Turning Leaf Tree Service - Calgary Arborists

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Turning Leaf Tree Service - Calgary Arborists

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We Maintain Calgary Trees. Your Tree Care & Snow Removal. Arborists Serving Calgary Year-Round. Locally-Owned, Professional, and Insured.

Catch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ Turning Leaf Tree Service Provides Free Price Quotes and Consultations on:
Arborist Services
Tree Pruning & Removal,
Stump Grinding,
Cabling & Bracing,
Fertilizer & Pesticide Application,
Storm & Emergency Services,
Snow Removal.

09/10/2026

Mature elm trees present complex pruning challenges due to their expansive canopies, substantial scaffold limbs, structural characteristics, and proximity to homes and neighbouring properties.

Deadwood, declining branches, sticky foliage, black residue, crown reduction, and overhanging limbs require accurate diagnosis, structural assessment, and species specific pruning prescriptions.

Working within mature elm canopies demands specialized climbing systems, including SRS and MRS, carefully selected anchor points, and technical rigging for controlled limb removal over roofs, fences, and surrounding structures.

At Turning Leaf Tree Service, our ISA-certified, Olds College-trained arboricultural
expertise provides homeowners with professional tree health assessments, structural evaluations, and precision pruning recommendations focused on long-term tree health, safety, and canopy preservation.

Dutch Elm Disease Prevention: Alberta’s annual elm pruning ban runs from April 1 to September 30. Routine pruning is permitted October 1 through March 31.

Schedule your professional elm assessment and seasonal pruning with Turning Leaf Tree Service. Serving homeowners throughout the city of Calgary, with a focus on established residential landscapes in SE and SW.

05/10/2026

A hedge trimmer, pole pruner, chainsaw and hand pruner are all great tools! Knowing whether, where and how much to cut is the arboriculture we are trained in. Turning Leaf’s ISA Certified, Olds College-trained arboriculture professionals provide
more than tree pruning and removal.

For homeowners throughout SE and SW Calgary, our work begins by assessing the plant, the site and what you want the landscape to become.

Take hedge trimming. Before quoting the work, we consider species and plant material, existing hedge profile, height and width, canopy density, live-foliage distribution, dead or declining stems, previous pruning response, clearance, root-zone conditions and available growing space.

We also consider future growth. Can the hedge realistically be made narrower? Will
reducing its height expose bare interior wood? Is increased density or privacy the objective? Is routine maintenance appropriate, or does the hedge require selective
reduction, structural correction or rejuvenation? Those observations inform the arboricultural prescription and the quote—including the pruning objective, appropriate tools, extent of material removal and future maintenance requirements.

Our objective isn’t simply to leave a smaller plant behind. It’s to manage structure, density, health, clearance, future growth and aesthetic form across your trees, shrubs and hedges. Anyone can use these fun tools, but the arborist's knowledge and experience determines the appropriate prescription for long term health of your shrubs, hedges, and trees.

02/10/2026

“When can I prune my elm tree in Calgary?” “Can I prune an elm in fall?” “How do you raise an elm canopy?” “Should dead branches be removed?”

A beautifully crown-raised mature elm (like this one!) reveals its natural architecture. Selective removal of appropriate lower limbs improves clearance and sightlines while exposing the trunk, scaffold structure and characteristic spreading crown.

Turning Leaf's ISA Certified arborists are trained climbers, using specialized climbing systems, positioning and precision pruning techniques to work throughout mature elm canopies.

Alberta's annual Dutch elm disease pruning ban ended September 30, with permitted pruning from Oct. 1st through March 31. The restriction protects elms while elm bark beetles—the vectors of Dutch elm disease—are active and attracted to fresh pruning wounds.

Turning Leaf is treating many Calgary elms now that the season permits. Our arborists assess crown architecture, deadwood, declining or damaged branches, branch unions, structural defects, clearance and tree vigor to develop the appropriate pruning prescription.

Climbing allows our arborists to move through the canopy, inspect structure at close range and make selective cuts based on pruning objectives. Professional elm pruning requires tree biology, species knowledge, structural assessment, climbing proficiency, pruning judgment and proper elm-wood management.

If your elm requires crown raising, deadwood removal, structural pruning, clearance or assessment, fall and winter are the permitted seasons for this work.

29/09/2026

“My hedge is too wide.” “Can you take two feet off?” “Why is it brown inside?” “Can we make it thicker for privacy?” “Will snow damage it this winter?”

The correct answer to these common questions depends on species, live-foliage distribution, structural condition, root-zone conditions and growth response.

COTONEASTER — RESTORE & RENEW
Older cotoneaster can become woody, bare underneath, overgrown or thin after years of growth and repeated shearing. Because cotoneaster has greater regenerative capacity, the prescription may include deadwood and declining-stem removal, structural correction, maintenance pruning, selective reduction or staged rejuvenation.

JUNIPER & CEDAR — PRESERVE & PREPARE
Mature juniper and cedar require greater restraint. Before reducing an oversized hedge, we assess the live foliage envelope—cutting beyond viable foliage can expose bare interior wood that may not reliably regenerate. Browning also warrants diagnosis: root-zone moisture, winter desiccation, salt exposure, shading, pests, disease or normal interior foliage loss can produce very different symptoms.

Fall assessment can also identify snow-loading vulnerabilities, spreading stems, clearance problems, root-zone moisture needs and winter exposure—and sometimes no additional pruning is the correct prescription.

Turning Leaf's ISA Certified professional arborists can assess your trees, shrubs and hedges and provide an expert arborist prescription based on plant biology, condition, site factors and your landscape goals. Managing trees, shrubs and hedges together creates a healthier, more balanced and visually cohesive landscape.

25/09/2026

If you want dense, well-defined hedges when they leaf out next spring, fall is an excellent time to assess their structure and complete appropriate pruning.

Once seasonal growth slows and deciduous foliage begins to drop, our arborists can better evaluate branching structure, canopy density, deadwood, declining stems, previous pruning response, height, width and overall hedge form.

For mature hedges, the goal isn't simply to make them smaller. We consider species, vigor, structural form, light exposure, density and long-term growth response to develop an appropriate pruning prescription. Overgrown or declining hedges may require staged reduction or rejuvenation rather than routine trimming.

A well-maintained property also looks most complete when its trees, shrubs and hedges are managed together. Beautifully pruned trees can lose their visual impact when surrounding hedges are overgrown or shrubs lack structure. A complete arboricultural prescription considers the entire landscape—tree canopies, shrubs, hedges, privacy screening, clearance, proportion and plant health—so each element complements the property and the others around it.

Completing this work in fall establishes a cleaner framework for spring growth, helping your landscape return defined, balanced and ready to enjoy. When you take care of the complete landscape in the fall, you can enjoy the results as it comes back to life in spring.

17/09/2026

How can I tell if heavy rain damaged my tree roots? Should I have my tree inspected after a wet summer? Should I still water my trees and shrubs? Should I prune before winter? Can heavy wet snow break a large branch?

After a wet summer, our arborists look beyond the foliage. We assess the soil profile, root zone, root flare, structural roots and root plate for changes in drainage, soil movement, developing lean or previous root disturbance.

Above ground, we assess trunk condition, scaffold limbs, branch unions, co-dominant stems, included bark, cracks, decay, deadwood, canopy architecture and excessive end-weight. A branch that survived summer storms may respond differently when Calgary's wet snow, ice and wind add another mechanical load. Calgary specifically recommends proper pruning to improve tree structure and reduce weak attachments before snow and ice events.

Fall watering also requires judgment. Established trees and shrubs should be watered according to actual soil moisture, not simply the calendar; Calgary recommends checking for dry soil and continuing appropriate watering until the ground freezes.

The appropriate arboricultural prescription may be structural pruning, selective reduction, deadwood removal, cabling or bracing, root-zone management, continued monitoring—or no intervention.

As Calgary moves toward winter, heavy wet snow, ice, freezing temperatures and Chinook winds will place different demands on mature trees and shrubs. Fall is an opportunity to assess structure, address appropriate pruning needs and prepare your landscape before winter loading begins. Turning Leaf also provides residential snow clearing throughout winter for South Calgary homeowners.

15/09/2026

Can prolonged rain make a mature tree unstable? Why are my branches drooping? Should I still water my trees and shrubs this fall? Should mature trees be pruned before winter? Can heavy wet snow break a large branch? How do I know whether a tree needs pruning, cabling—or simply monitoring?

Prolonged moisture can alter conditions within the soil profile and root zone, particularly where drainage is poor or soils are compacted. Saturated soil alone doesn't make a tree hazardous. Our arborists assess the root flare, structural roots, root plate, drainage, soil movement, developing lean, trunk, scaffold limbs, branch unions and canopy architecture to understand how the entire tree is responding.

The canopy matters too. Lower or drooping branches may be responding to temporary rain loading—or a change in position can reveal excessive end-weight, an overextended limb, weak attachment, included bark, cracking or decay.

Existing soil moisture and drainage conditions should determine whether established trees and shrubs need additional irrigation.

Then comes winter. Heavy wet snow, ice, freezing rain, cold and Chinook winds create different mechanical and physiological stresses. A fall assessment can identify conditions worth managing before winter canopy loading begins.

An appropriate arboricultural prescription may be structural pruning, selective branch reduction, deadwood removal, cabling or bracing, root-zone management, continued monitoring—or no intervention at all.

Turning Leaf also provides residential snow clearing throughout winter, including seasonal and vacation coverage in South Calgary.

Trees, shrubs, landscape and snow—fall is the time to clear and prepare your property for the season ahead.

08/09/2026

“Why is my tree leaning after heavy rain?”
“Can saturated soil weaken tree roots?”
“Does soil lifting around my tree mean it could fall?”
“Should I stop watering after such a wet summer?”

Extended rainfall can leave portions of the root zone and soil profile saturated, filling pore spaces that normally contain both water and oxygen. But wet soil by itself does not mean a tree is unstable.

A new or developing lean, soil movement, root-plate lifting, cracking near the root flare, exposed or damaged structural roots, trunk movement, declining foliage or changes in canopy position can provide much more useful information than rainfall alone.

Turning Leaf arborists look for changes and assess the conditions you can't evaluate from a single symptom: root architecture, root flare, structural roots, drainage, soil compaction, previous excavation or root disturbance, trunk defects, decay, canopy size, wind exposure and surrounding targets.

Even the question “Why are my branches suddenly drooping?” Wet foliage can temporarily increase canopy loading, while a branch that has permanently changed position may indicate a different structural condition.

The objective of expert arborist services isn't to find a reason to remove a tree, but to understand the relationship between the root system, trunk, scaffold limbs, branch unions, canopy architecture, site conditions and targets and determine what—if anything—needs to be done.

That may mean monitoring. It may mean improving root-zone conditions, developing a pruning prescription, performing structural pruning or selective reduction, or investigating a defect more closely. Yes, we cut and remove trees and shrubs, prune, and grind stumps, but our ISA certified arborists will help you keep your trees alive, growing healthy, and thriving long term, too!

28/08/2026

Planning a spring landscape renovation often starts with deciding which existing trees still fit the long-term goals for the property. Removing unwanted, declining, poorly located, or overgrown trees ahead of time can open the site for new landscaping, grading, planting, patios, fencing, gardens, or other outdoor improvements.

In this photo, a Turning Leaf arborists is performing a controlled sectional spruce tree removal, using professional climbing and rigging techniques to dismantle the tree safely while protecting the surrounding property.

Don't forget the stump! Stump grinding removes the remaining stump below grade and helps prepare the area for future landscaping. If you're redesigning the site, coordinating tree removal and stump grinding before contractors arrive can prevent an old stump from becoming an unexpected obstacle in the spring.

Fall is also an excellent time to plant many new trees in Calgary. Homeowners don't necessarily need to wait for their spring renovation to begin rebuilding their landscape. An arborist can help with species selection, planting location, mature size, structural clearance, available rooting space, soil and drainage conditions, sun exposure, and long-term canopy development.

Turning Leaf provides tree removal, stump grinding, new-tree planning and long-term arboricultural care for Calgary homeowners preparing their properties for future landscape improvements.

25/08/2026

HIRING: GROUNDS PERSON
Turning Leaf Tree Service is hiring a dependable Seasonal Groundworker for our Calgary tree-service crew. This is a physically demanding outdoor position through the fall, with potential to continue into winter snow removal.

Pay: $20–$26/hour, based on experience.

Responsibilities:

Drag and process branches and brush
Operate around the wood chipper and tree-service equipment
Handle ropes and assist the crew from the ground
Move logs, tools and equipment
Protect lawns, gardens, fences, homes and customer property
Maintain a safe, organized work site
Provide thorough cleanup after every job
Provide courteous, professional customer service

We are looking for someone who is:

Reliable, punctual and ready to work
Physically fit with good endurance
Safety-conscious and able to follow direction
Presentable, professional and courteous
Comfortable interacting with customers and representing our company professionally
Careful and respectful of customer property
Comfortable working outdoors in changing Calgary weather
Detail-oriented about cleanup and the finished appearance of the property

Requirements:

Valid driver's licence
Reliable transportation to meet the crew at job sites
Able to perform demanding physical outdoor work
Must maintain a clean, presentable and professional appearance on customer properties

Must report to work fit for duty and free from impairment by drugs or alcohol
Previous tree service, landscaping, construction or outdoor labour experience is an asset but not required.

Seasonal fall position with potential for winter snow-removal work. No climbing or arborist experience required.

e-Mail your resume to [email protected] with the subject line: JOB APPLICATION

Address

Telephone

+14033690043

Website

http://www.turningleaftrees.com/

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