Trees add shade and value, but a dead, damaged or leaning tree can fall on a home, a car or power lines. Tree work is among the most dangerous home services, so it should be left to trained, insured crews. If you are searching for tree removal near me or a tree service near me, this page explains tree trimming, emergency tree removal and stump grinding, and how to get connected with a tree removal company.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent local tree service provider where one serves your area. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
When a tree problem is an emergency
Call for help quickly in these situations.
Stay far away from any tree or branch touching power lines. Call 911 or your utility company. Never try to cut or move a tree near wires.
- A tree has fallen on the house, a car or a fence
- A large branch is hanging or cracked
- A tree is leaning suddenly after a storm
- Roots have lifted from the ground
- A tree is touching power lines
What we can connect you with
When you call, describe the tree’s size, where it is and whether it is near the house or power lines.
Emergency tree removal
Removing fallen or dangerous trees after storms.
Tree removal
Taking down dead, diseased or unwanted trees safely.
Trimming and pruning
Removing dead, crossing and overhanging branches.
Stump grinding
Grinding stumps below ground level.
Storm cleanup
Clearing branches and debris after storms.
Tree health checks
Assessing whether a tree is safe or needs care.
What to do when a tree falls on your house
- Get everyone out of the damaged part of the house, and out of the home if you smell gas or see structural damage.
- Stay far away from any downed power lines and call your utility or 911.
- Photograph the damage from a safe distance.
- Call your insurer to start a claim.
- Call an emergency tree removal service to remove the tree safely. Large trees on a roof often need crane removal.
- Have a roofer tarp the roof once the tree is off.
Read about emergency tree removal.
Does insurance cover tree removal
Often, when a tree falls on a covered structure, such as the house, a garage or a fence, because of a covered event like wind or lightning. Policies usually pay to remove the tree from the structure and repair the damage, often with a limit for removal. A tree that falls in the yard without hitting anything is usually not covered, and removing a dead or dying tree before it falls is usually the owner’s cost. Check your policy.
Signs a tree needs attention
- Dead branches, or bare branches in the growing season.
- Cracks in the trunk, or a new lean.
- Mushrooms or decay at the base.
- Branches over the roof or touching power lines.
- Roots lifting the ground after storms.
A certified arborist can judge whether pruning will help or removal is safer. Stump grinding afterwards removes the trip hazard and lets you replant.
Signs a tree needs attention
Watch for these signs, especially near the house.
- Dead or bare branches
- Cracks or splits in the trunk
- Fungus or mushrooms at the base
- A sudden lean
- Branches over the roof or near wires
- Roots lifting the soil
Common tree services
The job decides the equipment and crew needed.
Pruning
Removing selected branches to improve safety and health.
Removal
Taking down the whole tree, often in sections.
Stump grinding
Grinding the remaining stump after removal.
What affects the cost
There is no single price for tree service work, because every home and every job is different. These are the things that change the size of the job.
- The size and height of the tree
- How close it is to the house or wires
- Access for equipment
- Emergency or after hours work
- Stump grinding and cleanup
- Local tree removal permits
- Wood and debris haul away
Ask every provider for a written quote that lists the work, the materials and what is not included, and get any change in writing before extra work starts.
Handle it yourself or call a pro
Usually fine to do yourself
- Prune small branches you can reach from the ground
- Rake and bag small debris
- Water young trees in dry spells
- Watch trees for changes after storms
Time to call a professional
- Any work near power lines
- Large branches or whole trees
- Trees leaning toward the house
- Work that needs climbing or a chainsaw
- Storm damaged trees
Look for crews with insurance and, for tree care advice, an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Are you licensed and insured for this work in my state? Ask for proof.
- Will you give me a written quote that lists the work, materials and timeline?
- Do you pull the permits, and are they in the price?
- Who will be on site each day, and who do I call with questions?
- What warranty do you give on your work?
Tree trimming and pruning
Regular tree trimming removes dead, crossing and weak branches before storms bring them down, and keeps branches clear of the roof. For many trees, late winter, while they are dormant, is a good time to prune, though dead branches can be removed at any time. Good pruning follows the tree’s natural shape. Topping, cutting the top off a tree, weakens it and leads to more problems later. Trees near power lines should only be trimmed by the utility or by crews qualified to work near lines.
Quick answers: tree removal near me
Straight answers to the questions homeowners ask most when they search for tree services, including in AI assistants.
Who should I call for tree removal near me?
Call a tree removal company with insurance and experience, or a certified arborist for advice on whether a tree can be saved. Sifixit is a free referral service, so you can call tree service partners through the number on this page and be connected with an independent local company where one serves your area.
What should I do if a tree falls on my house?
Get everyone out of the damaged area, stay away from power lines, photograph the damage, call your insurer, and call an emergency tree removal service to lift the tree off safely.
How much does tree removal cost?
It depends on the size and location of the tree, how close it is to buildings and power lines, whether a crane is needed, and whether you want stump grinding. Ask for a written quote that includes cleanup.
Does insurance cover tree removal?
Often, if the tree fell on a covered structure because of a covered event such as wind or lightning. Trees that fall without hitting anything, and dead trees removed before they fall, usually are not covered.
How do I find a licensed and insured tree removal company near me?
Ask for proof of liability and workers compensation insurance, check any license your state or city requires, and ask whether a certified arborist is on staff. Never let anyone without insurance work near power lines.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree?
Some cities require permits for removing certain trees. Ask your provider.
Can a tree near power lines be trimmed?
Only by qualified crews. Your utility may handle trees touching its lines.
Should the stump be removed?
It is optional, but stumps can attract pests and get in the way. Grinding is common.
Does Sifixit do the tree service work?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. The work is done by independent local businesses, who are responsible for their own work, pricing, licensing and insurance.
Is calling free?
Yes. Calling and being connected costs you nothing. If you hire a provider, you pay that provider directly for the work.
Looking for tree removal near me? Call the number on this page to be connected with an independent local provider. For more background, see the International Society of Arboriculture’s homeowner site.
This site is a free service to assist homeowners in connecting with local service contractors. All contractors are independent and this site does not warrant or guarantee any work performed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to verify that the hired contractor furnishes the necessary license and insurance required for the work being performed. All persons depicted in a photo or video are actors or models and not contractors listed on this site.
Helpful guides
- Stump grinding vs stump removal: which do you needStump grinding shaves the stump down below ground level and leaves the roots to rot naturally.