10 best tree removal companies in Brooklyn, New York

While healthy trees elevate 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.

It's essential to remove diseased trees, trees with high fall risk and trees that are damaging your foundation. However, performing this task yourself increases the potential for personal injury and damage to your home.

Tree removal professionals have expertise in the proper cutting techniques and use specialized tools to remove trees following local ordinances. By partnering with a reputable tree removal company in Brooklyn, you can have peace of mind that the job will be completed safely and properly.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Brooklyn

Look for tree removal companies in Brooklyn 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?

When a tree exhibits signs of severe damage or decay, or if its roots are encroaching on your home, removal is often the most advisable step. The number of decayed trees in Brooklyn is marginally high compared to other parts of the country. get in touch with a tree removal professional if you see any of the following signs:

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

Trees that are leaning or have elevated soil around the tree trunk base are at a high risk of falling. Contact a reputable tree removal company right away if you see either of these signs, and have the tree professionally evaluated.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, sometimes called danger trees, have structural defects that cannot be fixed, increasing the chance they will fall. Falling trees can cause extensive property damage and seriously injure people and pets. A few signs that a tree has structural defects include rotten wood, large cracks, loose bark, dead branches and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you have a hazard tree on your property, get it removed right away.

What other tree services might you need?

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

• Debris removal: Tree removal contractors can use flatbed or dump trucks to haul leftover leaves, branches and logs away from your home.
• Wood chipping: Tree removal teams often use wood chippers to shred tree trunks and branches. If you'd like, you can use the chips as mulch to improve your other plants' growth.
• Stump removal: After removing a tree, only the stump is left. Based on your budget and needs, a service professional can remove the stump altogether 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: If you hire a tree removal company that offers landscaping services, the team could help level holes or plant a new, healthy tree.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Brooklyn

Think about 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 professional who can examine your tree's requirements and advise you on the proper care. This can include restoring its health or removing it if it's in danger of falling. Arborists also provide recommendations for pruning, planting and transplanting trees. New York 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 get certified. ISA-certified arborists have the skills, knowledge and experience 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, including general liability, workers compensation 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 requirements. A contractor in Brooklyn doesn't need a state license if tree removal is the only service they offer. We recommend contacting the Brooklyn government and your county to ensure a prospective contractor is properly licensed.

Request a tree risk assessment

To determine if removing a tree is the right choice, get a professional tree risk assessment (TRA). To perform a TRA, an arborist starts by looking for clear signs of damage from a distance. Then, they'll walk around the tree, closely inspecting the crown, trunk and roots. Sometimes, arborists use specialized gear to evaluate the tree's interior.

Get a free estimate

Most tree removal companies provide complimentary consultations and estimates. Get quotes from at least two providers and compare rates to find the best value.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask friends, family and neighbors for recommendations for tree removal services near you. It's also wise to browse 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.