Tree planting
Plant the right tree once
The trees we remove most often are trees planted in the wrong place forty years ago. We help you avoid that mistake: species suited to Florida's climate, placed with mature size in mind, and planted so they establish fast and grow strong.
How we plant
- Species selection for your soil, sun and space — live oaks, magnolias, crape myrtles, palms and other Florida-proven choices.
- Placement that accounts for the tree's *mature* canopy and roots — away from foundations, pools, septic and power lines.
- Proper planting depth, mulching and staking, which is where most DIY plantings fail.
- Care instructions for the critical first year: watering schedule, what's normal, what's a warning sign.
Shade pays for itself
A well-placed shade tree cools your home, cuts summer power bills and adds real value to the property. Replacing a removed tree also keeps your yard — and Tampa's canopy — healthy for the long run.
How it works
Tell us about the spot
Call the main line at (813) 751-5732. We'll talk about what you want from the tree — shade, privacy, color, a replacement — and look at the soil, sun and space it has to work with.
Pick the species together
We recommend Florida-proven options that fit the spot at their mature size, not just at planting size. You choose; we source healthy stock.
Plant it properly
Right depth, right hole width, root flare exposed, mulch ring that doesn't touch the trunk, staked only if it needs it. This is the part most DIY plantings get wrong.
Set you up for year one
You get a simple watering schedule and the short list of what's normal versus what's a warning sign. The first year decides the next forty.
What affects the price
No two trees are the same, so every quote is built in person — free, in writing, and exact. Here's what moves the number:
- Species and starting size — a 30-gallon shade tree and a field-grown specimen palm are very different purchases.
- How many — planting several trees in one visit brings the per-tree cost down.
- Site prep — grinding out an old stump, amending poor soil or rerouting irrigation adds scope.
- Sourcing and delivery — bigger trees need equipment to move and set, not just shovels.
Honest answers
What trees grow best in Tampa?
For shade: live oak, southern magnolia and bald cypress. For color and smaller yards: crape myrtle and holly. For that Florida look: sabal palms and date palms. The right answer depends on your soil, space and how much maintenance you want — we'll recommend options when we see the yard.
When is the best time to plant a tree in Florida?
Fall through early spring is ideal — the tree establishes roots in mild weather before its first brutal summer. With a proper watering plan, container-grown trees can be planted almost year-round here.
Can you replace a tree you removed?
Yes, and it's one of the most common combinations we do: removal, stump grinding, then a better-suited tree planted in or near the same spot. In some City of Tampa permit cases, replanting is actually part of the removal approval — we handle both ends of that.
How do I take care of a newly planted tree?
Water is nearly everything in year one: deep, regular soakings on the schedule we leave you, tapering as the roots establish. Keep the mulch ring topped up but never touching the trunk, don't fertilize right away, and don't prune anything but broken twigs the first year. We leave written instructions with every planting.
How much does it cost to plant a tree?
The tree itself is the biggest variable — species and starting size set the price more than the labor does. Planting several at once brings the per-tree cost down, and adding a planting to a removal or grinding visit is cheaper than a separate trip. Estimates are free.
Worth reading before you decide
- Top 5 Tree Care Tips Every From Your Local Tree Service CompanyCaring for the trees in your yard can greatly improve your property’s appearance and health. However, tree care requires regular attention and some expert knowledge. At H&M Tree Service, we specialize in…
- What Most Florida Homeowners Get Wrong About Tree CareIn Florida, trees grow fast. Between the heat, rain, and storm season, it’s easy to assume trees can handle themselves. Many homeowners in Tampa and Lutz think tree care is something you…
- Tree Diseases in Lutz, FL, and How to Spot ThemIntroduction Trees add beauty, shade, and value to our homes in Lutz, FL, but they’re vulnerable to various diseases that can compromise their health and safety. Spotting the early signs of tree…
More questions? See the full FAQ or send us a message.
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No pressure, no obligation — we look, we quote, you decide.
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