Wauchula takes its pace from the Peace River — slow and brown-green, sliding south under the bridges while cattle country and citrus rows stretch out either side. Regal Tree Service and Stump Grinding works the yards and fence lines of Hardee County, trimming oaks that have grown out over the porch and taking down the ones that have finished their run. The stump is no afterthought here: it gets ground out below grade so the grass can close over it and the mower never finds it again. On a hot afternoon the crew leaves a clear lot, a level patch of ground and a live oak with its shape given back. Small-town work, done so the place looks like itself.