A Tree City USA since 1977, with its own power company

Tree Service in Murray, UT

Riverside cottonwoods, old orchard trees and a municipal electric utility that handles its own lines.

On-site quotes at no charge in Salt Lake Valley and Salt Lake County
Prices put in writing before the crew arrives
Cleanup terms written into the estimate

Two Creeks, One River and a City-Owned Power System

Tree Service in Murray has a detail that trips people up: many of the power lines here belong to the city, not to Rocky Mountain Power. Murray created its own municipally owned power company by resolution on July 9, 1912, and Murray City Power still serves the city; your power bill will confirm which utility serves your address. If a tree is growing into an overhead line in Murray, the call goes to the city's utility, not to the statewide company your relatives in Sandy or Taylorsville would call.

Before we touch anything near a line

We do not prune limbs that are close to energized conductors. That work belongs to the utility and its line-clearance crews. When we walk a Murray property, we note any limbs near the primary lines or the service drop to the house, and you contact Murray City Power about those first. Once the line side is clear, we handle the rest of the tree: the canopy over the roof, the deadwood, the removal or the stump.

Where the water runs

The Jordan River runs along Murray's western edge, and both Big Cottonwood Creek and Little Cottonwood Creek join it inside city limits. Willow Pond and Turner Pond are the largest natural lakes in town. Along those corridors you find the trees that like wet feet: cottonwoods, willows and box elders. They grow fast, get very large, and drop limbs in summer storms and heavy snow. Utah Geological Survey data cited for the city place most of Murray in high or moderate liquefaction zones, which is a reminder that much of the town sits on soft, wet valley soils.

Smelter town to shade trees

Murray's first smelter went up in 1869, and smelting was the city's main business until the plants closed from 1931 onward; the ASARCO stacks were imploded in 2000. The neighborhoods that grew around that industry are old by valley standards, and so are many of their trees. Common requests here include:

Thinning big silver maples and cottonwoods over roofs
Removing dead or declining fruit trees in older backyards
Clearing limbs off garages, sheds and fences
Grinding stumps left from past removals so the lawn can be reseeded

An arboretum and some record trees

Murray City Park covers 22 acres and includes an arboretum. The Utah Big Tree Directory lists Murray as the location of its largest recorded baldcypress, black alder, Higan cherry, flowering pear, Chinese fringetree and several others. Murray has been a Tree City USA since 1977, a designation that requires a tree board, a tree care ordinance, community forestry spending and an Arbor Day observance.

Homes and owners

Census figures put Murray's owner-occupied rate near 65 percent and its median home value around $507,500, with nearly 18 percent of residents aged 65 or older. We hear from a lot of long-time owners who want one big job done well, and from landlords who need a hazard limb dealt with before a tenant moves in.

Call (385) 217-6481 or use the form, and we will come look. Get a free estimate

Murray Facts That Affect Tree Work

Municipal power. Murray created its own municipally owned power company by resolution on July 9, 1912. Lines in the city are Murray City Power's, so line-clearance questions go to the city utility.
Creeks meet the river. Big Cottonwood Creek and Little Cottonwood Creek both join the Jordan River inside Murray, and Willow Pond and Turner Pond are the city's largest natural lakes.
Record trees. The Utah Big Tree Directory lists Murray for its largest recorded baldcypress, black alder, Higan cherry, flowering pear and Chinese fringetree.
Tree City USA since 1977. Murray has held Tree City USA status since 1977, and the 22-acre Murray City Park includes an arboretum.

Our Services in Murray, UT

Murray Questions

Who trims trees near power lines in Murray?

Murray has its own municipal electric utility, Murray City Power, so contact the city about limbs touching or close to its lines. We work on the rest of the tree once the line side is handled and never cut near energized wires.

The cottonwood by the creek drops branches every summer. Is it dangerous?

Cottonwoods shed limbs more than most trees, and summer branch drop can happen on calm days. Whether yours is a hazard depends on what is under it and how sound the main limbs are. We can assess it and suggest reduction pruning or removal.

Do you grind stumps left by someone else's removal?

Yes. We grind old stumps below grade, rake out the chips or leave them as mulch if you prefer, and tell you before we start if surface roots or a nearby fence change how deep we can go.

Free Estimates in Murray, UT

Free estimates across Murray, from the Jordan River to the east side neighborhoods.

Call (385) 217-6481 Free Estimate