4 tree species from Fruit Trees.
Deciduous Hardwood
Apple trees are one of the most common fruit trees in residential landscapes, and pruning is the primary service. Proper pruning of apple trees requires understanding fruiting wood, as apples produce on spurs that develop on two-year-old or older wood. Winter dormant pruning is the standard timing. Fire blight is the most destructive bacterial disease, causing branches to blacken and curl as if burned. Infected branches must be cut at least 12 inches below visible symptoms and tools must be sterilized between cuts. Cedar-apple rust and apple scab are common fungal issues. Many older apple trees on properties were planted decades ago and have been neglected, requiring renovation pruning to restore production.
$300-$1,000 (removal)
Deciduous Hardwood
Cherry trees include both fruiting and ornamental varieties, all of which share similar service needs. Pruning should be done in late summer to reduce the risk of bacterial canker and silver leaf disease, which enter through pruning wounds more readily in cool, wet conditions. Ornamental cherries like Yoshino and Kwanzan are heavily planted in landscapes and along streets. They are relatively short-lived and prone to borers, cankers, and root rot. Black knot fungus causes hard, black galls on branches that spread if not removed. Cherry trees are popular with homeowners but require more pest management than many other landscape trees.
$300-$1,200 (removal)
Deciduous Hardwood
Peach trees are short-lived fruit trees that require significant annual maintenance. They need heavy annual pruning because they bear fruit on one-year-old wood, and without pruning, production drops off quickly. The open-center (vase) training system is standard for peach trees, requiring skilled pruning in late winter. Peach leaf curl is a fungal disease that distorts new growth in spring and must be treated with dormant sprays before bud break. Peach tree borers attack the base of the trunk and can kill young trees. Brown rot affects the fruit in humid climates. Most residential peach trees are either well-maintained or completely neglected, with little middle ground.
$200-$600 (removal)
Deciduous Hardwood
Pear trees in tree service work usually means dealing with Callery pear (Bradford pear) problems. Bradford pears were the most widely planted urban tree in the late 1900s, and they are notorious for structural failure. The tight, upright branch angles create included bark at every branch union, and trees routinely split apart in storms, ice, or even heavy fruit load. Many states now ban the sale of Callery pear cultivars because they are invasive. Fruiting pear trees are less common in landscapes but are structurally stronger. Fire blight affects both types. Bradford pear removal is one of the most common jobs for tree service companies in the Southeast and Midwest.
$500-$1,500 (removal)