10 best tree removal companies in Arlington Heights, Illinois

While healthy trees enhance your home's curb appeal and give your yard refreshing shade, unhealthy trees present potential hazards to your property. If a tree is diseased, decaying or threatening your home's architecture, it may be necessary 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, call on licensed professionals with the right equipment and experience.

It's important to get rid of diseased trees with higher fall risk, as well as trees impacting your home's foundation and structural integrity. The task, however, is very dangerous if done improperly. Attempting to do the job alone could lead to property damage or personal injury.

Tree removal specialists have mastered the proper cutting techniques and use specialized machinery to remove trees following local ordinances. Partnering with a reputable tree removal company in Arlington Heights gives you confidence that the job will be completed safely and properly.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Arlington Heights

Look for tree removal companies in Arlington Heights 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 growing too close to your home. The number of decayed trees in Arlington Heights is average compared to other parts of the country. It's wise to contact a professional tree removal contractor if you spot any of these warning signs:

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

Leaning trees and trees with elevated dirt surrounding their trunk bases are at higher risk of falling. Contact a tree removal contractor immediately to assess the tree and safely remove it if necessary.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, also known as danger trees, have irreparable structural defects making them more likely to fall. Falling trees can cause considerable property damage and seriously injure people and pets. Signs of a structural defect include loose bark, large cracks, rotten wood, dead branches and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you have a hazard tree on your property, get it removed without delay.

What other tree services might you need?

Tree removal companies offer a variety of services. In addition to removing trees, many companies offer the following:

• Debris removal: Debris like branches, leaves and logs is often left behind after tree removal. Some companies can use dump trucks or flatbeds to haul debris away.
• Wood chipping: As the team removes your tree limb by limb, they might use a wood chipper to shred the tree parts. Consider giving the tree a second life by using the chips as mulch for your garden.
• Stump removal: After cutting down a tree, only the stump remains. Based on your budget and needs, a service professional can completely remove the stump or grind it down so what's left of it will decompose. Removal is more expensive than grinding, but it guarantees the tree won't grow back.
• Landscaping services: Tree removal contractors sometimes offer landscaping services. They can help you fill holes left over from stump removal or plant a new tree where your old one stood.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Arlington Heights

To choose the best tree removal company for your needs, think about 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. Illinois doesn't have arborist licensing rules, so we recommend looking for an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). Arborists must have at least three years of experience and pass an exam to obtain the certification. ISA-certified arborists have the skills, knowledge and experience to remove your tree.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

When hiring a tree removal company, make sure it carries comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers compensation, general liability and business liability. This coverage safeguards 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 regulations. A contractor in Arlington Heights doesn't need a state license if tree removal is all they offer. We recommend checking with Arlington Heights officials and your county to ensure a prospective contractor meets all requirements.

Request a tree risk assessment

Getting a tree risk assessment (TRA) helps you determine whether tree removal is a good decision and highlights the benefits of removing a potentially hazardous tree. To perform a TRA, an arborist starts by searching for clear signs of damage from a distance. Then, they'll walk around the tree, closely inspecting the trunk, roots and crown. Sometimes, arborists use advanced gear to evaluate the tree's interior.

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal companies offer a free consultation and services estimate. Get estimates from multiple companies to compare prices and recommendations.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask friends and family to recommend reputable tree removal companies. Even with a referral from someone, it's still important to verify a company's reputation by reading 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.