For homeowners with mature landscapes featuring valuable trees and shrubs, or those seeking a higher level of nuanced care for their entire property, standard lawn care companies may not always suffice. This is where companies like SavATree step in. SavATree distinguishes itself as a premier provider of comprehensive tree, shrub, and lawn care services, deeply rooted in arboricultural expertise and a commitment to environmental stewardship. With certified arborists at the core of their operations, they offer a more specialized approach than many general lawn care providers, focusing on the long-term health and vitality of your entire landscape.

This review will delve into what sets SavATree apart, exploring their extensive service offerings, typical costs, geographic footprint, and overall value proposition. We’ll examine the benefits and drawbacks of choosing a specialized service like SavATree and help you determine if their premium, expert-driven care is the right investment for your property.

Pros and Cons of SavATree

Evaluating SavATree involves considering its strengths as a specialized provider against common considerations for homeowners.

Pros of SavATree:

  • Arboricultural Expertise: This is SavATree’s strongest selling point. They employ ISA Certified Arborists who are highly trained in tree and shrub health, diagnosis, pruning, and risk assessment. This level of expertise goes beyond what most general lawn care companies offer.
  • Comprehensive Tree & Shrub Care: They offer a full suite of services dedicated to trees and shrubs, including intricate pruning, disease and insect management, cabling/bracing, deep root fertilization, and even tree removal where necessary.
  • Environmentally Conscious Approach: SavATree emphasizes integrated pest management (IPM) and offers organic and hybrid program options. They actively work to reduce their carbon footprint through fleet conversions and use of battery-operated equipment. Many of their organic products are OMRI-reviewed.
  • Personalized Service: While a large company, their focus on expert consultations and customized plans, often starting with thorough inspections and soil tests, leads to a tailored approach for each property.
  • Strong Reputation for Quality: Many customer reviews highlight the professionalism, knowledge, and thoroughness of their crews and arborists. They often receive high praise for complex tree removals and meticulous clean-up.
  • Risk Mitigation: Their arborists are adept at identifying and mitigating risks associated with mature trees, offering services like cabling and bracing to preserve valuable specimens safely.

Cons of SavATree:

  • Premium Cost: Due to their specialized expertise, certified arborists, and use of advanced techniques and equipment, SavATree’s services are typically more expensive than those of general lawn care companies.
  • Specialization vs. Generalism: While they offer lawn care, their primary focus and deepest expertise are in tree and shrub care. Homeowners primarily needing basic lawn services might find them overqualified or more costly than necessary.
  • Varying Local Branch Performance: Like any company with multiple locations, the quality of service can sometimes vary slightly from one branch to another, depending on local management and crew.
  • No Mowing/Basic Landscaping: SavATree does not provide routine services like grass cutting or general landscaping maintenance. They focus on the health and structural integrity of plants.

Services and Plan Options

SavATree offers a comprehensive array of services, often integrated into custom plans tailored to the specific needs of a property. Their expertise spans both woody plants and turfgrass.

Tree and Shrub Care:

  • Tree Pruning & Trimming: Expert pruning for health, safety, structure, and aesthetics.
  • Tree & Shrub Fertilization: Deep root feeding and soil enhancement based on soil analysis.
  • Insect & Mite Management: Diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of tree and shrub pests, often employing IPM strategies.
  • Disease Management: Identification and treatment of fungal, bacterial, and other diseases affecting woody plants.
  • Tree Cabling & Bracing: Structural support for compromised or vulnerable trees.
  • Tree & Stump Removal: Safe and professional removal of hazardous or unwanted trees and stumps.
  • Emergency & Storm Damage: Responsive services for post-storm tree issues.
  • Plant Health Care Programs: Holistic, ongoing care plans to maintain the vitality of landscape plants.
  • Organic & Hybrid Options: Environmentally sensitive care programs utilizing OMRI-reviewed products.
  • Consulting Services: Risk assessments, tree inventories, and urban forest management planning.

Lawn Care Services: While less publicized than their tree services, SavATree also offers comprehensive lawn care, often integrating it with their plant health care philosophy.

  • Lawn Fertilization: Customized nutrient applications for turf health.
  • Weed Control: Targeted applications for broadleaf and grassy weeds.
  • Lawn Insect & Disease Management: Control of pests like grubs and common lawn diseases.
  • Aeration & Overseeding: Practices to improve soil health and turf density.
  • Soil Analysis & Amendments: Assessing soil health and recommending pH adjustments or other enhancements.
  • Organic & Hybrid Lawn Programs: Similar to their tree care, offering greener options for turf.

Other Specialized Services:

  • Deer Deterrent: Patented repellent programs to protect plants from deer Browse.
  • Tick & Mosquito Control: Targeted treatments for outdoor pest management.
  • Holiday Lighting & Decor: Professional installation and removal of seasonal lighting.

SavATree’s approach is typically consultative. A certified arborist will conduct an on-site evaluation, diagnose issues, and then propose a customized plan, which can range from single services to comprehensive annual programs encompassing trees, shrubs, and lawn.

Cost

SavATree is generally considered a premium service provider in the green industry. Their pricing reflects the specialized expertise of their ISA Certified Arborists, the quality of their products, state-of-the-art equipment, and the comprehensive, often complex nature of the services they provide.

Factors Influencing Cost:

  • Type of Service: Tree removal or complex pruning of large, mature trees will be significantly more expensive than routine lawn fertilization. Specialized treatments for rare diseases or pests also carry a higher cost.
  • Size and Number of Trees/Shrubs: The height, girth, and number of trees and shrubs requiring service directly impact labor, equipment, and product costs.
  • Lawn Size: For lawn care services, the square footage of your lawn is a primary cost determinant.
  • Lawn Condition: A severely neglected lawn or an infested tree will require more intensive and thus more costly initial treatments.
  • Accessibility: Trees in difficult-to-reach locations (e.g., near power lines, structures, or on steep slopes) will incur higher labor and safety-related costs.
  • Geographic Location: Pricing can vary by region due to differences in labor costs, local regulations, and market competition.
  • Program vs. A La Carte: Comprehensive annual programs may offer better value over individual service calls but involve a larger upfront or seasonal commitment.

General Price Expectations (highly variable):

  • Tree Pruning (standard size tree): Several hundred dollars to over a thousand, depending on size and complexity.
  • Tree Removal: Can range from hundreds to several thousands of dollars for very large, hazardous trees.
  • Deep Root Fertilization: Typically $150 - $400+ per tree/shrub.
  • Annual Lawn Care Program (e.g., for a 5,000 sq. ft. lawn): Likely in the upper range of typical lawn care services, potentially $600 - $1,200+ annually, depending on services included (e.g., grub control, aeration).

For an accurate estimate, a detailed on-site consultation with a SavATree arborist is necessary. They will assess your specific landscape needs and provide a tailored quote.

Availability & Locations

SavATree has a significant and growing presence across the United States. As a well-established company with over 40 years in the industry, they have expanded through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions of smaller, local tree care companies.

SavATree operates numerous branch locations primarily across the Eastern, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States. They generally focus on areas with a higher density of mature landscapes where their specialized tree and shrub care services are in demand.

To determine if SavATree services your specific area, the best method is to visit their official website and use their location finder or request a consultation. Their website typically lists all their branch locations, allowing you to confirm coverage in your state and local community.

Final Thoughts: Is SavATree Worth It?

For many homeowners, the question of whether SavATree is “worth it” boils down to the value they place on expertise, comprehensive care for mature trees and shrubs, and a commitment to environmental responsibility.

If your property features valuable, mature trees and shrubs that require specialized care beyond basic trimming, or if you’re dealing with complex issues like tree diseases, structural problems, or significant pest infestations, SavATree is almost certainly worth the investment. Their ISA Certified Arborists bring a level of knowledge and experience that few general lawn care companies can match, focusing on the long-term health and preservation of your landscape’s most significant assets. Their environmental consciousness is an added benefit for those seeking greener solutions.

However, if your primary need is routine, basic lawn maintenance (like just fertilization and weed control) for a relatively simple turf area, and you don’t have significant trees or shrubs, SavATree’s premium pricing might be higher than necessary. In such cases, a more generalized lawn care company or a DIY approach might be more cost-effective.

Ultimately, SavATree is an excellent choice for homeowners who view their landscape as a significant investment, demand a high level of professional expertise, and are willing to pay a premium for specialized, scientifically-backed care that aims to protect and enhance their property’s valuable green assets for years to come.

FAQs About SavATree

Q1: What does “ISA Certified Arborist” mean, and why is it important? A1: An ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) Certified Arborist is a highly trained and credentialed professional in the art and science of planting, cultivating, and maintaining trees. Certification requires extensive knowledge, experience, and passing a rigorous exam. It’s important because it signifies that the arborist has demonstrated a high level of competence and commitment to their profession, ensuring your trees receive expert, science-based care.

Q2: Does SavATree offer organic lawn care programs? A2: Yes, SavATree is committed to environmentally responsible practices and offers both organic and hybrid (a mix of organic and traditional when necessary) programs for both tree/shrub and lawn care. Their organic products often carry OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) review, indicating compliance with organic standards.

Q3: Is SavATree more expensive than other lawn care companies? A3: Generally, yes. SavATree positions itself as a premium service provider due to its specialized arboricultural expertise, certified staff, advanced equipment, and comprehensive approach to plant health care. While individual service costs vary, their overall pricing tends to be higher than that of general lawn care providers.

Q4: Does SavATree do tree removal? A4: Yes, while their primary focus is on preserving and maintaining trees, SavATree also provides safe and professional tree removal services for trees that are hazardous, diseased beyond recovery, or need to be cleared for construction or landscaping projects. They also offer stump grinding.

Q5: Can SavATree help with pest problems on my trees or lawn? A5: Absolutely. SavATree specializes in insect and disease management for both trees, shrubs, and lawns. Their arborists are trained to diagnose specific pest and disease issues and prescribe targeted treatments, often utilizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles to minimize chemical use.

Methodology: How We Rank Lawn Care Companies

Our evaluations of lawn care and landscape service providers like SavATree are based on a comprehensive methodology that assesses various crucial aspects for homeowner satisfaction and service effectiveness. The criteria are weighted to reflect the importance of different factors:

  1. Service Expertise & Breadth (30%):

    • Specialization: Depth of knowledge and credentials in specific areas (e.g., arboriculture for SavATree).
    • Range of Services: Comprehensive offerings for tree, shrub, and lawn care.
    • Problem Solving: Ability to diagnose complex issues and provide effective solutions.

  2. Environmental Practices & Sustainability (20%):

    • Eco-Friendly Options: Availability of organic, natural, or low-impact programs.
    • Operational Sustainability: Efforts to reduce carbon footprint, waste, and resource consumption.
    • Product Safety: Use of products that are safer for people, pets, and the environment.

  3. Customer Experience & Support (20%):

    • Consultation & Communication: Quality of initial assessment, clarity of proposals, and ongoing communication.
    • Responsiveness: Ease of scheduling, timely service, and addressing concerns.
    • Professionalism: Knowledge, courtesy, and demeanor of arborists and crew members.
    • Guarantees/Satisfaction: Policies for re-service or customer satisfaction.

  4. Cost & Value (15%):

    • Pricing: Competitiveness of pricing relative to the level of expertise and services provided.
    • Transparency: Clarity of quotes and billing.
    • Overall Value: Does the investment justify the results and long-term benefits for the landscape?

  5. Reputation & Reviews (10%):

    • Customer Feedback: Analysis of ratings and reviews across multiple platforms (e.g., BBB, Google Reviews, Angie’s List). We look for patterns in positive and negative feedback.
    • Industry Accreditations: Affiliations with reputable industry associations (e.g., TCIA, ISA).

  6. Availability & Geographic Reach (5%):

    • Service Area: The extent of their operational footprint.
    • Local Presence: Strength and consistency of local branch operations.

By meticulously evaluating companies against these comprehensive criteria, we aim to provide an objective assessment that helps homeowners make informed decisions about their landscape investments.