Tree Service in West Des Moines, IA

Tree Service in West Des Moines covers an unusually wide range of properties. The city stretches across about 47 square miles of land, mostly in Polk County but reaching into Dallas, Warren and Madison counties. On the east side, around the old Valley Junction district that gave the city its first name in 1893, trees are mature and lots are compact. Out west, many trees were planted with the houses and are just reaching the age where early structural pruning pays off most.

Near the river

The city sits in the Raccoon River valley. The river and Walnut Creek have often overflowed their banks after heavy summer rain and spring snowmelt, and flooding has repeatedly hit homes and businesses around Valley Junction. After the 1993 flood, a floodwall went up along Walnut Creek near the Des Moines boundary. Trees on low ground live with periods of saturated soil, which weakens roots and leaves them more likely to tip in the next storm. If a yard tree near a creek starts to lean or the soil cracks on one side of the trunk, have it checked.

A forest at the edge of town

Walnut Woods State Park, on the Raccoon River at the edge of West Des Moines, protects a 250-acre bottomland hardwood forest that holds what is described as the largest natural stand of black walnut trees in North America. Many backyards near the river carry the same species mix: black walnut, cottonwood, silver maple and hackberry. Black walnut wood is heavy and the trees grow tall; when one needs to come down near a house, we usually take it in sections.

Newer neighborhoods to the west

Around the Jordan Creek area and the subdivisions that followed it, the trees are younger. This is where a little work early on saves money later: removing competing leaders, raising low limbs over sidewalks and driveways, and keeping branches off the roof before they get heavy. Young ash planted before emerald ash borer arrived also deserves a look; untreated ash rarely survive the beetle.

Storm notes

During the August 10, 2020 derecho, a trained spotter near Mills Civic Parkway and I-35 reported a 70 mph gust, with 55 to 70 mph winds lasting nearly 20 minutes, plus sign and tree damage. When the June 30, 2018 flash flood hit the metro, the intersection of 63rd and Grand was reported underwater. Wind damage and saturated ground often show up together here.

How we work in West Des Moines

About 57.4% of homes are owner-occupied, so we also work with landlords, townhome associations and property managers. Every job starts with a free visit and a written quote that lists each tree, the work proposed, and how cleanup and wood removal will be handled. Call (515) 762-6977 to set a time. Get a free estimate