Most shrub problems in Lowcountry yards come down to timing. An azalea sheared in October loses next spring's flowers. A crape myrtle topped every winter turns into knuckled stubs. A palm stripped of green fronds gets weaker, not neater. Our tree and shrub care in Charleston follows Clemson Extension guidance for each plant, so pruning, feeding and treatments happen when they help and not just when it is convenient. We cover the shrubs, small ornamental trees and palms that make up most yards in Charleston, Mount Pleasant and Summerville.
What's included
- Seasonal pruning of azaleas, camellias, gardenias, hydrangeas, hollies, boxwood, ligustrum and other common shrubs
- Hedge shaping with a slight taper so the base stays full
- Thinning cuts to open up crowded shrubs and let in light and air
- Crape myrtle pruning without topping
- Palm cleanup that removes only dead and loose fronds, flower stalks and fruit
- Limbing up small trees for clearance over walks, drives and lawns
- Removal of dead, broken and diseased branches
- Fertilization based on a soil test and on what each plant needs
- Inspection for common insects and diseases, with treatment when it is warranted
- Mulch pulled back from trunks and stems where it has built up
- Cleanup and hauling of all clippings and debris
Large trees that need climbing, rigging or crown thinning are a job for a certified arborist. Clemson recommends a professional arborist for crown thinning, and we will say so when your tree needs one.
How it works
- Free quote. We walk the property with you, note each plant and what it needs, and send a quote within one business day.
- Schedule. We build a calendar so each plant is pruned or treated in its right window. Some work happens in late winter, some right after bloom.
- Visits. The same crew comes on a set schedule and texts before each visit. Every cut is made just outside the branch collar, and no wound paint is used.
- Follow up. We watch for regrowth, new pest activity and how plants respond to feeding, then adjust the plan.
When to schedule it in the Lowcountry
Clemson HGIC timing drives the calendar:
- Spring bloomers such as azaleas, camellias and loropetalum set next year's flower buds after they bloom. Prune them soon after the flowers fade.
- Summer bloomers that flower on new growth, including crape myrtles and panicle hydrangeas, are pruned in late winter or early spring before growth starts.
- Bigleaf hydrangeas are pruned right after flowering and not after August 1.
- Foliage shrubs such as hollies and boxwood get major shaping in late winter, with light touch ups in early summer.
- Late summer and fall are for removing dead or broken wood only. Clemson advises against pruning within about 10 weeks of the first hard frost, since tender new growth can be damaged by cold.
For fertilizer, Clemson says the growing season from spring into early fall is the time to feed, and split applications work better than one heavy dose. Mature trees and shrubs that are growing well often need little or nothing. A soil test tells us which is which.
What affects the price
- Number, size and type of shrubs and trees
- How overgrown the plants are and whether renewal pruning is needed
- Height of the work and access around the house
- Amount of debris to haul away
- Whether fertilization or treatments are part of the plan
- How many visits a year the plants need
- Palms and trees that call for a lift or special equipment
Related guides
Our plant by plant guide on when to prune shrubs in the Lowcountry covers timing for the common shrubs in detail. Crape myrtles have their own rules, which we explain in crape myrtle pruning in Charleston. For sabal and other palms, read palm tree trimming in Charleston before anyone picks up a saw.
We care for trees and shrubs in Mount Pleasant, West Ashley, James Island and across the Charleston area. Right Stuff Lawn Care is licensed and insured, and chemical treatments follow the product label every time.
Frequently asked questions
When should azaleas be pruned in Charleston?
Right after they finish blooming in spring, ideally by early summer. After that, azaleas start forming next year's flower buds, and pruning removes them. Dead or broken branches can come out any time.
Is it bad to cut crape myrtles back hard every year?
Yes. Severe topping has earned the name "crape murder" for what it does to the tree's form, and Clemson notes the plant does not need it to bloom well. Thinning and light pruning in late winter keep the natural shape.
Do my trees and shrubs need fertilizer?
Not always. Clemson notes that mature plants growing well in decent soil often need little or no fertilizer. A soil test shows whether feeding will help, and what to apply if it will.
Should palm fronds be cut to keep palms neat?
Only dead and loose fronds should come off. Clemson notes that a frond with a green stalk is still alive and feeding the palm. Over trimming weakens the palm and makes it more likely to suffer cold damage.