DEADWOODING & TREE POLLARDING IN BOISE, IDAHO

Dead limbs fall without warning. Our climbers cut the deadwood out of your trees and haul it away across Boise, Meridian and Eagle, from one backyard maple to a full canopy cleaning.

Request a Deadwood or Tree Pollarding Assessment TODAY!

WHEN DEADWOODING IS ENOUGH AND WHEN THE TREE HAS TO COME DOWN

Dead branches do not mean a dead tree. Plenty of trees in the Valley carry deadwood and live another thirty years. Here is how we sort the two.

Deadwooding usually fixes it

Removal or a deeper fix may be needed

If your tree lands on the second list, we will tell you straight, even when it means we do not get the job. Send a few photos and we will tell you which list your tree belongs on.

DEADWOODING AND POLLARDING SERVICES ACROSS THE TREASURE VALLEY

Crown Cleaning And Deadwood Removal

We climb the tree and remove dead, dying, and diseased branches back to the branch collar. Cuts follow ANSI A300 pruning standards, so the tree seals properly and takes no extra wounds. We chip and haul brush the same day.

Hazard Limb Removal Over Roofs And Driveways

We prioritize dead limbs above roofs, driveways, fences, and play areas. When a limb is too big to drop, we rig it and lower it under control so nothing touches your property.

Storm Damage And Hanging Limb Cleanup

Broken, hung-up, and cracked limbs after wind or wet snow. We respond 24/7 and make the site safe first. Larger pruning can wait for a scheduled return visit if that is the smarter option. See our emergency tree service.

Juvenile Tree Pruning In Boise, Idaho

Pruning a young tree in its first 3 to 5 years builds the structure it will carry for life. We set one central leader, space the main branches around the trunk, and fix crossing or rubbing limbs while the cuts are still small. We never take more than about a quarter of the live crown in one visit.

This matters most for species that grow fast and split easily, like Siberian elm and silver maple. A weak union corrected at 2 inches is a quick cut. The same union at 12 inches is a hazard, and it often ends in the deadwooding and removal calls we get twenty years later.

Tree Pollarding

Pollarding is a planned, repeating cut that holds a tree at a set height and form. It suits certain species and fails on others. The full explanation is in the next section, including which trees qualify and which do not. Tell us which of these you need, or describe what you are seeing, and we will quote the right scope.

 

Need a written assessment instead? See our consulting arborist services page.

Arborman Tree Care arborist in a bucket truck deadwooding a tree in Boise, ID.

The Trees We Deadwood Most Often in Boise and the Treasure Valley

Different species die back in different ways. These six make up most of the deadwooding calls we run around Boise.

Species What We See Typical Cleaning Cycle
Siberian Elm Brittle wood sheds dead limbs in almost every windstorm. Regular cleaning keeps limbs off roofs and cars. Every 1 to 2 years
Cottonwood Large dead limbs drop without warning, especially along the Boise River corridor. Their size makes them particularly dangerous to leave overhead. Every 1 to 2 years
Silver Maple Dead wood collects around weak unions with included bark. We clean it out and flag any union likely to split. Every 2 to 3 years
Green Ash Thinning crowns and dieback are common in aging street-tree cohorts. We clean out the dead wood and assess whether the tree is worth keeping. Every 2 to 3 years
Lombardy Poplar Canker kills branches from the inside out. Cleaning helps, but the species is short-lived, and we explain that upfront. Every 1 to 2 years
Blue Spruce Lower-canopy dieback is common in our heavy, alkaline soils. We remove deadwood and check whether the dieback is progressing up the tree. Every 3 to 5 years

TREE POLLARDING IN BOISE: WHAT IT IS AND WHEN IT FITS

Pollarding is not topping. Topping cuts big limbs back to stubs with no plan. It leaves weak, fast-growing shoots that snap easily and opens the tree to decay. We do not do it.

Which trees can be pollarded

Species that sprout readily after heavy cuts, such as plane trees, lindens, willows and mulberries. Conifers like spruce and pine are not candidates.

When to pollard

Pollarding is usually done in the dormant season, from late fall through winter, and repeated on a set cycle. The first cuts matter most, so a young tree is the ideal starting point.

The two rules

The species has to tolerate it, and you have to commit to the maintenance cycle. If either one is missing, structural pruning is the better call, and we will recommend that instead. Book a site visit and we will tell you in one pass whether your tree is a pollarding candidate.

Who pays for Deadwood removal in Boise: the city or you

Before you hire anyone to prune a tree, work out whose tree it is. In Boise, that answer can save you the whole cost of the job.

The city handles trees in the public right-of-way

Street trees in the planting strip between sidewalk and curb fall under the Boise Tree Ordinance. Pruning or removing them generally goes through Boise Community Forestry, so do not cut them on your own. Contact the city first.

You handle trees on private property

Anything inside your property line is yours to maintain. That covers most of the deadwooding we do. Boundary trees shared with a neighbor, and some subdivisions or HOAs carry extra rules. We walk through those during the assessment so nothing surprises you later.

Callout bar: Not sure which one you have? Send us a photo showing the tree and where it sits relative to the sidewalk. We will tell you whether to call us or the city. No charge either way.

WHY BOISE HOMEOWNERS CHOOSE OUR CLIMBING ARBORISTS

ISA-Certified Tree Care

A certified arborist guides every job. Cuts go where the tree heals best, not where the saw moves fastest.

Licensed and Insured Crews

Full liability and workers' compensation coverage. Certificates come with your estimate.

Climbing, Not Just Lifts

Many canopies are too dense or too delicate for a bucket truck. Our crews climb, so we reach what machines cannot.

Yard & Property Protected

Ground mats and drop zones protect your lawn, landscaping, and driveway. We rake and haul before we leave.

DEADWOODING AND POLLARDING SERVICE AREAS

Arborman Tree Care serves Boise, Meridian, Eagle, and the surrounding Treasure Valley.

Within Boise, we work regularly in the North End, Hyde Park, the East End, Boise Bench, Southeast Boise, Harris Ranch, Barber Valley, Collister and Warm Springs. Older neighborhoods carry the oldest and largest trees, which is where most deadwooding happens.

DEADWOODING AND POLLARDING FAQS

What is deadwooding?

Deadwooding, also called deadwood removal or crown cleaning, is the removal of dead, dying and diseased branches from a living tree. It cuts the risk of falling limbs, improves the look of the tree, and reduces entry points for pests and decay.
Most trees with deadwood do not need removal. Removal becomes the better option when the trunk is hollow, the roots are failing, or more than half the canopy is dead. We assess this at no charge.
Scrape a little bark off a twig. Green and moist underneath means the branch is alive. Brown and dry means it is dead. Dead twigs also snap with a dry crack instead of bending, and they carry no plump buds.
Brittle species like Siberian elm and cottonwood often need it every 1 to 2 years. Most mature shade trees do well on a 3 to 5 year cycle. Check any tree after a major storm.
Price depends on tree size, height, how much deadwood is in the crown, and access. See the price table above, and send photos for a free written estimate.
Any time. In summer, dead limbs stand out against green leaves. In winter, the bare structure is easy to see, but dead and dormant wood look alike, so we check each branch. We move the work up whenever a limb hangs over a structure.
Pollarding is usually done in the dormant season, from late fall through winter, and repeated on a set cycle. The first cuts matter most, so a young tree is the ideal starting point.
Species that sprout readily after heavy cuts, such as plane trees, lindens, willows and mulberries. Conifers like spruce and pine are not candidates. We tell you before we cut.
No. Topping is random and damaging. Pollarding is a planned system of small, repeated cuts at the same points. We will not top a tree.
Trees on your private property generally do not need a permit for pruning. Street trees in the public right-of-way are managed by the city, and some subdivisions or HOAs have their own rules. Confirm with Boise Community Forestry, before scheduling work on a street tree.

Yes. We carry full liability and workers’ compensation coverage and provide certificates on request.

Brush is chipped and hauled away the same day. Larger wood can be cut to length and left for firewood if you want it. 

Call 208.286.6875 or send photos, and we will answer anything these questions missed.

What Our Clients Say

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julie wilsing profile picture
julie wilsing
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They trimmed and cleaned up 2 large Ash trees in my backyard. They managed to get the lift through the gate and to both trees without damaging my fence or lawn. They cleaned up the debris. Very professional and knowledgeable!
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Michael profile picture
Michael
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Had a 10 year old plum tree at a rental property that needed to go due to disease. They came, quoted fair price, said there was a crew in the area and they could get to it later today. Job done. Cut nicely to the ground. Treated stump and cleaned up. Why can't all companies make it this easy?? I will certainly give you a call again for my tree removal/care needs. Thanks again for being so prompt, direct, and cost effective.
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Donna McDowell
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Fantastic crew even added totally cutting down one of the trees that needed it. Now we wish we'd had you take and grind the wood!!
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Monica Crow profile picture
Monica Crow
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On time. Quick, professional. Left nothing for us to clean up afterwards.
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Jeff Coe profile picture
Jeff Coe
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Excellent crew!! The clean-up was impressive. Arborman is the best!
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Rachel Cyr profile picture
Rachel Cyr
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I have had several different companies come out and claim to be arborists. Arborman Tree Care is the ONLY company that has convinced me that they truly know what they are doing. I am a repeat customer and fully intend to call them every 2 years for tree maintenance. They came out this year to prune two trees, remove an elderberry, and prune down five out-of-control bushes that had been neglected by yours truly. Every single person I dealt with (Allison, Joe, Jerome, Jessica and Bill) were very kind and friendly. They really know what they are doing and are worth every penny!
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Kristi Dean profile picture
Kristi Dean
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We had a large tree limb fall in our backyard after a major storm and reached out to Arborman Tree Care. Jessica came out the same day and was excellent, she was very professional, knowledgeable, and thorough. She explained the serious condition of the tree (even joked we should buy a lottery ticket because the whole thing could have come down) and provided a clear quote for removing both the damaged maple and a pear tree. She said her crew would follow up quickly, which was reassuring during the storm chaos. Unfortunately, the scheduling and communication after that fell short. We were told the crew would come out on the date we were scheduled but it turned into multiple weeks of delays. Allison was friendly but repeatedly forgot to add us to the schedule (mentioned a sticky note with our name on it) and there were several mix ups, including showing up for the wrong tree at one point and having to stop work due to insufficient crew. We were understanding and flexible, even adjusting our travel plans. On the final scheduled day it rained, which I would have understood why the crew wouldn’t show. I’m sure it’s dangerous to do that in the rain. However, we never received a courtesy call or update. I really had high hopes for this company. Especially, with the great reviews I read and the experience we had with Jessica. Maybe this was just a fluke due to the storm and overwhelming calls. They had every right to tell me “hey can we schedule you out a bit because we’re overwhelmed with calls due to the storm”. Again, it would have been fine with me. I was super understanding the entire time, never got upset or anything. I was just trying to get on the schedule for whenever.
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Shelley Buck profile picture
Shelley Buck
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Appreciate the expedited service I received! Curt recognized the danger of my tree splitting and prioritized this job.
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Stacy Rogers profile picture
Stacy Rogers
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They came during one of those massive wind storms and cut my large maple tree back before it split in 3 places and would do damage to home and gazebo. Thank you
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Other tree work we handle

Complete stump removal and cleanup.

Increase light penetration and air flow.

Safe removal of trees Of any size,

Identify hazards and reduce potential risks.

GOT DEAD LIMBS OVER YOUR HEAD?

Call 208.286.6875. We will tell you what the tree needs and give you a free written estimate.

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