10 best tree removal companies in Apex, North Carolina

While healthy trees elevate your home's curb appeal and give your yard welcome shade, unhealthy trees present potential hazards to your property. If a tree is diseased, decaying 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 important for your property's health. However, attempting to tackle the project yourself could lead to serious injury and expensive property damage.

When you hire a reputable tree removal company in Apex, you'll have a skilled team to safely remove trees with specialized cutting equipment and techniques in accordance with local requirements.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Apex

Look for tree removal companies in Apex 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?

You should trim or remove a tree if it’s displaying evidence of severe damage or decay, or if it’s encroaching on your home. The number of decayed trees in Apex is comparatively high compared to other American cities. If you see any of the following signs, consider hiring a tree removal professional.

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

If you see raised dirt close to the base of the tree trunk, or if the tree is visibly starting to lean, it's in danger of falling. Contact a trusted tree removal provider right away if you see either of these signs, and have the tree professionally assessed.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, sometimes called danger trees, have irreparable structural defects that increase their risk of falling. A falling tree could seriously endanger vehicles, property, people and pets. Signs of structural defects include dead branches, large cracks, loose bark, rotten wood and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you believe your property has a hazard tree, get it removed as soon as possible.

What other tree services might you need?

Tree removal contractors may offer a range of other services. Along with their main focus removing trees, some companies can help with these other jobs:

• Stump removal: Only the stump will remain following a tree removal. A professional might recommend completely removing the stump based on the circumstances. They may also grind the stump so the tree's remnants decompose more quickly. Stump removal is more expensive than grinding, but it guarantees that the tree won't regrow.
• Debris removal: Debris like logs, leaves and branches is often left behind after tree removal. Some companies can use dump trucks or flatbeds to haul debris away.
• Wood chipping: Tree removal crews often use wood chippers to chip tree trunks and branches. If you'd like, you can use the chips as mulch to improve your other plants' growth.
• Landscaping services: Some tree removal services also offer landscaping services. This could include leveling and repurposing the area where the tree stump was or planting a new tree.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Apex

Consider these factors to select the best tree removal company for your needs.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

A licensed arborist can assess your tree's health and offer relevant solutions, such as restoring its health or safely removing it to mitigate fall risk. Arborists also offer guidance on moving, planting and pruning trees. North Carolina doesn't have arborist licensing rules, 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, ensure it carries comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers compensation, business liability and general liability. This coverage protects you, your property and the company's employees if an accident occurs during the job. City and county governments often set their own tree removal licensing requirements. No state license is required for contractors in North Carolina that only remove trees. We recommend contacting the Apex building department and your county to ensure a prospective contractor complies with the requirements.

Request a tree risk assessment

By getting a tree risk assessment (TRA), you'll receive professional advice on whether removing a tree is essential. The assessment also details the risks of keeping a potentially hazardous tree. During a TRA appointment, an arborist will determine the chance the tree could fall and what damage could result. They'll begin by looking at the tree from afar for clear damage indicators. Next, they'll circle the tree up close, inspecting its trunk, crown and roots. Some arborists use specialized equipment to analyze the tree's interior.

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal companies offer free estimates and consultations. Get estimates from at least two companies to compare prices and recommendations.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask neighbors, friends and family for suggestions on reputable tree removal companies in your area. It's also wise to read online reviews on sites like Yelp, Google Reviews and BBB.

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.