🌊 Lake-Effect Storm Damage

Holland sits directly in Lake Michigan's lake-effect zone, which means powerful thunderstorms in summer, heavy wet snow and ice accumulation in winter, and straight-line winds that can exceed 60 mph. These weather events snap branches, split trunks, and uproot entire trees — often onto homes, cars, and fences. We respond to more storm damage calls in Holland than almost any other area we serve.

The best defense is preventive maintenance. Regular pruning removes deadwood and reduces wind resistance in the canopy, dramatically lowering the chance of storm failure. If you have large trees near your home, an annual inspection is a smart investment.

🪲 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

The Emerald Ash Borer has killed tens of millions of ash trees across Michigan since it was first discovered near Detroit in 2002. Holland and Ottawa County have been hit particularly hard. If you still have untreated ash trees on your property, they are almost certainly infested or at risk.

Signs of EAB infestation include thinning canopy starting at the top, D-shaped exit holes in the bark, increased woodpecker activity, vertical bark splitting, and S-shaped tunnels under the bark. Dead ash trees become extremely brittle — they can snap and fall without warning. We strongly recommend removing dead or dying ash trees before they become a hazard to your home and family.

🍂 Dutch Elm Disease

Holland's namesake Dutch heritage includes many beautiful elm trees planted throughout the city's older neighborhoods. Unfortunately, Dutch Elm Disease — a fungal infection spread by bark beetles — remains a persistent threat. Infected elms show wilting and yellowing leaves, rapid branch dieback, and brown streaking under the bark.

Early detection is critical. Pruning infected branches quickly can sometimes save the tree. But severely infected elms need to be removed to prevent the disease from spreading to nearby healthy elms. If you notice sudden wilting in your elm tree during the growing season, don't wait — call for an assessment.

⚡ Trees Growing Into Power Lines

Many of Holland's established neighborhoods have mature trees with branches growing into or near power lines. This creates fire risk, causes outages during storms, and can pose an electrocution hazard. While utility companies handle trees on public rights-of-way, trees on your private property that threaten power lines are your responsibility.

We safely trim and remove trees near electrical infrastructure, coordinating with the utility company when needed. Never attempt to trim branches near power lines yourself — this is extremely dangerous and should only be done by trained professionals.

🏠 Root Damage to Foundations & Sidewalks

Large, mature trees in Holland's older neighborhoods can cause significant root damage over time. Maple, willow, and silver maple roots are especially aggressive — they crack foundations, lift sidewalks, buckle driveways, and invade sewer lines. If you're seeing cracks in your foundation near a large tree, heaving in your sidewalk, or slow drains in your home, tree roots may be the cause.

We can assess the situation and recommend the right approach — sometimes root pruning or barriers solve the problem, other times the tree needs to come down to prevent further structural damage.

🌳 Overgrown & Neglected Trees

Trees that haven't been pruned in years develop weak branch structures, excessive deadwood, and overcrowded canopies. These neglected trees are far more vulnerable to storm failure — a single ice storm can bring down massive limbs that could have been prevented with regular maintenance.

We recommend pruning most trees every 3-5 years to maintain health, structure, and safety. If it's been a while since your trees were last trimmed, a professional assessment can identify issues before they become emergencies.

🌅 Blocked Lake Macatawa Views

If you own waterfront property along Lake Macatawa or have a home with elevated views, trees can gradually block the views that make your property special. Vista pruning — selective trimming to open sight lines while preserving the tree — is a specialty of ours. Strategic view clearing can dramatically improve both your enjoyment of your property and its market value.

🏗️ New Construction & Tree Conflicts

Holland is growing, with new construction in Park Township, Holland Township, and infill development throughout the city. Construction near existing trees can damage root systems, compact soil, and change drainage patterns — all of which stress or kill trees. We handle pre-construction tree removal, selective clearing, and post-construction hazard assessment for builders and homeowners throughout the Holland area.