The Summit City, 14.5 miles southwest of Springfield

Tree Service in Clever, MO

Plateau-top lots between Nixa and Billings, where wind meets open farmland.

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We come out and look before we price, anywhere in Springfield and nearby towns
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Haul-off spelled out on the quote

High Ground in the Christian County Panhandle

Tree Service in Clever deals with a town that calls itself the Summit City for a reason. Clever sits on the Springfield Plateau at about 1,398 feet, in the western panhandle of Christian County just south of Highway 14, between Nixa and Billings. The surrounding land is mostly open, rolling farm country, and trees in and around town are exposed to wind from every direction.

Tornado history on the edge of town

On May 4, 2003, a series of tornadoes passed along the outer edges of Clever, causing major property damage, killing a large number of livestock and taking one life. Storms like that leave a long tail for tree owners. Many of the trees around town today either survived that day with damage or were planted afterward and are now reaching a size where their structure matters. When we look at a mature tree here, we pay close attention to old wounds, decay pockets and limbs that regrew after being broken.

From crossroads to commuter town

The area stayed thinly settled for decades after statehood. The Old Wire Road and the Butterfield Overland Mail ran through between 1858 and 1861, and the town grew from a crossroads after the Civil War, with a post office in 1896, incorporation in 1909 and electricity in 1928. Clever now has about 2,918 residents, and Christian County as a whole was the fastest-growing county in Missouri between 2000 and 2010. That growth shows up as new homes on lots carved from farm ground, many with a few old trees at the edges and young plantings in front.

The Battle of Dug Springs

On August 2, 1861, eight days before Wilson's Creek, Union forces under Nathaniel Lyon won a skirmish near Clever at Dug Springs. It is a reminder of how long this ground has been open country. Big old trees out here are often bur, post or white oaks that grew in the open with wide crowns. Those can live a very long time if their roots are left alone, which is worth remembering before anyone drives equipment or piles fill dirt under one.

Common requests

Pruning yard trees on exposed plateau lots
Removing storm-weakened or decayed trees
Protecting old oaks during home additions or driveway work
Fencerow and pasture-edge clearing
Stump grinding for new lawns and gardens
Storm cleanup on small acreage

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Call (417) 374-2037 or send the form with your road and a short description. We will set a time to walk the property with you. Get a free estimate

Clever Facts

On the Springfield Plateau. Clever sits on the Springfield Plateau at about 1,398 feet, roughly 14.5 miles southwest of Springfield, in the western panhandle of Christian County between Nixa and Billings.
May 4, 2003 tornadoes. A series of tornadoes passed the outer edges of town, causing major property damage, killing numerous livestock and resulting in one human death.
County growth. Christian County was the fastest-growing county in Missouri from 2000 to 2010, rising from 54,285 to 77,422 residents; 74.5% of its occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Old Wire Road town. Settlers arrived along the Old Wire Road, and the Butterfield Overland Mail ran through from 1858 to 1861. Clever incorporated in 1909 and had 2,918 residents in 2020.

Our Services in Clever, MO

Clever Questions

We are adding onto the house near a big old oak. How do we protect it?

Keep heavy equipment, fill dirt and material piles outside the area under the canopy as much as possible, since most feeder roots are shallow. Fence off that zone before work starts. We can look at the plan and tell you which roots matter most.

Is a tree with an old wound from a storm years ago still safe?

It depends on how much sound wood is left around the wound. Some trees seal over damage well; others rot inward. We check the wound and the wood around it and tell you what we find.

Do you take on jobs on farm properties around Clever?

Yes. We handle yard trees on farmsteads, fencerows and pasture trees, and we can leave wood for firewood if you want it.

How do I find a good tree company near me in Clever?

Ask for a written, itemized estimate that spells out what will be cut, how the wood and stump are handled, and what cleanup is included. Avoid anyone who recommends topping a healthy tree.

Why do the trees out here seem to break so often in storms?

Open plateau ground gives wind a long run with nothing to slow it, and yard trees that grew in the open often have long, heavy side limbs. Thinning and shortening those limbs reduces the leverage the wind gets on them.

Free Estimates in Clever, MO

Free estimates in Clever and the farm country around it.

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