Tree Care Tips & Answers from Javier Espinoza
Straight talk from a hands-on Franklin arborist — when to remove, when to prune, and how to keep your trees healthy and your property safe.
- Free Estimates
- Fully Insured
- Owner Climbs Every Job
- Serving Johnson County
Real advice from an owner who climbs
Javier Espinoza climbs and works trees across Central Indiana week in and week out. Here's some of what he tells neighbors when they ask.
Winter is often the best time to take a tree down
Counterintuitive, but true. In the dormant season the ground is firm or frozen, so our equipment is far less likely to rut up your lawn and beds. The bare canopy makes the tree's structure easy to read, and leafless limbs weigh a fraction of what they do in summer — which means safer, cleaner rigging near your house and power lines. Your other plants are dormant too, so there's less to disturb.
Prune in late winter for the healthiest trees
For most shade and hardwood trees, late winter to early spring — before the buds break — is ideal. Cuts seal quickly heading into the growing season, disease and insect pressure is low, and with the leaves gone we can see exactly what needs to come off. Spring-flowering trees like crabapple, dogwood, and cherry are the exception: prune those right after they finish blooming. And we avoid pruning oaks in spring and summer to protect them from oak wilt.
Keep brush and deadfall cleared back from the house
Overgrown brush and piles of deadfall along the tree line aren't just messy — they shelter pests, hold moisture against fences and siding, and become fuel and flying debris in a storm. Clearing brush and dead limbs back from the house every year or two keeps the property safer, opens it back up, and makes it far easier to spot a problem tree before it fails.
Know the warning signs of a hazard tree
Call us for a look if you notice any of these: a new or worsening lean, large dead or hanging limbs, deep cracks in the trunk, mushrooms or shelf fungus at the base, soil heaving up around the roots, or hollow, soft, or crumbling wood. Catching a failing tree early is almost always cheaper and safer than waiting for a storm to bring it down.
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes — every estimate is free and no-pressure. Call or text (317) 413-0032, or send your details through our online form and Javier Espinoza will get right back to you.
Are you insured?
Yes — Javier's Tree Service is fully insured, so you're protected on every job. Javier Espinoza is also the owner and the climber, personally accountable for the work from the first cut to the final cleanup.
What areas do you serve?
We're based in Franklin and serve homes and businesses across Central Indiana, including Johnson, Marion, Shelby, Morgan, Bartholomew counties and the surrounding communities.
Do you clean up when you're done?
Always. Every job includes full cleanup and haul-away — we leave your property cleaner than we found it.
Can you remove a tree that's close to my house or power lines?
Yes. Javier Espinoza is a hands-on climber and uses careful rigging to bring trees down piece by piece in tight spots — safely, without damaging your home, fence, or utilities.
Do you clear brush and overgrown lots?
Yes. Brush removal and land & lot clearing are two of our core services. We clear trees, saplings, brush, and undergrowth for building sites, fence lines, pasture, or just to take back an overgrown corner — then haul it all off.
How much does tree removal cost?
It depends on the tree's size, location, and how easy it is to access — there's no flat rate. That's why we come out and give you a free, honest estimate before any work starts.
Do you handle storm damage and emergencies?
Yes. We respond fast when a tree is down on your house, car, or driveway — clearing the hazard and getting your property safe again.
Is winter really a good time to remove a tree?
Often, yes. Frozen ground protects your lawn, bare limbs are lighter and easier to rig safely, and the tree's structure is easier to read — so many removals are cleaner and gentler on your property in the dormant season.
What happens to the wood — can I keep the firewood?
Your call. We'll haul everything away, or if you'd like, we can cut and leave the wood for firewood. Just let us know.
Get your free estimate today
Call or text for the fastest answer,
or request your free estimate online and Javier Espinoza will get right back to you.