10 best tree removal companies in Garden City, Michigan

Healthy trees can increase your home's curb appeal and bring shade to your yard, but unhealthy trees pose risks to your property. You may need to remove a tree if it's decaying, diseased or threatening your home's architecture. Tree removal is also important for mitigating fire risk, as dead trees are more flammable than live ones. Licensed professionals have the equipment and experience to remove a tree from your property safely.

It's crucial to get rid of diseased trees with higher fall risk, as well as trees impacting your home's foundation and structural integrity. The task, however, is extremely dangerous if done improperly. Attempting to do the job by yourself could lead to personal injury or property damage.

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

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Garden City

Look for tree removal companies in Garden City 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 have gotten too close to your home, removal is often the best course of action. The number of decayed trees in Garden City is relatively high compared to other small towns. It's wise to get advice from a professional tree removal contractor if you spot any of these warning signs:

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

If you see raised dirt close to the base of the tree trunk, or if the tree is visibly starting to lean, it's in danger of falling. Contact a tree removal professional 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 high risk of falling, it becomes a hazard tree, sometimes called a danger tree. A falling tree could seriously endanger vehicles, pets, people and property. A few signs that a tree has structural defects include loose bark, rotten wood, large cracks, dead branches and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you have a hazard tree on your property, get it taken down right away.

What other tree services might you need?

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

• Wood chipping: Tree removal professionals can use wood chippers to break down tree trunks and branches. You can use the chips as mulch for your flower beds.
• Debris removal: Tree removal contractors can use flatbed or dump trucks to haul leftover logs, leaves and branches away from your home.
• Stump removal: After cutting down 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 regrow.
• Landscaping services: Some tree removal professionals double as landscapers. If you hire one of these companies, you could install a replacement tree or cover the space where the stump was located.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Garden City

Find the right tree removal company for your job based on these factors.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

A licensed arborist can assess your tree's health and offer relevant solutions, such as restoring its health or safely removing it to mitigate fall risk. Arborists also provide guidance on pruning, planting and moving trees. Michigan 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 obtain the certification. ISA-certified arborists have the knowledge, skills 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 business liability, general liability and workers compensation. 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 Garden City doesn't need a state license if tree removal is the only service they offer. We recommend contacting Garden City building officials and your county to ensure a prospective contractor complies with the requirements.

Request a tree risk assessment

To determine if removing a tree is the best choice, have a tree risk assessment (TRA). During a TRA appointment, an arborist will assess the chance the tree could fall and what damage could result. They'll begin by visually examining the tree from afar for clear damage indicators. Next, they'll circle the tree up close, inspecting its trunk, crown and roots. Some arborists use specialized equipment to analyze the tree's interior.

Get a free estimate

Many tree removal companies offer free consultations and estimates. We recommend getting more than one estimate to compare recommendations and prices.

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask family, friends and neighbors for suggestions on reputable tree removal services near you. It's also wise to check online 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.