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RTEC Treecare

RTEC Treecare

Expert Tree Care in the DC Metro Area | Call 703-573-3029 to talk to a Tree Care Expert.

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Fall Pruning

Resources: Seasonal Tree Care, Tree Trimming

When and What to Prune

Many people know about Spring cleaning, but few dwell on Fall prevention. Fall serves as a good time to winterize, or prepare, your shrubs and trees for the expected climate change. But what does that preparation look like?

Some of our most frequently asked questions around this time of year include; Is it time to prune? If so, what plants should be pruned in the fall? Should bushes be cut back in the fall? In all honesty, there is no “one size fits all” answer to these questions. The best time to prune is truly dependent on the kind of shrub or tree you have!

On-site fall pruning of Oak tree.

 Is it time to prune?

As we think of when to prune one of the most obvious scenarios is when we find dead branches. Dead, or dying branches do not serve the tree. In some cases they can actually be more detrimental to the tree’s health. If left unaddressed the tree can grow more susceptible to disease and insect infestation. The same goes for all woody plants, trees and shrubs. Scenarios like this are why it is crucial to keep up with your trees and shrubs through plant health care and annual/ semi-annual pruning. But how do you know if its time? 

What plants should be pruned in the fall?

As you clean up your fall garden, notice your butterfly bush is looking overgrown from a lively summer, or perhaps your fruit trees and bushes are nearing the end of their crop production. It may be time to take inventory of the types of trees and shrubbery throughout your property to evaluate if they need attention. It’s important to note, if the species in question is flowering, and if so, when? 

Flowering: Now through the start of spring! Pruning during this timeframe provides visibility to the plant’s structure. 

Fall pruning promotes new growth for your trees.
  • Roses
  • Hydrangeas
  • Butterfly Bush
  • Rose-of-Sharon

Non-Flowering: Any time except fall, due to the plants susceptibility to cold weather related damages. 

  • Burning Bush
  • Boxwoods 
  • Barberry 

Do I need a professional to prune my trees and shrubs?

Don’t break out those pruning shears just yet! Pruning is a skill that requires more skill than one might assume. While many people approach their trees and shrubs with the best of intention, there is a risk that they can leave them worse off, or even “botched”. We don’t recommend you try it yourself, but rather call on us! Our certified specialists have the experience and expertise it takes to identify and properly care for your trees and shrubs by determining where to cut. That knowledge can help avoid the risk of disease, decay and further injury that might eventually lead to replacing entire trees and shrubs. Do not fret, you can take action today by calling us to help prevent any irreversible damages to your Maple Birches, Hydrangeas and more!

Meet with an Arborist!
703-573-3029

Enter to Win!

Submit a photo of your tree-friendly outdoor Halloween decorations to be featured on our Instagram and our website!

The winner will also receive a

Spooktacular 10% Discount 

on a one-time Fall Bio-Stimulant treatment or a protective winter protection treatment for evergreen shrubs.

Please e-mail your submissions no later than 12:00PM on Friday, October 29th, 2021 to be considered for the contest!

Enter to Win

Follow us on Instagram to see the winner and any honorable mentions Halloween weekend. Anyone located within our service area is eligible to win, so be sure to share this wicked offer with your family and friends!

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Google Reviews

Grey Burkhart
Grey Burkhart
March 29, 2022.
Verified
Very professional review of our requirements and an accurate estimate. Showed up on time and were finished quickly. Cleaned up all of the debris and sawdust. Great job all around.
Dennis Bruns
Dennis Bruns
March 8, 2022.
Verified
We have used RTEC Treecare for several years. They do excellent work. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable and take great care in explaining the various options available for your particular situation. I highly recommend them.
Annette Iannucci
Annette Iannucci
February 23, 2022.
Verified
We have been using RTEC for years and were very pleased with the recent tree maintenance work they did for us. As always, we got good advice from their arborist Ben,. The crew that did the work is highly skilled, and they did a great job trimming our trees. They worked safely and efficiently, in addition to leaving the yard clean after they finished the work.
Susan Crawford
Susan Crawford
January 26, 2022.
Verified
RTEC was at my house today to removed a large Magnolia that was badly damaged by the recent snow. They did a fantastic job at a very reasonable price. They arrived right on time, worked efficiently and quickly and cleaned up so well it was hard to tell anything have been disturbed. Over the past several years, I have used RTEC for all the services I checked above, and have always been very pleased with their service and professionalism. I also appreciate that they are not eager to take down trees that don't need to come down. In this case, the damage was too extensive for the tree to recover.
Kenton Morgan
Kenton Morgan
January 20, 2022.
Verified
Once again, RTEC has done a great job. The team showed up right on time and performed all the work that we agreed to. They kept us informed as to progress, coordinated with us concerning our maple, and made recommendations concerning ongoing support for our trees. At the end of the day, they thoroughly cleaned up the debris and left our yard in pristine condition. WELL DONE.
Jean Kluttz
Jean Kluttz
January 3, 2022.
Verified
Not our first time but this time was tricky removal of a large dead tree leaning on a healthy tree. Quick response for estimate, good timing to removal, all clear and healthy tree still fine.
Jerry Haggin
Jerry Haggin
December 16, 2021.
Verified
Very good work while ensuring that I was aware of status of my work order and planned completion.
Mike Iger
Mike Iger
December 16, 2021.
Verified
David Roberts
David Roberts
December 15, 2021.
Verified
We’ve used RTEC for many years for tree maintenance and can’t say enough good things about their service. We use them for tree trimming and for regular treatments to maintain our trees’ health and deal with pests and prevent disease. Their arborist Ben has been especially helpful with advice. RTEC also been especially helpful in emergency situations, once coming to cable a massive, heritage oak in our yard right before a hurricane was about to hit. Highly recommend.
Travis Larson
Travis Larson
December 10, 2021.
Verified
RTEC did an excellent job onsite of removing dead branches from our 80+ year old trees, and trimming other growth too close to our home.
Google rating score: 4.8 of 5, based on 185 reviews.

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  • Tree Trimming
  • Tree Removal
  • Tree Maintenance
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  • Environmental Services
  • Seasonal Tree Care

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Falls Church, VA 22042

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