Home of the Central Tree

Tree Service in Rutland, MA

The geographic center of Massachusetts, at around 1,200 feet.

No-cost estimates at your property in Worcester and Central Massachusetts
Quotes in writing, broken out per tree
We settle what leaves the property before we start

Tree Work at the Center of the State

Tree Service in Rutland happens in a town that is literally marked by a tree. Rutland is the geographic center of Massachusetts, and the general spot is marked by the Central Tree. The town common sits at about 1,200 feet, and Rutland is often described as the highest town between the Berkshires and the Atlantic. That height brings more ice and snow than the valleys around Worcester, and more storm damage to trees.

Ice storms and snapped tops

The National Weather Service's report on the December 11-12, 2008 ice storm noted that the hardest-hit areas were the higher terrain of north central Massachusetts, with ice of half an inch to an inch and locally up to an inch and a half. Rutland fits that description. Long-limbed hardwoods, birches and white pines take the worst of it. Many Rutland trees still carry old ice damage: broken tops that grew new leaders, cracks at old forks and decay where large limbs tore away.

The 1953 tornado

The June 9, 1953 tornado formed near Petersham and crossed Barre and Rutland before reaching Holden and Worcester. Two people were killed in Rutland. The path of that storm is far in the past, but it is part of why the town takes wind seriously.

A growing rural town

Rutland had 9,049 residents at the 2020 census, on about 35.3 square miles of land. Newer subdivisions have been carved out of woodland, often leaving tall pines and oaks close to new homes. Trees left standing during construction can decline over the next several years if their roots were cut or the soil compacted.

History on the hills

During the Revolutionary War, prison camps in northern Rutland held captured Hessian soldiers. Old farmland in town has largely grown back to forest, and many lots are bordered by stone walls and mixed woods.

Wind on open hilltops

Rutland's high, open ground gets wind as well as ice. Trees that grew up in a forest and were then left exposed when the land around them was cleared are often less wind-firm than trees that grew in the open. If a few tall pines or oaks were left standing when a lot was cleared, they deserve a closer look, especially on the side facing the prevailing winds.

What we do in Rutland

Removing ice-damaged and storm-broken trees
Pruning to reduce long, heavy limbs before winter
Removing tall pines that are too close to new houses
Stump grinding
Clearing trees from driveways and around outbuildings

Call (508) 731-3691 or use the form. We will give you a written estimate that covers the work, cleanup and what happens to the wood. Get a free estimate

Rutland Facts

Center of the state. Rutland is the geographical center of Massachusetts, and a tree known as the Central Tree marks the general spot.
High ground. The town common sits about 1,200 feet above sea level, and Rutland is described as the highest town between the Berkshires and the Atlantic.
Tornado deaths. The 1953 Worcester tornado crossed Rutland after Barre, killing two people in the town before moving on to Holden.
Population. Rutland had 9,049 residents at the 2020 census on about 35.3 square miles of land; it was formally established in 1713.

Our Services in Rutland, MA

Rutland Questions

Should I prune before winter?

For trees with long, heavy limbs over the house or driveway, yes. Reducing the weight and length of those limbs lowers the chance they'll break under ice or wet snow. Late fall and winter, when leaves are off, are good times to see the structure.

A pine near my house lost its top in a storm. Is it still safe?

Sometimes. White pines often grow a new top, but the break can let in decay and the new leader may be weakly attached. If the tree is tall and close to the house, removal is often the safer choice. We'll tell you what we see.

Do you clear trees around new construction?

Yes. Clearing a house site, a driveway or room for a garage is common in Rutland. We can also tell you which trees near the new house are worth keeping.

Can you grind stumps from old storm damage?

Yes. Old stumps grind easily once they've softened, and the area can be planted or seeded afterward.

Are trees left after lot clearing more likely to fall?

Often, yes. Trees that grew inside a forest lean on each other for shelter. Once the trees around them are gone, they face full wind and may have had roots cut during construction. We can tell you which ones look stable.

Free Estimates in Rutland, MA

Free written estimates throughout Rutland.

Call (508) 731-3691 Free Estimate