HLA Lawn & Tree Service

06/22/2026

ATTENTION CENTRAL LOUISIANA: YOUR PECAN TREE MAY NOT BE AS SAFE AS YOU THINK.
• • • CALL 318-TREEMAN (318-873-3626) • • •

I say this with all due respect to every property owner in Avoyelles Parish, Evangeline Parish, Grant Parish Rapides Parish, and across CenLA who has a beautiful pecan tree in their yard — and that is a lot of you.

The pecan tree is part of Louisiana culture. It is part of the landscape. It is part of the identity of properties across Hessmer, Marksville, Bunkie, Alexandria, Ville Platte, Po***ck, and every community in between.
It is also one of the most structurally fragile trees growing on your property. And most homeowners have no idea.

Here is what you need to understand about pecan trees:
• Pecan wood is soft unlike hardwoods such as oak, pecan timber is significantly softer and more susceptible to internal decay, crack propagation, and catastrophic branch failure under wind loading. (While pecan is classified as a hardwood, it is notably more brittle than species like oak, and significantly more prone to internal decay and sudden limb failure — particularly under wind loading and ice accumulation.)
• Pecan trees grow fast and wide. That rapid canopy expansion creates large, heavy limb structures that are often weakly attached — especially in trees that have never been professionally pruned.
• They do not look sick until they are. A pecan tree can have significant internal decay and compromised branch attachment while maintaining a full, healthy-looking canopy — right up until a storm sends a major limb through your roof.
• Ice storms hit them especially hard. The broad, spreading canopy of a large pecan tree collects ice accumulation that can exceed the structural capacity of those soft wood limbs — creating catastrophic simultaneous branch failures across the entire crown.

I have performed ISA TRAQ assessments on pecan trees across Avoyelles & Evangeline Parish that were actively failing from the inside — with not a single outward sign visible to the homeowner standing beneath them.
If you have a large pecan tree near your home in Central Louisiana — have it professionally assessed by an ISA Certified Arborist before hurricane season is fully underway.

When Service And Quality Matter -
Call 318-TREEMAN | (318) 873-3626
HLA Tree Services | Hessmer, Louisiana
https://hlalawnservices.com/arborist%20ville%20platte/

06/19/2026

THE MOST COMMON QUESTION I GET ASKED ON A JOB SITE IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA:

"How old are you? When did you start?"

Every. Single. Time. 😂

I love this question. Not because I have some profound answer — but because the moment I explain what I actually hold — a Louisiana Licensed Arborist license, an ISA Certified Arborist® credential, and an ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification — the question shifts.

It goes from "how old are you" to "when can you start?"

Here is what I want every homeowner across Avoyelles, Evangeline, Grant, and Rapides Parishes — and the surrounding communities of Central Louisiana — to understand: Experience Matters. Credentials Matter More.

Because credentials do not come with time alone — they come with documented professional performance, comprehensive examination, and ongoing continuing education that keeps your arborist current with the latest science in tree care.

There is no shortcut to ISA certification. You earn it. Period.

HLA Tree Services provides Central Louisiana with professional level tree care backed by verified, dual-credentialed authority. Owner William Manuel stands out as a fully Louisiana Licensed Arborist ( # 2837), an ISA Certified Arborist ( # SO-367105A), and one of the rare local specialists to hold the official Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). "So yes — I might be younger than you expected. However, Every tree I assess, every removal I direct, and every trimming job I perform is backed by that credential — not just by years on a chainsaw."

Whether your property is in Marksville, Ville Platte, Colfax, Alexandria, or Toledo Bend — the trees on your CenLA property deserve science-based professional care. That is what HLA Tree Services delivers. "No Mess - No Stress"

• Louisiana Licensed Arborist # 2837
• ISA Certified Arborist® # SO-367105A
• TRAQ Qualified
• Fully Licensed & Insured
• BBB A+

When Service And Quality Matter - Dial 318-TREEMAN (318-873-3626)

06/18/2026

CenLA is getting hit hard right now — and our community is showing up for each other.

We want to give a genuine thank you to Amber Granger, local Allstate Insurance agent (318-383-5583), for sharing our emergency services post earlier.

If you are in Avoyelles, Evangeline, Grant, or Rapides Parish right now and have a tree situation developing — a leaning tree, a limb over your roof, storm damage from the rain — do not wait to see how it plays out.

Saturated soil dramatically weakens root systems. Trees that have stood for decades can fail in hours when the ground is this wet. This is not something to monitor from the window.

We are available for emergency response across CenLA. Every job is directed by an ISA Certified Arborist with TRAQ qualification — meaning we assess the risk before we make a cut, not after.

• Louisiana Licensed Arborist #2837
• ISA Certified Arborist® -367105A
• TRAQ Qualified
• Fully Licensed & Insured | BBB A+

Call 318-TREEMAN (318-873-3626)

CenLa Homeowners: Excessive Rain Is Exposing Hidden Tree Dangers!

With the torrential rainfall we are experiencing, the ground is completely saturated. When soil turns to mud, heavy root systems lose their grip, causing trees to suddenly lean or uproot.

But the biggest threat is the one you can't see. Many mature trees look perfectly healthy on the outside while hiding severe internal rot on the inside. Saturated ground combined with heavy, rain-soaked branches can cause these structurally hollow trees to fail without warning.

Look out for:

A tree suddenly tilting or leaning

Cracking, buckling, or lifting soil near the base

Water pooling heavily at the root flare

Don't wait for a storm to bring it down on your roof. As an ISA Certified Arborist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) expert, William Manuel can spot internal decay before disaster strikes.

Tree Emergency? HLA is on standby right now with elite equipment for rapid-response hazard mitigation.

Call 318-TREEMAN (318-873-3626)
Visit: https://hlalawnservices.com/arborist%20evergreen/

06/18/2026

Storm season in Central Louisiana doesn't give much warning!
• • Dial 318-TREEMAN (318-873-3626) • •

High winds and heavy rain can turn a weak or overgrown tree into a serious hazard — fast. Branches come down on roofs. Trees lean toward fences. And what looked fine last week becomes an emergency by Friday night.

Don't wait until after the storm to think about your trees.

HLA Tree Services provides professional trimming, hazard assessments, and complete storm damage cleanup across Avoyelles, Evangeline, Grant, and Rapides Parishes — directed by an ISA Certified Arborist who knows exactly what to look for before it becomes a problem.

• Licensed & Insured
• ISA Certified Arborist® on every job
• Emergency storm response available

318-TREEMAN | hlalawnservices.com

06/18/2026

CenLa Homeowners: Excessive Rain Is Exposing Hidden Tree Dangers!

With the torrential rainfall we are experiencing, the ground is completely saturated. When soil turns to mud, heavy root systems lose their grip, causing trees to suddenly lean or uproot.

But the biggest threat is the one you can't see. Many mature trees look perfectly healthy on the outside while hiding severe internal rot on the inside. Saturated ground combined with heavy, rain-soaked branches can cause these structurally hollow trees to fail without warning.

Look out for:

A tree suddenly tilting or leaning

Cracking, buckling, or lifting soil near the base

Water pooling heavily at the root flare

Don't wait for a storm to bring it down on your roof. As an ISA Certified Arborist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) expert, William Manuel can spot internal decay before disaster strikes.

Tree Emergency? HLA is on standby right now with elite equipment for rapid-response hazard mitigation.

Call 318-TREEMAN (318-873-3626)
Visit: https://hlalawnservices.com/arborist%20evergreen/

06/18/2026

A thought worth sharing before your next tree estimate.

Choosing a tree service is not always straightforward. Prices vary, credentials vary, and it can be difficult to know what questions to ask. We understand that — and we never want anyone to feel judged for trying to make the most of their budget.

What we do want is for you to have the full picture.

We recently assisted a homeowner who had hired another company for a tree removal. Their estimate was lower than ours. After the work was done, they faced a damaged fence, a stump that was never removed, debris left at the curb, and an exposed root ball. When a crew member was injured on their property, there was no workers' compensation coverage to protect the homeowner from that liability.

The total cost of repairs, cleanup, and legal exposure exceeded our original quote by more than $5,500.

We share this story with care and without judgment — because we believe informed homeowners make the best decisions for their families and their properties.

When HLA Tree Services completes a job, you receive:

• A Louisiana Licensed Arborist directing the work
• ISA Certified expertise on every cut decision
• Full General Liability AND Workers' Compensation insurance
• Complete debris removal — every log, limb, and piece
• A property left cleaner than we found it

We welcome your questions before any estimate. Understanding what to look for in a tree service provider is part of what we do.

When Service and Quality Matter, Call * * 318-TREEMAN | (318) 873-3626 * *
HLA Tree Services | Hessmer, Louisiana

Serving Alexandria · Pineville · Marksville · Hessmer · Cottonport · Bunkie · Ville Platte · Washington · Woodworth · Forest Hill · Glenmora

06/17/2026

Incredibly honored to be featured as the Grant Parish Chamber of Commerce Business of the Week! Check out the full spotlight below. Huge thanks to our amazing crew and the local community for trusting us with your residential and commercial property care.

06/16/2026

YOUR TREE HAS GREEN LEAVES. THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S SAFE.
* Call 318-TREEMAN (318-873-3626)

I've been a licensed, ISA Certified Arborist in Central Louisiana long enough to know that the most dangerous trees on a property are often the ones nobody is worried about.

Green leaves mean a tree is alive. They do not mean it is structurally sound. They do not mean the root system is intact. They do not mean the trunk hasn't been silently decaying from the inside for years — and they absolutely do not mean that tree is safe during the next storm that rolls through CenLA - Avoyelles, Evangeline, Grant, Rapides and Surrounding Parishes.

As a local arborist, I carefully evaluate several key factors when inspecting trees across CenLA—from Alexandria, Pineville, Hessmer, Bunkie, Ville Platte or anywhere in Central Louisiana. Here is a list of examples:

• Is the trunk leaning — especially recently?
• Are there cracks, cavities, or soft spots in the bark?
• Are mushrooms or fungi growing at the base?
• Is the soil soft or sinking near the roots?
• Are there large dead limbs — especially over a structure?
• Are the leaves smaller than normal, discolored, or dropping early?

Every one of those signs can exist on a tree with a full, green, beautiful canopy. And every one of them can mean that tree is one storm away from coming through your roof.

I became an ISA-certified arborist because I truly care about our local landscape. I've noticed many actively failing trees in our area go unnoticed, and I wanted the proper training to help property owners protect their homes.

• Louisiana Licensed Arborist # 2837
• ISA Certified Arborist® # SO-367105A
• TRAQ Qualified — Tree Risk Assessment
• Fully Licensed & Insured

Call 318-TREEMAN (318-873-3626)
HLA Tree Services | Hessmer, Louisiana

06/14/2026

THIS is what we mean when we say we leave your property completely clean.
No stumps. No limbs. No branches. No debris - "No Mess, No Stress"
HLA Tree Service, 318-TREEMAN in Fifth Ward | Marksville, Louisiana | Avoyelles Parish. Near and

Before we arrived — large oak trees overgrown and overdue for professional attention. A significant oak tree that needed to come down completely. Stumps that needed to go.
After HLA Tree Services —
Here is the complete scope of what our crew delivered on this Marksville property:
* Oak tree trimming — ISA pruning standards on every cut
* Large oak tree removal — fully cut, sectioned, and removed
* Complete stump grinding and stump removal — ground to below grade, fully eliminated
* Every limb and branch collected — not a single piece left behind
* Total site cleanup and haul away — every log, limb, and debris piece removed

What you are looking at in this after photo is the HLA Tree Services standard. Not the exception. The standard. Every job. Every property. Every time. Across Marksville, Avoyelles Parish, and all of Central Louisiana.
Here is the difference that makes this possible -
When you hire an unlicensed operator, you are hiring someone whose only accountability is the price they quoted. When you hire HLA Tree Services — you are hiring:
* William Manuel — Louisiana Licensed Arborist #2837
* ISA Certified Arborist® # SO-367105A
* TRAQ Qualified — Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
* Fully Licensed & Insured — every crew member, every job
* BBB A+ Accredited
* Complete Debris Haul Away

The professional accountability behind those credentials is what produces the result in this photo. Science-based. Safety-first. Clean every time.
If you have oak trees, dead trees, overgrown trees, storm-damaged trees, or stumps on your property anywhere in Marksville, Bunkie, Hessmer, Cottonport, Evergreen, Alexandria, Pineville, or anywhere across CenLA — this is what your property could look like when HLA Tree Services is done.
* * Call 318-TREEMAN — (318) 873-3626 * * When Service And Quality Matters * *

06/11/2026

PROFESSIONAL TREE REMOVAL ON A TIGHT CITY STREET IN BUNKIE, LOUISIANA, 71322
* * CALL 318-TREEMAN (318-873-3626) * *

Not every tree removal is a wide-open field job. Some of the most technically demanding and high-consequence tree removals we perform happen exactly like this one — on tight residential city streets where overhead utility lines, adjacent homes, fencing, parked vehicles, and zero margin for error define every single cut we make.
Every section must be systematically cut from the top down, rigged and controlled to land exactly where the crew directs it — protecting every structure, every utility, every vehicle, and every inch of surrounding property. It requires advanced technical training. It requires the professional judgment of an ISA Certified Arborist who has assessed the tree's structural condition, load paths, and rigging points before the first cut is made.
That is exactly what HLA Tree Services delivers on every tree removal, tree trimming, and tree cutting job across Bunkie, Avoyelles Parish, and all of Central Louisiana
* William Manuel — Louisiana Licensed Arborist #2837
* ISA Certified Arborist® -367105A
* TRAQ Qualified — Tree Risk Assessment Qualification
* Fully Licensed & Insured
* Professional Tree Removal | Tree Trimming | Tree Cutting
* Complete Debris Haul Away & Disposal
* Serving Bunkie | Avoyelles Parish | All of CenLA
Whether it is a massive tree on a tight city street in Bunkie, a storm-damaged tree on a roof in Alexandria, a tornado-toppled tree in Pineville, or a dead limb hanging over your home in Marksville — HLA Tree Services has the experience to handle it professionally, safely, and completely.