Tree Scouts Arborist Cited as Expert Source by Martha Stewart

When a National Publication Needs Expert Insight

When a national publication needs expert insight on tree care, they look for professionals with real credentials. That's why Martha Stewart's editorial team reached out to our lead arborist, Levi Williams, as an expert source — not once, but across three separate articles.

Levi is an ISA Certified Arborist (TX-4955A), holds a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), carries a Texas Pesticide Applicator License, and holds an Urban Forest Professional designation through the International Society of Arboriculture. You can learn more about his qualifications and those of our full team on our certifications page.

Here's a look at each article and what Levi shared.

Stump Grinding Safety: The Right Way to Remove a Stump

In Martha Stewart's guide on how to safely remove a tree stump, Levi outlined an eight-step process for homeowners considering stump grinding on their own. His recommendations covered everything from selecting the right equipment for the stump size to checking for underground utilities, setting up debris barriers, and wearing proper personal protective equipment before ever starting the grinder.

He also emphasized the importance of reading the machine's manual before operating it — something that sounds obvious but gets skipped more often than you'd think — and stressed that if there's any doubt, hiring a professional is always the safer call.

At Tree Scouts, stump grinding is one of the services we handle most frequently across Georgetown, Leander, Austin, and the surrounding area. It's fast, clean, and eliminates the pest and re-sprouting risks that come with leaving a decaying stump in the ground.

Read the full article: How to Kill a Tree Stump Safely and Effectively, According to Experts — Martha Stewart

Choosing Driveway-Safe Trees: Why Italian Cypress Isn't Always the Answer

Martha Stewart's article on trees to avoid planting near your driveway featured Levi's input on Italian cypress. While these trees look striking in a Mediterranean-style landscape, Levi pointed out that they struggle with heat reflected off concrete surfaces and can actually damage driveways with their expansive root systems over time.

This is the kind of guidance homeowners in Central Texas need to hear. In neighborhoods across Georgetown, Cedar Park, and Round Rock, we frequently see trees planted too close to hardscape that end up cracking driveways, lifting sidewalks, or suffering from heat stress. A quick conversation with a certified arborist before planting can save thousands in future repairs.

Read the full article: 10 Trees You Should Never Plant Near Your Driveway — Martha Stewart

Fruit Tree Pruning: Don't Overdo It

In Martha Stewart's guide to trimming fruit trees in the fall, Levi shared a critical rule of thumb that many homeowners overlook: don't remove more than 20 to 30 percent of a tree's branches in a single pruning session. Cutting too aggressively can reduce fruit production the following season and stress the tree.

Proper pruning is about understanding tree biology, not just making the canopy look tidy. At Tree Scouts, our tree trimming approach follows ISA and ANSI A300 standards because the way a cut is made — where, when, and how much — directly affects the long-term health and structure of the tree.

If you have fruit trees on your property in the Georgetown, Austin, or Lakeway area and want them pruned correctly, our arborist team can help.

Read the full article: How to Trim Fruit Trees in the Fall — Martha Stewart

What This Means for Our Customers

Being cited by a publication with Martha Stewart's reach isn't something we take lightly. It reinforces what our 400+ five-star reviews already reflect — that Tree Scouts brings a level of professionalism and expertise that stands out in the Central Texas tree care market.

Whether you need tree trimming, safe tree removal, stump grinding, oak wilt treatment, or just want an honest assessment of what your trees need, our ISA-certified team is here.

We serve Georgetown, Austin, Leander, Cedar Park, Lakeway, Round Rock, Liberty Hill, Hutto, Bee Cave, and the surrounding Hill Country communities. Call 512-265-0861 or book a free tree health assessment today.