Four miles south of Athens

Tree Service in Tanner, AL

Open country where storm planning is part of every tree decision.

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Each tree listed with its own price in writing
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Tree Service in Tornado Country

Tanner is an unincorporated community in southern Limestone County, nine miles north of Decatur and four miles south of Athens. Tree service in Tanner carries extra weight because of the community's history with violent tornadoes. Pro Tree Service Huntsville works across Tanner and the farm roads around it.

A railroad stop named for a mayor

The community grew along the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in the nineteenth century, first called McDonald's Station and then Rowland, with a Rowland post office opening in 1878. The Tanner post office opened in 1913, named for Samuel Tanner, the first mayor of Athens.

Three violent tornadoes

On April 3, 1974, two F5 tornadoes struck Tanner within 30 minutes of each other during the Super Outbreak. On April 27, 2011, an EF5 wedge tornado more than a mile wide hit Tanner and nearby communities, the third F5 or EF5 to strike the area. Damage near Tanner was rated high-end EF4 to near-EF5. The same tornado toppled nearly a dozen high-voltage lines near the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, forcing the plant to shut down.

What tree work can and cannot do

No tree survives a direct hit from a tornado that strong, and no tree service can change that. But most storms that pass through Tanner are not tornadoes. They are severe thunderstorms with straight-line wind, and those are where tree care makes a real difference:

Remove deadwood. Dead limbs are the first thing to come down.
Fix weak structure. Competing trunks and tight forks fail first.
Think about placement. Large trees within striking distance of bedrooms deserve a hard look.
Plant smart. Choose sturdy species and plant them far enough from the house.

Open country

Tanner is surrounded by flat, open farmland. Yard trees here often stand alone, without the shelter of a woodlot. Wind hits them from every direction, and roots in heavy, wet soil can let go when the ground is saturated in winter and spring. Fencerow trees along field edges are often old, never pruned and full of deadwood.

Rebuilt yards

Many homes near Tanner were rebuilt after 2011, and new trees went in around them. Those trees are now old enough to benefit from structural pruning, which is inexpensive while they are still small and prevents much bigger problems later.

Cleaning up after a big storm

After a major storm, the first priority is safety. Stay away from downed lines and report them to your electric provider. Take photos for insurance before anything is moved, if it is safe. Then we can remove trees from roofs and drives first, and schedule the rest of the cleanup and stump grinding once access is clear.

Be cautious about anyone who knocks on doors after a storm demanding cash up front. Ask for a written estimate that lists the work and cleanup, and do not pay in full before the work is done.

Services in Tanner

Storm damage cleanup and emergency tree removal
Hazard checks before storm season
Structural pruning for trees planted after 2011
Tree removal and stump grinding
Fencerow and field-edge clearing

Call (938) 666-8748 for a free estimate. Get a free estimate

Tanner Facts

Two F5s in 1974. During the April 3, 1974 Super Outbreak, two F5 tornadoes, each about a third of a mile wide, struck Tanner within 30 minutes; 50 people were killed in total.
EF5 in 2011. On April 27, 2011, an EF5 wedge tornado over a mile wide hit Tanner, the third F5 or EF5 to strike the community and its neighbors; damage near Tanner was rated high-end EF4 to near-EF5.
Browns Ferry lines. The 2011 tornado came within about 2 miles of Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant and toppled nearly a dozen high-voltage lines, forcing a shutdown.
Location and name. Tanner lies nine miles north of Decatur and four miles south of Athens; its post office opened in 1913, named for Samuel Tanner, Athens' first mayor.

Our Services in Tanner, AL

Tanner Questions

Is it worth pruning trees when tornadoes this strong can happen?

Yes. Pruning does nothing against a direct hit from a violent tornado, but it reduces damage in the far more common thunderstorms with straight-line wind. Most storm damage around here comes from those.

Should I plant trees near my rebuilt house?

Yes, but choose sturdy species and plant large shade trees at least 20 feet from the house. Keep tall trees away from overhead lines.

Do you cover Athens and Decatur too?

Yes. We work in Tanner, Athens, Decatur and the farm roads in between.

What should I do first after a storm drops a tree on my house?

Get everyone out of the damaged area, stay clear of downed lines and call your electric provider if wires are involved. Then call (938) 666-8748 so we can secure the tree and stop further damage.

Free Estimates in Tanner, AL

Free estimates in Tanner and southern Limestone County.

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