10 best tree removal companies in Albany, Oregon

While healthy trees enhance your home's curb appeal and give your yard cooling shade, unhealthy trees pose significant risks for your property. If a tree is decaying, diseased or threatening your home's architecture, you may need to remove it. Tree removal is also important for mitigating fire risk, as dead trees are more flammable than live ones. To ensure your hazardous tree gets removed safely, hire licensed professionals with the right equipment and experience.

Removing diseased trees and other trees with high fall risk is vital for your property's health. However, attempting to tackle the project yourself could lead to serious injury and expensive property damage.

Tree removal contractors know the proper cutting techniques and use specialized tools to remove trees according to local regulations. By working with a reputable tree removal company in Albany, you can be more confident that the job will get done safely and correctly.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Albany

Look for tree removal companies in Albany with at least 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and a good rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB). Use the filters below to help you find the right company for your needs.

How do you know a tree needs to be removed?

Consider removing a tree if you observe severe damage or decay, or if its roots or offshoots are encroaching on your house. The number of decayed trees in Albany is high compared to other parts of the country. get in touch with a tree removal specialist if you see any of the following signs:

The tree has damage from heavy rain or thunderstorms. The tree has diseases, mold or pests weakening its structure. The tree is visibly dead or severely burned. The tree or its offshoots are too close to your home, garage or shed. The tree's branches or trunk are cracked and won't heal. The tree is dropping an unusual amount of sap, branches, needles, seeds or leaves. The tree's roots are causing your home's foundation to crack or lift.

Trees that are leaning or have elevated soil surrounding the tree trunk base are more likely to fall. Contact a tree removal contractor immediately to evaluate the tree and safely remove it if necessary.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, sometimes called danger trees, have structural defects that cannot be fixed, increasing the chance of them falling. Falling trees can pose a considerable threat to people, property, pets and vehicles. Signs of structural defects include large cracks, rotten wood, dead branches, loose bark and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you have a hazard tree on your property, don't wait to remove it as soon as possible.

What other tree services might you need?

Some tree removal companies offer a range of extra services in addition to removing trees. These may include the following:

• Wood chipping: As the team removes your tree branch by branch, they might use a wood chipper to further break the brush down. Consider giving the tree a second life by using the chips as mulch for your garden.
• Stump removal: Once the removal crew finishes cutting down your tree, only the stump will remain. You can grind the stump down so it will more easily decompose. A more expensive option is to completely remove the stump, which guarantees the tree won't grow back.
• Debris removal: Tree removal usually leaves behind large debris such as logs, branches and leaves. A professional can use a dump truck or flatbed to haul away debris.
• Landscaping services: Some tree removal professionals double as landscapers. By choosing one of these companies, you could install a replacement tree or fill the hole where the stump was located.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Albany

To select the best tree removal company for your needs, consider these factors.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

A licensed arborist can assess your tree's condition and offer suitable solutions, such as restoring its health or safely removing it to mitigate fall risk. Arborists also offer guidance on pruning, planting and moving trees. Oregon does not require arborists to hold a license, so we recommend looking for an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Arborists must have three years of field experience and pass an exam to obtain the certification. ISA-certified arborists have the experience, knowledge and skills to help with your tree removal.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

When hiring a tree removal company, make sure it has comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability, workers compensation and business liability. This coverage can financially protect you if an accident happens. In Oregon, tree removal service providers must be licensed either by the Construction Contractors Board (CCB) or the Landscape Contractors Board (LCB). If you also want your provider to plant trees, they must have an LCB license. Be sure to discuss licensing with potential tree removal service providers before hiring.

Request a tree risk assessment

By getting a tree risk assessment (TRA), you'll get a professional opinion on whether removing a tree is essential. The assessment also presents the risks of keeping a potentially hazardous tree. After you call for a TRA, an arborist will assess your tree's fall risk and what damage could come from a fall. The arborist will first visually assess the tree from a distance to look for obvious signs of damage. They will then walk around the tree to inspect its roots, crown and trunk. Some arborists use specific equipment to study the tree's insides.

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal companies offer free consultations and estimates. We recommend getting more than one estimate to compare prices and recommendations.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask friends and family for tree removal contractor recommendations. While suggestions from loved ones are helpful, it's important to read online reviews on Yelp, Google Reviews and BBB before making your choice.

Our methodology for selecting tree removal companies

The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.