Verified Company
The Only Arborist Who Thought Outside the Box—and It Made All the Difference!
I had a very large cottonwood tree (approximately 44 inches in diameter) that was located on my neighbor’s property but fell into mine, making it my responsibility to handle. The tree looked completely healthy from the outside—beautiful bark, leaves, and flowers—but once it fell, it was clear the interior was hollow and diseased.
To make matters more complicated, the tree fell across a creek between our properties, creating a very challenging situation. I had six different tree companies come out and provide bids, ranging from $2,000 to $13,500.
What truly set Happy Trees apart—and Evan, the owner and certified arborist—is that he was the only one who took the time to think outside the box. Instead of simply quoting a high price to remove everything, he suggested a much more practical and cost-effective solution: leaving the portion of the tree across the creek in place, since removing it would be extremely difficult and expensive due to the steep banks.
I checked with Austin Watershed, and they confirmed this was perfectly acceptable. That level of thoughtfulness and integrity really stood out—he wasn’t just trying to make money, he was also trying to save me money. As an added bonus, the tree now provides a natural crossing over the creek, which has actually been fun and useful for both children and adults.
In addition, since this is a rental property, I especially appreciated that Evan personally called me to point out additional damage to other trees on the property that I may want to address. None of the other five companies did that. They simply sent a price—often with little or no explanation of what they were even proposing to do. Evan’s communication, professionalism, and attention to detail made a significant difference.
The work that was completed on my property was excellent. The crew was professional, thorough, and respectful of the landscape. They properly sealed the cuts on my oak trees, and everything looks absolutely beautiful.
If you are looking for someone who is knowledgeable, honest, communicative, and truly acting in your best interest, I highly recommend Happy Tree Service of Austin.
