Byron Lee Jones created Mid-Florida Tree Service in the mid 70s when he was forty. He was affected by a layoff at the Tampa Shipyard and made the decision to start his own company. Without a lot to begin with, except the basic tools and a few employees, including his son Tim, they began servicing trees in and around Tampa. Thirty plus years later, his legacy is apparent in the continuing success of the business.

Sure, there have been challenges, but Byron learned quickly that by providing more than expected, customers would keep coming back and the company would thrive! Byron taught his employees and his son to never take a customer for granted, coining the company motto: "Treat every customer as if they were your only customer".

After running the company through 3 decades with son Tim at his side, Byron allowed Tim to take over the business in 2000 and Tim has been running it well since.

Anyone in the Tampa Area looking for Tree Service, including stump grinding or emergency tree removal would do well to consider Mid Florida Tree Service.

If you own or manage a lot or other property that is within or even abutting an environmentally sensitive area, you may face additional challenges when you need tree service and land clearing done.

What kind of area fit this description? For example, using heavy equipment such as large trucks could damage roots of protected trees. Wetlands or bodies of water may require protection from the fuel and fluids used by chainsaws and other powered tools.

So, if I can't drive in with my truck and I can't use a chainsaw, what do I do? 

You call Mid Florida Tree Service. They'll go in with hand tools and clear the land and protect the environment while they are working. They've been doing this for a long time. (Since 1976) They know what they are doing and, most importantly, they care about the land and habitat they are working on. 

Trust the experienced arborist and tree service professionals at Mid Florida Tree Service.

​Plant City, at the eastern edges of Hillsborough county, is a bit more rural than the rest of the county. This, of course, means a lot more trees. If you're in Plant City and need work done on your trees, the first company you should think of is Mid Florida Tree Service.

Professional tree trimming can help a slow growing tree begin to put on more healthy growth. If your Plant City trees are growing a bit out of hand, then measures can be taken to get them under control. 

Having your trees trimmed isn't only for aesthetics. Yes, everyone wants their yard or property to look nice, but more importantly, a neglected tree can become a hazard and a liability. Falling limbs can puncture roofs, damage cars and, or, injure people. One of the certified arborists at Mid Florida Tree Service can examine your trees and help you determine what's best for them, and make recommendations if there's a tree that might need to come down.

Mid Florida Tree Service, covering Plant City Florida, has the knowledge, experience and equipment to properly and safely care for your trees, bushes and shrubs. Working with chainsaws, ladders and ropes is best left to the professionals. Stay safe and let Mid Fl Tree take care of this work.

Plant City homeowners and business should know that Mid Florida Tree service is available for emergency service 24 hours a day. Inland areas like Plant City and Polk County can seem sheltered from the devastating effects of hurricanes, but hurricane Irma reminded us that the power of these storms has an incredible reach.  Stay prepared for them by keeping your trees trimmed. Recover from these natural disasters with the help of Mid Florida Tree Service emergency tree removal.

I touched on this before, in my "TREE Q&A" post, but I wanted to cover it more thoroughly here.

So-called "Spanish Moss" is not from Spain and it's not moss. It's a native species of bromeliad. The same goes for Ball Moss. Some people want to utterly remove this plant from their trees. Some may do it because they believe it is harming their tree. Some, simply because they find it aesthetically unpleasing.

Because they are epiphytes, they do not take any nutrients from their host. Only a tree already in severe decline will have any problem hosting Spanish Moss. The canopy of the tree will limit the availability of sunlight to the moss, thus limiting it's growth.

As for aesthetics, it's been said there's no accounting for taste, but most of us prefer the look of a healthy tree, growing as nature intended it to. Attempting to remove Spanish Moss is likely to do more harm than good, ripping out branches and leaves along with the moss. Spraying poison is an option, but it's expensive, takes a lot of time, and makes an unsightly mess on your lawn. Plus, this is Florida we're talking about. It's going to grow back! 

If you have a tree that is in decline and you believe that removing a portion of the Spanish Moss might give it a chance to survive, contact Mid Florida Tree Service and one of their certified arborists can assess the health of the tree and help you determine the best route forward.

Ever since Hurricane Irma blew through Florida and took down one of my trees, I've had questions about fallen trees: Can a fallen tree be replanted? Perhaps even as important, what can I do to prepare my other trees for the next set of high winds to come through?

Here is some of the information I found:

Is there any way to save a tree that has been uprooted?
Most of the time, the answer is going to be "no". It will all depend on how old and how large the tree is and how much damage there is. If it's a young tree, with a fair amount of its anchor roots intact, then you can sometimes re-stake or rewire it. Some trees will re-root with enough time and care. With older, larger trees, it is usually if not always impossible. To determine if the tree is a good candidate, you may want to consult an arborist who is certified or registered. If there is a small uprooted  tree in your yard and it looks like the root systems are in good shape — no big circling roots or crossing roots that may have compromised the tree — then it could be possible. If severed roots can be cut cleanly and put back in, sometimes you can establish a new root system to grow back out into the soil. It's fairly involved and is best handled by professionals. Only small trees have any chance of success.

If a tree has come out and you want to put in a replacement, should you take out the entire old root system?
It is strongly recommend because there are some fungi that can invade the old stump, mostly oak root fungus. If you can get the old stump out without damaging other trees — remember the root systems of trees are interconnected — do that. Your other trees will thank you for it.

Is there anything that people can do now for their healthy trees to protect them from future wind?
One common way do-it-yourselfers prune trees is by center stripping.  That means taking all the center foliage out, and that encourages the tree to become very dense in the center, making it fuller so that it gives more shade, but also making it more susceptible to failure. When the wind hits, rather than the wind going through the tree, it's more like a wall. 

Make sure you don't remove center foliage that may be necessary for structural reasons. Concentrate on the outer two-thirds of the canopy. Never center strip or top your trees. Trees need the ability to move in the wind. If you shorten a tree, you actually make it more of an immovable object.

Know what is the right season to prune your tree. Pine trees and cedars are generally pruned in different seasons than oaks or palms. It is better to have the tree pruned properly by professionals and have evenly spaced branches and leave foliage in the center of the tree rather than topping or center stripping. 

How can I tell if my trees are sturdy. What signs are there that a problem might exist?
That can be difficult to answer. Wind damage is often a factor of the age of the tree, decay and how it's been pruned — or not been pruned. Some species don't seem to drop branches as easily. Oaks seem to be able to take wind well, particularly if they haven't been center stripped. An oak with a full canopy that hasn't been pruned badly seems to do pretty well. Older oaks sometimes go over because people have been watering the ground around the tree, the lawn.  Lawns and oak trees are not always a good combination but are very common here in Mid Florida.

Whatever challenge you may be facing, unless you are skilled and knowledgeable in working with the many different types of trees here in Florida, then I strongly recommend hiring certified and reputable professionals, like the ones at MidFlorida Tree Service.  

​The beauty of the trees and forest areas of Tampa Florida can't be denied. The subtropical region of Tampa is filled with waterways and beautiful floral landscapes. The state is known for it's many species of trees that grow here. The trees are large and in abundance, beyond 7 million of them. With the lush tropical trees that grow here comes the responsibility of maintaining them while protecting them at the same time. Birds and other animals use the trees for their homes and add to the beauty of Tampa. Many people don't realize there are guidelines and city requirements to meet should a tree need to be removed by a Tampa tree service.

City Of Tampa Requires Permits For Tree Removal

Many of the trees in Tampa fall under city ordinances that protect them. A tree trunk that has a circumference greater than 5" around will require a permit for removal from the city of Tampa. Removal of Mangrove and Cypress trees can only be done when the requisite of a permit from the city of Tampa is met. Heavy fines can be put on property owners who disobey the permit requirements set by the city of Tampa to protect these types of trees.

List Of Trees In Tampa That Do Not Require A Permit To Remove:

The list of tree species below do not require a permit to be removed from properties or owned lots. These trees can be maintained by a Tampa tree service and for safe removal without a permit from the city. 

​What Classifies A Tree As A "Grand Tree"

Grand trees are protected by ordinances requiring specific conditions to exist before approving removal of them. A "Grand Tree" is any tree with a trunk circumference in excess of 34" around. For these trees to be removed the city must be notified and they will inspect to ensure it meets the conditions set forth by the city of Tampa. This creates a 14 day stay which many property owners don't understand completely. In cases of Grand Tree removal, a qualified Tampa tree service can be called. The Tampa tree service will be knowledgeable of the process requirements and will help guide property owners on the steps of removing a Grand tree. They can get the proper permit for removal and carry out this tree service in a safe, ethical manner. Property owners who are unfamiliar with the complex process of getting a permit and removing Grand trees can benefit from having a Tampa tree service handle it for them. A Tampa tree service is the best contact to consult should tree removal be required on properties or uncleared lots. Maintaining the trees and landscapes in Tampa is important. It keeps the beauty of the tropical region alive and vibrant.

​Emergency Tree Care Experts Riverview Florida Tree Service

If you're living in Riverview during the Spring and Summer storm season, you can expect to see scattered areas of storm damage. One of the greatest causes for emergency during storms is fallen trees. Depending on the location of the fallen or uprooted trees, damages can be minor to extensive, at times even life threatening. Using a professional Riverview Florida tree service is the safest and most efficient way to deal with this type of emergency. Many emergencies can be avoided even when we're at the mercy of Mother Nature.

Fallen trees from high wind and rain storms aren't the only emergencies caused by trees. Trees can cause other structural and foundational issues. Some invisible to the eye if you're not aware that these problems can happen. The best way Riverview residents can prevent these types of emergencies is by knowing what to look for ahead of time. An assessment of your trees can be done by a Riverview tree service prior to any of these emergencies ever occurring.

Fallen trees and overgrown branches:

Old, dry or diseased trees near property structures are more likely to fall from high winds. Property structures can be damaged by broken branches blowing in the wind. Unhealthy trees that threaten your property structures should be assessed for removal. The high winds can pick up wood, metal, and shingles turning them into dangerous weapons. Trimming under branches and ends can promote healthy growth and lessen the possibility of flying debris. Tree removal may be advised for aged or wholly diseased trees that can potentially damage your homes structure. 

Tree roots near property structures:

Though rare, strong roots that have grown against a home's foundation can cause structural damage. Root pruning can help prevent and relieve pressure on your home's foundation. Long term pressure will cause cracks in your foundation. This can lead to expensive damage to your home. Root pruning by Mid Florida Tree Service can be done to take away structural pressure.

Tree roots damaging cement:

More common than foundation damage, roots under your sidewalk or driveway can cause damage. Cracks in cement leave a way for other accidents to occur on your property. If a visitor trips and falls you could be held liable for any injury. Shrubs along your lawn edging are often times another culprit in cracked driveways. Root pruning may be advisable to prevent future or further damage.

Overgrown shrubs and hedges:

During storm season in Riverview, overgrown shrubs and hedges can cause exterior damage to your home. The high winds beat them against your windows. Keeping your shrubs and bushes trimmed and shaped can prevent this danger. Many homeowners try to do this themselves with little luck. Overcutting or trimming too frequently can stunt healthy growth. 

Prevention is the key to most emergencies within our control. If you find yourself in an emergency situation you'll want a Riverview tree service on your side. If you're a resident of Riverview and need a consultation for emergency tree service contact us. A Riverview Florida tree service expert is ready to help you.

Tampa has long had regulations protecting its most prized trees, the Grand Oaks *. (Beginning under Mayor Dick Greco, 1973) Supporters of these regulations cite the fact that they add value to the land, provide shade, mitigate wind and remove greenhouse gases.  

Developers complain that the regulations have become too complex, too restrictive and take too much time ensuring compliance.
Some builders are pushing to have certain trees, including the Laurel Oak, removed from the protected list. The Laurel Oak has a shorter lifespan, maturing at around 40 or 50 years, and may pose liability risk to landowners.

Tampa's mayor, Bob Buckhorn, has a committee looking into ways to simplify and streamline certain regulations, including those that pertain to Tampa's Grand Oaks.

Tampa residents, business owners and anyone providing tree removal, trimming and pruning in the City of Tampa will need to watch closely as these regulations are reviewed and tweaked.

I am confident that my clients at Mid Florida Tree Service are keeping themselves informed of this developing story.

* The regulation actually protects a wide range of tree species. "Grand Oak" is a designation given to larger, older trees, usually LIve Oaks, quercus virginiana

Thonotosassa Florida is home to one of my clients, Mid Florida Tree Service. Because it's so close to Tampa, Most of my articles about Mid Florida Tree service is focused on the larger city.

If you have a home or business in Thonotosassa, it's good to have someone close by that has been in the business as long as the Jones family at Mid Florida Tree Service.

Keeping your trees trimmed can prevent limbs from breaking, and help your trees live a long and healthy life. Similarly, pruning can help to cut back a tree that's growing more than desired, or can encourage healthy growth.

If you've had a tree cut down, but there's a stump left in your yard, the best way to deal with it is to have it ground down, below grade, so that it can be safely covered in soil and grass. Mid Florida Tree Service has the right tools and the expertise to remove these unsightly hazards from your lawn.

No matter the tree care issue you face in Thonotosassa Florida

• Broken Limbs
  
• Hurricane Damage
  
• Deadwood
  
• Fertilizer
  
• Beautification
  

Mid Florida Tree Service is your home-town team.