10 best tree removal companies in Cerritos, California

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, it may be necessary to remove it. Tree removal also helps mitigate the risk of wildfires in Cerritos. To ensure your hazardous tree gets removed safely, turn to licensed professionals with the right equipment and experience.

You should prioritize removing trees that are diseased, have a high fall risk, or which are compromising your foundation. However, attempting to do it yourself could result in property damage or injury.

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

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Cerritos

Look for tree removal companies in Cerritos 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 shows signs of severe damage or decay, or if its roots have gotten too close to your home, removal is often the optimal decision. The number of decayed trees in Cerritos is low compared to other parts of the country. If you notice any of the following warning signs, contact a tree removal specialist.

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

Leaning trees and trees with raised dirt surrounding their trunk bases are at higher risk of falling. Contact a tree removal service immediately to examine 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 extensive property damage and gravely hurt people and pets. Signs of structural defects include rotten wood, loose bark, large cracks, dead branches and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you have a hazard tree on your property, remove it as soon as possible.

What other tree services might you need?

Some tree removal contractors offer an assortment of additional services apart from cutting down trees. These may include the following:

• Wood chipping: As the team removes your tree limb by limb, 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 be left. You can grind the stump down so what's left of the tree can decompose. A more expensive option is to remove the stump altogether, which guarantees the tree won't regrow.
• Debris removal: Tree removal contractors can use flatbed or dump trucks to haul leftover branches, logs and leaves away from your home.
• Landscaping services: Some tree removal providers also offer landscaping services. These services might 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 Cerritos

Find the right tree removal company for your job by considering these factors.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

An arborist is a scientific professional who can analyze your tree's requirements 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, transplanting and pruning trees. California does not require arborists to get 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 get certified. ISA-certified arborists have the knowledge, skills and experience to help with your tree removal.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

Tree removal providers should carry extensive insurance coverage, including workers compensation, business liability and general liability. These policies help protect you, your property and the company’s workers in the event of an accident. In California, a tree removal professional must have a Tree Removal Contractor license through the Contractors State License Board. Ask potential tree removal service providers about their licensing before hiring them.

Request a tree risk assessment

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

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal companies offer free estimates and consultations. We recommend getting multiple estimates to compare recommendations and prices.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask people you trust for suggestions on nearby tree removal companies. Even with a trusted referral, it's still important to verify a company's reputation by reading reviews on sites like Google Reviews, Yelp 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.