--- title: Tree Care Blog | Battle Born Tree Service, Carson City NV url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/blog/ business: Battle Born Tree Service address: 6301 US Highway 50 East, Carson City, NV 89701 phone: 775.232.8243 hours: Office Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm; phones answered seven days a week; 24-hour emergency service credentials: ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff; Nevada Business License # 20131580674; fully insured type: Tree service (removal, crane work, pruning, stump grinding, defensible space, snow removal, firewood) --- - [Home](https://battleborntreeservice.com/) - Blog # The Battle Born Tree Service blog Seasonal tree advice, storm and fire preparation, permit rules and firewood notes for Northern Nevada, from the crew at Battle Born Tree Service in Carson City. Newest posts first; pick a topic to narrow the list. ## All posts, newest first Pruning and care October 17, 2026 5 min read ### What should you do with your trees in October in Carson City and Reno? In October, finish watering while the ground is open, look over your trees for dead or hanging limbs, and clear leaves and needles away from the house. Save most live-wood pruning for the dormant seas Pruning and care October 17, 2026 6 min read ### Young trees in new subdivisions: the first ten years A young tree in a new subdivision needs very little pruning in its first two or three years, then steady structural pruning to build one strong central trunk and well-spaced branches. The ISA says tre Removal and equipment October 17, 2026 6 min read ### Where tree debris and green waste go in Reno and Carson City Green waste has a few legitimate homes in our area: the landfill or transfer station if the load is only wood and green waste, a fire district drop-off day or curbside chipping program if you qualify, Cost and hiring October 17, 2026 5 min read ### What an arborist report includes, and when you need one An arborist report is a written record of what a certified arborist found on a site visit: which trees, what condition, what risks and what to do about them. You need one when someone else has to rely Pruning and care October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Trenching and grade changes near trees Trenching and grade changes near trees cut or smother the roots that feed and anchor them, and the harm can take years to show. Keep trenches as far from the trunk as the job allows, ask about tunneli Fire October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Trees, roofs and gutters: needles, branches and snow Trees put needles, leaves and branches on your roof and in your gutters, and that debris is fuel in a wildfire and a drain blocker in a storm. Keep the roof and gutters swept, trim branches that reach Removal and equipment October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Trees near pools, decks and patios A tree next to a pool, deck or patio needs three checks: the limbs overhead, the roots underneath and, in our fire country, the space between the tree and the structure. Many are fixed by pruning, and Pruning and care October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Trees in commercial parking lots Parking lot trees struggle because their roots are squeezed under pavement in compacted soil, and because plows, cars and salt hit them every winter. Property managers do better by protecting rooting Pruning and care October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Trees and solar panels: shade, pruning and removal Trees shade rooftop solar panels, and the U.S. Department of Energy says excessive tree cover on a roof can make rooftop panels a poor fit. Before installing, get a shade assessment from the installer Pruning and care October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Trees and septic systems on rural lots Trees and septic systems can conflict because roots look for the water and nutrients in a drainfield, and because heavy equipment compacts the soil above it. Know where your tank and drainfield are, k Safety and risk October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Tree risk assessment: what an arborist checks A tree risk assessment is an arborist's structured look at a tree's defects, the site around it and what could be hit if part of it fails. It ends in a decision to leave it, prune it, support it or re Safety and risk October 17, 2026 6 min read ### Tree care for vacation homes at Lake Tahoe Owners of vacation homes on Lake Tahoe's Nevada side manage trees from a distance, so the plan needs three things: know the TRPA tree rules, get the fire district's defensible space inspection done, a Pruning and care October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Taking out a lawn without killing the trees When you replace a lawn with a water-efficient landscape, mature trees that have been watered by the lawn sprinklers can lose their water. Plan drip irrigation for the trees before you shut off the sp Cost and hiring October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Rental property trees: what landlords and tenants should know At a rental, the lease and the landlord decide who handles trees, and Nevada's landlord and tenant law makes the landlord responsible for keeping the dwelling habitable. This is general information, n Removal and equipment October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Removing trees on slopes without starting erosion Removing a tree on a slope changes how the hillside holds soil and moves water, so the job should be planned around the roots, the equipment route and what covers the ground afterward. At Lake Tahoe, Removal and equipment October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Removing aspen: why the suckers come back Aspen suckers come back because quaking aspen mostly reproduces by sprouting from its roots, and cutting the trunk or grinding the stump does not remove those roots. The Forest Service says root sprou Pruning and care October 17, 2026 6 min read ### Protecting trees during construction Protecting trees during construction means fencing off the critical root zone, keeping equipment, fill and trenches out of it, and having an ISA Certified Arborist involved from planning to finish. Da Removal and equipment October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Nesting birds and tree work: what the law says Most bird nests are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is illegal to destroy a nest with eggs or chicks in it, or one with young still depending on it, and the law can apply eve Pruning and care October 17, 2026 4 min read ### Mower and string-trimmer damage: the quiet young-tree killer Mowers and string trimmers wound the bark at the base of young trees, and a wound that goes all the way around the trunk can kill the tree. The simplest protection is a mulch ring that keeps turf and Safety and risk October 17, 2026 5 min read ### How tree crews work safely: the ANSI Z133 basics Tree work is dangerous, and a careful crew works to a written safety standard. In the United States that standard is ANSI Z133, and OSHA treats overhead power lines, falling branches and faulty equipm Pruning and care October 17, 2026 5 min read ### How long do trees live in Northern Nevada? It depends on the species and the site. The Forest Service reports Fremont cottonwood lifespans of more than 130 years, aboveground aspen stems in the West living up to about 150 years, and singleleaf Fire October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Hazard trees after a wildfire: what to check before you go back After a wildfire, treat every burned or scorched tree as a possible hazard until an arborist has looked at it. The Forest Service advises assuming a dead or damaged tree could fall and affect an area Winter and firewood October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Firewood cutting permits on Nevada public land To cut your own firewood on Bureau of Land Management land you need a permit, which you can buy through the BLM Forest Product Permit System or at a local BLM office. The Carson City District has limi Cost and hiring October 17, 2026 5 min read ### Buying a home with big trees: what to check When you buy a home with big trees, check the trees during your inspection period: look for dead wood, cracks, lean and signs of root trouble, note what stands under them, and learn who controls remov Winter and firewood October 14, 2026 5 min read ### Why does wet snow break tree limbs in Northern Nevada, and what can you do before it falls? Wet snow adds weight to branches faster than they can bend and recover, so limbs split, tops snap and evergreens splay open. What helps is structure: remove dead wood, deal with weak forks and have an Pruning and care October 10, 2026 5 min read ### What can you prune in fall in Northern Nevada, and what should wait? In fall you can remove dead, broken or hazardous branches from any tree. Live-wood pruning is better done when the tree is dormant: late winter for most deciduous trees and fruit trees, and early spri Winter and firewood October 7, 2026 5 min read ### How should you buy firewood this season in Carson City? Ask the seller for the amount in cords or fractions of a cord, ask how long the wood has been split and dry, and measure the stack after delivery. Wood burns best below 20 percent moisture, which a mo Fire October 3, 2026 5 min read ### Why do defensible space work before winter, and what does it involve? Fall is a good time to clear fuel around a home because the ground is open and fuel from the summer has dried. University of Nevada, Reno Extension's Living With Fire guide divides the work into Zone Winter and firewood October 1, 2026 4 min read ### Wood chips from tree work: uses and limits in a fire-prone yard Wood chips are useful as mulch away from the house, but University of Nevada, Reno Extension says to clear wood mulch and other combustible mulch from Zone 0, the first 5 feet around a building. Farth Fire October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Wildfire risk to homes in Northern Nevada: what the numbers say The US Forest Service rates risk to homes in Carson City higher than 98.5% of US communities and higher than 86% of Nevada communities. Most Northern Nevada towns rank in the top few percent nationall Safety and risk October 1, 2026 6 min read ### Why is topping a tree not pruning? Topping cuts a tree's branches back to stubs or to branches too small to take over, and the International Society of Arboriculture says it harms trees. Proper pruning removes selected branches back to Safety and risk October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Why call 811 before stump grinding? Stump grinding cuts below the surface, and utility lines can be buried only inches down. 811 is the free national before-you-dig service, and it says every digging project, regardless of depth, calls Winter and firewood October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Whose job is the sidewalk? Snow rules in Carson City and Reno In Carson City the municipal code makes clearing snow and ice from the public sidewalk the property owner's job, and in Reno the city says shoveling sidewalks and driveways is not a service it provide Safety and risk October 1, 2026 6 min read ### Who is responsible for trees near power lines in NV Energy territory? NV Energy says the property owner is responsible for keeping trees clear of the electric service line, the line that runs from the pole to the house, while NV Energy prunes trees that grow too close t Removal and equipment October 1, 2026 6 min read ### Which tree jobs need a crane, a bucket truck or climbing? Climbing with rigging is used where equipment cannot reach, a boom truck gets a crew to the upper crown from the ground, and a crane takes the weight of large pieces near homes, wires and other obstac Safety and risk October 1, 2026 5 min read ### What should you do when a tree falls on your house? Get everyone out and away, call 911 if anyone is hurt, and stay away from any wire the tree is touching. Then call the electric utility if a line is involved, photograph what you can from a safe place Safety and risk October 1, 2026 6 min read ### What should you do about broken tree limbs after heavy snow? Stay out from under bowed or broken limbs, leave ice-covered branches alone, and call a tree service for anything large or high. Extension sources warn that stored energy in a bent branch makes a smal Safety and risk October 1, 2026 6 min read ### What should you do about a tree leaning toward your house? A sudden lean, or a lean that is getting worse, is a reason to keep people away from the tree and call a tree service right away. A lean that has been there for many years can be stable, but only an a Pruning and care October 1, 2026 5 min read ### What should you do about a Siberian elm on an older Nevada lot? Siberian elm is a tough, low-water tree that grew well on old Northern Nevada lots, and many are now very large. Keep one that is sound with pruning to remove dead wood, and ask an arborist about remo Cost and hiring October 1, 2026 5 min read ### What proof of insurance should a tree service show you? Ask for a certificate of insurance and then call the insurer to confirm the policy is active. The International Society of Arboriculture advises asking for proof of insurance and calling the insurance Pruning and care October 1, 2026 5 min read ### What is the difference between stump grinding and stump removal? Stump grinding shreds the stump into wood chips below ground level and leaves the deeper roots in the ground to decay. Full stump removal digs the stump and main roots out with heavy equipment, which Pruning and care October 1, 2026 5 min read ### What is the best time to prune trees in Northern Nevada? The best time to prune most deciduous trees in Northern Nevada is late winter, while they are dormant and before the spring growth flush. Dead, broken or hazardous branches can come out at any time of Removal and equipment October 1, 2026 6 min read ### What is the 14-inch rule for tree removal at Lake Tahoe? In the Lake Tahoe Basin, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency requires a permit to remove a live tree larger than 14 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH), measured 4.5 feet above the ground. On lak Fire October 1, 2026 5 min read ### What is defensible space? Zones 0, 1 and 2 Defensible space is the area around a building where you manage plants and combustible items so a wildfire has less to burn and embers have fewer places to land. University of Nevada, Reno Extension d Pruning and care October 1, 2026 5 min read ### What is dead wooding, and when does a tree need it? Dead wooding is the removal of dead, dying, diseased or weakly attached branches from a tree's crown, also called crown cleaning. It can be done at any time of year, and it is the first thing an arbor Cost and hiring October 1, 2026 5 min read ### What is an ISA Certified Arborist, and how do you verify one? An ISA Certified Arborist is a person who has met the International Society of Arboriculture's requirements and passed its exam on tree care. The credential belongs to the individual, and you can chec Safety and risk October 1, 2026 5 min read ### What is a widow-maker, and what should you do about hanging limbs? A widow-maker is a broken or dead limb still caught in a tree, ready to fall without warning. Stay out from under it, keep others away and have a tree crew remove it, because standing below it to cut Pruning and care October 1, 2026 5 min read ### What happens to the wood and chips after a tree job? Branches are run through a chipper, large logs are cut up and hauled away, and some wood is sold as firewood. Wood chips can be used as mulch on your own property or hauled off, and you should say whi Pruning and care October 1, 2026 5 min read ### What do crown thinning, raising and reduction mean? Crown cleaning removes dead, weak or diseased branches, thinning reduces foliage density, raising removes lower branches for clearance, and reduction shortens height or spread by cutting back to a sui Pruning and care October 1, 2026 5 min read ### What are tree cabling and bracing, and when do they help? Cabling and bracing are arborist services that add artificial support to branches or trunks with weak attachments, so a tree with a structural defect can keep standing. They reduce a risk but do not f Safety and risk October 1, 2026 6 min read ### What are the warning signs that a tree may fail? The main warning signs are cracks or splits in the trunk, decay or fungus, a new or growing lean, heaved soil or lifted roots, dead or hanging limbs, and wounds from past construction or topping. One Removal and equipment October 1, 2026 5 min read ### What HOA tree rules should you check before removing a tree? Check your homeowners association's governing documents and architectural guidelines before pruning or removing a tree, because many associations require written approval first. An HOA is separate fro Winter and firewood October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Washoe County burn codes explained Washoe County runs a winter burn code, from November 1 to the end of February, that uses green, yellow and red days, and Northern Nevada Public Health regulates wood-burning devices. Check the current Removal and equipment October 1, 2026 6 min read ### Should you remove dead pines after bark beetles? Usually yes: dead pines are brittle, can drop limbs or fall, and removing infested trees can reduce the number of trees attacked in the surrounding area the next year. A certified arborist can confirm Pruning and care October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Should you keep, prune or remove a cottonwood tree? Keep a cottonwood when it has room, sound structure and a use as shade, prune it to remove dead wood and manage weight, and consider removal when it is too close to a house or lines, is decaying or ha Winter and firewood October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Protecting trees from plow and snow-load damage Heavy snow and ice break limbs, and plows and piled snow damage trunks and branches. Pruning to remove multiple leaders and weak attachments reduces snow and ice damage, and a certified arborist can c Fire October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Mastication vs brush mowing vs hand clearing Brush mowing cuts grass and light brush at the surface, mastication grinds heavier brush and small trees into chips on site, and hand clearing uses crews with saws and chippers where machines cannot g Fire October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Lot clearing before building in Lyon and Douglas counties Clearing a building lot in Lyon or Douglas County starts with who must approve the work, then the trees you keep, then the brush, stumps and debris. Check with the county building department and your Fire October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Lessons for homeowners from the Davis, Caldor, Tamarack and Waterfall fires Federal perimeter data records the Waterfall fire (2004) at about 8,765 acres, Tamarack (2021) at about 67,054, Caldor (2021) at about 221,784 and Davis (2024) at about 5,824. The practical lesson is Fire October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Ladder fuels and limbing up: keeping fire out of the tree crowns Ladder fuels are low-growing vegetation that lets a fire climb from the ground into the tops of trees. Removing them, including pruning lower limbs off the trees, is one of the Zone 2 tasks in Univers Fire October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Junipers and other high-hazard plants next to the house University of Nevada, Reno Extension says to remove junipers, sage and other high-fire-hazard plants from Zone 0, the first 5 feet around a building. Farther out, they are a spacing and maintenance qu Winter and firewood October 1, 2026 4 min read ### Ice melt, salt and your trees Salt can dehydrate roots, burn foliage and damage soil, so use the least you need and keep it away from trees. University of Minnesota Extension says about a coffee mug of salt (roughly 12 ounces) is Winter and firewood October 1, 2026 5 min read ### How to season and stack firewood Split the wood, stack it off the ground with air around it, cover only the top, and wait at least six months for softwood and 12 months for hardwood. The EPA says wood burns best below 20 percent mois Pruning and care October 1, 2026 5 min read ### How should you water mature trees in the high desert? Water mature trees in the growing season to a depth of 18 inches, out to the edge of the canopy, with a thorough soaking rather than frequent shallow sprinkles. Mulch the root zone with 3 to 4 inches Safety and risk October 1, 2026 6 min read ### How should you prepare your trees for Northern Nevada winds? Have mature trees near your house looked at before wind season, prune out dead wood and hazards, avoid topping, and keep an eye on trees with cracks, lean or root damage. Wind does not cause defects, Cost and hiring October 1, 2026 6 min read ### How much does tree trimming cost? Tree trimming cost depends on the height and spread of the tree, how much has to come off, how hard the crown is to reach and how much debris is hauled away. A small ornamental on a patio is a differe Cost and hiring October 1, 2026 6 min read ### How much does tree removal cost? Tree removal has no single price because the same species can be a quick job in an open yard or a crane job over a roof. The cost follows the size and condition of the tree, how hard it is to reach, w Cost and hiring October 1, 2026 5 min read ### How much does stump grinding cost? Stump grinding cost depends mainly on the stump's diameter, the roots at the surface, how easily a grinder can reach it, how deep you want it ground and what happens to the chips. Any number quoted wi Cost and hiring October 1, 2026 5 min read ### How much does an arborist cost? An arborist's fee depends on what you are asking for: a quick look at one tree, a written assessment, a long-term care plan or a full job with crews. Ask the company which one you are buying and what Removal and equipment October 1, 2026 5 min read ### How is a tree removed from a tight backyard? A tree in a tight backyard is removed either by climbers who rig and lower pieces, or by a crane or boom truck set up on the street or driveway and reaching over the house. The arborist decides at the Removal and equipment October 1, 2026 6 min read ### How does crane-assisted tree removal work? In a crane-assisted removal, a crane is set up on stable ground, a climber attaches the crane line to a section of the tree and makes the cut, and the crane operator holds the piece and moves it to a Cost and hiring October 1, 2026 5 min read ### How do you read a tree service estimate? Read an estimate for what it covers before you read the total. A good one names each tree, describes the work, says what happens to the wood and stump, and tells you who is on the job. Pruning and care October 1, 2026 5 min read ### How do you prune fruit trees in Reno and Carson City? Prune backyard fruit trees in the dormant season, in late January and February before growth starts, and take no more than 15 to 20 percent of a mature tree's live wood in one year. Dead or broken bra Safety and risk October 1, 2026 6 min read ### How can you tell if a tree is dead or dying? A tree is likely dead or dying if it stays bare while its neighbors leaf out, the bark is loose or falling away, branches snap dry, or fungus grows on the trunk or base. A certified arborist can tell Winter and firewood October 1, 2026 5 min read ### How big is a cord of wood? A full cord of firewood is a stack measuring 4 feet high, 4 feet wide and 8 feet long, which is 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood. Terms like face cord, rick and truckload do not have one fixed m Fire October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Home insurance and defensible space: what carriers ask for Some insurers ask about vegetation near your house and what you have done about it, and your agent can tell you what yours needs. This is general information: your insurer or an attorney decides cover Winter and firewood October 1, 2026 4 min read ### Don't move firewood: the Nevada rules Nevada prohibits the entry of uncertified firewood from areas quarantined for forest pests, which includes most out-of-state sources. The simple rule is to buy firewood where you will burn it and burn Cost and hiring October 1, 2026 6 min read ### Does homeowners insurance cover tree removal? Sometimes: a policy often helps when a tree falls on a covered structure, and it usually pays little or nothing to remove a tree that fell without hitting anything. Your policy and your insurer decide Removal and equipment October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Northern Nevada? In most of Northern Nevada you do not need a permit to remove a tree on your own private property. The big exceptions are the Lake Tahoe Basin, where live trees over 14 inches in diameter need a Tahoe Pruning and care October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Do root barriers work, and when are they worth it? A root barrier is a physical panel set into the soil to redirect roots away from a sidewalk, pipe or foundation. It can reduce root conflicts when it is planned for a specific site, but it does not st Fire October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Defensible space evaluations and chipping programs by fire district Your local fire protection agency is the place to ask for a defensible space evaluation, and University of Nevada, Reno Extension directs homeowners there. Availability, cost, chipping help and schedu Fire October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Defensible space checklist for Carson City's west side Work from the house outward: clear everything that burns within 5 feet, thin and separate plants out to 30 feet, then remove dead material and ladder fuels out to 100 feet. Carson City's risk to homes Winter and firewood October 1, 2026 6 min read ### Commercial snow removal: what a contract should cover A commercial snow removal contract should say what areas are covered, how much snow triggers service, how ice is handled, where snow goes, who carries liability and how billing works. Write it down be Pruning and care October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Can you plant a tree or lawn after stump grinding? Yes, you can plant where a stump was ground, but the spot needs preparation: ground chips and old roots change the soil, and a new tree needs a wide, properly drained hole. University of Nevada, Reno Pruning and care October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Can tree roots damage sidewalks and sewer lines? Tree roots can lift sidewalks and driveways, and they can enter older sewer pipes that already leak. Newer steel or PVC lines are generally resistant to root damage, so a root in a pipe usually points Winter and firewood October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Best firewood species in the Sierra and Great Basin The best firewood is dry, local wood that is dense enough to burn long. In general, denser hardwoods burn longer and take longer to season, and lighter softwoods light easily and burn fast, but how dr Cost and hiring October 1, 2026 5 min read ### Arborist vs tree service vs landscaper: who should you hire? Call a tree service or arborist for pruning, removal, risk assessment and large trees, and a landscaper for lawns, beds and general yard work. The three overlap, so the question to ask is who will act Cost and hiring October 1, 2026 5 min read ### A neighbor's tree fell on your property: who pays? You usually file the claim with your own homeowners insurer, even if the tree grew in the neighbor's yard. Your insurer may then try to recover its costs from the neighbor's insurer, and fault can dep Safety and risk September 30, 2026 5 min read ### What should you do first if a tree falls on your house or a power line? Get everyone away from the tree and call 911 if anyone is hurt. If a power line is involved, stay far away and call NV Energy, then call Battle Born Tree Service at [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243), our 24-hour emergency Safety and risk September 27, 2026 5 min read ### Why is my pine turning brown, and is it dying? A pine can turn brown from normal fall needle drop, drought stress or bark beetles, and the pattern on the tree tells you which to suspect. Browning of the oldest, innermost needles in fall is normal; Removal and equipment September 25, 2026 5 min read ### Do you need a permit to remove a tree on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe? Often yes. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency requires a permit to remove a live tree larger than 14 inches in diameter at breast height, and 6 inches for trees between the house and the lake on lakes Removal and equipment September 23, 2026 5 min read ### What happens on the day of a crane tree removal? A crew sets up the crane on stable ground, a climber attaches the crane line at the cut point, and the crane operator holds each piece and moves it to a drop zone, where it is cut up and removed. A ce Winter and firewood September 22, 2026 5 min read ### Do trees need water in winter in the high desert? Yes. University of Nevada, Reno Extension's 2026 guidance says to water trees about once every 3 to 4 weeks in winter, when daytime temperatures are above 40 degrees F and there is no snow or ice on t Cost and hiring September 21, 2026 5 min read ### What should you ask before you hire an arborist or tree service? Ask for the arborist's name and ISA certification number, the company's Nevada business license and proof of insurance, and a written scope that says what is included. Verify the ISA number yourself o Pruning and care September 20, 2026 5 min read ### Which trees do well in Reno and Carson City yards? Trees that suit the high desert tolerate cold, dry ground and wind, and the USDA zone for the site (6b to 7b across our area) narrows the choice. University of Nevada, Reno Extension has planting and