We Are Arborists.
Not just tree trimmers. Not a landscaping crew with a chainsaw. A team of ISA Certified Arborists managing every project since 2003.
How It Started
Keith Brown founded Austin Tree Experts in 2003 the way most people start, small and rooted to customer service. One truck, no help and hard work. Twenty years later, the company has grown into one of the longest-running professional tree services in Central Texas — but the approach hasn’t changed. Every customer and every tree still gets a personal touch by a certified arborist and people that care. We’re still small, but very capable.
We built the business on doing things the right way — industry standards, competent assessments, and safe work practices. Our clients include thousands of homeowners across central Texas, along with local municipalities, apartment complexes, developers, engineers, architects, and contractors who rely on our expertise for projects of every scale.
We think of ourselves as a boutique tree service. You won’t get a one-size-fits-all sales pitch. You’ll get a certified arborist who knows the difference between a heritage live oak in Tarrytown and a cedar elm in Pflugerville, and who will give you a personalized recommendation based on what your trees actually need.
The Team
Our work is managed by a team of ISA Certified Arborists who oversee every aspect of operations — from the initial assessment to final cleanup.
Keith Brown
Owner & ISA Board Certified Master Arborist
TX-0985
Full Bio
Keith founded Austin Tree Experts in 2003 and has spent over two decades building a company that prioritizes proper arboriculture over quick revenue. He oversees all operations and personally handles complex consultations, construction site management, and large-scale removals. His approach — assess every tree individually, educate the client, recommend honestly — defines how the entire team operates.
Tara Hamilton
ISA Certified Arborist
TX-3406A
BS Botany, Stephen F. Austin University
Full Bio
Tara is a degreed botanist, certified arborist, and 20-year veteran of the tree industry. She functions as our GM and primary customer service hub. We think it’s very special to have such a competent person answering the phones and coordinating our work. She is the heart of the boutique experience provided by Austin Tree Experts. When you call or email the office, you get solid professional arborist feedback, not just a messenger.
Ted Robinson
ISA Certified Arborist
TX-3755AU
Full Bio
Ted is a dedicated project manager with more than 15 years experience as an ISA Certified Arborist. He has a solid background in utility forestry and arboriculture. This combo makes him perfect for managing complexities of commercial and municipal projects and documentation requirements, as well as providing sound arborist feedback and supervisory leadership.
We invest heavily in our people — Austin Tree Experts pays for all certification expenses and requires ongoing professional development. Our arborists lead weekly training sessions and attend ISA Texas conferences. We also bring in outside experts for specialized instruction. Learn more about our training program.
How We Work
1
Assessment
A Certified Arborist will review your project. After we find out what you need and assess your trees’ conditions, a detailed inspection and written work-plan with photos will be prepared. You’ll receive a written inspection and formal proposal.
2
The Plan
Coordinate the project. We’ll work around your schedule, secure any necessary permits, procure any nursery stock or other materials and give you a schedule. We’ll have a good executable work ticket ready to send out with the crew so they’ll know a lot about the project even before the arborist kicks things off.
3
Execution
We leverage ISA best management practices, ANSI z.133 and A300 standards along with trained crews and great equipment. Our execution is best in class in quality and efficiency.
4
Finish Up
We’ll follow up to make sure everything is right. You’ll get an email for payment which can be made online or the old fashioned way. We keep great records so you can always reference past work. Or, you can just look it up in our client portal.
Our Work
A few projects that show what we do and how we do it.
80ft American Elm Over a High-Traffic Road
Zilker Neighborhood — A 63-inch diameter American elm that had been power-line-pruned for most of its life needed to come down for safety, adjacent to the Butler Pitch and Putt Golf Course in downtown Austin.
Full Project Details
This job was complicated by heavy traffic on the street, power lines, and the sheer size of the tree. We needed to get it out quickly to avoid prolonged traffic disruption in bustling downtown Austin and to keep access open to the Butler Pitch and Putt Course. To execute the job quickly, we brought in a crane, our bucket truck, a large chipper with a winch to process the brush fast, and a grapple truck to snatch up the very large logs. For a job that would take a typical tree service three days to complete, we had it done by 3:00 in the afternoon — just in time to remove all our traffic control devices and open up the roads for afternoon rush hour.
Landscape Renovation — 3 Removals, 12 Prunings, 13 New Trees
Westlake — Our client lost several large cedar trees along the front of their property during some bad weather years. We needed to remove them and replace with hardy native trees to restore privacy along busy Westlake Drive.
Full Project Details
We went with tried-and-true live oak, mountain laurels, eastern red cedar, and yaupon hollies. With our talented crews and flexible fleet, we were able to remove all three trees, grind out the stumps, prune all remaining trees in the area, and install all the new trees in a single day. On day two we came back to spread a fresh layer of mulch, water in the new trees, and do some final touches on cleanup. This job required our large-capacity chip truck, 15″ chipper, stump grinder, small articulating loader, covered nursery stock delivery truck, and a highly talented crew of six. We transformed a battered Westlake landscape into a new and vibrant green wall for reliable privacy.
Heritage Live Oak Root Zone Restoration
SoCo — Little Stacy Pool — Two beautiful heritage live oaks had been misused as parking for decades. The resulting soil was severely compacted, with all topsoil washed out and replaced by road base.
Full Project Details
Utilizing an Air-Spade, auger, and small excavator, we completely reinvigorated the soil. We started by excavating buildup around the root flares and digging strategic pot holes with the Air-Spade, allowing us to evaluate the soil profile without risking damage to the tree roots. Then we used the excavator to carefully peel back the inorganic road base from the surface and return it to the parking lot where it belongs. Once the original soil was exposed, we used the Air-Spade again to air-till and loosen the soil so it could once again percolate water and exchange air. A layer of compost was mixed into the soil and then a thick 4-inch layer of rough mulch spread across the top. Air-tilling the surface does a great job of helping rough mulch stay in place and resist washout.
To further stabilize the mulch and improve water percolation, we created dry creek beds of gravel to give runoff water a path through the area. We augered 10-inch-wide, 2.5-foot-deep holes backfilled with gravel to further encourage water to percolate along the drainage paths. On the downhill side of the root zones, we installed rough-milled log cants salvaged from other projects to both terrace and dam the mulch into place. This was full-blown soil restoration with a focus on long-term sustainability — not just a beautification project, but a permanent improvement for the trees’ environment.
Our Equipment
We invest in the equipment to handle the jobs others can’t — safely and efficiently. Everything is owned, maintained, and operated by our team.
Grapple Trucks
Hydraulic loading arms for efficient debris removal on any size project.
Bucket Trucks
Safe elevated access for pruning, removals, and inspections up to 75 feet.
Chippers & Stump Grinders
Three stump grinders and industrial chippers for complete debris removal and 100% recycling.
Fully Insured for Your Protection
Austin Tree Experts carries comprehensive general liability insurance and full workers’ compensation coverage. Every crew member is covered, every job is insured. We also follow ANSI Z133 safety standards and OSHA regulations on every project — because doing the job right means doing it safely.
What Our Clients Say
We let our work speak for itself. Here’s what Austin homeowners are saying on Google.
Austin Tree Experts are by far THE best. Their rates were far better than others I received estimates from and their cleanup was impeccable. I had 4 trees taken down and the stumps ground out. I could not be happier with the results. Tara was very courteous and kept me informed every step of the way, even following up as to my satisfaction after the work had concluded. I will use them for all my tree needs as well as recommend them to others. Grade: A+
Mutt · Mar 25, 2025Absolutely thrilled with the guys at Austin Tree Experts! After a storm knocked down an old pear tree in our yard, I was worried about how to handle the mess and potential damage to our fence. I called them up, and from the initial consultation to the final cleanup, their team exceeded all my expectations. The crew arrived early on the scheduled morning and assessed with me the situation going over what would be done. They carefully removed the fallen pear tree, taking great care not to damage my already crappy fence. Their equipment seemed to be top-notch, and their crews efficiency was impressive. What seemed to me like a daunting task was handled swiftly and skillfully. I just wanted to bust out some popcorn and watch. Also what stood out was their attention to detail. They not only removed the tree but also cleaned up every bit of debris, leaving our yard looking immaculate. The team was courteous, respectful, and kept me informed throughout the process. Way better than drive-by door knocking chainsaws for hire. Been there done that. Just know that some times those guys end up causing more eyesores and/or damage to your trees in the long run. Don't take the chance, just hire an actual professional. I used the guys at Austin Tree Experts and would happily do it again. Hope this helps someone.
Lynn · Aug 19, 2024Austin Tree Experts responded promptly to my call and gave us a fair bid for the work, which involved removal of a large hackberry and trimming several huge live oaks. Their workers were friendly, professional, skilled, hard working, and conscientious. They sprayed the cuts on the live oaks immediately after each individual cut, showing an extra level of care. Other tree companies we have used in the past made all the cuts first and then sprayed, sometimes missing several cuts. We are very happy with the job they did and our trees look great!
lisa · Jul 19, 2023I can't say enough good things about Austin Tree Experts! We're a residential property management company and have worked with many tree companies. Tara and her team are now our "go to" tree experts. From trimming to planting, they excel on every level. prompt, professional and competitive, you won't go wrong. Tara and the crew are the best!
Michael · May 29, 2024Austin Tree Experts took down two trees in our backyard that were dead. The process was quick, clean and efficient. We would definitely use their services again. They are great!
Taylor · Jan 2, 2024Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Austin Tree Experts been in business?
Austin Tree Experts was founded in 2003 by Keith Brown, making us one of the longest-running tree services in the Austin area. With over 20 years of experience and a team of ISA Certified Arborists, we’ve served thousands of residential and commercial clients across Central Texas.
Are your arborists ISA certified?
Yes. Our arborists hold certifications from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the gold standard in professional tree care. ISA certified arborists complete rigorous testing and ongoing continuing education to maintain their credentials. This means they understand tree biology, proper pruning standards, and safe work practices — not just how to operate a chainsaw. We also require our pruning crew foremen to hold ISA tree worker certification.
Are you insured?
Fully insured. Austin Tree Experts carries comprehensive general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage for every crew member. We’re happy to provide a certificate of insurance upon request — many of our commercial and municipal clients require it, and we keep current documentation readily available.
What should I expect when I hire you?
After you contact us, a certified arborist will visit your property to assess your trees in person. You’ll receive a detailed proposal explaining what we recommend and why — no jargon, no pressure. Once you approve, we schedule the work at a time that works for you. On the day of service, our crew arrives with the right equipment, completes the work to ISA standards, and leaves your property clean. We follow up to make sure everything meets your expectations.
What areas do you serve?
We serve all of Central Texas, including Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs, Kyle, Buda, and Leander. If you’re not sure whether your property falls within City of Austin jurisdiction for tree permits, check our free Jurisdiction Map tool.
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Get a Free Estimate
Whether you need tree pruning, removal, planting, health care, or a certified arborist consultation, we provide free on-site estimates for all services. No obligation, no pressure.
Call us today: (512) 996-9100
We’ll call you within 2 hours. Fully insured — your property is protected.