10 best tree removal companies in Belmont, Massachusetts

While healthy trees elevate your home's curb appeal and give your yard refreshing shade, unhealthy trees create safety concerns for 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, hire licensed professionals with the right equipment and experience.

You should remove trees that are diseased, have a high fall risk, or which are damaging your foundation. However, attempting to do it yourself could lead to property damage or injury.

When you hire a reputable tree removal company in Belmont, you'll have a skilled team to safely remove trees with specialized cutting techniques and equipment in accordance with the town's ordinances and permit requirements.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Belmont

Look for tree removal companies in Belmont 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 see severe damage or decay, or if its roots or offshoots are growing too close to your house. The number of decayed trees in Belmont is somewhat high compared to other parts of the country. Seek advice from a tree removal professional if you notice any of the following signs:

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

If you notice raised dirt close to the base of the tree trunk, or if the tree is visibly starting to lean, it's at a high risk of falling. Contact a tree removal expert as soon as possible to review the extent of the damage and take down the tree if necessary.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, also known as danger trees, have structural defects beyond repair, making them more likely to fall. Falling trees can cause significant property damage and seriously injure people and pets. Signs of structural defects include dead branches, loose bark, rotten wood, large cracks and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you suspect your property has a hazard tree, get it removed as soon as possible.

What other tree services might you need?

Tree removal experts may offer a range of other services. Along with their main focus removing trees, some contractors can help with the following additional services:

• 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: After the team finishes removing your tree, only the stump will remain. You can choose to grind down the stump so the tree's remains will decompose. A contractor can also completely remove the stump in some cases. While this is more expensive than grinding, it guarantees the tree won't grow back.
• Debris removal: Tree removal contractors can use flatbed or dump trucks to haul leftover branches, leaves and logs away from your home.
• Landscaping services: Tree removal contractors sometimes offer landscaping services. They can level holes left over from stump removal or plant a healthy tree where your old one stood.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Belmont

Use these factors to choose the best tree removal company for your needs.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

An arborist is a scientific specialist who can examine your tree's needs and advise you on the proper care. This can include restoring its health or taking it down if it's in danger of falling. Arborists also provide recommendations for planting, pruning and transplanting trees. Massachusetts 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 earn certification. ISA-certified arborists have the skills, experience and knowledge to help with your tree removal.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

When hiring a tree removal company, make sure it carries comprehensive insurance, including workers compensation, general liability and business 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 laws. Massachusetts doesn't license these companies at the state level. We recommend contacting the Belmont government and your county to ensure a prospective contractor is properly licensed.

Request a tree risk assessment

Getting a tree risk assessment (TRA) helps you decide whether tree removal is the best course of action and highlights the benefits of removing a potentially hazardous tree. After you ask for a TRA, an arborist will assess your tree's potential to fall and what damage could result 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 trunk, roots and crown. Some arborists use particular equipment to study the tree's insides.

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal contractors provide free estimates and consultations. Obtain quotes from at least two providers to assess their 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 check online reviews on sites like Yelp, BBB and Google Reviews.

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.