10 best tree removal companies in Durham, North Carolina

While healthy trees improve your home's curb appeal and give your yard refreshing shade, unhealthy trees create safety concerns for your property. If a tree is decaying, diseased 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.

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

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

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Durham

Look for tree removal companies in Durham 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 showing signs of severe damage or decay, or if it’s growing too close to your home. The number of decayed trees in Durham is average compared to other American cities. Consider contacting a tree removal specialist if any of the following apply to your tree:

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

Leaning trees or trees with raised dirt surrounding the tree trunk base are more likely to fall. If you notice either of these signs, contact a professional tree removal team right away to review the damage and remove the tree before it can cause further damage.

What is a hazard tree?

When a tree has irreparable structural defects that put it at high risk of falling, it becomes a hazard tree, sometimes called a danger tree. Falling trees can cause considerable property damage and gravely hurt people and pets. A few signs that a tree has structural defects include large cracks, dead branches, loose bark, rotten wood 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?

Some tree removal contractors provide a range of additional services in addition to cutting down trees. These may include the following:

• Debris removal: Tree removal usually leaves behind large debris such as logs, branches and leaves. A professional can use a dump truck or flatbed to haul away debris.
• Stump removal: Once the removal crew finishes cutting down your tree, only the stump will remain. 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.
• Wood chipping: As the team removes your tree branch by branch, 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.
• Landscaping services: Some tree removal professionals provide landscaping services. By choosing one of these companies, you could plant a new tree or level the area where the stump was located.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Durham

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

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

A licensed arborist can assess your tree's condition and offer appropriate solutions, such as restoring its health or safely removing it to mitigate fall risk. Arborists also provide guidance on planting, moving and pruning trees. North Carolina 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 at least three years of experience and pass an exam to obtain the certification. ISA-certified arborists have the experience, skills and knowledge to remove your tree.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

Tree removal providers should have extensive insurance coverage, including business liability, workers compensation and general liability. These policies help protect you, your property and the company’s workers in the event of an accident. County and city governments often set their own tree removal licensing regulations. No state license is required for contractors in North Carolina that only remove trees. We recommend checking with Durham building officials and your county to ensure a prospective contractor is properly licensed.

Request a tree risk assessment

By getting a tree risk assessment (TRA), you'll receive professional advice on whether removing a tree is necessary. The assessment also details the risks of keeping a potentially hazardous tree. 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 trunk, roots and crown. Sometimes, arborists use specialized gear to study the tree's interior.

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal companies offer free estimates and consultations. Get estimates from multiple companies to compare prices and recommendations.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask people you know for tree removal company recommendations. While a personal recommendation can be valuable, it's still wise to read online reviews on BBB, Yelp and Google Reviews before making your choice.

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.