Professional Arborist Services in Metairie, LA: Get a Free Estimate

Big Easy Tree Cutting provides arborist services in Metairie for homeowners and businesses who want to keep their trees healthy, safe and good-looking. We assess tree health and risk, plan pruning, help with storm prep and fertilization, and give you an honest opinion on whether a struggling tree is worth saving. Your estimate is free.

Many Metairie trees are older than the houses around them, especially in Old Metairie, which grew out of upscale housing tracts laid out in the 1920s. Those big canopies shade porches and cool streets, but they also carry heavy limbs over roofs and driveways. A thoughtful plan keeps them standing longer.

Big Easy Tree Cutting works throughout the East Bank from our home base in New Orleans. For a full picture of our local work, visit our tree service in Metairie page, or read about our main arborist services for the whole region.

What our Metairie arborist services include

We start with a walk around your property and a conversation about what you’ve noticed. From there, the work can include:

• Health and risk checks: looking for deadwood, cracks, decay, root trouble and weak branch unions.
• Pest and disease concerns: spotting symptoms early and talking through your options. Our guide on how to spot tree disease covers the common warning signs.
• Pruning plans: clearance over roofs and driveways, thinning for airflow, and structural cuts for young trees.
• Storm-prep pruning: removing dead and weak wood before hurricane season, as explained in our article on tree trimming before hurricane season.
• Fertilization: feeding for trees that look thin or stressed.
• Keep or remove advice: if a tree is failing, our Metairie tree removal crew can take it down, and our Metairie stump grinding service clears what is left.

Pruning protected trees along the Metairie Ridge

Jefferson Parish protects the tree canopy in two parts of Metairie: the Old Metairie Neighborhood Conservation District and the Metairie Ridge Tree Preservation District. Removal of protected trees there goes through the Department of Parkways. Care and pruning are handled differently.

Under Jefferson Parish Code Sec. 33-6.27.3(a), a protected tree may not be cut or cleared without the needed approvals, “except for pruning and tree maintenance” done in line with the most current version of ANSI A300, the national standard for tree care. Sec. 33-3.66.7.1(b) adds that routine tree maintenance is not treated as a construction activity, while tree removal is treated as major construction activity.

What this means for you: good pruning on a protected oak, elm or magnolia in these districts is generally allowed when it follows ANSI A300. Removing the tree is a separate process. If you are not sure if your planned work counts as pruning or removal, ask Jefferson Parish Parkways before anyone starts cutting.

Street trees and Chapter 37

Many Metairie lots have a tree in the strip between the sidewalk and the street. That strip is often parish public property, and Chapter 37 of the parish code covers it.

• Sec. 37-19(b) lets property owners or their agents trim trees on public property right in front of or beside their property, between the private property line and the street right-of-way, without a permit. The owner then takes on full liability for that work.
• Sec. 37-19(c) says a property owner may not hire anyone other than a parish-licensed tree service to trim or remove a tree on public property.
• Sec. 37-20(a) says that to qualify as a parish-licensed tree service operator, the operator must be licensed as an arborist by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Our work is on private property. For a tree on the public strip, check with Jefferson Parish Parkways about who may work on it before you hire anyone.

Hiring a licensed arborist in Metairie: what to check

Louisiana’s arborist rules are statewide. The state regulations (LAC 7:XXIX.102) define an arborist as “any person trained in the care and removal of shade and ornamental trees,” and the definition reaches trees on homesites and commercial property, plus any tree within 100 feet of improvements on those properties. Under La. R.S. 3:3804(C), a person generally may not charge for, advertise or solicit arborist work unless they hold a valid license, have a regular employee who holds one, or work under the direct supervision of a license holder.

There are narrow exemptions. Under La. R.S. 3:3816, an individual pruning a branch two inches or less in diameter within ten feet of the ground, under the owner’s direction, does not need a license. That exemption does not apply to services for commercial establishments.

ISA certification is a separate, voluntary credential. The International Society of Arboriculture says its certifications do not represent licensure. It can still show training and experience.

Here is a short checklist we suggest for any tree company:

• Ask for the LDAF license number and the name of the license holder, then check it against the list on the LDAF arborist licensing page.
• If someone says they are ISA certified, confirm it in the ISA credential directory.
• Ask for a written contract. State rules require licensees to sign a written contract with the property owner that spells out the services and the price.
• Ask for a certificate of insurance, and remember that coverage depends on the actual policy terms.

Nearby arborist help and next steps

Our arborist work reaches neighboring communities too, including arborist services in Harahan and arborist services in River Ridge.

Every visit follows the same simple process. We meet you, assess your trees and give you an estimate. Once we agree on the scope, our crew does the work, cleans up the debris and follows up with you afterward.

Want a second opinion on a tree you’re worried about? Schedule your free estimate or call 504-732-9714, and we’ll give you a clear plan for your trees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prune a protected oak in Old Metairie without approval?

Pruning and tree maintenance done to the current ANSI A300 standard is generally allowed for protected trees in these districts. Removing a protected tree requires an application with Jefferson Parish Parkways. If you are unsure which category your work falls into, ask Parkways before cutting.

Can I trim the parish tree in front of my house myself?

Jefferson Parish Code Section 37-19 lets owners or their agents trim a public tree directly in front of or beside their property without a permit. The owner takes on full liability for that work. Removing that tree, or hiring someone else to trim it, brings in stricter parish rules.

Does Louisiana require an arborist license for tree work?

Louisiana generally requires a state arborist license to charge for, advertise or solicit tree work such as removal, pruning and fertilization. The Department of Agriculture and Forestry issues the license. A few narrow exemptions apply, such as small, owner-directed pruning near the ground on residential property.

Is ISA certification the same as a Louisiana license?

No, they are different credentials. ISA certification is voluntary, and the International Society of Arboriculture says it does not represent licensure. Louisiana’s license comes from the state Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

What does an arborist look for during a visit?

An arborist looks for deadwood, cracks, decay, root problems, weak branch unions and signs of pests or disease. The visit ends with advice on pruning, feeding, monitoring or removal.

How often should Metairie trees be checked?

It varies by tree, age and location, so there is no single schedule that fits every yard. Many homeowners find it helpful to have trees looked at before hurricane season and after any major storm.