ISA-certified diagnosis and treatment for the pests and diseases that threaten metro Atlanta's trees — because the best outcome is often saving the tree, not losing it.
A tree in decline isn't always a lost cause. A thinning canopy, oozing bark, early leaf drop, or dead branches can signal a problem that's still treatable — if it's diagnosed correctly and early. That's the work of a certified arborist. Hank's Tree Pros brings ISA-certified arborists to homes across Sandy Springs, Buckhead, Dunwoody, and greater Atlanta to figure out what's actually wrong with a tree and give you honest options — treat it, prune it, improve its soil, or, when it's truly failing, remove it safely.
We take pride in the trees we save. Metro Atlanta is "the city in a forest," and a mature oak, poplar, or hickory is worth far more standing than gone. When a tree can be kept safely, we'll tell you how — and we won't recommend a removal you don't need.
The warm, humid Georgia climate and our dense canopy make metro Atlanta a hotspot for tree pests and disease. The ones we see most around Sandy Springs include:
If you're seeing warning signs but aren't sure how urgent they are, our guide to the signs of a hazardous tree is a good place to start — then let a certified arborist take a look in person.
Timing protects your trees. Oaks should be pruned in late fall and winter — never in spring or summer — because growing-season wounds attract the beetles that spread oak wilt. We time all oak work correctly. For the full seasonal breakdown, read our guide to the best time to trim trees in Georgia.
The most important question we answer is simple: can this tree be saved safely? A mature, structurally sound tree with an early pest problem is usually worth treating — it's irreplaceable, shades your home, and adds value. But a tree with a failed root system, extensive internal decay, a dead crown, or a dangerous lean becomes a liability, and the safe answer is removal. We give you the honest version either way. When a tree is worth keeping but has a structural weakness — a co-dominant stem or a heavy overextended limb — cabling and bracing can add years of safe life. And in Sandy Springs, saving a protected tree also saves you a potential mitigation fee under the city's tree ordinance.
Most tree decline in metro Atlanta traces back to the roots and the ground they live in. Compacted or poorly drained clay, mulch piled against the trunk ("volcano mulching"), grade changes from construction, and years of missed structural pruning all quietly stress a tree until a pest or disease finishes the job. Good plant health care fixes the fundamentals: proper mulch rings that hold moisture and protect the root flare, soil aeration and improvement where the clay is compacted, correct pruning that removes deadwood and improves airflow without over-thinning, and regular inspection so small problems are caught while they're still small.
Because diagnosis drives everything, we start with an on-site inspection — for free. From there, the cost depends on what your tree actually needs: a single targeted treatment, a pruning plan, soil work, or an ongoing plant health care program for a property full of mature trees. We'll give you a clear, itemized estimate and let you decide. To get a certified arborist's eyes on your tree, request a free estimate.
Our certified arborists work throughout Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Roswell, and across Atlanta and the north metro. Whether you need a diagnosis, a treatment plan, expert pruning, or an honest second opinion before a removal, we're the tree-health specialists to call. See all the areas we serve.
Get an ISA-certified arborist's honest diagnosis — often the tree can be saved, and we'll tell you straight either way.