What Southern Touch Tree Services Offers and How to Work With Them

Southern Touch Tree Services is a locally-owned tree care company serving the Midlands region of South Carolina

Southern Touch Tree Services handles routine tree maintenance, removal, and emergency cleanup across the Columbia area and surrounding counties. The company works on residential and commercial properties, managing everything from routine pruning to full tree removal and storm damage response. They operate year-round and can typically schedule work within days rather than weeks for non-emergency jobs.

The company is based in the Midlands and focuses on properties within a reasonable service radius of Columbia. If you are outside that area, they can tell you directly whether they service your address. Most of their work involves trees that pose hazards, block views or utilities, or need seasonal maintenance to stay healthy.

Key Takeaways

• Southern Touch handles tree removal, trimming, stump grinding, and storm cleanup on residential and commercial properties in the Columbia area.
• You can contact them directly by phone or through their website to describe your tree situation and get a cost estimate.
• Emergency storm damage work is available, though response time depends on how many jobs are ahead of yours after severe weather.
• The company is insured and licensed, which protects your property if something goes wrong during the work.
• Pricing varies based on tree size, location on your property, and what happens to the wood and debris afterward.

Services Southern Touch Provides

The company's core services include tree removal, limb trimming and pruning, stump grinding, and debris hauling. Tree removal is the most involved job—it requires planning the direction the tree falls, protecting nearby structures, and clearing the site afterward. Trimming and pruning keep trees healthy, improve sight lines, and prevent branches from damaging roofs or power lines. Stump grinding removes what is left after a tree comes down, which is necessary if you want to replant or reclaim the space.

Storm cleanup is a seasonal service that becomes urgent after heavy wind, ice, or lightning damage. Southern Touch responds to emergency calls during and after storms, though the queue can be long if the storm affected a wide area. They also handle tree work related to construction, property development, or land clearing when multiple trees need to come down at once.

How to Get a Cost Estimate

Contact Southern Touch directly by phone or through their website to describe the work you need. Be ready to tell them the tree's approximate size, where it is on your property, whether it is close to structures or power lines, and what you want done with the wood and debris. If the job is straightforward, they may give you a rough estimate over the phone. For larger or more complex removals, they will schedule a site visit so an estimator can see the tree and property layout in person.

The estimate should include the cost of removal or trimming, stump grinding if needed, debris removal, and any site cleanup. Ask whether they haul debris away or leave it for you to handle, and whether they chip branches or remove them whole. These details affect the final price. Most estimates are free, though very large or complex jobs may have a small fee.

Insurance and Licensing

Southern Touch is licensed and insured, which means they carry liability coverage if something goes wrong on your property during the work. This protects you from paying out of pocket if a branch falls on a neighbor's fence or a piece of equipment damages your driveway. Before hiring any tree service, confirm that they carry both general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance. Ask to see proof of both.

Licensing requirements vary by county in South Carolina, so check what your local government requires. Some areas require a state arborist certification or a local business license. Southern Touch can tell you what they hold and what applies in your area.

What Affects the Price of Tree Work

Tree removal costs depend on the tree's height, diameter, and location on your property. A 30-foot oak in an open yard costs far less than a 60-foot pine hanging over your roof. Trees near power lines, buildings, or fences require more careful planning and take longer, which raises the price. Dead or diseased trees are sometimes easier to remove but harder to predict, so they may cost more if complications arise during the work.

Stump grinding adds to the bill but is usually worth it if you want the space back. Debris removal—hauling away logs, branches, and chips—can be included or charged separately depending on the company's policy. Some customers ask the company to leave chipped wood for mulch or firewood, which lowers the cost. Ask what is included in the estimate and what costs extra.

Scheduling and Timing

Non-emergency tree work can usually be scheduled within a few days to a week, depending on the season and how busy the company is. Spring and fall are peak seasons for tree maintenance, so you may wait longer during those months. Winter is often faster because fewer people schedule routine work, though ice storms can create emergency backlogs.

Emergency storm damage work is prioritized but may not happen immediately after a storm. If multiple properties in the area were damaged, Southern Touch works through the queue in order. Call as soon as you can after a storm to get on the list, and ask for an estimated timeframe. If a tree is actively dangerous—leaning toward your house or blocking a driveway—mention that when you call so they know it is urgent.

Preparing Your Property for Tree Work

Before the crew arrives, clear the work area of vehicles, toys, garden equipment, and anything else that could be damaged or get in the way. If the tree is close to your house, move outdoor furniture and grills away from the base. Let the crew know about underground utilities—septic systems, irrigation lines, or buried cables—so they can avoid them when grinding stumps or moving equipment.

On the day of the work, stay inside or keep a safe distance from the work area. Tree work involves loud equipment and falling branches, and the crew needs room to move without worrying about people nearby. If you have questions about how the work will proceed, ask the crew lead before they start, not during the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to remove a tree?

Price depends on the tree's size, how close it is to buildings or power lines, and whether the stump needs grinding. A small tree in an open yard might cost a few hundred dollars, while a large tree near your house could cost several thousand. Get an estimate from Southern Touch based on your specific tree and property.

Can they remove a tree that is leaning toward my house?

Yes, but it is more dangerous and may cost more because the crew has to control the direction it falls carefully. Call Southern Touch right away and describe the situation so they know it is urgent. They can tell you whether they can handle it and when they can come.

What happens to the wood after the tree is removed?

That depends on what you want and what Southern Touch offers. Some customers want the logs for firewood, some want chips for mulch, and some want everything hauled away. Discuss this when you get your estimate so there is no confusion on the day of the work.

Do I need a permit to have a tree removed?

It depends on your city or county and sometimes on the tree's size or species. Some areas require a permit for any tree removal, while others only require one for trees over a certain diameter. Southern Touch can tell you what your local government requires, or you can call your city or county planning office.

How long does stump grinding take?

A single stump usually takes 15 minutes to an hour depending on its size and how deep the roots go. The crew grinds the stump below ground level so you can plant over it or use the space for something else. Ask Southern Touch how long they expect your stump to take when you get the estimate.