10 best tree removal companies in Fort Mill, South Carolina

Healthy trees improve your home's curb appeal and give welcome shade to your yard. However, unhealthy trees can present significant dangers to your property. If a tree is diseased, decaying or threatening your home's architecture, you might need 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 who have the right equipment and experience to safely remove hazard trees from your property.

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

Tree removal professionals have mastered the proper cutting techniques and utilize specialized equipment to remove trees while adhering to local regulations. Working with a reputable tree removal company in Fort Mill ensures that the job will be executed safely and correctly.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Fort Mill

Look for tree removal companies in Fort Mill 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 has evidence 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 Fort Mill is somewhat high compared to other small towns. Seek advice from a tree removal specialist if you see any of the following signs:

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

If you see raised dirt close to the base of the tree trunk, or if the tree is visibly starting to lean, it's at 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, sometimes called danger trees, have irreparable structural defects that make them prone to falling. A falling tree could damage or injure pets, people, vehicles and property. Signs of structural defects include loose bark, rotten wood, large cracks, dead branches and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you have a hazard tree in your yard, have it removed immediately.

What other tree services might you need?

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

• Stump removal: After cutting down a tree, only the stump remains. Based on your budget and needs, a service professional can completely remove the stump 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.
• Debris removal: Tree removal usually leaves behind large debris such as branches, leaves and logs. A professional can use a dump truck or flatbed to haul away debris.
• Wood chipping: Tree removal crews often use wood chippers to shred tree trunks and branches. If you'd like, you can use the chips as mulch to nourish your garden plants.
• Landscaping services: Some tree removal companies also offer landscaping services. This could 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 Fort Mill

Follow these steps to make the right tree removal company decision for your needs.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

A tree removal company's staff arborist is the go-to expert to get your tree care questions answered. They'll tap into their extensive scientific training to assess your tree's health and provide the necessary treatments, including restoration or removal if the tree poses a falling hazard. Arborists are also a valuable resource for advice on moving, planting and pruning trees. South Carolina does not require arborists to hold 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 experience, skills and knowledge to remove your tree.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

Tree removal contractors should have extensive insurance coverage, including general liability, workers compensation and business 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 regulations. No state license is required for contractors in South Carolina that only remove trees. We recommend checking with Fort Mill officials 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). During the TRA, an arborist will assess a tree's likelihood of falling and the damage that could result. First, they'll visually evaluate the tree from a distance, looking for obvious damage signs. Next, they'll inspect the crown, roots and trunk by circling around the tree. Some arborists use special tools to examine the tree's internal structure.

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal contractors provide free estimates and consultations. Obtain quotes from several providers to assess their prices and recommendations.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask those closest to you for tree removal company suggestions. While suggestions from loved ones are helpful, it's important 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.