A village a mile from the Red River
Tree Service in Belcher, LA
Tree work for farmsteads and homes on river-bottom ground.
- Every estimate done in person around Shreveport and nearby towns
- The written quote lists what is and is not included
- Debris and stump handling decided in advance
Bottomland, Bayou and Open Fields
Tree Service in Belcher means working on some of the flattest, richest ground in Caddo Parish. The village sits in the northeast part of the parish less than a mile northwest of the Red River, with US Route 71 on its west side and I-49 about 3 miles away at exit 228. It was first called Horseshoe, after the bayou that runs through town, and was renamed in 1899 for James Clinton Belcher, a Confederate veteran who oversaw the Wild Lucia Plantation. In 2020 it had 248 residents.
What river-bottom soil means for trees
Bottomland soils along rivers in this region are generally clayey or loamy and drain slowly. Trees grow fast in that ground, but heavy clay that stays wet keeps roots shallow, and shallow roots in saturated soil are a recipe for trees tipping over in wind. Clay also shrinks and cracks in long dry spells, which can tear fine roots. If you see a tree on your place that has started to lean, or a mound of soil lifting on one side, take it seriously.
Trees standing alone
Around farmsteads, many of the big trees are isolated: a single shade tree by the house, a line along the drive, a few in a fence row. Without neighbors to break the wind, these trees take the full force of storms coming across open fields. They tend to grow wide and heavy, and their long limbs are the first to break. Common work here includes:
- Reducing the length and weight of heavy limbs over houses, barns and equipment sheds
- Removing dead tops and broken limbs after storms
- Taking down trees that have split or have rot at the base
- Clearing trees and brush from fence rows and ditches
- Grinding stumps in yards and around outbuildings
Working on farm properties
We plan around crops, livestock and equipment. If a tree has to come down near a pasture, we schedule it so animals can be moved, and we clean up fallen leaves and limbs from trees like wild cherry, which can be harmful to livestock when wilted. If you need the work done before planting or after harvest, tell us and we will plan around it.
Pecans and big hardwoods
If your place has old pecans or big oaks, they are probably the most valuable trees on the property and the ones most worth keeping. They are also heavy. Removing dead wood every few years and reducing long, low limbs is usually enough to keep them safe. We take care not to cut more live wood than the tree can spare, following ANSI A300 pruning practice.
Small village, careful planning
With a village this small, most jobs are one-off visits rather than a crew working down a street. We make sure the estimate covers everything you want done, so one trip handles it. Call (318) 309-7506 or send the form with a description of the trees and the property. Get a free estimate
Belcher Background
- Named for a plantation overseer. Belcher was once called Horseshoe, after the bayou running through town, and was renamed in 1899 for James Clinton Belcher, a former Confederate soldier and overseer of Wild Lucia Plantation.
- Near the Red River. The village lies in northeastern Caddo Parish less than 1 mile northwest of the Red River, with US 71 on its west side and I-49 exit 228 about 3 miles west of the town center.
- Bottomland soils. Bottomland soils in the Piney Woods region along rivers like the Red are generally somewhat poorly to very poorly drained, clayey and loamy.
- Tiny village. Belcher counted 248 residents in 2020, down from 263 in 2010, on about 1.58 square miles of land.
Belcher Questions
My big shade tree by the house is all alone in the open. Is it more at risk?
Usually, yes. Isolated trees take more wind than trees in a group. Reducing heavy limbs and removing dead wood makes it less likely to break in a storm.
Can you work around my cattle or horses?
Yes. Let us know about livestock when scheduling. We plan drop zones and cleanup so animals can be moved and nothing harmful is left in the pasture.
Why do trees on my land fall over after heavy rain?
Clay bottomland soil holds water, roots stay shallow, and saturated ground loses grip. Watch for leans that develop after storms.
Do you clear trees out of fence rows and ditches?
Yes. We cut the trees and brush, then chip, pile or haul the material depending on what you want.
Will you haul the wood off or leave it?
Your choice. On farm properties many owners keep the logs for firewood or let us leave brush in a back corner. If you want it gone, we chip and haul it. The estimate lists which option you picked.
Free Estimates in Belcher, LA
Free estimates in Belcher and northeast Caddo Parish.
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