Tree Pruning & Trimming Services

For Alexandria, Arlington & Fairfax County

Have questions about tree pruning & trimming?

Call us today at 
571-244-3838

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Our Northern Virginia Tree Pruning and Trimming Services

The type of tree pruning we do depends on the condition of your tree and what you're trying to accomplish. Generally, it'll fall into one of these options.

Crown Reduction

Trees that have been left to grow naturally can sometimes get too tall, too wide, or too thick for the space in which they're planted. If you don't want to cut down the tree, then crown reduction may be an option. This type of pruning reduces the overall size of the tree by removing up to a quarter of the foliage from the end of each branch. This isn't the same as "shearing" a tree - it's precision work that cuts each branch at just the right spot.

Crown Shaping

Crown shaping is not usually done on larger trees, but it can be helpful with smaller trees, such as flowering ornamentals and fruit trees. A plant that has never been properly pruned is most likely out of proportion and is at risk of losing its natural form forever.

Crown Thinning

If there isn't enough sunlight and air flow through the center of the tree, or if there are structural defects or competition between branches in the tree, we may recommend crown thinning. By carefully removing selected branches throughout the tree, we can restore balance to the tree and open it up to stimulate interior growth and reduce wind resistance (which is good for when storms come through).

Crown Raising

If you're having difficulty walking or driving under a tree on your property, lifting the tree canopy may be a good option. Crown raising involves removing selected lower branches to provide clearance to a specified height. This type of pruning should, if possible be carried out before a tree reaches maturity to avoid large wounds.

Vista Pruning

If your tree has grown so much that it's blocking your view, we can selectively thin the framework of limbs or specific areas of the crown to allow or enhance your view. Essentially, we open a “window” through the trees for a view.

Canopy Cleaning

Trees are living organisms. And like all living things, they can be damaged, get sick, and eventually die. We prune out broken, dead or dying, or diseased branches to leave only healthy tree parts. Plus, we remove anything that shouldn't be there, like excessive ivy or other climbing plants, nails, unused or broken cabling, rope swings, and more.

Green Vista tree crew on a bucket crane with a hand chainsaw pruning a tree.

Why Prune Your Trees

Keep your trees healthy, safe, and beautiful

While trees in nature can do just fine without human intervention, in our Northern Virginia urban environment they're often stressed to the point that they need our help to maintain their health and form. No one wants a sickly, poorly shaped tree in their front yard!

That's where tree pruning and trimming comes in. If you have any of the following situations, pruning is probably a good option.

Branches touching or hanging over your roof

Branches obstructing your driveway, walkway, or yard

Broken or hanging branches that could fall

Fruit trees that aren't providing many fruit

Dead, diseased, or damaged branches

A tree that's too big or blocking your view

What Your Neighbors Say

Proof of our commitment to quality tree care

Our clients trust us with their trees – and we take that seriously! Check out what your friends and neighbors have to say about our pruning services.

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Impressed with Their Commitment to Safety

"As a new homeowner, I was initially overwhelmed by the state of the trees on my property. I had a few companies come out to give me quotes, before going with Green Vista Tree Care. Their team was professional and efficient from start to finish…I was particularly impressed with their commitment to safety and the immaculate clean-up they performed. I wholeheartedly recommend Green Vista to any homeowner seeking top-notch tree services."

Chad Yelinski

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Unbelievably Responsive

"Daniel and his team were unbelievably responsive, communicative, and worked with me to trim my trees in a timely manner. He sent me photos for confirmation despite being out of the area. He and his team did a great job!"

Shane Campbell

Why Choose Green Vista for Tree Pruning and Trimming

Your trees deserve the best care in Northern Virginia

We love what we do, and it shows in every tree we prune! Since 2009, we’ve been climbing, trimming, and caring for trees throughout Fairfax, Arlington, and Alexandria County. In that time, we’ve learned that great tree care takes more than just the right equipment – it takes passion, expertise, and a deep commitment to doing things right.

  • 1

    State-of-the-Art Equipment

    We’re proud to invest in the best tools because we know it means safer, more efficient work on your property. Our equipment allows us to handle even the most challenging tree pruning tasks, ensuring precision and care at every step.

  • 2

    Real Tree Care Professionals

    Our team is composed of Certified Arborists and skilled technicians who are passionate about tree health. From crown shaping to canopy cleaning, we approach every job with expertise and dedication to the best outcome for your trees.

  • 3

    Property Protection Promise

    We treat your property like it’s our own. Whether we’re navigating tight spaces or working near your home, we take every precaution to prevent damage and leave your yard looking better than we found it.

  • 4

    Safety First, Always

    Tree pruning is a serious job, and safety is our top priority. We follow industry-leading protocols, maintain strict safety standards, and ensure all our crew members are fully trained to handle every situation with care.

  • 5

    Award-Winning Service

    Our dedication to quality tree care hasn’t gone unnoticed. Green Vista has been recognized for exceptional service and customer satisfaction year after year, making us one of the most trusted tree care companies in Northern Virginia.

  • 6

    Deep Local Roots

    As a locally owned and operated company, we’re proud to serve the communities of Northern Virginia. We understand the unique challenges of tree care in our region and are committed to preserving the natural beauty of the place we all call home.

Arborist on a lift ready to prune trees during fall season in VA
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Their Equipment is Amazing And So Are Their Workers

"I chose Green Vista to get an estimate because a family member had used their services and was pleased. Wiley H, the estimate arborist came out and educated me about the health of the tree in question which had dead branches extending into a neighbor's yard. He provided great communication that made it easy to access both yards in taking down the tree. The proposal was reasonable and the work was completed by a precision work crew. Their equipment is amazing and so are their workers. From my experience, I can highly recommend Green Vista."

Ann Crossin

For expert tree pruning in Northern Virginia, give us a call at 
571-244-3838

Fall pruning on a property near Alexandria, VA

Pruning Is Not a DIY Job

Protect your trees and yourself

We've seen a lot of bad tree pruning that leads to the decline (and sometimes the death) of beautiful trees. It takes professional knowledge and experience to prune a tree properly, using the correct pruning practices, techniques, and tools. Our Certified Arborists ensure that your trees are pruned in a way that meets your goals while also protecting the tree. The end result is a healthy tree that will give you years of continued growth and beauty.

Pruning a tree, particularly a large tree, is dangerous work. Residential tree pruning often requires climbing high into the tree while carrying a chainsaw, then leaning out with the chainsaw to make precise cuts that don't harm the tree. This is definitely not something you want to tackle yourself! It's best to leave these types of high-risk jobs to trained professionals who have the safety gear to protect themselves and your property.

Green Vista: The Trusted Northern Virginia Tree Service

Since 2009, Green Vista has earned its place as Northern Virginia’s premier tree care provider. With top-rated reviews, industry awards, certified crews, and cutting-edge equipment, we deliver expert pruning and trimming services that homeowners trust and recommend.

The minimum legal working distance from high voltage power lines going pole to pole is 15ft. To protect the safety of our employees and the community, we must contact VA Power before performing any work within that 15ft distance. Together, we will form a plan of action for completing the work safely. Usually, they will either drop the cables for us or trim the limbs far away enough for us to perform our job safely. This is coordinated through us and you don't need to worry about anything. Please be aware that this requirement can affect scheduling and that we do not control timing for VA Power.

What to Expect

We make tree care easy and stress-free

Tree work shouldn’t be a hassle. Here’s how we keep things smooth and simple from start to finish, while delivering results that always exceed your expectations.

  • Let’s Talk Trees

    First things first – we’ll meet at your property to check out your trees and listen to what you’re trying to achieve. Want to preserve that perfect view of one of the many golf courses in Fairfax County? Need more light in your yard? We’ll help you figure out the best way to get there.

  • Clear Game Plan

    You’ll get a detailed proposal that clearly outlines exactly what we’ll do and what it will cost – no surprises or hidden fees. If you have additional questions, we’re happy to answer those as well.

  • Expert Pruning

    Our crew shows up ready to work, with everything needed to protect your property and get the job done right. We make every cut with purpose, using techniques that keep your trees healthy and looking their best for years to come.

  • Spotless Clean-Up & Recycling

    We don’t just leave you with better-looking trees – we make sure your property looks better than when we arrived. Every twig and leaf gets cleaned up and recycled at local forestry recycling centers. Minor lawn damage is repaired with topsoil and grass seed.

  • Final Inspection & Your Stamp of Approval

    When we are finished, we walk through everything with you to make sure you’re thrilled with the results. Not home? No problem, we’ll send photos showing the completed work. Your satisfaction is what drives us, and we’re not happy until you’re happy with how your trees look.

Ground crew working cleaning up pruned branches along a property in Fairfax County, VA
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Get Ready

How to prepare before our crew arrives

A little preparation goes a long way in making your tree pruning project run smoothly and safely. Here’s how you can help us deliver the best possible results for your trees:

Keep family members and pets inside during work for their safety

Clear your driveway and street parking areas for our equipment

Move any outdoor furniture, grills, or planters away from work areas

Remove vehicles, toys, and other items from under trees being pruned

Make sure gates are unlocked so our crew can access all areas

Let your neighbors know we'll be working (especially if equipment might temporarily block shared spaces)

Frequently Asked Questions

Get the facts about professional tree pruning

Proper tree pruning involves more than just cutting branches. We’ve gathered answers to the most common questions our Northern Virginia customers ask about tree pruning and trimming.

It depends on the age of your tree. Newly-planted trees should not be pruned for the first 2-3 years.

After that, young trees should be pruned every 2 to 3 years, while mature trees will need to be pruned every 3 to 5 years.

Additional pruning may be done on an as-needed basis.

Many times, you'll be able to see that tree pruning or trimming would be beneficial.

For example, branches may be hitting your roof or blocking a walkway, or you may notice dead or broken branches.

We have an article full of questions to ask before trimming a tree that can help you determine what steps to take.

Plus, you can always contact us for a tree consultation.

Fruit trees need more consistent pruning than other types of trees.

You can read our article on when and how to prune fruit trees for more information.

Properly pruning your trees provides many benefits. It helps your trees live a longer and healthier life and helps trees that are still growing to develop good branch structure.

Your property value and curb appeal also increase with properly pruned and maintained trees.

We don't recommend it. Between the heights involved and the dangerous equipment, the chance of injury (or worse!) is high.

In fact, we have a whole article that explains the risks to yourself and your property: When Shouldn't You Prune or Remove Trees Yourself?

The tree professionals at Green Vista are thoroughly trained in safety procedures for tree care services.

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have and our experienced estimators will be able to walk you through how the job will be done and what it will take to do it right. You may be surprised by just how affordable quality tree work can be in our northern Virginia service area – especially when you compare it to doing it yourself!

We do not top trees. This practice of cutting off the top of trees is detrimental to the tree, ends up costing the homeowner more, and is not considered good practice in the professional tree care industry.

Learn more about why we don't top trees >>

Yes! With most trees dormant during the winter months, it is an ideal time to prune.

The lack of leaves on deciduous trees allows us to more clearly view the tree's structure, the frozen ground leads to less damage to your lawn, and most pests and diseases aren't active, so your tree is safe from infestations.

If a tree or limb is touching a power line, call Dominion so they can evaluate whether it should be removed. If a limb has fallen onto a line, call Dominion to remove it. For safety, do not attempt to remove any trees or tree limbs from power lines yourself!

Read more about what to do about trees near power lines >>

Green Vista Tree Care employee prunes a tree with a chainsaw

Our Service Area

Serving your Northern Virginia neighborhood

From the historic neighborhoods of Old Town Alexandria to the tree-lined streets of Arlington, we make sure your trees stay healthy and beautiful.

Have questions about whether we service your neighborhood? Just give us a call at 571-244-3838 – we’re happy to help!

Areas We Serve

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Learn More About Tree Pruning in Northern Virginia

Looking for insider tips on tree care? Check out our blog, where we share real-world experience and practical advice gained from years of working with Northern Virginia's trees. From seasonal pruning guides to identifying common tree problems, we break down the expertise you need to make informed decisions about your trees.

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Let’s Keep Your Trees Looking Their Best