10 best tree removal companies in Copiague, New York

Healthy trees enhance your home's curb appeal and bring welcome shade to your yard. However, unhealthy trees can pose serious risks 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. Entrust the job to licensed professionals with the right equipment and experience to safely remove hazard trees from your property.

Removing diseased trees and other trees with high fall risk is vital for your property's safety. However, trying to tackle the project yourself could lead to serious injury and costly property damage.

Tree removal professionals are trained in the proper cutting techniques and employ specialized tools to remove trees according to local ordinances. When you work with a reputable tree removal company in Copiague, you can trust that the job will be completed safely and properly.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Copiague

Look for tree removal companies in Copiague 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?

If a tree on your property shows indications of severe damage or decay, or if it's growing too close to your house, you may need to have it removed. The number of decayed trees in Copiague is somewhat low compared to other small towns. If you see any of the following signs, consider hiring a tree removal specialist.

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

If you notice raised dirt around the base of the trunk, or if the tree is beginning to lean, it's in danger of falling. Contact a tree removal service immediately to assess the tree and help remove it if necessary.

What is a hazard tree?

When a tree has irreparable structural defects that put it at significant risk of falling, it becomes a hazard tree, sometimes called a danger tree. A falling tree poses a major risk to vehicles, people, pets and property. Signs of structural defects include dead branches, loose bark, large cracks, rotten wood and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you have a hazard tree on your property, get it taken down as soon as possible.

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:

• Stump removal: After the team finishes removing your tree, only the stump will remain. You can choose to grind down the stump so it will more easily 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.
• 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.
• Debris removal: Tree removal contractors can use flatbed or dump trucks to haul leftover leaves, branches and logs away from your home.
• Landscaping services: If you hire a tree removal company that provides landscaping services, the team could help fill up holes or install a fresh tree.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Copiague

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

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

A tree removal company's staff arborist is the right expert to get your tree care questions answered. They'll tap into their extensive scientific training to examine your tree's health and provide the necessary treatments, including health restoration or removal if the tree poses a falling hazard. Arborists are also a valuable resource for advice on pruning, planting and moving 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 three years of field experience and pass an exam to obtain the certification. ISA-certified arborists have the skills, experience and knowledge to help with your tree removal.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

Tree removal companies should carry an extensive insurance policy, 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. City and county governments often set their own tree removal licensing requirements. New York doesn't license these companies at the state level. We recommend contacting the Copiague government and your county to ensure a prospective contractor is properly licensed.

Request a tree risk assessment

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

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal contractors offer free consultations and service estimates. Obtain quotes from multiple providers to assess their prices and recommendations.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask friends, family and neighbors 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, 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.