10 best tree removal companies in Garden City, New York

While healthy trees enhance your home's curb appeal and give your yard welcome shade, unhealthy trees present potential hazards to your property. If a tree is diseased, decaying or threatening your home's architecture, you may need 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.

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 personal injury and damage to your home.

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 techniques and equipment in accordance with local regulations.

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?

Consider removing a tree if you observe severe damage or decay, or if its roots or offshoots are growing too close to your house. The number of decayed trees in Garden City is somewhat low compared to other small towns. If you notice any of the following signs, contact a tree removal professional.

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

Leaning trees and trees with elevated dirt surrounding their trunk bases are at higher risk of falling. Contact a tree removal contractor as soon as possible to assess the extent of the damage and take down the tree if necessary.

What is a hazard tree?

Hazard trees, also known as danger trees, contain irreparable structural defects making them more prone to fall. A falling tree could seriously endanger pets, people, vehicles and property. Rotten wood, loose bark, dead branches, large cracks and hollow cavities near the tree base are all indicators of structural defects. If you have a hazard tree in your yard, get it taken down right away.

What other tree services might you need?

Some tree removal companies provide a variety of extra services apart from cutting down trees. These may include 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 the tree's remains will 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.
• Debris removal: After tree removal, there will be a lot of leaves, logs and branches to get off your property. A contractor can use flatbeds or dump trucks to remove debris faster.
• Wood chipping: As the team removes your tree branch by branch, 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.
• Landscaping services: Tree removal contractors sometimes offer landscaping services. They can level holes left over from stump removal or plant a fresh tree where your old one stood.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Garden City

Consider these factors to select the right tree removal company for your needs.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

Arborists are expert consultants that help you care for your trees. They may recommend restoring the tree's health or removal if a tree has a high fall risk. Arborists can also offer valuable insights on planting, moving and pruning trees for optimal growth and well-being. 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 knowledge, experience and skills to help with your tree removal.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

Choose a tree removal company carrying insurance for general liability, business liability and workers compensation. A contractor's insurance policy serves as a safety net for you, your property and the company's team members in case something goes wrong while they work. County and city governments often set their own tree removal licensing regulations. A contractor in Garden City doesn't need a state license if tree removal is the only service they offer. We recommend contacting the Garden City government and your county to ensure a prospective contractor complies with the requirements.

Request a tree risk assessment

Getting a tree risk assessment (TRA) helps you evaluate whether tree removal is the best course of action and can underscore the benefits of taking down a potentially hazardous tree. During a TRA appointment, an arborist will determine the chance the tree could fall and what damage could ensue. They'll begin by looking at the tree from afar for clear damage indicators. Next, they'll walk around the tree up close, inspecting its trunk, crown and roots. Some arborists use advanced equipment to analyze the tree's interior.

Get a free estimate

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

Read reviews from homeowners

Ask those closest to you for tree removal contractor recommendations. While suggestions from loved ones are helpful, it's important to read online reviews on Yelp, BBB 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.