Services > Tree Trimming
Big Dawg’s Tree Service & Stump Grinding provides professional tree trimming and palm trimming across Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Our licensed arborists (License B677) handle crown thinning, deadwood removal, canopy shaping, and hurricane-prep pruning using safe, industry-standard techniques—backed by 250+ five-star Google reviews and over 20 years of South Florida experience.
South Florida’s subtropical climate drives year-round tree growth. Without regular trimming, branches become overgrown, deadwood accumulates, and canopy density increases—all of which raise the risk of property damage during hurricane season.
Professional tree trimming keeps your trees healthy, your property safe, and your landscape looking sharp. It also reduces liability from overhanging branches that could damage a neighbor’s roof, fence, or vehicle.
At Big Dawg’s, our arborists follow ANSI A300 pruning standards—the same guidelines used by ISA-certified professionals nationwide. We never top, hat-rack, or lion-tail trees. Every cut is made with precision to promote wound closure and long-term tree health.
Two Decades of Local Experience
Holistic Landscape and Tree Management
Fully Licensed (B677) & Insured
We handle every type of tree trimming project for residential and commercial properties throughout South Florida. Here is what our crew delivers on every job:
Selective removal of dead, diseased, broken, and crossing branches from the canopy. Crown cleaning is the most common pruning service and should be performed every two to three years on most South Florida hardwoods. It improves air circulation, reduces pest habitat, and lowers storm damage risk.
Strategic removal of select live branches to reduce canopy density and wind resistance. Thinning is critical for hurricane preparation in Miami-Dade and Broward because it reduces the sail effect that causes trees to uproot in high winds. Our arborists never remove more than 25% of the live canopy in a single session.
Removal of lower branches to improve clearance for pedestrians, vehicles, driveways, and structures. Crown raising keeps limbs from scraping your roof, blocking sidewalks, or interfering with outdoor lighting.
Careful reduction of the overall canopy size by cutting back to appropriate lateral branches. Used when a tree has outgrown its space or is encroaching on structures and utility lines. We use proper reduction cuts—never topping.
Targeted removal of dead and dying branches throughout the canopy. Dead limbs are a significant hazard in South Florida’s frequent thunderstorms and can fall without warning, damaging property or injuring people.
Selective thinning to preserve or create desirable sight lines while maintaining tree health. Popular with waterfront homeowners and commercial properties across Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Aventura.
Palm trees are everywhere in South Florida—and they need specialized care. Unlike hardwood species, palms grow from a single terminal bud at the top of the trunk. Improper trimming can stunt growth, invite disease, or even kill the palm.
Big Dawg’s crew handles palm trimming for every species you will find across Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and surrounding areas, including Royal Palms, Coconut Palms, Queen Palms, Sabal Palms, Date Palms, Foxtail Palms, and Areca Palms.
Our palm trimming services include:
We never over-prune palms. Removing too many green fronds weakens the tree and makes it more vulnerable to wind damage—not less. Our arborists trim only what is dead, dying, or posing a safety risk.
Our arborists have hands-on experience with every tree species common to Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Each species has different growth patterns, pruning tolerances, and timing requirements. Here are some of the trees we work with most often:
Species | Trimming Approach |
Live Oak | Crown cleaning, deadwood removal, structural pruning. Trim every 2–3 years. |
Black Olive | Crown cleaning and clearance pruning. Known for aggressive roots and heavy leaf drop. |
Mahogany | Crown shaping and thinning for these fast-growing native hardwoods. |
Gumbo Limbo | Careful pruning to preserve the natural open form of this native species. |
Ficus (various) | Regular trimming to control aggressive growth. May need annual service. |
Royal Poinciana | Crown shaping and deadwood removal after the blooming season. |
Mango | Post-harvest pruning and size management for residential fruit trees. |
Avocado | Structural pruning to improve fruit production and maintain safe branch structure. |
Sea Grape | Shaping and clearance trimming. Common in coastal Broward properties. |
Step 1: Free On-Site Assessment. Call (954) 737-5573 or submit the estimate form. One of our arborists will visit your property, evaluate each tree’s condition, and provide an upfront price—no hidden fees.
Step 2: Scheduled Trimming Day. Our crew arrives on time with state-of-the-art equipment—bucket trucks, aerial lifts, rigging gear, and professional-grade saws. We trim according to ANSI A300 standards, making precise cuts that promote healthy regrowth.
Step 3: Full Debris Cleanup. Every branch, frond, and leaf gets cleared from your property. We haul away all debris and leave your yard cleaner than we found it.
Step 4: Final Walk-Through. Before we leave, we walk the property with you to make sure you are completely satisfied with the work.
South Florida’s warm climate means trees grow faster here than in northern states. Without a true dormant season, canopies fill in quickly and deadwood accumulates year-round. Here is a general trimming schedule for our area:
Tree Type | Recommended Frequency |
Hardwood shade trees (oak, mahogany, gumbo limbo) | Every 2–3 years |
Fast-growing species (ficus, black olive) | Every 1–2 years |
Palm trees (all species) | Annually or as needed |
Fruit trees (mango, avocado, lychee) | Annually after fruiting season |
Hurricane preparation assessment | Every year before June |
Pro Tip from Big Dawg’s: The best time to trim most trees in South Florida is late winter through early spring (February through April), before the summer growing season and ahead of hurricane season starting in June. However, deadwood removal and hazard trimming can and should be done any time of year.
Fully Licensed (B677) & Insured for complete peace of mind
Over two decades of local experience handling Florida’s unique tree conditions
Upfront pricing with no hidden fees
Modern tools and safe techniques for efficient results
Full debris cleanup after every project
The ideal window for most tree species in South Florida is late winter through early spring—February through April—before the summer growing season and ahead of hurricane season in June. Palm trees can be trimmed year-round since they do not go dormant. Deadwood and hazard branches should be removed any time they are identified.
A permit is not required for routine trimming and pruning done according to ANSI A300 standards. However, removing more than 25% of a tree’s canopy, or any activity that effectively destroys the tree (topping, hat-racking, trunk girdling), can result in a violation under Miami-Dade County Code Section 24-49. Hiring a licensed arborist like Big Dawg’s ensures your trimming stays compliant.
Most palm species in Miami benefit from trimming once per year, typically in spring or before hurricane season. Coconut palms that drop fruit may need service twice a year. Our arborists only remove dead or dying fronds—over-pruning green fronds weakens the palm and increases storm vulnerability.
Tree trimming and tree pruning are closely related and often used interchangeably. Trimming generally refers to shaping and maintaining a tree’s appearance, while pruning is more focused on removing specific branches for health, safety, or structural reasons. At Big Dawg’s, our arborists combine both techniques on every job to deliver results that look great and keep your trees thriving.
Big Dawg’s Tree Service & Stump Grinding provides tree trimming and palm trimming throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, including Miami, North Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Aventura, Miramar, Cooper City, Davie, Weston, and surrounding communities. Call (954) 737-5573 to confirm service availability at your address.
Yes. Big Dawg’s Tree Service holds Florida contractor License B677 and carries full general liability and workers’ compensation insurance on every job. This protects your property and our crew throughout the tree trimming process. We are happy to provide proof of insurance upon request.
Yes. Full debris cleanup is included with every Big Dawg’s tree trimming job at no extra charge. Our crew removes all cut branches, fronds, and leaves from your property and hauls everything away. We leave your yard cleaner than we found it.
Whether you need a single palm trimmed or an entire property maintained before hurricane season, Big Dawg’s Tree Service & Stump Grinding is ready to help. Call (954) 737-5573 or fill out our estimate form for a fast, free quote.
