Tree Service in West Ashley, SC

Tree Service in West Ashley is mostly about trees that came with the neighborhoods. The first subdivisions west of the Ashley River were built in the 1950s, and the biggest wave of residential growth came in the 1970s and 1980s. Shade trees planted with those houses, along with pines left from the original woods, are now 40 to 70 years old. That's the age when laurel oaks and water oaks start to decline, pines get tall enough to reach the roof, and roots have spent decades working under driveways.

City or county?

West Ashley isn't its own town; it's one of the distinct areas of the City of Charleston, and most of it is inside city limits. A few pockets remain in unincorporated Charleston County, served by the St. Andrews Public Service District. That changes the tree rules. In the city, grand trees are 24 inches or more (pines and sweet gums excluded) and trees under 24 inches on single-family lots generally don't need a removal permit. In the county, grand trees are also 24 inches and up, and removals go through a county zoning permit. We confirm which side your lot is on.

Laurel oaks past their prime

Laurel oaks are common in mid-century Lowcountry neighborhoods because they grow fast and stay green most of the year. Their tradeoff is a shorter life than live oaks and a tendency to develop decay in the trunk and big limbs as they age. A 50-year-old laurel oak with fungus on the trunk, a hollow at an old pruning wound or heavy deadwood is worth having assessed. Sometimes careful reduction buys years; sometimes removal before the next storm is the responsible choice.

Pines over the house

Many West Ashley lots kept loblolly pines when they were cleared. Seventy years later those pines can be well over 80 feet tall, standing over roofs and the neighbors' yards. Pines aren't counted as grand trees under the city's definition, which gives owners more flexibility. Removing one in a tight backyard usually means climbing and lowering sections, or a crane where access allows.

History along the river

West Ashley holds some of the region's oldest landscapes. Charles Towne Landing, a 663-acre state historic site, preserves the location of the original 1670 English settlement, and Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is on the National Register of Historic Places. Ashley River Road, also listed on the National Register, runs through this side of the river. Living near that history, many owners want old trees kept if they safely can be, and we start from that preference.

Driveways, sewers and roots

Older neighborhoods have older clay sewer laterals and thinner driveways, and roots find both. Before removing a tree for root damage, it's worth knowing whether root pruning or a repair can solve it. We'll tell you what we see.

Request an estimate

Call (843) 202-4599 or use the form and tell us your neighborhood. We'll measure, look for decay and give you a written estimate. Get a free estimate