10 best tree removal companies in Long Beach, California

Healthy trees enhance 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 especially important in Long Beach due to the area's high wildfire risk. Entrust the job to licensed professionals who have the right equipment and experience to safely remove hazard trees from your property.

You should remove trees that are diseased, have a high fall risk, or which are damaging your foundation. However, attempting to do it yourself could result in injury or property damage.

Tree removal professionals are trained in the proper cutting techniques and use specialized machinery to remove trees according to local ordinances and permit requirements. By partnering with a reputable tree removal company in Long Beach, you can have peace of mind that the job will be completed safely and to a high standard.

Find the best local tree removal companies for you in Long Beach

Look for tree removal companies in Long Beach 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 Long Beach is low compared to other major metro areas. It's wise to contact a professional tree removal contractor if you notice any of these warning signs:

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

If you notice raised dirt near the base of the tree trunk, or if the tree is visibly beginning to lean, it's at a high risk of falling. Contact a tree removal contractor as soon as possible to evaluate 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 increase their risk of falling. Falling trees can cause considerable property damage and severely harm people and pets. Signs of a structural defect include large cracks, loose bark, rotten wood, dead branches and hollow cavities near the tree base. If you have a hazard tree on your property, get it taken down immediately.

What other tree services might you need?

Some tree removal companies offer an assortment of extra services in addition to cutting down trees. These may include the following:

• Debris removal: After tree removal, there will be a lot of branches, leaves and logs to clear. A contractor can use flatbeds or dump trucks to remove debris faster.
• Wood chipping: Tree removal specialists can use wood chippers to break down tree trunks and branches. You can keep the chips and spread them in your gardens as mulch.
• 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: Tree removal contractors sometimes offer landscaping services. They can help you fill holes left over from stump removal or plant a healthy tree where your old one stood.

How to choose the best tree removal service in Long Beach

To choose the right tree removal company for your needs, consider these factors.

Ask whether the company has a licensed arborist on staff

A licensed arborist can assess your tree's health and offer suitable solutions, such as restoring its health or safely removing it to mitigate fall risk. Arborists also provide guidance on planting, moving and pruning trees. California 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 earn certification. ISA-certified arborists have the experience, skills and knowledge to help with your tree removal.

Make sure the company is licensed and insured

When hiring a tree removal company, make sure it has comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers compensation, business liability and general liability. This coverage can financially protect you if an accident happens. In California, a tree removal professional must have a Tree Removal Contractor license through the Contractors State License Board. Ask potential tree removal service providers about their licensing before hiring them.

Request a tree risk assessment

Getting a tree risk assessment (TRA) helps you determine whether tree removal is a good decision and highlights the benefits of taking down 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 crown, roots and trunk. Sometimes, arborists use advanced gear to evaluate 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 suggestions. While a personal recommendation can be valuable, it's still wise to read online reviews on Google Reviews, Yelp and BBB 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.