper per tree than several separate call outs, because the setup and the travel only happen once. It is the easiest saving available on this kind of work.
Pruning is booked by the season rather than the emergency, so we plan routes around Fair Oaks Ranch, Hollywood Park and Grey Forest and the rest of the northern suburbs.
For most species the dormant season in winter is easiest on the tree and easiest to see, because the structure is visible with the leaves off. Oaks are the exception and are governed by oak wilt risk rather than convenience, which pushes their work away from spring. We will tell you which category your tree falls into before scheduling.
It generally does not cost more, it just takes more decisions. The time goes into choosing which limbs to take and placing each cut so the tree can seal it. The alternative is faster on the day and produces decay entry points and weak regrowth you pay for later.
Sometimes. Removing dead and dying material reduces the demand on a stressed tree and takes away the wood that pests and canker fungi colonize. It will not fix root damage or a structural failure, and we will say so if that is what we find rather than sell you work that cannot help.
Yes, and it is the highest value pruning there is. Correcting a competing double leader or a badly attached limb on a young tree takes minutes and prevents the structural failure that would cost thousands to deal with in twenty years. Almost nobody asks for it.
My husband and I couldn’t be happier with the makeover our trees received. We chose the perfect company, and the entire experience was wonderful from start to finish. The team was friendly, professional, and did an excellent job. We’d gladly return because of their outstanding service and the care they put into their work. Highly recommended.
Wonderfully professional and detail oriented. I definarly recommend 3 Monkeys Tree Service!
LOVED THEM! Super quick, friendly, and did what they promised. I almost wish I had more trees for them to fix. They trimmed the crazy one in the back, and took out one that was starting to grow under the driveway and break the concrete. Can't even tell it was there. 100% would use these guys again.
They were great! Came out the very next day. It was such a tall tree. Did an awesome job. They surpassed my expectations. I will absolutely be using them again.
3 monkeys tree service was amazing. They were on time and did a great job and when they left the area was completely clean up. I would definitely recommend them to anyone who is looking for a great company with wonderful employees.
On time. Very professional, large crew. Everything was trimmed and clean. Trees won’t need cleaning up for a while but i would hire this team again in a heartbeat.
